BMW 1M / M1 Feedback.

[SCOTT26]

First of all apologies but unfortunately work takes place first and foremost , but I will be answering your questions left in the feedback thread.

@ BMW things are moving fast on the product front with the new BMW 5er Touring being launched in 3 weeks and then towards early summer we will see the next generation X3 Sport Activity Vehicle, in between key important launches for China the BMW 5er Li amongst others and the Premiere @ the NYIAS of the BMW 335iS amongst the US debut of the 5er Sedan , 3er Coupe and Cabrio and the X5 LCi.

The sketch is my own and when I see a car for the first time in my folder of notes I make a sketch of the car and some key details so I can work on my pre-visualisation concepts for the cars respective representation.

Art and Design were never my forte so I am not offended by your remarks

Ok the first 10 questions:

@ DmBoone

Scott, we appreciate the information that you have given us. Just want to make that clear.
I think the prevailing theme is that the fact that the M1 is not in Geneva means that the car is really not a "go" so to speak....or that is will take much longer than originally anticipated to get it to market. Can you comment?

It is true the development of this car is as we say late in the day , but the father of the project AKA Dr Segler is the driving force for such a car , as the man who brought the success to MINI he wants to emulate that concept with BMW and what better car to really enhance the reputation of the M Division by developing a 1M. The Coupe is the perfect car for this because it encases everything about the small compact Performance BMW as learned by the E30 and 2002.
With the 1M you have to look into BMW's past to an era where such cars excelled not only on the road and is one idea under discussion for this car.
As an existing project everything is basically available which helps cost absolutely , The engine is a redeveloped BMW engine which is a significant contribution allowing engineering costs to be lower and be used more to transform the car to drive - an M car is not just a series car with a faster engine , you have to transform the product so that it remains seperate from the standard car and reflective of the M Division.
The car will be ready for market launch at the end of the year and sales will begin in all parts of the world in mid 2011.

Also--we have seen subtle hints that the BMW board drove the car and wanted more changes--aka more power, If this is true, what other changes and how much more power?

Every BMW especially after first official pictures still undergoes changes , The Final Evaluation involves the long term ownership of these first produced cars. As for more power the car will tread lightly around the M3 it will not overtake it's all a question of symmetry and the perfect balnce of power and weight for the car. For the E82 this is the send off it is too show what can be done and what to expect.

Are there any details in regard to price?

In Euro there is talk about 10,000 more than the 135i. But I cannot assume the price in North America because it all depends on what the market will be like next year.

Also, when can we expect to see the M1?

The First details of the production car will be announced at the end of the year.

@ Robert

We haven't seen a coupe version of the new platform for the new 1 yet. When will that arrive?

You have not seen a Coupe because it is still too far down the road. The first model of the 1er will be the 5dr hatch then followed by the 3dr Hatch.
The Coupe and Cabrio models will be launched in 2013.

@ YearoftheOne

Is BMW going to present/market the M1 as a back-to-basics driving enthusiast's "Ultimate Driving Machine"? With the introduction of the X5M and X6M, and the growing weight of the M3, aren't the M engineers itching to produce something more raw, of which the M1 would be a perfect candidate?

1-M will be aimed at a younger demographic and hopes to entice a new generation of enthusiasts. M Division is seen as a learning process to which a new generation of customers fall in love with the present car but seek out it's history. Today you cannot go that far back because of regulation and legislation and customer demands. You can develop something based on the needs of todays customers but still offer excellent dynamics , power delivery and still be fun.

This is what I want to see from BMW. I want to see that they still embrace the enthusiasts, not just mass-market cars with mass-market sales.

In the end of the day M vehicles do not provide big sales unlike our core series, one has to supplement the other and selling our core cars would help to maintain the M Division. But a BMW whether you are in the market for a 116d or a 760Li then the customer is blessed with a product that although is not as equal but are good to drive and is a genuine BMW.

@ As7920

Is there a M1 convertible (E88) version in the works?

Yes they have plans to introduce a cabrio as well.

If so how far behind the coupe will it be?

A few months.

Will the coupe have a manual transmission option?

I have seen cars with both manual and M DCT.

If yes will it launch at same time as M-DCT? Or will they be a delay?

Probably at the same time.

Rough UK price? In between 135i and M3?

I dont know for UK , In europe we are talking about 10,000 euro more than the 135i.

@ ARES45

When will I be able to test drive an m1 in the u.s. And when will they stop making them(end of production).

Cars will hit the markets by mid 2011. Production will end possibly early 2013. [/i]



@ Levi

Will there still be an M1 based on the 1 Series Coupé E82?
Will the M1 get more power than previously planned, and will the M3 E92 then also get more power?

[i]Yes, A slight boost , M3 will possibly get an upgraded Competition towards the end of the production. The M3 GTS has ruled out any additional major changes other than cosmetic and electronic. It is still under discussion.

@ Primo135
See above.

@ Beemer 323
See above.

@ Alext

I want to know if the M1 will share the same engine as a possible Z4M...or even will there be a Z4M?

As of now there are no plans for a Z4M , although we did say that about the E85?

@ BrokenVert

I too am curious about an E88 M1 aswell. Could it possibly have a fixed rollover bar option that way vert owners could track their cars every once in a while?

I do not think BMW will offer such a feature in a Cabrio.

