C&D Short Take Road Test: BMW 1M

[ksparks]

it is a real ///m, just not a big jump from our 135i's. We all have had the n54 for a while, and most of us on here have been running a more aggressive tune than the 1 m sports coupe.

would I fork over more money for the same engine? No. People will tune these too, but that is something I would never consider necessary on an ///m car. I'm sure some people will, I would rather wait for something way different.
With that said, if this was out 2 years ago, I would have gotten it for sure.

it is a parts bin car... it has the n54 and a bunch of m3 parts... I don't find fault with that.... that's how they kept the price so cheap. If they invested in significant R&D, the car would have it's own parts, a new engine, and a way heftier price tag.... and probably be something way more special.

[FJUNO78]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Well BMW seems to think it is a 'real' M and that is good enough for us.

Aside from the engine the 1M is basically an M3 covered with a different skin. The performance out of the box is close to that of the current M3 with the bonus of better fuel economy at a much better price point.

The 1M is what the M3 was before it got fat.

That's my entire point... the 2008 135i was out performing the e46 m3. Now it takes an ///m version of the 1 series to beat the e92 m3?

I'm not saying this isn't an ///m car. It is. I'm not saying it doesn't look sweet. It does.

IMO the 135i was far more special, the entry level bimmer nipping at the heals of the m3... now it takes another ///m car to do that.

Let's see how the reviews come in. This one was less than fantastic.

[fastauto]

Originally Posted by FJUNO78

That's my entire point... the 2008 135i was out performing the e46 m3. Now it takes an ///m version of the 1 series to beat the e92 m3?

I'm not saying this isn't an ///m car. It is. I'm not saying it doesn't look sweet. It does.

IMO the 135i was far more special, the entry level bimmer nipping at the heals of the m3... now it takes another ///m car to do that.

Let's see how the reviews come in. This one was less than fantastic.

E46 M3 is a far better car than the 135i. the performance on the track is not even close. on the street they are just as good but the overall setup of the E46 M3 is much more performance driven

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

You could theoretically spend the 15k to get your existing car around the track faster AND faster to 60.

Thats why I said for existing 135 owners its dependent on each individual's financial situation.

I can spend that 15k on the M

OR as I stated earlier I may not give up the 135 and I can spend the 15k on that or one of my other cars. My 135 can be quicker than my 1M I dont have issue with that.

The M stands alone as a car and a worthy car in my mind. Me owning a 135 isnt a factor in my decision to purchase the 1M.

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by FJUNO78

That's my entire point... the 2008 135i was out performing the e46 m3. Now it takes an ///m version of the 1 series to beat the e92 m3?

I'm not saying this isn't an ///m car. It is. I'm not saying it doesn't look sweet. It does.

IMO the 135i was far more special, the entry level bimmer nipping at the heals of the m3... now it takes another ///m car to do that.

Let's see how the reviews come in. This one was less than fantastic.

The stock 135i was nipping at the E92 M3's heels, at least up to about 90mph (totaly different story if you throw some curves in there though).
I for one would love to see a comparo/shootout of a tuned (piggyback and m3 suspension bits) versus a stock 1M and see how big of a jump it really is.

We all know less than fantastic when it comes to BMW's is still very, very, very good.

[FJUNO78]

Originally Posted by fastauto

E46 M3 is a far better car than the 135i. the performance on the track is not even close. on the street they are just as good but the overall setup of the E46 M3 is much more performance driven

if you say so... around the track, it's a drivers race.

my buddy had an e46 m3, drove it many times. very different cars, very close results.

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Thats why I said for existing 135 owners its dependent on each individual's financial situation.

I can spend that 15k on the M

OR as I stated earlier I may not give up the 135 and I can spend the 15k on that or one of my other cars. My 135 can be quicker than my 1M I dont have issue with that.

The M stands alone as a car and a worthy car in my mind. Me owning a 135 isnt a factor in my decision to purchase the 1M.

Right I completely understand from your point of view...and if I had that type of money to spend then I might consider doing something similar. I would love to see you keep both and then mod the hell out of the 135i and see how close it could get performance-wise. I am curious, do you plan on the 1M as a DD or garage queen/collectors item?

Originally Posted by FJUNO78

if you say so... around the track, it's a drivers race.

my buddy had an e46 m3, drove it many times. very different cars, very close results.

Glad you posted that cause that is where I was headed....

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

Right I completely understand from your point of view...and if I had that type of money to spend then I might consider doing something similar. I would love to see you keep both and then mod the hell out of the 135i and see how close it could get performance-wise. I am curious, do you plan on the 1M as a DD or garage queen/collectors item?
.

Ya I didnt think we were disagreeing. Neither is a DD and I wouldnt consider either a garage queen or collectible. I just really wanted a tiny nimble car and I have liked having the 135 so much that it extended to the 1M. To me its just an improvement/refinement.

Im not a track rat so I dont know that I would mod the hell out of the 135 (that may change). I definitely will post a complete write up of the process and results if I do. I think I would rather give it up so I have space for something drastically different car wise.

[adrean8j]

Well if you go the drastically different route then you MUST keep us updated!

[MrRoboto]

What I found with my 135 even with good tires and BMW performance suspension, when being followed by an E46 on the track I would get a bit of a jump on them out of the corners due to the strong torque but the E46 can definitely carry more speed into and through the corners. The 1M should be vastly superior to the E46, on my local track at least.

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

What I found with my 135 even with good tires and BMW performance suspension, when being followed by an E46 on the track I would get a bit of a jump on them out of the corners due to the strong torque but the E46 can definitely carry more speed into and through the corners. The 1M should be vastly superior to the E46, on my local track at least.

