BMW M2 F87 / Honda Civic Type R FL5

The BMW M2 F87 makes 370 horsepower and costs $55,000. The Honda Civic Type R FL5 makes 315 horsepower and costs $45,000—a $10,000 price gap (18% cheaper for the Civic) despite the M2 having 55hp more power. Across 22 shared tracks with 157 unique comparison scenarios, the cars are virtually tied at 0.04 seconds overall, but when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the Civic wins 93.5% of battles with a 3.83-second average gap.

This is BMW's first-generation M2 (2016-2018) versus Honda's 11th-generation Civic Type R FL5 (2023-2025). The M2 weighs 3,296 lbs. The Civic weighs 3,188 lbs—108 pounds lighter. The M2 has 55hp more power (370hp vs 315hp), yet the Civic wins 93.5% of matched battles. But the real story isn't just power or lap times—it's age, warranty, and total ownership cost.

The Age and Warranty Advantage: 2016 vs 2023

The M2 F87 debuted in 2016 as BMW's compact M car, making 2016-2018 models 7-9 years old today. The Civic Type R FL5 launched in 2023 as Honda's latest hot hatch, making 2023-2025 models 0-2 years old today. This 7-year age gap creates massive ownership cost differences:

• M2 F87 (2016, 9 years old): Factory warranty expired (BMW's 4yr/50k miles ended in 2020). Likely needs: water pump replacement ($1,200-1,800), cooling system refresh ($800-1,500), bushings and mounts ($600-1,200), tires aged out ($1,200), brake pads/rotors ($800-1,500). Conservative 9-year maintenance estimate: $4,500-7,000 over next 2-3 years.
• Civic Type R FL5 (2023, 2 years old): Factory warranty active (Honda's 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper, 5yr/60k powertrain covers through 2026-2028). Likely needs: oil changes ($80 each), tire rotation. Conservative 2-year maintenance estimate: $500-800 over next 2-3 years.

The $10,000 upfront savings buying the Civic shrinks to $4,000-6,000 effective savings when you factor in the M2's deferred maintenance and warranty gap. But the Civic still costs less AND wins 93.5% of matched battles.

The 55-Horsepower Paradox: N55 vs K20C1

The M2's N55 3.0L turbocharged inline-six makes 370hp at 6,500 rpm and 343 lb-ft at 1,400-5,560 rpm (database shows 0 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 8.91 lbs/hp. The Civic's K20C1 2.0L turbocharged inline-four makes 315hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 2,600-4,000 rpm (database shows 420 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 10.12 lbs/hp—a 14% disadvantage.

The M2 makes 55hp more power, yet the Civic's front-wheel-drive layout, 108-pound weight advantage, limited-slip differential, and adaptive dampers deliver a 93.5% win rate when conditions are equal. The N55's 123.3 hp/liter specific output is BMW-solid, but the K20C1's 157.5 hp/liter (highest specific output for any turbocharged Honda ever) creates instant throttle response and higher-revving character.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (201 laps): Civic wins 93.5%, M2 wins 6.5%, 3.83s gap. When both run equal preparation and tires, the Civic's domination is overwhelming—the M2 wins only 13 laps out of 201. The M2's 55hp power advantage can't overcome the Civic's FWD traction, lower weight, and newer chassis technology.
• Medium Civic vs medium M2, TW200/200 (132 laps): Civic wins 91.7% with 3.91s gap. The largest matched scenario shows the Civic's superiority is consistent—the M2 wins only 11 out of 132 laps. The N55's extra power doesn't translate to lap time advantage against the FL5's modern platform.
• M2's only path to victory: Run mismatched tires (MATCHED MOD | MISMATCHED TIRE: M2 wins 74.2%). When the M2 runs grippier tires (TW100) against Civic's TW200, the power advantage finally shows. But this requires tire inequality to win.

The Total Cost of Ownership: New vs Old

M2 F87 (2016): $55,000 buys BMW's N55-powered compact M car with 370hp, rear-wheel-drive, and hydraulic steering (the last M car before electric power steering). But at 9 years old, you're buying deferred maintenance: water pump failures are common at 60k-80k miles ($1,500), cooling system leaks ($1,000), bushings wear ($800), plus premium fuel required and higher insurance. The N55's modification ceiling reaches 450hp with tune/downpipe ($2,500-4,000), but the comparison data shows the M2 loses 93.5% of matched battles stock-vs-stock. Resale value: depreciating slowly, but already lost 40-50% from $52,900 MSRP.

Civic Type R FL5 (2023): $45,000 buys Honda's K20C1-powered hot hatch with 315hp, front-wheel-drive, adaptive dampers, and factory warranty through 2026-2028. At 2 years old, you're buying minimal risk: warranty covers powertrain failures, maintenance is oil changes ($80), regular fuel works (premium recommended), lower insurance. The K20C1's modification ceiling reaches 400hp with bolt-ons ($3,000-5,000), 500hp+ with upgraded turbo ($8,000-12,000). Resale value: depreciating normally, likely worth $40,000-42,000 in 2025 (10% loss vs MSRP $44,000).

Total 3-year cost comparison:

• M2 F87: $55,000 purchase + $5,000 maintenance + $3,600 premium fuel (15k miles/year) + $2,400 insurance premium = $66,000 total. Resale value: $50,000. Net cost: $16,000.
• Civic Type R FL5: $45,000 purchase + $800 maintenance (warranty) + $2,700 fuel (regular) + $1,800 insurance = $50,300 total. Resale value: $40,000. Net cost: $10,300.

The Civic saves $5,700 in net 3-year ownership costs while winning 93.5% of matched battles. The M2's $10,000 higher purchase price becomes a $15,700 ownership premium when you factor in age, maintenance, and fuel costs.

The Verdict

Choose the Honda Civic Type R FL5 if you want front-wheel-drive performance at $45,000, prioritize winning (93.5% matched win rate), value factory warranty through 2026-2028, and minimize maintenance risk. The Civic saves you $10,000 upfront (18% discount) and $5,700 in 3-year net ownership costs while beating the M2 in 93.5% of matched battles despite having 55hp less. The Civic is the choice for drivers who want maximum performance-per-dollar with minimal ownership anxiety.

Choose the BMW M2 F87 if you want the N55 turbocharged inline-six experience at $55,000, accept losing 93.5% of matched battles, and prioritize rear-wheel-drive engagement over FWD traction. You're paying $10,000 more (22% premium over Civic) for 55hp more power that loses 93.5% of the time when preparation is equal, plus $5,000+ in deferred maintenance with no warranty protection. The M2 is the choice for drivers who value BMW's hydraulic-steering M car heritage and rear-wheel-drive dynamics over lap times and ownership costs.

LapMeta's -0.04-second overall gap (virtually tied) hides the matched-condition reality: the Civic wins 93.5% with a 3.83-second gap when preparation is equal. The M2's 55hp advantage dominates only when running mismatched tires (74.2% win rate), but when both cars run equal mods and tires, the Civic's 108-pound weight advantage, FWD traction, and 7-year newer chassis overcome the power deficit completely. For the driver who wants the best performance-per-dollar with factory warranty protection, the Civic at $45,000 delivers a 93.5% win rate for $10,000 less upfront and $5,700 less in 3-year ownership costs. For the driver who wants rear-wheel-drive M car engagement and can accept losing 93.5% of matched battles plus $5,000+ in maintenance with no warranty, the M2's $10,000 premium buys BMW heritage and 55hp more power—but not speed.