Top Gear Awards 2011: Richard Hammond Picks BMW 1M as Car of the Year

[Billyray911]

Happy

[T1T2GRE]

Originally Posted by johnnyb84

+1. And from Top Gear folks, nonetheless.

[EdM5]

Future legend

[rmani]

of all the m cars to come out in the past 10 years, this car seems to be the most highly rated. it's dominance against its competitors is reminiscent of the e36 m3 dominating back in the mid 90s.

[1mGator]

What a neat write-up from some folks that have a bunch of real exposure to some incredible cars. Congratulations to BMW for taking us back to their "roots" with the 1M ..... pure "Joy"!

[cheesebag]

Not at all! We've been changing gear with our left hand for years!

[Dee Pee]

Most excellent...
This is the 3rd or 4th article where the 1M is rated tops. Now, excuse me for I must go for a drive.

[TheBingoBalls]

There's going to be some very high expectations for the M2 once the new platform is introduced.

[madmanhiker]

Originally Posted by formula M

Now... can the M2 follow in it's footsteps..?

I am hoping so, because that is where I am headed next.

[UNO///M]

Just went back to the garage to kiss my car.

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by mojaito

Just went back to the garage to kiss my car.

I did the same...I can't get over it

[DanoG80Cx]

Woo nice! Love the LMB. Can't wait to see some pics! Congrats!

[Cski1]

1 all around.

Accept for the body and styling.

[fusion01]

After all the accolades bestowed upon the 1M (which I couldn't afford even if I sold the kids, HDTV's etc), I sure do feel proud to own a 135i! Might not be the labrador puppy, but it's not a duck either!

[1'M Blue]

You know you'de think that one or two reviews giving good ratings would be a bit biased but when almost all media coverage (mags/videos) give the 1M a good rating you know that its a Worthy car.

[gazz]

Does anyone here actually find this car so easy a "numpty" can drift and slide it everywhere?

If so then can you inform me how you do it because I find it's limits somewhat vague and hair trigger-ish, not to mention the rather twitchy behavior in the lead up to abrupt breakaway tailyness. Yes I have tracked it and yes I have racing experience.
Agreed it has explosive corner to corner speed but it's a white knuckle ride and for a car with the same underpinnings as an M3 it has a far more unsettled feeling at the limit than its big brother.
Don't get me wrong, this car is an absolute blast with a wicked wicked sense of fun but it is not a numpty car - no way. It really demands respect or it will bite you.

[AZ865]

1M, an instant classic.

[boostd92]

That's a worn clutch.

[BMW86]

Epic review

[ptack]

That's 2 out of 3. Now we just need Captain Slow to get on board.

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by gazz

Does anyone here actually find this car so easy a "numpty" can drift and slide it everywhere?

If so then can you inform me how you do it because I find it's limits somewhat vague and hair trigger-ish, not to mention the rather twitchy behavior in the lead up to abrupt breakaway tailyness. Yes I have tracked it and yes I have racing experience.
Agreed it has explosive corner to corner speed but it's a white knuckle ride and for a car with the same underpinnings as an M3 it has a far more unsettled feeling at the limit than its big brother.
Don't get me wrong, this car is an absolute blast with a wicked wicked sense of fun but it is not a numpty car - no way. It really demands respect or it will bite you.

Agreed. It's a hoonmeister general indeed, but the shorter wheelbase (relative to the M3), plus the abrupt bump in torque should you kick the turbos into overboost, provides a recipe for some truly puckerworthy power oversteer moments if you don't treat its characteristics with respect and care.

Now I'm no Ken Block or Tanner Foust or what have you, but I definitely don't find the 1M an amateur's "Intro to Drifting 101" kind of car. I'm down with some hooning in it, but only with lots of room for error around and with great focus and concentration.

[Titanium Silver]

Top Gear kicks ass