Have you ordered one? Id be curious to see what results you get

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Have you ordered one? Id be curious to see what results you get

Trying to...dealer is having a hard time getting one. Very small allotment for Canada and most are gone to Toronto.

[BMWBoss]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Well BMW seems to think it is a 'real' M and that is good enough for us.

Aside from the engine the 1M is basically an M3 covered with a different skin. The performance out of the box is close to that of the current M3 with the bonus of better fuel economy at a much better price point.

The 1M is what the M3 was before it got fat.

Please don't make such an ignorant comment...the 1M is nothing close to the M3...they are two completely different cars. Let's not start comparing the 1M and the M3

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by BMWBoss

Please don't make such an ignorant comment...the 1M is nothing close to the M3...they are two completely different cars. Let's not start comparing the 1M and the M3

I'm beginning to think that M drivers are the Jihadists of the car world. If you in any way challenge the M they declare fatwa on you.

Well, my modified 335 hung with E9x M3's on the track. More then once the drivers of the M's would come up to me afterwards and ask me what mods I had because they were impressed.

Now I'm not delusional. In the hands of an expert the difference between our cars would be obvious. But the reality is most M owners lack the level of expertise needed to realize those advantages. So in the real world of you and me it's not that hard to match an M's performance with a sub M car.

And as for the e46 M3, once done my 135 will kick the piss out of all but the most heavily modded.

[darkvaderr]

Originally Posted by BMWBoss

Please don't make such an ignorant comment...the 1M is nothing close to the M3...they are two completely different cars. Let's not start comparing the 1M and the M3

You're the ignorant one here
What world do you live in, where two cars sharing the SAME chassis; albeit one having it shortened by 3 inches, is someone incomparable?
Same chassis, same brakes... the difference lies in the engine and the body.
But we're talking about cars here, the soul of any car is how it DRIVES (I'll give you a hint, this has to do with the chassis)
And these two cars share the same chassis.

[conneem-TT]

Originally Posted by formula M

Why?

The current M3 is a fat pig. The M coupe isn't..

The e90 is as large as an older 5 series, lol. That is why I test drove an M3 (when released) and pulled my deposit. It doesn't even have an inline-6. An engine is not a car. There is no comparison to the M coupe & the M3, the M Coupe is much more nimble & capable. For less...


I can not imagine anyone wanting an M3, over an M coupe.

E46 M3 - 1,570kg (curb weight i.e. not inc. 75kg driver & luggage)

E92 M3 - 1,655kg (EU weight i.e. inc. 75kg of driver & luggage)

1M - 1,570kg (EU weight i.e inc. 75kg of driver & luggage)

so 5% difference in weight.

the 1M is 1mm narrower, 4mm less in height and just 23cm or 9" shorter than an e92 M3.

[Boxercup]

Originally Posted by conneem-TT

inc 75kg of driver & luggage

...been a while since 75kg gave me room for luggage.

[biggles]

Originally Posted by BMWBoss

Please don't make such an ignorant comment...the 1M is nothing close to the M3...they are two completely different cars. Let's not start comparing the 1M and the M3

I think the ignorance is on your part buddy! They are comparable in every way other than the engine and therefore the style of power delivery. With the same running gear, very similar performance etc and less weight to haul round but lots more mid-range "shove" it will be epic. I've just sold my E92 M3 which was a great machine, but im betting the 1M will be more focussed, more fun and quicker in the real world!

This is certainly no warmed-over 135, yes a bespoke M division engine would have been great but im thinking the cost of developing one would have added far too much to the asking price.....taking it too near to the M3 on price AND performance.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by conneem-TT

E46 M3 - 1,570kg (curb weight i.e. not inc. 75kg driver & luggage)

E92 M3 - 1,655kg (EU weight i.e. inc. 75kg of driver & luggage)

1M - 1,570kg (EU weight i.e inc. 75kg of driver & luggage)

so 5% difference in weight.

the 1M is 1mm narrower, 4mm less in height and just 23cm or 9" shorter than an e92 M3.

Canadian Specs...

E92 Curb weight - 1680kg (3703 lbs)
1M Curb Weight - 1525kg (3362 lbs)

Difference - 155kg (341 lbs) ~10%

[conneem-TT]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Canadian Specs...

E92 Curb weight - 1680kg (3703 lbs)
1M Curb Weight - 1525kg (3362 lbs)

Difference - 155kg (341 lbs) ~10%

So the 1M is actually lighter than a 135i in Canada?

It is 40kg heavier here in Europe.

Also the manual and DCT M3's seem to weigh the same in Canada also????

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by formula M

The e90 is as large as an older 5 series, lol.

That is not quite true. Larger than the old 3 series? Yes....as large as an old E39? No....

2002 E39 M5: curb weight 4023lbs Length 188.3in.
2010 E90 M3: curb weight 3726lbs Length 180.4in

Originally Posted by biggles

This is certainly no warmed-over 135, yes a bespoke M division engine would have been great but im thinking the cost of developing one would have added far too much to the asking price.....taking it too near to the M3 on price AND performance.

Yes it would have...so they decided to throw some M3 bits on it and call it a 1M and profit....brilliant strategy by BMW...because people are gonna buy it regardless and there really isn't anything wrong with that in a capitalist society

[hwelvaar]

Originally Posted by MteK

I'm beginning to think that M drivers are the Jihadists of the car world. If you in any way challenge the M they declare fatwa on you.

LOL !! Especially some of the M3 drivers.
Same sh*t with 335i vs E46 M3, and now with 1M vs E92 M3.

I was also upset when BMW released the 135i, outperforming my 335i.

But hey, that's how it always will be: newer and better are just around the corner.