PistonHeads - BMW 1 SERIES M COUPE: PH HEROES

[rad doc]

Originally Posted by z19930612

It's just a N54 135i with M3 rear subframe :

Always gonna be haters. But that statement is not accurate.

[eeghie]

Originally Posted by z19930612

It's just a N54 135i with M3 rear subframe :

Your formula is from the early development stage. Then Professor Seggler added chemical X to the handling and the 1M-Power-Puff car was born.

[cc3]

Best BMW I have owned and that includes M3's and 6's. Decided I will keep mine even prefer it to the 997.

Always be people who will knock it but nearly every road test of the 1M has said it is a very special car. Values of low mileage cars in the UK are around the original list price. Even the service pack BMW offered on this car in the UK was only £500 for first 5 years servicing. Means one of the best performance cars you could buy in 2011 has cost virtually nothing on depreciation and running costs. Just put good petrol in it!! Every other M car I have owned has cost a lot of cash to run as they seem to suffer high depreciation.

So an absolute bargain and maybe never to be repeated as new M2 won't be restricted on numbers

[EldRick]

My 1M is the only car BMW has built in years that I find interesting - the rest of their cars got fat and lost their personality. By contrast, the 1M is fun to drive without most the electronic nannies that weigh down and up the cost of other BMWs.
Perhaps we ought to call it the "!M"...

[gemini.m3]

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

60-70k for a car that has near identical performance to any other 135? no thank you. As a BMW technician, It's not uncommon to drive these things for duplication of complaint road tests. It just lacks the wow factor. Like I said though, it's a beautiful car and I like it a lot, but it just needed "more". No disrespect to the owners obviously.

The thing with the 1M is that you have to be a pretty hardcore enthusiast to pay that much for it and enjoy it as it should be without feeling robbed when you see a 135i with a replica Kersher bumper or 1M mirrors. If you're going to spend 60-70k for a car. I think the attraction is in the fact that it is a "RARE" car.. kind of like the Integra Type R back in the day, basically a GSR with a better motor and suspension and different paint but it was the rarity that made owning one exclusive.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by z19930612

It's just a N54 135i with M3 rear subframe :

LOL. the only thing worse than a troll is a troll who doesn't even know the facts when he presents the facts.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by thrilla135

The thing with the 1M is that you have to be a pretty hardcore enthusiast to pay that much for it and enjoy it as it should be without feeling robbed when you see a 135i with a replica Kersher bumper or 1M mirrors. If you're going to spend 60-70k for a car. I think the attraction is in the fact that it is a "RARE" car.. kind of like the Integra Type R back in the day, basically a GSR with a better motor and suspension and different paint but it was the rarity that made owning one exclusive.

i had a 135is before my 1M....and they are VERY different cars to drive. I used to think what you said as well...until i drove it and was blown away. There is a reason the 1M is revered.....the levels of entertainment it provides on a daily basis is pretty much sinful! the 135 was a great car......but the 1M takes the 135 formula and basically amps up everything to a directness and enjoyment that is in a different league, IMO.

[gemini.m3]

I don't disagree with you there, never driven one. I'm on your side of the fence, I'd be happy owning a car that had such limited production and is now completely discontinued I'm sure the drive is completely different as well. I guess I mean the general public perception would be it's just a souped up 135i.

[norMcal]

It's a special car for sure and has done unbelievably well holding it's value, but lets be honest, that was created by (limited) supply and demand.

Since its release it has been the only new car for a BMW enthusiast to buy, so naturally the prices have stayed almost at MSRP. Me think once the M2 is offered in a not limited supply, the only ones that will look to buy used 1M's will be collectors, which might still be enough to keep values up reasonably high, but all the other BMW junkies (me included) will probably chose a new M2, over a 4-5 year old one 1M, for virtually the same money, or not much more. The M2 will arguably be more attractive, better performing and have full factory warranty. The 1M will have exclusivity and collector car status, but that might not matter to as many as the other factors.

