BMW M2 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA
BMW M2
BMW’s compact high-performance coupé.
VS
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Mercedes' 4-door coupe on the MFA2 platform.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
BMW M2
Pick the M2 for a compact, involving sports coupé with rear-wheel drive and a characterful inline-six.
Best engine: The M2 Competition (S55, 410 hp) or the M2 (S58, 460 hp).
Read the full guide
Pick this one if…
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Pick the CLA for coupe styling with MBUX technology and efficient engines in a premium compact 4-door coupe.
Best engine: The CLA 200 (petrol) or CLA 200 d / CLA 220 d (diesel) — the sweet spot.
Read the full guide
Performance
M2 · Petrol vs M282 CLA 200 · Petrol
| BMW M2 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
460 hp
Winner
|
163 hp
|
| Torque |
550 Nm
Winner
|
250 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
4,1 s
Winner
|
8,5 s
|
| Top speed |
250 km/h
Winner
|
229 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
259,2 hp/t
Winner
|
109,4 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
226 g/km
|
139 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
10,5 L/100km
|
5,6 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW M2 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
390 L
|
460 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.200 L
|
1.240 L
Winner
|
| Wheelbase |
2,75 m
Winner
|
2,73 m
|
| Length |
4,58 m
|
4,69 m
|
| Width |
1,89 m
|
1,83 m
|
| Height |
1,40 m
|
1,44 m
|
| Seats |
4
|
5
Winner
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW M2 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | F22 (F87) · CLAR (G87) | MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177 and B-Class W247) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | N55 3.0 · S55 3.0 · S58 3.0 petrol | M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual · 7-speed DCT (F87) · 8-speed automatic (G87) | 7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual) |
| Euro standard | Euro 6 | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 petrol allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW M2
- N55 charge pipe and oil leaks (base M2)
- Cooling system and differential seals
- High tyre and brake wear (performance car)
Mercedes-Benz CLA
- M282 (1.3): thermostat/cooling and elevated oil consumption reported
- Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
- 7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
- MBUX software glitches (mostly resolved by updates)
Pros
BMW M2
- Involving, playful rear-wheel-drive handling
- Characterful inline-six engines (N55/S55/S58)
- Manual gearbox available
Mercedes-Benz CLA
- 4-door coupe styling with a usable 460 L boot
- MBUX dual-screen with voice control (C118)
- Efficient OM654 diesel (CLA 200 d: 150 hp / 320 Nm)
- CLA 250 e PHEV: 218 hp and 450 Nm, company-car friendly
Cons
BMW M2
- Firm ride and limited comfort
- Cramped rear seats (2+2)
Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Low roofline limits rear headroom
- Dual-clutch gearbox needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
- OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
BMW M2
11 for sale · from € 42.890
Mercedes-Benz CLA
45 for sale · from € 9.990
Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 AMG · Panoramic roof · Camera · Leather
€ 12.500
DR Motors
DR Motors
Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 AMG · 360° camera · CarPlay · Navigation
€ 21.990
Garage Carrera Cars
Garage Carrera Cars
Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 23.495
DR Motors
DR Motors
Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Panoramic roof · CarPlay · LED
€ 18.495
DR Motors
DR Motors
