MotorTrend First Drive - BMW 1 Series M Coupe Review

135iUSN · 10-08-2010, 08:52 PM

I'm loving my stage 2 135 just fine (: the the 1er M look good that's for sure..

BBK · 10-08-2010, 08:53 PM

Again, it's all basically guessing... No official info will be given until December.

Either way, it has given us more clues as to how many things we were promised, but will never get! I am sure it will be a great car... that's not the point. It should be and can be better!

BMWI6 · 10-08-2010, 08:57 PM

This car looks gorgeous as long as it is not sitting next to the e30 or e46 m3.

theblackangus · 10-08-2010, 09:22 PM

After reading the article and seeing the mention of the new steering that has me wondering - How different will this feel from my 2008 135?

I very much like the feel of the 135 in the road feel aspect. The e92 M3 doesn't convey as much road feel. (Maybe I'm just not driving fast enough for it?)

Any thoughts?

It seems the different articles had different opinions on the feel.

Motortrend - Servotronic steering retuned for the 1 Series M Coupe relays plenty of road feel with ideal levels of effort.

Edmunds/Insideline - It's just a pity the newly engineered electromechanical system is so short on feel.

PKumarM3 · 10-08-2010, 09:35 PM

i like the 1 series and all, but comparing this to the original e30 just doesn't make much sense.

i am sure bmw did a great job, but an 8000rpm rev limit vs. a 7000rpm limit is a BIG difference. The n54 motor also revs till 7k rpm, but falls on its face at 5500rpm.

i think this car will come and go, sort of like how the m coupe came to america but people preferred the m3 and hence it did not do as well.

for $45k, i would get a used 135i, put a procede or jb3, lsd with a more aggressive gears, full bmw performance gear, and a set of AST coilovers and I would be running circles around a stock 1M.

but its great that bmw is coming out with a "cheaper" M option for those that have a need to have the M badge, but can't afford the M3.

993 911 · 10-08-2010, 09:37 PM

yawn...

spellbmw · 10-08-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordique14

"zero turbo lag"

uh, huh. that is the same BS the magazines tried to sell me with the 135i.

Seriously? No turbo lag with mine.

Berduderunner · 10-08-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmunro

And the 1M becomes ever more disappointing... No ducktail, no carbon fiber roof... anything else we should be let down about?

Body kit with M3 suspension and LSD and mild tune...

+1... besides the beautiful exterior

, the drivetrain looks to be VERY underwhelming

its a 135is plain and simple

JB135MDCT · 10-08-2010, 11:04 PM

BMW death spiral effect? That is a FWD Bimmer and Servotronic steering.

I was thinking about living with AW, 6MT and "big wheels", but the Servotronic kills it for me. Or hope MT is in error?

RPM90 · 10-08-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordique14

"zero turbo lag"

uh, huh. that is the same BS the magazines tried to sell me with the 135i.

Absofreakinlutely!

Maybe near zero lag on take off, but once under way at higher rpm...what then? Maybe BMW M tweaked it to CORRECT the software we plain 135i's suffer with.

So, it is the N54 tweaked pretty much like the "iS" with overboost.
It's a higher tuned N54 with an awesome chassis/suspension.
I think we already knew that.

"...inflated to 44 psi front/35 psi rear on our prototype)."
Whaaaat?

That was a pretty lack luster review overall though.
It reads like a collection of information already on these boards, plus a comment on the outstanding handling and very cool looking brakes.

I'm not in line, so feel free to take that one.

RPM90 · 10-08-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berduderunner

+1... besides the beautiful exterior

, the drivetrain looks to be VERY underwhelming

its a 135is plain and simple

Maybe more like a 135iiS.

clar · 10-08-2010, 11:21 PM

With this, they are really forcing me away from BMW. I like a small, fast, and great handling car, but BMW's insistence on protecting the M3's turf by detuning the 1M is making me sick. The next generation is going to suffer the same fate. Since M3 is too large for my liking, i think i have to seriously look else where for my next car

Too bad i don't like the flat six in Porsches or a 911 would be a good choice. Cayman looks too feminine for my comfort...I think i am kinda screwed. Depression is setting in...

