CAR Magazine [
full review] got its hands on the 1-series M coupe and the conclusion is like that of the other auto magazines before it - that it is a proper M car, no bout. Their review focused on comparing the 1M coupe to other BMW offerings (both M and non-M) in assessing whether they felt the 1M was a proper M car and which, if any, of its technology and engineering was a step forward for the M division. Below are some of CAR's notable findings. Be sure to check out all the other
1M coupe reviews as well.
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BMW M is being forced down the forced induction route in a bid to produce more fuel efficient cars. The forthcoming M5 has a twin-turbo V8, the next-gen M3 will feature a blown six-cylinder engine, and sitting before us on an empty stretch of best German back road is a turbocharged hotrod offering that us enthusiasts could consider as a real M car – the 1-series M Coupe.
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So this BMW 1-series M Coupe is actually a 135i underneath? Only vaguely. To create the 1M, M Division has stripped out all the standard chassis componentry and replaced it wholesale with the suspension, brakes, 19in Competition Pack wheels and clever M Differential from the existing M3.
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Has the 1M got the same engine as the 135i? Nope, the engine’s different too – but not unique to M. Outgoes the newer, single blower 3.0-litre straight six, and in its place is the older, twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight six from the Z4 sDrive 35iS. And it means the 1-series M Coupe is a different sort of M car, one that has low-down, almost-any-gear/any-rev gruns, and one that doesn’t need to be extended to an 8000rpm-plus redline to get the very best from it.
The new forced induction philosophy means it’s much more urgent than an M3 in the bottom half of the rev range
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BMW M is steadily improving its steering too. The M3 has taken a step forward since launch in 2007, the helm of the latest Competition Pack cars offering up more clarity to the driver, and the steering of the 1-series M is even crisper.
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Verdict: The 1-series M is a proper M car, no doubt. Sure, it’s different from what’s gone before, but different doesn’t mean it’s not as good. Our first experience of a proper turbocharged M Division machine has unveiled a 1-series with a character all its own. It’s definitely not a hotted-up 135i, and now we’re looking forward to the future of M.
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All in all, CAR gives the 1M coupe full marks in handling and performance, the two key measures 1M owners/fans care most about.