[1mian]

Originally Posted by z19930612

It's just a N54 135i with M3 rear subframe :

Sometimes .. when things work out just right .. the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts .. I've enjoyed every single kilometre I've put on mine and feel truly blessed to own one! Honestly, even though the car remains a solid investment, I really cannot imagine selling it .. driving this little beast just might be the most fun you can have with your pants on! IMHO, I find it to be an absolutely brilliant car!

[Grey Dove]

I can live with all the positive comments on the M1 but that's maybe because I own one.

[natesland]

I always hear people criticize the 1M by saying it's only a tuned 135i with M3 parts. Of course they're right, but here is where they miss the point. The 135i was a very special car! Small, fast, simple, practical, and awesome looking (ok, to some). The 135i captured the imagination and hearts of its owners who were genuinely enthusiastic about driving one of the auto industry's best kept secrets (hiding in plain sight).

A compact, rear wheel drive, twin turbo charged inline six, with a six speed manual, 50/50 weight distribution, back seats, usable trunk, good gas mileage, and it was relatively affordable... in 2008!

It lacked a limited slip differential, proper suspension, it came with horrible tires, and it's engine was mildly tuned from the factory. All of these were easily fixed and enthusiasts did via the after market. It could have been so much more, but the M3 would've felt some heat.

To me the 1M represents redemption for the 135i and all who were passionate about it. To watch the same testers who complained about the 135i, now cast accolades upon the 1m. After all, it is a just a tuned 135i with some M3 parts.

Disclaimer: proud owner of a tuned "year one of the one" 135i.

[Nkc]

What are we fighting about here? As the recent saying goes "they hate us, cuz they ain't us"

[makki2860]

im a current owner of a m5 and recently purchased a m4 convertible. so to me all m series are awesome .http://www.1addicts.com/forums/image...es/roundel.gif

[vasmir]

Originally Posted by norMcal

I have to be honest, I have never owned or driven a 1M, but other than that I can relate to everything else you wrote. I have owned every 3 series under the sun over the last 20 years, similar to you, and currently have an e30 M3 with and S52 engine for my HPDE/fun car. I have thought many times the 1M would be the perfect alternative, but I have a feeling the hype and values will come down to earth when the M2 is released.

I'm on the other side of that argument. I think once the M2 comes out, people will realize even more how unique that 1M 'analog' feeling is, and resale prices won't dramatically dip.
Same reason why low milage S54 Z3 M coupes can sell for way more than the newer Z4 M coupes.

Originally Posted by Nkc

..."they hate us, cuz they ain't us"

QFT

[Downeaster1]

Originally Posted by natesland

I always hear people criticize the 1M by saying it's only a tuned 135i with M3 parts. Of course they're right, but here is where they miss the point. The 135i was a very special car! Small, fast, simple, practical, and awesome looking (ok, to some). The 135i captured the imagination and hearts of its owners who were genuinely enthusiastic about driving one of the auto industry's best kept secrets (hiding in plain sight).

A compact, rear wheel drive, twin turbo charged inline six, with a six speed manual, 50/50 weight distribution, back seats, usable trunk, good gas mileage, and it was relatively affordable... in 2008!

It lacked a limited slip differential, proper suspension, it came with horrible tires, and it's engine was mildly tuned from the factory. All of these were easily fixed and enthusiasts did via the after market. It could have been so much more, but the M3 would've felt some heat.

To me the 1M represents redemption for the 135i and all who were passionate about it. To watch the same testers who complained about the 135i, now cast accolades upon the 1m. After all, it is a just a tuned 135i with some M3 parts.

Disclaimer: proud owner of a tuned "year one of the one" 135i.

I fully agree with your point as to the 1M was a sort of redemption for the 135i. In my opinion, that seems to capture it perfectly. The 128/135 is a great car, and the 1M was kind of the pinnacle of the E82, but when people say it's godly and so extra grande amazing...I can't help but thinking if we're talking about the same car.

[Luminor513]

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

60-70k for a car that has near identical performance to any other 135? no thank you. As a BMW technician, It's not uncommon to drive these things for duplication of complaint road tests. It just lacks the wow factor. Like I said though, it's a beautiful car and I like it a lot, but it just needed "more". No disrespect to the owners obviously.