Advevo · 10-08-2010, 11:24 PM

Zero turbo lag?

I would like to see if testers go on and off throttle mid corner how fast is the pickup then.

grant · 10-08-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clar

Too bad i don't like the flat six in Porsches or a 911 would be a good choice.

What do you dislike about the Flat-6? I think it's a great motor and the version in the GT3RS is one of the finest engines ever sold to the public.

clar · 10-08-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grant

What do you dislike about the Flat-6? I think it's a great motor and the version in the GT3RS is one of the finest engines ever sold to the public.

The sound. It reminds me too much of a particular 4WD make.

Remonster · 10-08-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

i like the 1 series and all, but comparing this to the original e30 just doesn't make much sense.

i am sure bmw did a great job, but an 8000rpm rev limit vs. a 7000rpm limit is a BIG difference. The n54 motor also revs till 7k rpm, but falls on its face at 5500rpm.

i think this car will come and go, sort of like how the m coupe came to america but people preferred the m3 and hence it did not do as well.

for $45k, i would get a used 135i, put a procede or jb3, lsd with a more aggressive gears, full bmw performance gear, and a set of AST coilovers and I would be running circles around a stock 1M.

but its great that bmw is coming out with a "cheaper" M option for those that have a need to have the M badge, but can't afford the M3.

For $45k you won't even get an LSD on a 135i. My 135i with Sport Package and Power Seats was $41k out the door. On the other hand, the 1M will probably be over $50k so your argument still holds water.

CrazyIvan · 10-09-2010, 12:44 AM

Looks great!!! But the lack of DCT is a total killer for me. I can drive a manual but it is awkward with just one hand. It would be a shame to have a car like that and not being able to fully enjoy it

Do you hear this, BMW??? I'll stick with my 135 with Step for now.

aus135i · 10-09-2010, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formula M

You go off-throttle mid corner..?

maybe he does!

BBK · 10-09-2010, 02:44 AM

Is anyone thinking a second hand Porsche Cayman S with a turbo kit? Similar money, more exclusive and faster :-D

sparoz · 10-09-2010, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formula M

You go off-throttle mid corner..?

He does, and it is absolutely amazing to watch. To us lowly skilled drivers - I don't think it matters much hehehe.

Advevo - you should post the link again.

sparoz · 10-09-2010, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formula M

You go off-throttle mid corner..?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBK

Is anyone thinking a second hand Porsche Cayman S with a turbo kit? Similar money, more exclusive and faster :-D

Can't drive a porsche to work..

, so the 1m STILL fits what I am after. Sometimes it's more than performance. The more understated look of a BMW and four seats will be required for a DD

.

Advevo · 10-09-2010, 04:39 AM

thx sparoz lol

If you go on and off throttle midcorner and the throttle pick up is not fast enough because of (lag) turbo spoolup, it will kill the fun massively. I want an 1M pretty badly. But if the car will be in my garage all depends of the the throttle pickup midcorner by on and off throttle.

Here is movie by wich i mean throttle pickup. I buy my cars to do this. I am no autobahn cruiser. I enjoy this type of cars because driving it to the max.

