Any Advice for Soon-to-be 1M Owner?

[Geneva M]

Dear 1M fans,
I am, after a ten year hiatus, about to own a BMW again. I had a 328 convertible in the late 1990s which I really enjoyed and am about to pick up the new 1 M tomorrow (after a painful three week wait for the new plates).

I have never own a M car before. The dealer is going to walk me through it tomorrow. The speed limit is 120 kmh in Switzerland and 130 kmh in neigborhing France (and in Germany next door, well, you know).

I remember reading a long time ago that one should not rev a new car too much until it has 2,500 (or something like that) kmh on it. Is that true?

Any other things to watch out for or questions I should ask the agent tomorrow. Do you recommend the after-care package, if so which one.

Thanks

[kaptenM]

The first 2000km-2500km you should not rev beyond 5.500, run faster then 170kph and not use full throttle. Also try to use all the gears and not run long interval on the same gear. This was the information i received from my local M-dealer. One week left for me before first service and i can go for full throttle... 😄
///M

[Ender_]

You had to wait a whole 3 weeks, the horror!
Had to wait 6 months here!

And what Kapten said, there is also a post about making sure they use the correct fluids at the first service.

[RaptorKTM]

dont turn traction off unless your confident with your abilities, we dont need any more cars spinning off the road at 15mph

[v1k0d3n]

Originally Posted by RaptorKTM

dont turn traction off unless your confident with your abilities, we dont need any more cars spinning off the road at 15mph

drive the shit out of that little bugger!

[RaptorKTM]

LOL

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by Geneva M

Dear 1M fans,
The speed limit is 120 kmh in Switzerland and 130 kmh in neigborhing France (and in Germany next door, well, you know).
Thanks

You are already a hero and Jedi master on this board by not calling it a M1! Don't overthink it too much, have the fun it is intended for...and get the heck out of Switzerland. 5 kmh over the limit, and you may be the devil incarnate!!!

[CarJunkie]

1. Have fun with it, and get ready for lots of stares, especially if VO.

2. Make sure your dealer has the correct fluids in stock for your run-in service before they start the job.

3. Have even more fun with it.

[1M SUSI]

Press the m button

Press and hold the traction control button for 5 seconds

Press down on the gas.

Feel the g's pressing you into the seat.

Impress your friends.

Oh and take it to the track to really see what this little car can do.

Congrats and enjoy.

[wizz72]

Have your paintwork enhanced/detailed then cover the Sills/Front bumper and especially the rear arches with some 3M or similar product before you start pounding the streets,they do like to pick stonechips up particualrly in this area.

[Stratus650]

Congrats !

Take a picture of it infront of Jet d'Eau

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by 1M SUSI

Press the m button

Press and hold the traction control button for 5 seconds

Press down on the gas.

Feel the g's pressing you into the seat.

Impress your friends.

Oh and take it to the track to really see what this little car can do.

Congrats and enjoy.

You are not trying to suggest that to cause another 1M casualty?

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by Geneva M

Dear 1M fans,
I am, after a ten year hiatus, about to own a BMW again. I had a 328 convertible in the late 1990s which I really enjoyed and am about to pick up the new 1 M tomorrow (after a painful three week wait for the new plates).

I have never own a M car before. The dealer is going to walk me through it tomorrow. The speed limit is 120 kmh in Switzerland and 130 kmh in neigborhing France (and in Germany next door, well, you know).

I remember reading a long time ago that one should not rev a new car too much until it has 2,500 (or something like that) kmh on it. Is that true?

Any other things to watch out for or questions I should ask the agent tomorrow. Do you recommend the after-care package, if so which one.

Thanks

Bimmerfile has a wonderful article on how to break in the car and why.

[Dee Pee]

Dude...

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers..."

[DooBs]

Originally Posted by 1M SUSI

Press the m button

Press and hold the traction control button for 5 seconds

Press down on the gas.

Feel the g's pressing you into the seat.

Impress your friends.

Oh and take it to the track to really see what this little car can do.

Congrats and enjoy.

best advice

[Dee Pee]

Beat those clutch and throttle pedals like they owe you money...

[1M SUSI]

You are not trying to suggest that to cause another 1M casualty?

I wouldn't be suggesting anything like this --->

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by 1M SUSI

Press the M button
Press and hold the traction control button for 5 seconds
Press down on the gas.
Feel the G's pressing you into the seat.

Welcome Geneva M !

Don't believe the hype: the 1M can be snappy in treacherous road conditions. Leave all the nannies on at this stage (avoid MDM mode and DSC off). Got to learn to walk properly before considering running. 1M Susi is referring to the G-force experienced during a crash against a tree or in a ditch (pushing you against the seatbelt)...

Here's an excerpt of page 24 of the BMW 1M Supplementary Owner's Manual 2011 (USA) which features in the following thread of this website (Sticky "BMW 1M Manual | Catalogue | Presskit | Pricelist"): http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651059

Break-in period
Note the following instructions for your BMW 1-Series M Coupe that deviate from the description in the Owner's Manual for Vehicle.

Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.

Up to 1,200miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed an engine speed of 5,500 rpm and a road speed of 105 mph/170 km/h.
Do not depress the accelerator all the way.

From 1,200miles/2,000 km to 3,000miles/5,000 km
Engine and road speeds can be increased gradually up to a traveling speed of 135 mph/220 km/h. Use the maximum speed only for brief intervals, e.g. when passing.

Transmission
The transmission begins functioning at an optimal level only after a distance of approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this period.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by 1M SUSI

I wouldn't be suggesting anything like this

In 2009 Usain Bolt ended up in a ditch with his M3 (a gift from his sponsor Puma, which also included a driving experience in Munich). A couple of days ago he had another accident, again with a new M3 on some Jamaican road.

Then and now:


Yup, ///M cars are powerful RWD devices. Take care.

[Lester]

Don't open the hood while the wiper arms are lifted.......

[nachob]

Originally Posted by RaptorKTM

dont turn traction off unless your confident with your abilities, we dont need any more cars spinning off the road at 15mph

+100, yes, but want to raise Raptor.....too many guys with confidence that surpasses their actual abilities, me included. Luckily, I did it at an autocross and only hurt some cones.

Don't turn traction control off unless you actually know how to handle this little beast, especially wet.

Also, carry a spare fuel pump in the trunk! : )

[ESC OFF]

1. Make sure your mail/newspapers gets picked up
2. Find someone you trust to water your plants
3. Make sure your pets have plenty of water and food
4. Cancel your cable TV

Because your gonna be in that car for a very long time!

Congrats and enjoy!