VO 1m Delivered (West Palm Beach Pick-Up) Initial Impressions

Dick Brown · 05-11-2011, 01:21 AM

Picked up my 1m from Braman Motors in West Palm Beach

Traded in my 2008 White 135.

OPTIONS ordered on 1m
HK Radio
Sat. Radio
Premium Package
Convenience Package
BMW Apps

No photos yet but here are my initial impressions after 50 miles

DEALERSHIP
At the dealership there was a lot of excitement by the Braman staff admiring the car. This was the first 1m they received and they
were hoping to keep it on the showroom floor for a few days. I ordered the Car from Jeffrey (now at Bentley) and John did the final transaction. Both guys were great to work with.
A number of customers had come by in the morning just to look at the 1m.
Car was delivered with 8 miles on it and the salesman said the Prep guy raved about it on his initial test drive. Overall a very good experience at the dealer.

INTERIOR
-Alcantara looks beautiful and gives the interior a nice luxury feel.
The placement of the Alcantara is unusual but overall it works.
-M Gauges at night look really nice.
They are nicely lit and a lot more interesting to look at than my 135.
-Ambiance lighting in the interior adds a nice glow on the I-Drive button.
I Just wished it was used in a few more places such as in the interior doors.
-HK stereo sounds great and far better than the Premium Stereo offered in the launch 2008 135 I traded in. Some people had commented that the HK radio was nothing special but too me it's worth the upgrade. Very nice bass and overall very clean and clear.
-Switchgear in a couple of places are a big improvement from my 2008 135. The lighting switch and iDrive knob has a nicely weighted Metal feel.
-Seats - Orange stitching is nice as well as the M logo in the headrest. Leather quality is average. Probably very durable but nothing special. If it weren't for the nice leather smell I would have been happy with the leatherette I had in my 135.
-M Color Stitching on the steering wheel looks great.

EXTERIOR
The VO color is gorgeous and I am happy I did switch from AW. My wife was a little nervous when she heard I ordered an Orange car but the VO
is a very tasteful orange and as many have already said, hard to really capture the color well in photos. For the last few weeks I kept wondering if I had made the right decision with the VO but definitely suits the car well.

DRIVING
-Didn't drive it enough to notice that much more power than my 135 but it does feel very fast.
-The stick and clutch took some getting used to as I also have a Boxster and it felt completely different. Very light but after an hour in the car it seemed perfect.
-Suspension was fantastic. Tremendous grip and road imperfections were handled very well. Nothing felt jarring even with those massive wheels and M suspension.
-Very nice feedback through the thick M steering wheel.
-The Sound is ideal. Loud enough that you enjoy it but not enough to be constantly intrusive in the cabin.

OPTIONS
Overall I am very happy I got the car loaded. The Navigation screen especially adds to the look of the interior. The screen and iDrive add a lot of functionality to the Sat. radio and precise control of the cars other systems.

NOTES
If you ordered options that did not appear on the Build on BMW's website, don't worry as mine came in correctly. The Apps and HK radio were missing on my build but they did appear on the actual car.

I'll post some more impressions & add photos once I have some more time behind the wheel. Overall it's driving Nirvana.

M3Power79 · 05-11-2011, 02:39 AM

Congrats man! I took mine also fully loaded. Nice to hear the HK is good.

Das Ein · 05-11-2011, 03:57 PM

OP - So you had the upgraded "Hi-Fi" stereo on your 2008 135i?

Dick Brown · 05-11-2011, 04:04 PM

Yes - I had the upgraded Hi Fi stereo on the 135. The HK radio is a big improvement.

torquedemon · 05-11-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Brown

Yes - I had the upgraded Hi Fi stereo on the 135. The HK radio is a big improvement.

I just upgraded my spec sheet to fully loaded including the HK....I am interested to hear more about the sound quality or any plain differences from the basic radio package

Kamal · 05-11-2011, 04:37 PM

Dick Brown · 05-11-2011, 06:37 PM

Go with the HK radio. It's worth it. Really nice Bass and very clean sound.
Also my recommendation is to get the car loaded. I got my 2008 135 without a lot of options and I regretted it later. I am very glad I loaded up on the 1m. The Nav. & Screen especially adds to the look of the interior as well as being very functional.