10-08-2010, 08:52 PM	#23
135iUSN 19 X5 1998 M Roadster 64 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: 135i Alpine White / Terra Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 1998 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2009 135i [0.00]	I'm loving my stage 2 135 just fine (: the the 1er M look good that's for sure.. __________________ '09 135i Dinan In BMW heaven 09.28.2022 - Stage 2/Alpine White w/Terracotta /High Gloss Black Trim/ZCW/ZPP/ZSP w/313's /CA/PDC/Steptronic/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 08:53 PM	#24
BBK Banned 88 Rep 3,070 Posts Drives: A boring one... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [5.76]	Again, it's all basically guessing... No official info will be given until December. Either way, it has given us more clues as to how many things we were promised, but will never get! I am sure it will be a great car... that's not the point. It should be and can be better!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 08:57 PM	#25
BMWI6 Major 96 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	This car looks gorgeous as long as it is not sitting next to the e30 or e46 m3. __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 09:22 PM	#26
theblackangus Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 2011 1M Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	After reading the article and seeing the mention of the new steering that has me wondering - How different will this feel from my 2008 135? I very much like the feel of the 135 in the road feel aspect. The e92 M3 doesn't convey as much road feel. (Maybe I'm just not driving fast enough for it?) Any thoughts? It seems the different articles had different opinions on the feel. Motortrend - Servotronic steering retuned for the 1 Series M Coupe relays plenty of road feel with ideal levels of effort. Edmunds/Insideline - It's just a pity the newly engineered electromechanical system is so short on feel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 09:35 PM	#27
PKumarM3 Air India 145 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 2018 Dodge Durango Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (8)	i like the 1 series and all, but comparing this to the original e30 just doesn't make much sense. i am sure bmw did a great job, but an 8000rpm rev limit vs. a 7000rpm limit is a BIG difference. The n54 motor also revs till 7k rpm, but falls on its face at 5500rpm. i think this car will come and go, sort of like how the m coupe came to america but people preferred the m3 and hence it did not do as well. for $45k, i would get a used 135i, put a procede or jb3, lsd with a more aggressive gears, full bmw performance gear, and a set of AST coilovers and I would be running circles around a stock 1M. but its great that bmw is coming out with a "cheaper" M option for those that have a need to have the M badge, but can't afford the M3. __________________ PKumarM3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 09:37 PM	#28
993 911 Captain 47 Rep 882 Posts Drives: Z3M, F31, G07 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	yawn...
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10-08-2010, 11:04 PM	#31
JB135MDCT I'm just a cook 24 Rep 971 Posts Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: May 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	BMW death spiral effect? That is a FWD Bimmer and Servotronic steering. I was thinking about living with AW, 6MT and "big wheels", but the Servotronic kills it for me. Or hope MT is in error?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 11:21 PM	#34
clar Major 144 Rep 1,440 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	With this, they are really forcing me away from BMW. I like a small, fast, and great handling car, but BMW's insistence on protecting the M3's turf by detuning the 1M is making me sick. The next generation is going to suffer the same fate. Since M3 is too large for my liking, i think i have to seriously look else where for my next car Too bad i don't like the flat six in Porsches or a 911 would be a good choice. Cayman looks too feminine for my comfort...I think i am kinda screwed. Depression is setting in...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2010, 11:24 PM	#35
Advevo Banned 581 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, E30 M3 DTM Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Country where the taxes are too high!! iTrader: (0)	Zero turbo lag? I would like to see if testers go on and off throttle mid corner how fast is the pickup then.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2010, 12:44 AM	#39
CrazyIvan Lieutenant 29 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Looks great!!! But the lack of DCT is a total killer for me. I can drive a manual but it is awkward with just one hand. It would be a shame to have a car like that and not being able to fully enjoy it Do you hear this, BMW??? I'll stick with my 135 with Step for now. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2010, 02:44 AM	#41
BBK Banned 88 Rep 3,070 Posts Drives: A boring one... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [5.76]	Is anyone thinking a second hand Porsche Cayman S with a turbo kit? Similar money, more exclusive and faster :-D
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2010, 04:39 AM	#44
Advevo Banned 581 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, E30 M3 DTM Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Country where the taxes are too high!! iTrader: (0)	thx sparoz lol If you go on and off throttle midcorner and the throttle pick up is not fast enough because of (lag) turbo spoolup, it will kill the fun massively. I want an 1M pretty badly. But if the car will be in my garage all depends of the the throttle pickup midcorner by on and off throttle. Here is movie by wich i mean throttle pickup. I buy my cars to do this. I am no autobahn cruiser. I enjoy this type of cars because driving it to the max.
	Appreciate 0 Quote