Heard this from several people. I wonder what the exact performance stats are for each car. Seems like BMW would have done enough to differentiate the performance of the 135 and 1M?

[EzequielR]

I've always been an admirer of the 1M but I believe the word to describe it is rare not special, like another user posted.

No disrespect to 1M owners.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

60-70k for a car that has near identical performance to any other 135? no thank you. As a BMW technician, It's not uncommon to drive these things for duplication of complaint road tests. It just lacks the wow factor. Like I said though, it's a beautiful car and I like it a lot, but it just needed "more". No disrespect to the owners obviously.

Firstly i LOVE the 135....so i'm not going to knock it in any way.

Secondly it's not just a 'tuned' 135. The entire suspension architecture is different...the brakes, steering rack, hubs, control arms, etc all from an M3....in a significantly smaller package equates to some madness. Sure you can make a 1M out of a 135....but be prepared to shell out some massive $$$. It's like trying to make an M3 out of a 335, structurally speaking.

it doesn't have near identical performance....the 1M feels waaaaay more planted than any 135 i've driven....hell it feels more planted than any E9X M3 i've driven. It's like a butch disaster of a frankenstein beast. If you don't find it special...you haven't driven it enough. Testing for squeaks doesn't count

there is no comparison between the 135is i had before and the 1M. the 1M carries itself with a composure and confidence that the 135is never did----and when i say this i say it with great respect i have for the 135.

I've driven plenty of E9X M3s (at least 4) and never found any of them as playful, rabid, and full of energy as the 1M is. It's in a whole different category. A category all these 3-series owners trolling this thread could never really understand...lol.

i drove my 135 for 120 miles a day before getting rid of it. Now i drive my 1M for 120 miles a day.

My feeling is that the 1M pisses a lot of people off because it doesn't depreciate. I personally don't care about any of that as my only interest is in how something drives, looks, and makes me feel; and in that case there's nothing else i'd rather be driving in pretty much any price range.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by jhall1957

You aren't the only one, no. you are in the same boat as the E90 M3 owners and many other drivers that missed out on the opportunity to own one and now are trying hard to convince yourself its nothing special!

Note to everyone: jhall1957's opinion is the only valid opinion.

[norMcal]

Originally Posted by vasmir

I'm on the other side of that argument. I think once the M2 comes out, people will realize even more how unique that 1M 'analog' feeling is, and resale prices won't dramatically dip.
Same reason why low milage S54 Z3 M coupes can sell for way more than the newer Z4 M coupes.

QFT

Yes, time will tell. I do believe that the prices will stay way above average, but not as high as they have been. The first few years the 1M was selling used for more than new (at least in the US), but that should change with the availability of the M2. Keep in mind that the M235i is already getting a ton of positive reviews so the M2 has some real potential to become the next icon.

As far as how great the car is. As stated, I have never driven one, but here is what Randy Pobst has to say about it:

On handling... "The 1M is an improvement on the 135, which I've spent some time in, but NOT my favorite car. In fact, I hate this car. It won't turn. The thing I didn't like about the 135 was its mid-corner understeer, its reluctance to turn once it was in the corner, and the 1M still does that. And it's the primary thing I remember after driving the car. That it is very lazy on turn-in."


Overall... "It's almost like it was built by safety engineers. But only until you get on the power, and then, getting on the power, it's not really good at putting the power down, either. I'm just not impressed with this car. I like the M3 so much that I find the 1M to be very, very disappointing, though the M3 understeers too much, too. I think the lawyers are running the handling department at BMW right now, and they don't have to. Just make it handle like the 1988 M3 did -- that car was perfect. You know, I hate to pick on what is obviously overall is a pretty good car, but in today's world there are not very many cars I hate...I hate this car."

[szakool]

As a previous owner of 1M (for nearly 3 years) i do admit it's one of the best cars BMW made in last few years. But i also see it as rather rare than special.

It was good fun on back roads, though the on-off power delivery and body roll didnt give a lot of confidence. Big gripe was high speed stability (above 200 kph you could tell its built on small car platform).

Eveytime i see one i always have warm feelings. But no regret of selling it. Maybe because it was replaced by 997 gt3 and this one feels truly special .