Joer · 05-11-2011, 06:57 PM

Congrats!!

Photos would be great...

Dick Brown · 05-11-2011, 07:15 PM

I'll Post some Pics tomorrow. The car lives up to the Hype. It is truly awesome in every respect. Best car I have ever owned and I have owned some nice cars including Porsche Boxster, Audi A8, 300zx Turbo, MR2, BMW 135 and 330. Even my wife who could care less about cars loves it. She thinks the VO is beautiful and she loves the Wheels. I am shocked that she even noticed the wheels. Also she feels the interior is far better than my 135 and she finds the seats a lot more comfortable as well.

DooBs · 05-11-2011, 07:52 PM

question...

What are the BMW apps?

Dick Brown · 05-11-2011, 08:25 PM

As far as I know the The APPs are things like Twitter and Facebook etc. that are downloaded onto your Iphone and appear in the Nav. Screen. Apparently there will be many future APPs. I have it on my M but haven't used it yet.

alexc93 · 05-11-2011, 09:07 PM

congrats!!!!!!!

cant wait to see some pictures

also where did you trade in your 135? what dealer has it?? what options did it have?

cracka · 05-11-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DooBs

question...

What are the BMW apps?

hollysmac · 05-11-2011, 09:55 PM

Congratualtions I picked up my Vo 1M this afternoon. I already put 100 miles on it. It is addictive. It is really hard to use restraint and break it in properly. Until the 1,000 mi service shown on the onboard computer. This is going to be a fun car.

Holly

Dick Brown · 05-11-2011, 10:04 PM

Hollysmac - Congrats and great photo. I agree it's totally addictive.

Alexc93 - Braman in West Palm has the 2008 - 135. Options were Sport Package, Xenon, Hi-Fi Radio, Leatherette Seats, Auto with Paddles, White Exterior and Black Interior, 11,200 miles. Ask for John or Jeffrey if u call Braman.

Kamal · 05-12-2011, 01:06 AM

that's a great pic... really show's the flare on the fenders!

Dick Brown · 05-12-2011, 03:24 AM

Took the 1m out for another 50 miles tonight. Was driving it until 4am as it can be very addictive.

A couple of minor interior observations. Interesting contrasts with the white light lit main M gauges and the orange instrument lighting used on the radio and climate controls. The M gauges look much nicer than the 135 I previously had.

Some of the small few negatives: Nav. Screen is great but the actual graphics for the Nav. is not nearly as nice as some of the more advanced systems I have seen. Interior Ambiance lighting could be used in more places. Lower part of the dash is still the cheap hollow plastic. (3 series has nicer soft touch material on the lower dash).

Overall though the car has a very premium look to it and you feel you are driving something very special.

hollysmac · 05-12-2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamal

that's a great pic... really show's the flare on the fenders!

Thanks.

I wish I could get the color better. I nearly died when I visited it after it first came in. I looked rust colored. I'll take more pictures if I can just stop driving.

Holly

gr8one88 · 05-12-2011, 07:16 AM

i waS at braman bmw the day you picked it up hoping maybe they would have one. i was there around 3 oclock im so mad i missed you. congrats. hope i see you soon

Dick Brown · 05-12-2011, 11:45 AM

I picked the car up at Braman a little after 3pm. I must have just missed you. They were definitely hoping they would be able to keep it on the showroom floor for a few days.
Thanks & I'll let u know if I am up by WPB again.

gr8one88 · 05-12-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Brown

I picked the car up at Braman a little after 3pm. I must have just missed you. They were definitely hoping they would be able to keep it on the showroom floor for a few days.
Thanks & I'll let u know if I am up by WPB again.

wow i am so mad i cant believe i missed it i went there for that specific hope to see one and to see VO for the first time

