BMW M2 F87: waking up the N55, the complete exhaust system guide
The first-generation M2 F87 has become exactly what BMW hoped for: a future classic. Compact, rear-wheel drive and single-turbo, it is often described as the modern BMW closest to the spirit of the E46. Its single-turbo N55 has a rounder, more mechanical character than the S55 engines that succeeded it, but the factory exhaust makes it too discreet. This guide explains how to give it back its voice and how to choose your configuration: catalytic converter, French MOT, material and valves. Here you will find everything that matters before configuring the exhaust for your BMW M2 N55 F87: catalytic converter, material, valves, tips and the French MOT.
Written by ROG Motorsport · Updated
Your ROG exhaust for the BMW M2 N55 F87
From €2,490 in stainless steel, €2,990 in titanium
Configure my exhaust- Vehicles
- BMW M2 N55 F87 3.0T (2016-2018)
- Engine
- N55 · 370 hp · 465 Nm
- Exhaust
- Valved cat-back, built for your VIN
- Material
- 304 stainless steel or titanium
- Front section
- Optional: catted downpipe with 200 or 100 cells, or decat
- Valves
- ROG remote, or factory control if your vehicle has it
- Lead time
- 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship
Closely related versions have their own guide: BMW M2 Competition F87 3.0T, BMW 335i N55 E90 / E92 / E93 3.0T, BMW 535i N55 F10 3.0T, BMW 640i N55 F06 Gran Coupé 3.0T.
The M2's N55: the charm of the single turbo
Unlike the twin-turbo S engines, the M2's N55 uses a single twin-scroll turbo. It revs in a linear way, with a naturally deeper, more metallic sound. It is an endearing, robust engine that takes very well to tuning. The factory exhaust, sized for discretion, unfortunately erases this character: in everyday driving, the M2 does not sound much louder than an M240i.
The ROG exhaust restores the natural order. Freer-flowing layout, controllable valves: the N55 gets its deep, mechanical voice back, at the volume you decide.
How the exhaust on your BMW M2 N55 F87 is put together
An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what ROG replaces.
The cat-back is the complete exhaust system
It is everything you can see under your BMW M2 N55 F87, from the outlet of the front section to the tips: pipes, silencer, valves. This is the part where most of our research and development goes: it is what shapes the sound, and it is enough on its own to transform the car.
The front section, where the catalytic converter sits
On your BMW M2 N55 F87, this is the downpipe, the pipe that leads away from the turbo. It contains the factory catalytic converter: the second restriction in the exhaust, after the silencer. Replacing it is optional: it frees up the flow, and it is the ECU remap that turns that into horsepower.
Your BMW M2 N55 F87 in figures
An exhaust system is judged first by ear and on the scales. The extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap.
Power
Torque
Published manufacturer and Stage 2 figures.
The ROG exhaust works with or without an ECU remap. To get the full potential out of your BMW M2 N55 F87, we recommend taking it to an approved tuning centre afterwards.
The N55 responds very well to Stage 2: being single-turbo, the reduced back pressure is felt immediately in the response. With the ROG exhaust and an ECU remap at an approved tuning centre, the M2 F87 gets close to M2 Competition figures, while keeping the distinctive character of its single turbo.
Configuring your exhaust, step by step
4 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.
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Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium
For your BMW M2 N55 F87, the exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium.
304 stainless steel
2 490 €
- Weight
- Baseline
- Sound
- Full and rounded
The safe bet: strong, corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. The best value for money.
Titanium
2 990 €
- Weight
- Around 40% lighter
- Sound
- Metallic, crystal-clear
It makes the exhaust around 40% lighter for the same design. Its note is more metallic and clearer higher up the rev range, and its finish ranges from brushed to blued.
No worries on durability: 304 stainless steel shrugs off winter road salt and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.
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Step 2 of 4: Front section: downpipe and catalytic converter
Optional: the downpipe on your BMW M2 N55 F87, with its catalytic converter. Each option is placed on our sound scale of 0 to 10, valves open, with the factory exhaust at 3.
Cat-back only
Included
7/10Factory emissions control
The factory front section stays in place. It is already a complete transformation, and the choice of many of our customers.
200-cell sports catalytic converter
+650 €
8/10Road use and French MOT
More flow, emissions control retained: the right option for road use.
100-cell sports catalytic converter
+650 €
9/10French MOT pass not guaranteed
More open than the 200-cell: the sound hardens at high revs and emissions control is reduced.
Decat
+420 €
10/10Track use only
Flow with no filter at all: the rawest sound and the sharpest response.
Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10
- 10/10Decat downpipe + ROG cat-back
- 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
- 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
- 7/10ROG cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
- 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison
Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.