@Lacrosse

Can you address the rumors in Edmunds that the M1 will not happen but we will instead see a 135is variant? Can you provide a US time line for either?

@ BMW AG we do not talk about future product specifically with the media.
This is make you're mind up time. you have seen the pictures and you have seen the video. BMW do not go to alot of this trouble as you have seen per the wheel arches , wider track and carbon roof for a iS. In a few months you will see the concrete evidence underneath typical BMW camouflage.
Then we will see...

[jabwind51]

scott, good to hear you are alive and well. care to remark quickly on the million dollar question:

will there be an M1?

[mvaccaro]

[marvinp]

Scott, you are now referring to the M1 as the 1M? I hope this doesn't mean BMW has decided to use 1M as the name

Edit: Thanks for answering all the questions.

[SCOTT26]

Scott, you are now referring to the M1 as the 1M? I hope this doesn't mean BMW has decided to use 1M as the name

I reversed at as not to provide confusion as some people seem to have on some sites.

Edit: Thanks for answering all the questions.

Your welcome. I will try to answer asap.

[cracka]

Thanks Scott, I'd say that clears up a lot. I'd like to offer an idea for the Start bezel engraving. I relinquish all rights, use it freely.

Year One of the M1: '11

[jmunro]

I think the overwhelming opinion, with the exception of a very very small minority, is to name this car the M1. I hope those with the power will understand the importance of moving on and naming this vehicle the M1. If anything it would be a blessing to be able to go back in time and rename the previous M1 the ///M supersport or something as such.

[ARES45]

Just want to say thanks for the answers. That timeline might work perfectly for me.

[lacrosse]

Scott,

Thanks for taking the time to answer my (and our) questions. As my lease is up in a few months it is indeed make up my mind time. I have been on the fence about extending my lease or going with an '06 997. Looks like you have me hooked!

[BBK]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

This is make you're mind up time. you have seen the pictures and you have seen the video. BMW do not go to alot of this trouble as you have seen per the wheel arches , wider track and carbon roof for a iS. In a few months you will see the concrete evidence underneath typical BMW camouflage.
Then we will see...

I don't get it... your whole post is saying the M1/1M WILL be coming, WILL be on sale in 2011 etc etc. Then say 'make up your mind time'?

If it is going to be on sale, then there WILL be an M1/1M.

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by BBK

I don't get it... your whole post is saying the M1/1M WILL be coming, WILL be on sale in 2011 etc etc. Then say 'make up your mind time'?

If it is going to be on sale, then there WILL be an M1/1M.

He means make your mind up on who/what you are going to believe

[as7920]

Thanks for the answers Scott. Appreciate it.

Only one question left for me.

Which M1 do I want, coupe or cabrio?

[amdmaxx]

Thanks Scott!
Manual option - nice !!! I wouldn't have it any other way.

[larryn]

Big news here is that the E82/E88 remains in production until 2013 now???? This is the first I've heard of that. All other indicators were that the F20 platform for the coupe and hatches were coming in 2012, end of production 2011 for E8X 1ers... Not so anymore?

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by larryn

Big news here is that the E82/E88 remains in production until 2013 now???? This is the first I've heard of that. All other indicators were that the F20 platform for the coupe and hatches were coming in 2012, end of production 2011 for E8X 1ers... Not so anymore?

^I was torn between an e82 M1 or waiting for the F20 - this news makes me want the e82 M1 even more.

[vinny84]

As soon as I heard there was going to be an ///M1, I was thinking maybe I should sell my car now and save up? Now, with even more facts pointing towards an actual production car, i'm now thinking, damn, I really do need to sell my car now

Thank you Scott for all the info you have given us so far and keep them coming

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by larryn

Big news here is that the E82/E88 remains in production until 2013 now???? This is the first I've heard of that. All other indicators were that the F20 platform for the coupe and hatches were coming in 2012, end of production 2011 for E8X 1ers... Not so anymore?

When the current 3 Series hit the market, wasn't the E46 M3 still in production during the first model year?

I'm thinking maybe they're going to bring the F20 to market while still producing the E82 based M1 until the new M car is ready.

[Yearofthe1]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

When the current 3 Series hit the market, wasn't the E46 still in production during the first model year?

You are correct.

I hope they continue production into the next gen 1er. Gives me more time with my current 1 to decide on the M1.

[dmboone25]

Thanks Scott--again, we appreciate the answers.

To the rest of the board--10,000 Euros more in EU than the 135....hmmmmm..

I know Euros to Dollars is not a straight comparo, but I wouldn't be surprised if the pricing point of this car came in at 10 grand more than the 135.

That would mean it would start around 46-47, right? Nudging over 50 for the normal upgrades....that would be in line with what most people thought....

Additionally--he answered my question about more power by saying it wouldn't OVERTAKE the current M3....that leads me to believe that we can expect more than the initially reported 350 BHP....somewhere in the range of 375 and some weight reduction, along with the suspension and differential changes.....now that is starting to sound pretty damn good.....

[vladberca]

It have to be more raw than tt rs even they are not in the same class...
If the engine will have 6 cyl maybe we'll see this one in an M Z4

[Ricfutres]

Anyone else notice the reference to "1-M" and not "M1"?

[GhostRideTheWhip]

Scott, does this mean the current gen M3 WILL be getting a power bump for 2012? How much if so?