05-11-2011, 01:21 AM	#1
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	VO 1m Delivered (West Palm Beach Pick-Up) Initial Impressions Picked up my 1m from Braman Motors in West Palm Beach Traded in my 2008 White 135. OPTIONS ordered on 1m HK Radio Sat. Radio Premium Package Convenience Package BMW Apps No photos yet but here are my initial impressions after 50 miles DEALERSHIP At the dealership there was a lot of excitement by the Braman staff admiring the car. This was the first 1m they received and they were hoping to keep it on the showroom floor for a few days. I ordered the Car from Jeffrey (now at Bentley) and John did the final transaction. Both guys were great to work with. A number of customers had come by in the morning just to look at the 1m. Car was delivered with 8 miles on it and the salesman said the Prep guy raved about it on his initial test drive. Overall a very good experience at the dealer. INTERIOR -Alcantara looks beautiful and gives the interior a nice luxury feel. The placement of the Alcantara is unusual but overall it works. -M Gauges at night look really nice. They are nicely lit and a lot more interesting to look at than my 135. -Ambiance lighting in the interior adds a nice glow on the I-Drive button. I Just wished it was used in a few more places such as in the interior doors. -HK stereo sounds great and far better than the Premium Stereo offered in the launch 2008 135 I traded in. Some people had commented that the HK radio was nothing special but too me it's worth the upgrade. Very nice bass and overall very clean and clear. -Switchgear in a couple of places are a big improvement from my 2008 135. The lighting switch and iDrive knob has a nicely weighted Metal feel. -Seats - Orange stitching is nice as well as the M logo in the headrest. Leather quality is average. Probably very durable but nothing special. If it weren't for the nice leather smell I would have been happy with the leatherette I had in my 135. -M Color Stitching on the steering wheel looks great. EXTERIOR The VO color is gorgeous and I am happy I did switch from AW. My wife was a little nervous when she heard I ordered an Orange car but the VO is a very tasteful orange and as many have already said, hard to really capture the color well in photos. For the last few weeks I kept wondering if I had made the right decision with the VO but definitely suits the car well. DRIVING -Didn't drive it enough to notice that much more power than my 135 but it does feel very fast. -The stick and clutch took some getting used to as I also have a Boxster and it felt completely different. Very light but after an hour in the car it seemed perfect. -Suspension was fantastic. Tremendous grip and road imperfections were handled very well. Nothing felt jarring even with those massive wheels and M suspension. -Very nice feedback through the thick M steering wheel. -The Sound is ideal. Loud enough that you enjoy it but not enough to be constantly intrusive in the cabin. OPTIONS Overall I am very happy I got the car loaded. The Navigation screen especially adds to the look of the interior. The screen and iDrive add a lot of functionality to the Sat. radio and precise control of the cars other systems. NOTES If you ordered options that did not appear on the Build on BMW's website, don't worry as mine came in correctly. The Apps and HK radio were missing on my build but they did appear on the actual car. I'll post some more impressions & add photos once I have some more time behind the wheel. Overall it's driving Nirvana. Last edited by Dick Brown; 05-11-2011 at 08:34 PM..
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05-11-2011, 02:39 AM	#2
M3Power79 Lieutenant 31 Rep 515 Posts Drives: 1M sold - M4 MW DKG ordered Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Congrats man! I took mine also fully loaded. Nice to hear the HK is good. __________________ "... on the smiles-per-mile charts, the 1-series M coupe can't be beat. It is a challenging piece, a triple-X-rated driver's machine for semi-professionals. Its handling balance provides an open invitation to indulge in latent oversteer, and provides an opportunity to separate the men from the boys. It is an absolute hoot on the track and an addictive plaything on your favorite twisty back road. "
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05-11-2011, 03:57 PM	#3
Das Ein Captain 31 Rep 815 Posts Drives: '16 Audi TTS, '17 500 Abarth Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The Colony, TX iTrader: (4)	OP - So you had the upgraded "Hi-Fi" stereo on your 2008 135i?
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05-11-2011, 04:04 PM	#4
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	Yes - I had the upgraded Hi Fi stereo on the 135. The HK radio is a big improvement.
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05-11-2011, 04:37 PM	#6
Kamal Indian Stig 29 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '03 540i M, '11 Ducati M796 Join Date: May 2008 Location: StL/CoMO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [7.56] 2011 BMW 328i [8.00]	__________________ 2008 E82 N54 \|\| Stage 2 -------- Gone to a good home.
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05-11-2011, 06:37 PM	#7
