BMW 1M Coupe Pre-drive - The review

[ase2dais]

you're one lucky dog... thks for the review

[CrazyIvan]

Thanks for review! Any word on whether DCT will be offered after all?

[mtechnik3]

Thanks for your review! Sounds like the 1M will be a great M car.

[spellbmw]

Thanks a lot, Jason, for the review -- and making us all yet more crazy about the 1M! ;-)
Seriously, man, I'm glad you got the opportunity of a lifetime to take the trip and the test drive. You'll be talking about that for a long time.

[mr.foo]

Great feedback, thanks for sharing.

Too bad you guys only had a wet track to play in. I would have loved some feedback from dry tarmac.

[JasonCSU]

Sorry for the delayed reply, but I'm hanging out in London and free wifi is few and far between. My main dislike is that I can't get the car in Sparkling Graphite Metallic, but that color has been discontinued anyway. I wouldn't count on the DCT being offered.

When Profes.Adam was driving in the morning, there wasn't much rain and he got the car up to speed on the Autobahn. When it was later my turn, it was like driving through a wall of water. Fortunately, that wasn't the case on the test track.

[M3Power79]

Wonderfull review! Thx for sharing and can't wait to see it in January IRL in Brussels! I realy gona buy one

[Marioalex24]

Great write up. Have fun..... Once my lease is up... I will be getting that new baby..

[PKumarM3]

is ur 135 modded? i am upset that no testers had n54s that were modded or few had any true track experience (and i don't meant 1 track weekend)

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

is ur 135 modded? i am upset that no testers had n54s that were modded or few had any true track experience (and i don't meant 1 track weekend)

No, my 135 is stock, but it has been on the track 6 different times. I would have been out a couple of more times this fall, but I am in need of some new tires.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

is ur 135 modded? i am upset that no testers had n54s that were modded or few had any true track experience (and i don't meant 1 track weekend)

a modded 135 would destroy the whole point of the comparison - to measure the 1M's improvements as compared to its two closest brethren: the 135 and the M3. Though i agree with you about the track, I couldn't disagree with you more about the former point.

[zsapphire7]

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

is ur 135 modded? i am upset that no testers had n54s that were modded or few had any true track experience (and i don't meant 1 track weekend)

also their warranty would be instantly voided

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Bigmouth Studio

Your group have a better weather than our group in the afternoon. When we were on the Autobahn, it was raining cats & dogs, we can only make it up to 170km/hr at most.
Very nice review. Nice to meet you too.

It was nice meeting you as well, along with everyone else at the event. An international Bimmerpost meet so to speak.

[Yogijet]

Thanks Jason. That was just fantastic. Congratulations again.

[PKumarM3]

Originally Posted by esquire

a modded 135 would destroy the whole point of the comparison - to measure the 1M's improvements as compared to its two closest brethren: the 135 and the M3. Though i agree with you about the track, I couldn't disagree with you more about the former point.

the issue that I am having is that the motor seems like it has a different engine management set up which is giving it that extra power.

i am failing to see the reason why one should choose a 1M over a 135 w/AST or MOtons, m3 guide rods, sway bars, a LSD, a tune, downpipes, etc. etc. don't get me wrong, i have a 1M on order, but i dont see a reason to get one. There is such a jump in performance from the 330i to the M3 and the 335i to the E9x M3...i am failing to connect the dots on this car.

thats why i am hoping that a tester has a n54 that has been substantially "messed with" to compare the two beasts. I mean, considering the motor that is going into the 1M is not reinforced or anything else (compared to a n54 that comes in a 135, 335, 535, etc), is this bmw admitting the n54 was originally detuned in order to make the s65 a superior motor? im not entirely sure. i wanted someone whos putting down 400whp and has the suspension modifications that one can have on a 1 series to compare their 135 to this car.

[PKumarM3]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

No, my 135 is stock, but it has been on the track 6 different times. I would have been out a couple of more times this fall, but I am in need of some new tires.

road course or drag strip - i was referring to road course

[Evan135]

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

the issue that I am having is that the motor seems like it has a different engine management set up which is giving it that extra power.

i am failing to see the reason why one should choose a 1M over a 135 w/AST or MOtons, m3 guide rods, sway bars, a LSD, a tune, downpipes, etc. etc. don't get me wrong, i have a 1M on order, but i dont see a reason to get one. There is such a jump in performance from the 330i to the M3 and the 335i to the E9x M3...i am failing to connect the dots on this car.

thats why i am hoping that a tester has a n54 that has been substantially "messed with" to compare the two beasts. I mean, considering the motor that is going into the 1M is not reinforced or anything else (compared to a n54 that comes in a 135, 335, 535, etc), is this bmw admitting the n54 was originally detuned in order to make the s65 a superior motor? im not entirely sure. i wanted someone whos putting down 400whp and has the suspension modifications that one can have on a 1 series to compare their 135 to this car.

I see your point but think the 1M may be different in a couple of respects. If you are looking for a big jump in horsepower the 1M is probably not going to be the ticket. They did not make it faster than the E9x M3 on purpose and with less weight on the same suspension they had to handicap it somewhere, like in engine power.

Also with only 2700 being produced I am not even convinced there will be many tuning options as there might not be a sufficient volume of sales to cover development cost, though someone will probably do it? The 1M may be actually harder to get more power out of than the 135?

IMO the 1M was designed not to get the maximum power out of a N54. M cars are designed to it all well and in as much harmony as possible. Not too much engine to overpower the brakes or suspension and vice versa. My guess is that the 1M was designed to provide an affordable entry into the world of M where cars are seen in their whole. The chassis, the brakes, the engine, the careful tuning of all the componets is done to make them the best all round performing street vehicles based on a standard production platform.

I think this will disappoint many, but others may be looking for the complete and balanced approach?

[ozinger]

Thx for sharing, great write-up!

Can you share what was your write-up when you applied to be chosen for 1 of the lucky drivers of 1M? :-)

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

road course or drag strip - i was referring to road course

Road course. I have been to High Plains Raceway and Pueblo Motorsports park both in Colorado.

[cpippolo]

Originally Posted by Evan135

I see your point but think the 1M may be different in a couple of respects. If you are looking for a big jump in horsepower the 1M is probably not going to be the ticket. They did not make it faster than the E9x M3 on purpose and with less weight on the same suspension they had to handicap it somewhere, like in engine power.

Also with only 2700 being produced I am not even convinced there will be many tuning options as there might not be a sufficient volume of sales to cover development cost, though someone will probably do it? The 1M may be actually harder to get more power out of than the 135?

IMO the 1M was designed not to get the maximum power out of a N54. M cars are designed to it all well and in as much harmony as possible. Not too much engine to overpower the brakes or suspension and vice versa. My guess is that the 1M was designed to provide an affordable entry into the world of M where cars are seen in their whole. The chassis, the brakes, the engine, the careful tuning of all the componets is done to make them the best all round performing street vehicles based on a standard production platform.

I think this will disappoint many, but others may be looking for the complete and balanced approach?

I think you have it exactly right. I just happen to be ready for my next car next year and was seriously considering a 135i. With the 1M coming out, its a no-brainer for me, but I don't do performance mods, so might be in the minority in this forum.

[Cris]

When are you getting back to Denver?

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Cris

When are you getting back to Denver?

Not until sometime on Wednesday evening.