BMW 1M Coupe Pre-drive - The review

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Not until sometime on Wednesday evening.

Ahhh... what a difference a week makes!

Have a safe trip back home Jason.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Ahhh... what a difference a week makes!

Have a safe trip back home Jason.

Thanks Dackel. It was a long day of traveling yesterday, but very well worth it.

[montreal red]

so the big question i want to ask is this -- if money were no object, would it be the 1M or the M3?? which ones i a better driver's car?

[Racing Teatray]

Erk! I think most people would need to judge that for themselves.

So far, I'd say the 1M but then I've only test-driven an E92 M3 on urban routes and motorway driving. Similarly with the 1M, although we got a selection of m-way, normal road, circuit and handling course, that's not the same as taking it for a strop down a decent snaky B-road.

Since all the journalists rave about the M3 so I have to assume it has hidden talents I did not discover on test.

If I had to guess, I reckon the 1M will feel like the pointier, more playful drive while for absolute ability to string a set of bends fluently together, the M3 may keep the edge. After all, a Z4M coupe is a total giggle, but most people still call the M3 the better driver's car without hesitation. But I might be wrong.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Woland's Advocate

Since all the journalists rave about the M3 so I have to assume it has hidden talents I did not discover on test.

Yes, absolutely.

I have my own test route, complete with low speed and high speed section, hairpins, very high speed sweepers, a variety of asphalt quality, etc. so when I'll finally get to test drive the 1M it will be back to back with my M3.

Deciding between an M3 and the 1M, that's a good problem to have, I reckon...

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by adc

Deciding between an M3 and the 1M, that's a good problem to have, I reckon...

As some predicted, lots of M3 defectors are on the horizon, and more than I expected. I hope BMW gets the message, that is, to focus M energy to the 1M / M2, and relegate the M3 to M6 fat cat type folks. I see the 1M/M2 will be the new standard/target.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

As some predicted, lots of M3 defectors are on the horizon, and more than I expected. I hope BMW gets the message, that is, to focus M energy to the 1M / M2, and relegate the M3 to M6 fat cat type folks. I see the 1M/M2 will be the new standard/target.

The message has already been received, loud and clear. One of the neat things about this event was that we also got to hang out with several of the folks from M after hours..... they are eager to reverse the trend of M cars being heavier and heavier, and have promised that the next generation will be lighter than the current models.

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

The message has already been received, loud and clear. One of the neat things about this event was that we also got to hang out with several of the folks from M after hours..... they are eager to reverse the trend of M cars being heavier and heavier, and have promised that the next generation will be lighter than the current models.

its good to know that the folks of M division realize that they have been losing focus on what the letter M really means. when they released the X6M and X5M, i almost lost all faith in them but its reassuring that they are releasing cars like the 1M.

hopefully cutting weight and fine tuning future M cars even more to keep the M spirit alive. hopefully M would always mean Motorsport not Marketing. i dont want to see bmw making the M division into an AMG division.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by montreal red

its good to know that the folks of M division realize that they have been losing focus on what the letter M really means. when they released the X6M and X5M, i almost lost all faith in them but its reassuring that they are releasing cars like the 1M.

hopefully cutting weight and fine tuning future M cars even more to keep the M spirit alive. hopefully M would always mean Motorsport not Marketing. i dont want to see bmw making the M division into an AMG division.

Look at it this way. BMW needs high power types like, M3, M6, XMs, etc to make the profit. This profit then goes into 1M/M2/Z2M development, racing, etc. FWD money can be siphoned up to 1M as well.

BMWs first attempt was the e30 M3 which defines BMW as we know it, performance and handling. The 1M and even the 135 is the rebirth of the e30 M3. What ever brilliant marketing MBA types came up with this 2002 comparison shit is a tragic joke, they should be fired.

I can see a 1M DTM. not so much a 4dr 3er.

[adc]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

As some predicted, lots of M3 defectors are on the horizon, and more than I expected. I hope BMW gets the message, that is, to focus M energy to the 1M / M2, and relegate the M3 to M6 fat cat type folks. I see the 1M/M2 will be the new standard/target.

Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but I am not a defector yet. You mustn't get hung up too much in the numbers game (weight, etc.) because all that matters is how a car drives. In that respect the 1M has some might shoes to fit because the M3 is a superb machine when you wind it up. It is so good at what it does that some people mistake it for lack of character, when it fact it's an overachiever.

After leasing a 335i for 2 years, my original intention was to buy a 135i and modify it - but all that changed after a good long hard test drive in the M3. Maybe that's the problem - you need to find lots of room to let it rip, which is hard to do in today's traffic. Anyway, one year later it still feels special to me from the moment I start it up in the morning.

Yes, I absolutely acknowledge it has a bit of a weight problem (and a bit of a drinking problem) which is what I hope the 1M will correct. I just hope it will be as charismatic and talented as its bigger brother...

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by adc

Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but I am not a defector yet. You mustn't get hung up too much in the numbers game (weight, etc.) because all that matters is how a car drives. In that respect the 1M has some might shoes to fit because the M3 is a superb machine when you wind it up. It is so good at what it does that some people mistake it for lack of character, when it fact it's an overachiever.

After leasing a 335i for 2 years, my original intention was to buy a 135i and modify it - but all that changed after a good long hard test drive in the M3. Maybe that's the problem - you need to find lots of room to let it rip, which is hard to do in today's traffic. Anyway, one year later it still feels special to me from the moment I start it up in the morning.

Yes, I absolutely acknowledge it has a bit of a weight problem (and a bit of a drinking problem) which is what I hope the 1M will correct. I just hope it will be as charismatic and talented as its bigger brother...

+1 i agree
weight, power, etc are non issues if the car doesnt feel like a driver's car. it has to feel focussed. a Cayman S doesnt have very much power but it drives beautifully and is one of the most focussed machines one can get. i didnt go for it because of practicality. if the 1M can deliver focus with some added practicality, it will be the best car in the M line up.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by adc

Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but I am not a defector yet. You mustn't get hung up too much in the numbers game (weight, etc.) because all that matters is how a car drives. In that respect the 1M has some might shoes to fit because the M3 is a superb machine when you wind it up. It is so good at what it does that some people mistake it for lack of character, when it fact it's an overachiever.

After leasing a 335i for 2 years, my original intention was to buy a 135i and modify it - but all that changed after a good long hard test drive in the M3. Maybe that's the problem - you need to find lots of room to let it rip, which is hard to do in today's traffic. Anyway, one year later it still feels special to me from the moment I start it up in the morning.

Yes, I absolutely acknowledge it has a bit of a weight problem (and a bit of a drinking problem) which is what I hope the 1M will correct. I just hope it will be as charismatic and talented as its bigger brother...

If you have an M3 I would keep it. I grew up on V8s but who doesn't love the I6?. For those end of lease or need an upgrade I would advise a 1er. Why? Just look at the #s.

Overall handling...?
Handling/lb ..1M
Balance........M3
Brakes/lb.....1M
MPG............1M
Rare............1M
Value...........1M
Top End ......M3
Tuning.........1M, Booya 1M!
DCT.............M3,

[TunedM2C]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Great review!

Kind of highlights the lack of DCT, though. Maybe the second year. If BMW can do it on the 335is, it can't be that hard.

Two reasons, price and it would be closing in on the M3's performance numbers.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Tuned1

Two reasons, price and it would be closing in on the M3's performance numbers.

people keep saying this.... as if the 135 already wasn't " closing in". It's only a few tenths off the M3 anyway from 0-60. how about DCT = weight.. ? Isn't DCT now on the 135?