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	Go with the HK radio. It's worth it. Really nice Bass and very clean sound. Also my recommendation is to get the car loaded. I got my 2008 135 without a lot of options and I regretted it later. I am very glad I loaded up on the 1m. The Nav. & Screen especially adds to the look of the interior as well as being very functional.
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05-11-2011, 06:57 PM	#8
Joer Lieutenant 41 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK, Midlands iTrader: (0)	Congrats!! Photos would be great... __________________ ________________________________
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05-11-2011, 07:15 PM	#9
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	I'll Post some Pics tomorrow. The car lives up to the Hype. It is truly awesome in every respect. Best car I have ever owned and I have owned some nice cars including Porsche Boxster, Audi A8, 300zx Turbo, MR2, BMW 135 and 330. Even my wife who could care less about cars loves it. She thinks the VO is beautiful and she loves the Wheels. I am shocked that she even noticed the wheels. Also she feels the interior is far better than my 135 and she finds the seats a lot more comfortable as well.
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05-11-2011, 07:52 PM	#10
DooBs Captain 50 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe 697/740 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles / San Diego, California iTrader: (1)	question... What are the BMW apps?
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05-11-2011, 08:25 PM	#11
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	As far as I know the The APPs are things like Twitter and Facebook etc. that are downloaded onto your Iphone and appear in the Nav. Screen. Apparently there will be many future APPs. I have it on my M but haven't used it yet.
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05-11-2011, 09:07 PM	#12
alexc93 Colonel 381 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: na Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: na iTrader: (8)	congrats!!!!!!! cant wait to see some pictures also where did you trade in your 135? what dealer has it?? what options did it have?
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05-11-2011, 09:55 PM	#14
hollysmac Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2020 Bmw 228xi Gran Coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kennesaw,ga iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Bmw 3 series GT [0.00] 2011 1m Coupe [9.00]	Congratualtions I picked up my Vo 1M this afternoon. I already put 100 miles on it. It is addictive. It is really hard to use restraint and break it in properly. Until the 1,000 mi service shown on the onboard computer. This is going to be a fun car. Holly Attached Images
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05-11-2011, 10:04 PM	#15
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	Hollysmac - Congrats and great photo. I agree it's totally addictive. Alexc93 - Braman in West Palm has the 2008 - 135. Options were Sport Package, Xenon, Hi-Fi Radio, Leatherette Seats, Auto with Paddles, White Exterior and Black Interior, 11,200 miles. Ask for John or Jeffrey if u call Braman.
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05-12-2011, 01:06 AM	#16
Kamal Indian Stig 29 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '03 540i M, '11 Ducati M796 Join Date: May 2008 Location: StL/CoMO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [7.56] 2011 BMW 328i [8.00]	that's a great pic... really show's the flare on the fenders! __________________ 2008 E82 N54 \|\| Stage 2 -------- Gone to a good home.
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05-12-2011, 03:24 AM	#17
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	Took the 1m out for another 50 miles tonight. Was driving it until 4am as it can be very addictive. A couple of minor interior observations. Interesting contrasts with the white light lit main M gauges and the orange instrument lighting used on the radio and climate controls. The M gauges look much nicer than the 135 I previously had. Some of the small few negatives: Nav. Screen is great but the actual graphics for the Nav. is not nearly as nice as some of the more advanced systems I have seen. Interior Ambiance lighting could be used in more places. Lower part of the dash is still the cheap hollow plastic. (3 series has nicer soft touch material on the lower dash). Overall though the car has a very premium look to it and you feel you are driving something very special.
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05-12-2011, 07:16 AM	#19
gr8one88 tru blu 24 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2005 Individual M3 ESTYblau Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wheaton, Il iTrader: (0)	i waS at braman bmw the day you picked it up hoping maybe they would have one. i was there around 3 oclock im so mad i missed you. congrats. hope i see you soon
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05-12-2011, 11:45 AM	#20
Dick Brown Private 3 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL iTrader: (0)	I picked the car up at Braman a little after 3pm. I must have just missed you. They were definitely hoping they would be able to keep it on the showroom floor for a few days. Thanks & I'll let u know if I am up by WPB again.
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