What about the engine warning light? With a sports catalytic converter it can come on, because the rear oxygen sensor reads less cleaning. Nothing mechanical is wrong: an ECU remap or a session with a diagnostic tool sorts it out. Without a catalytic converter, you will need an ECU remap. If it happens to you, call us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing the French MOT with a sports exhaust.
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Step 3 of 4: Valves: ROG remote or factory control
Two ways to control the valves on your BMW M2 N55 F87.
ROG remote
A discreet control unit in the boot and a two-button remote: you open and close whenever you like, independently of the drive modes. For fitting, we support you by phone or by email.
Factory control
- Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
- Controlled by the drive modes
For vehicles fitted with factory valves: the exhaust connects to their control and the drive modes stay in charge, with no extra control unit.
At 130 km/h, many sports exhausts drone. Here, with the valves closed, the exhaust flows through the silencer and stays composed when cruising; open, it makes itself heard when you choose. More about exhaust drone.
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Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature
Match the tips to the style of your BMW M2 N55 F87, understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.
- Stainless steel
- Black
- Carbon
- Blued titanium
- M Performance style carbon
The ROG sound signature on the N55
On the M2 F87, our exhaust comes in a configuration optimised for the single turbo: with no resonator, it releases a deep, full, metallic sound typical of BMW straight-sixes, with crisp crackles on the overrun when the valves are open. Valves closed, the car remains perfectly civilised for everyday journeys.
From order to fitting
-
Configuration
You configure the exhaust and enter the VIN from box E of your registration certificate.
-
Check
Your VIN is checked before any manufacturing begins.
-
Manufacturing
The exhaust is produced to order, for your vehicle.
-
Delivery
Free in Europe, insured parcel, tracking number from dispatch.
-
Fitting
Around two hours in the workshop, with no welding or cutting.
20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
- Warranty
- 3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of delivery
- Payment
- In instalments with Klarna
- Installation
- At the garage of your choice
Is your BMW M2 N55 F87 still under the manufacturer's warranty? In Europe, the manufacturer cannot refuse it simply because a part from another brand has been fitted: it is up to them to prove the fault comes from it. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.
Our recommendations for your BMW M2 N55 F87
-
Daily driving
2 490 €
- Stainless
- Cat-back only
- ROG remote
Your BMW M2 N55 F87 stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves when you decide.
View this configuration -
Fast road
3 640 €
- Titanium
- 200-cell downpipe
- ECU remap
The best of both worlds: character and breathing, with emissions control retained.
View this configuration -
Track
3 410 €
- Titanium
- Decat downpipe
- Stage 2
The most extreme configuration, for track use only.
View this configuration
Every BMW M2 N55 F87 has its own history and use: if none of these profiles fits you, let's talk.
BMW M2 N55 F87: your questions
How much power does an exhaust add on the BMW M2 N55 F87?
As standard, the BMW M2 N55 F87 produces 370 hp and 465 Nm. The exhaust alone acts first on sound, breathing and weight; the extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap. With a Stage 2 build, the published figures reach 420 hp and 609 Nm.
Stainless steel or titanium: which material for the BMW M2 N55 F87?
For the BMW M2 N55 F87, the ROG exhaust costs €2,490 in stainless steel and €2,990 in titanium. Stainless steel is the safe bet, with a full sound; titanium makes the exhaust around 40% lighter and gives a more metallic note higher up the rev range.
Do you need to replace the catalytic converter on the BMW M2 N55 F87?
It is not compulsory. The cat-back alone is enough to change the character of the BMW M2 N55 F87. Replacing the downpipe is how you go further, together with an ECU remap: 200 cells for the road, 100 cells or decat for more radical use.
Does the BMW M2 N55 F87 pass the French MOT with a ROG exhaust?
The cat-back only and the 200-cell converter keep emissions control: present the BMW M2 N55 F87 with the valves closed. With the 100-cell converter, a pass is no longer guaranteed; the decat fails the emissions test.
How is the ROG exhaust fitted on the BMW M2 N55 F87?
With clamps and gaskets, no welding or cutting: around two hours in the workshop for a well-equipped mechanic. The exhaust is built to the VIN of your BMW M2 N55 F87.
What price and lead time for a ROG exhaust on the BMW M2 N55 F87?
From €2,490 to €3,640 depending on the configuration. Allow 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery. Delivery is free and the exhaust comes with a 3-year warranty.
Unsure about your configuration? Give us a call.
Stainless steel or titanium, cat-back only or the complete system: the right choice depends on how you use your BMW M2 N55 F87. We take the time to talk it through before you order, with a reply within 24 hours. We are not here to sell to you over the phone: we help you choose, even if that means a cheaper option because it suits the way you drive.
ROG is a French brand, and the way we work comes down to one idea: an exhaust system should be sold with advice, not just a product page. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Further reading
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