MotorTrend First Drive - BMW 1 Series M Coupe Review

[EmmDrei]

I am not talking about a quarter mile or any of that type of nonsense. But: if you look at the video of the two racing each other, then how about just explaining to the M3 driver either a.) how the launch control works or b.) how to do a standing start with max. power. No, you don't drive a car that produces its max. power at 8.400rpm off a starting line with 3.000rpm. If you do, you haven't understood the basic concept of engine performance.

When you are driving fast on a regular road (I am not quite sure you understand... we can do that here... legally), just as on a track, you keep a car in the rev range that it produces the most power in. If you don't know how to, then learn. You simply need to drive a car with a smaller powerband differently. Torque is a concept for people that love racing from traffic light to traffic light. An F1 car has no torque compared to the power it produces. It works in a rev range of 500-800rpm. Are you guys trying to tell me, that your whatever-powerband-wonder will blow an F1 away? Sure it will, if the guy driving the F1 is a dork. If he's not and he keeps the engine alive, forget it. And exactly the same is true for the M3. Keep the engine above 7.000rpm and any Stock "AG" BMW can call it a day and go home. Unless you are running on a road where a potential weight disadvantage may kick the M3 in the legs.

Fact is: The only cars from BMW, that can go faster than an M3 on the autobahn, are made or where made by the M GmbH and the M1 will not be able to, if they do not change the specs. No matter what your theories tell you.

[formula M]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

I am not talking about a quarter mile or any of that type of nonsense. But: if you look at the video of the two racing each other, then how about just explaining to the M3 driver either a.) how the launch control works or b.) how to do a standing start with max. power. No, you don't drive a car that produces its max. power at 8.400rpm off a starting line with 3.000rpm. If you do, you haven't understood the basic concept of engine performance.

When you are driving fast on a regular road (I am not quite sure you understand... we can do that here... legally), just as on a track, you keep a car in the rev range that it produces the most power in. If you don't know how to, then learn. You simply need to drive a car with a smaller powerband differently. Torque is a concept for people that love racing from traffic light to traffic light. An F1 car has no torque compared to the power it produces. It works in a rev range of 500-800rpm. Are you guys trying to tell me, that your whatever-powerband-wonder will blow an F1 away? Sure it will, if the guy driving the F1 is a dork. If he's not and he keeps the engine alive, forget it. And exactly the same is true for the M3. Keep the engine above 7.000rpm and any Stock "AG" BMW can call it a day and go home. Unless you are running on a road where a potential weight disadvantage may kick the M3 in the legs.

Fact is: The only cars from BMW, that can go faster than an M3 on the autobahn, are made or where made by the M GmbH and the M1 will not be able to, if they do not change the specs. No matter what your theories tell you.

Dude, faster to you is a high speed drag race, like M5 boards?

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

I am not talking about a quarter mile or any of that type of nonsense. But: if you look at the video of the two racing each other, then how about just explaining to the M3 driver either a.) how the launch control works or b.) how to do a standing start with max. power. No, you don't drive a car that produces its max. power at 8.400rpm off a starting line with 3.000rpm. If you do, you haven't understood the basic concept of engine performance.

When you are driving fast on a regular road (I am not quite sure you understand... we can do that here... legally), just as on a track, you keep a car in the rev range that it produces the most power in. If you don't know how to, then learn. You simply need to drive a car with a smaller powerband differently. Torque is a concept for people that love racing from traffic light to traffic light. An F1 car has no torque compared to the power it produces. It works in a rev range of 500-800rpm. Are you guys trying to tell me, that your whatever-powerband-wonder will blow an F1 away? Sure it will, if the guy driving the F1 is a dork. If he's not and he keeps the engine alive, forget it. And exactly the same is true for the M3. Keep the engine above 7.000rpm and any Stock "AG" BMW can call it a day and go home. Unless you are running on a road where a potential weight disadvantage may kick the M3 in the legs.

Fact is: The only cars from BMW, that can go faster than an M3 on the autobahn, are made or where made by the M GmbH and the M1 will not be able to, if they do not change the specs. No matter what your theories tell you.

We are all limited to 155mph.

[EmmDrei]

formula M: Actually if you'd read my post and not just quote it, then you'd find the answer to your question there already. No it's not. But in a high speed drag race an M3 is faster, yes. If you want to know what type of race defines "fast" for me, click on the link in my sig. And no... a stock 135i does not stand a chance there against an M3. A 335i (there is no "official" ring-lap for a 135i) is over 20 seconds slower there. That's not what I say, that's what the german car mag reference says.

MrRoboto: I don't understand your post. What does limited topspeed have to do with the "going fast" question at hand?

[Kurt_OH]

Didn't Motortrend or one of the mags get low 4s 0-60 and mid 12s 1/4 mile in their M3 beats 911 "Dual clutch sport comparison"? No stock 135 is coming close to that and I seriously doubt 1M can either with its iS engine.

I still think 1M is neat but I can still understand the realities.