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BMW G87 M2 Build Guide: Gloss Black or Carbon, and What Order

The G87 M2 arrived with styling that divided opinion — boxier, more aggressive, and with a lot of flat body surface. That flat surface is exactly what makes it respond so well to exterior parts: a few well-placed additions change its character considerably. This guide lays out two routes, depending on budget, and the order that keeps the car looking finished at each stage. First: Confirm You Have a G87 Two cars cause confusion here: The previous-generation F87 M2 (2016–2021, including M2 Competition and CS) is an entirely different car. Nothing in this guide crosses over. The G42 2 Series Coupe (230i, M240i) shares its basic body with the G87 but has different bumpers and wider-body differences. Some parts — certain trunk spoilers, for example — are listed for both. Front and rear bumper parts generally are not. Check each listing for G87 specifically. Where a part says G42 and G87, confirm it matches your bumper design from the photos. Choose Your Route Route A — Gloss black ABS. Several key parts, including side skirts, are available in gloss black ABS as well as carbon. This gets you the shape and stance change at a considerably lower cost. On a dark-coloured M2, gloss black parts look nearly factory. On a light colour, they give a strong contrast. Route B — Carbon fiber. Either standard carbon or dry carbon. The premium route, with the visible weave, and consistent with the M Performance carbon aesthetic. The rule that matters: commit to one route and stay with it. Gloss black skirts beside a carbon lip and a carbon spoiler looks like you ran out of money halfway through, even though each part is fine on its own. If budget is tight, doing the whole car in gloss black looks better than doing half of it in carbon. Within carbon, the same principle applies — match standard gloss carbon with standard gloss carbon, and dry carbon with dry carbon. The finishes differ visibly side by side. Stage 1: Front Lip As on most cars, the biggest single change. The G87's front bumper is tall and flat, and a lip lowers it visually and adds a shadow line underneath that reduces the slab-sided look. Lips are available in standard carbon and dry carbon. A front bumper centre trim piece is also available for the G87, which adds detail to the central intake area and pairs well with the lip. Stage 2: Trunk Spoiler The G87 has a notably wide range of spoiler styles: MP style — follows M Performance design, moderate profile. The safest choice if you want an OEM-plus look. High kick — a steeper, more pronounced angle. GC (Grand Curve) style — a sweeping profile with more visual drama. Match the spoiler's aggression to the front. A subtle lip with a tall spoiler looks unbalanced; a pronounced lip with a subtle spoiler looks front-heavy. Stage 3: Side Skirts On the G87 this part matters more than usual, because the car's long, flat door sides are the most visually empty area of the body. Side skirt extensions add a horizontal line that lowers the car visually and connects the lip to the rear. This is also the part where the gloss black ABS option is most useful — side skirts are large, and the price difference between ABS and carbon is significant on a part this size. Note that listings specify G87 Base Coupe. Confirm this matches your car. Stage 4: Bonnet, Boot and Fender Details These are the parts that move a build from tasteful to committed: Bonnet cover in dry carbon — a large, highly visible carbon surface. A strong statement. Trunk lid cover — the rear counterpart. Side fender vents — a smaller detail that adds texture to the front wings. Shark fin antenna cover — removes a body-coloured element from the roofline. Large carbon panels like the bonnet cover are where restraint becomes a real consideration. On a car that already has lip, spoiler and skirts in carbon, a carbon bonnet can tip the balance into too much. Some builds use it as the centrepiece with minimal other carbon; others leave it off. Decide based on how the car looks with the parts you already have. Buying as a Set Versus Individually Complete body kits for the G87 — lip, grille trim, rear diffuser and spoiler together — are available. The main advantage is not price but consistency: parts made together in one batch have matching weave and clear coat. Parts bought separately over months can vary slightly in tone. If you know you want the full look, buying the set is the most reliable way to get a uniform finish. If you are building over time, try to buy from the same product range. A Realistic Build Order Front lip (with centre trim if you want it) Trunk spoiler Side skirts Rear diffuser Shark fin and fender vents Bonnet or trunk cover — last, and only if the rest of the car supports it Colour Pairings That Work Zandvoort Blue, Toronto Red or other bright colours with carbon or gloss black — strong contrast, the most popular look. Black Sapphire or dark grey with carbon — subtle, visible mostly up close. Gloss black parts nearly disappear on these colours, which suits an understated build. Brooklyn Grey or white with gloss black — clean, high-contrast, and cost-effective. Installation Notes Most of these parts install with automotive-grade tape, sometimes with screws or clips. Work in warm conditions, clean the bonding surface thoroughly to remove wax, sealant and any ceramic coating, and dry fit before removing the backing. Bonnet and trunk covers bond over large areas and are unforgiving of alignment errors. Take your time or have them fitted professionally. Before You Order Confirm your car is a G87 M2 rather than a G42 2 Series or an F87, and check whether the listing specifies Base Coupe fitment. Decide on gloss black or carbon — and standard or dry carbon — before you buy the first part, and stay consistent. If you want the full look, a matched set gives the most uniform finish.