Jalopnik 1M Coupe First Drive Review - "This is most definitely an M car" - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

foxyman · 05-12-2011, 11:17 AM

Name: jalopnik-1m-review.jpg
Views: 9484
Size: 53.7 KB

FULL REVIEW: http://jalopnik.com/5801175/2011-bmw...pe-first-drive

"This is most definitely an M car."

"If the sign of a good car is how soon after your first drive that you're comfortable pushing the limits, then this is a very good car."

"and here's where the 1M is indeed true to BMW's own narrative for it — the 1M resembles those nimble, neutral-handling, frisky M cars of yore, which should make pain-in-the-ass purists very happy."

"The 1M isn't particularly quick; BMW says it can get from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, which isn't far off the 135i's low-five-second-range time, even if the company's being typically conservative. No, the point of this car isn't blinding quickness; the point of the 1M is agility, and it has plenty of it."

"The 1M can carry an astounding amount of speed through corners, and there's plenty of advance warning before the tires finally give way."

"And then there's that stance, which BMW's gotten exactly right. The wider track and ever-so-slight negative camber in the rear wheels gives the 1M an attractive, bulldog stance. In fact, stance-wise, it's leaps and bounds over any other modern M."

NYC6 · 05-12-2011, 12:49 PM

Sounds good but, 2 US mags(Motortrend and C&D) got bone stock N54 135's running 0-60 in 4.7-4.8. It seems BMW is conservative with performance figures and likely are with the new 1M. Hopefully so, I look forward to further tests of the car. Great handling is of course welcomed but so is that extra kick in the back push that gets the adrenaline pumping.

Red135 · 05-12-2011, 12:53 PM

Having driven both a 135 and a 1M. Both feel different in terms of how the apply their speed. The 135 felt quick, but the 1M feels powerful. Even though they may be getting to the same place at approx the same time, how they do it differs.

I don't know if that makes any sense.

Dick Brown · 05-12-2011, 01:06 PM

"The 1M isn't particularly quick; BMW says it can get from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds"

I always thought that was pretty quick. Probably faster than 97% of the cars on the road. When the Turbos kicked on in my 135 it definitely felt very fast and on my 1m it's even a little better.

Robert · 05-12-2011, 01:23 PM

Great news. Biggest fault of the 135i was its suspension being too soft, the shift of weight during transition was still too dramatic, inspires less confidence, and contributed to heaviness feeling of the vehicle. Maybe I will pick up a next gen 1M, there is still too much similarity between a 135i and 1M to justify the 50k price tag.

Dick Brown · 05-12-2011, 01:33 PM

I have had my 1m for a few days and in my opinion the price difference it totally justified.
In fact it feels actually like a good deal when you experience the beauty of the Interior and the Exterior and the Performance is extremely satisfying. I loved my 135 but this is a far better car and very different feel than the non M 1 series.

Red135 · 05-12-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

there is still too much similarity between a 135i and 1M to justify the 50k price tag.

You couldn't be more wrong.

M3 Adjuster · 05-12-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

You couldn't be more wrong.

Exactly... The 135 is a great car but is NOT an M car. The same is true for 3,5,6, X, and Z series non M vs M models.

Seneca · 05-12-2011, 02:53 PM

This has to be the first time I've seen someone wearing a balaclava while driving a road car on the track. . . .

aaron529 · 05-12-2011, 03:03 PM

aaron ohabi

M3 Adjuster · 05-12-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seneca

This has to be the first time I've seen someone wearing a balaclava while driving a road car on the track. . . .

only because the helmet is an open face helmet... otherwise.. you would never see the balaclava.
At any rate... i wear one as a PASSENGER in road cars all the time ...

dmboone25 · 05-12-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Exactly... The 135 is a great car but is NOT an M car. The same is true for 3,5,6, X, and Z series non M vs M models.

Plus, my 135 was $43K...not exactly cheap...

The 1M can also be had for $48K...and with the notable improvements over the 135, it really still seems like a bargain to me...

MNavigator · 05-12-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seneca

This has to be the first time I've seen someone wearing a balaclava while driving a road car on the track. . . .

Probably a good idea to take with you if you know your borrowing a helmet at a press day. Think about all the other people who borrowed the helmet. I use mine anytime I use my helmet, I find it feels cooler on the face with a bonus of helping to keep the helmet cleaner with less "odor".

jmcphillips1 · 05-12-2011, 04:41 PM

Why oh why did BMW not offer the dual clutch like on the M3 or I'd have ordered one for sure!!

335isGuy · 05-12-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcphillips1

Why oh why did BMW not offer the dual clutch like on the M3 or I'd have ordered one for sure!!

A 6spd is more of a purist thing thats what this car is. The M3 is a GT Car, you can put a flappy paddle gear box into it. Personally im glad they only put a 6spd in it and not M-DCT.

Robert · 05-12-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

You couldn't be more wrong.

I'm not talking about just the performance. From an overall package, the frame or steel cage is still the same no? So it holds the same shape as the 1 coupe. Besides the widen stance, most the panels are the same.

All the touch points, steer wheel, shifter, handbrake, iDrive are carried over. Same applies if I own a current gen 3 or 5 series I wouldn't get the M model of the same platform but I will wait for the next gen M. 1M is a different animal performance wise, I get that, but a car to me is the entire package from capability, design aesthetic, reliability, and cost.

Red135 · 05-12-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

I'm not talking about just the performance. From an overall package, the frame or steel cage is still the same no? So it holds the same shape as the 1 coupe. Besides the widen stance, most the panels are the same.

Still wrong. The 1M is easily worth the premium over the 135. But, feel free to have your own opinion.

Robert · 05-12-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red135

Still wrong. The 1M is easily worth the premium over the 135. But, feel free to have your own opinion.

As you are entitled to yours as well. If I owned neither vehicle today and have to select one, 1M is a no brainer but when you already owned a 135i the price difference is no longer just difference of the two msrp. It's 40k (or less how much you can recoup) 135i + 50k invested on a new car.

Malek@MRF · 05-12-2011, 05:29 PM

Nice car. Sadly it's been plagued by a problematic powerplant.

I loved my 2 n54's, but BMW dropped the ball on that one.

Mr.Metak2you · 05-12-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

I'm not talking about just the performance. From an overall package, the frame or steel cage is still the same no? So it holds the same shape as the 1 coupe. Besides the widen stance, most the panels are the same.

All the touch points, steer wheel, shifter, handbrake, iDrive are carried over. Same applies if I own a current gen 3 or 5 series I wouldn't get the M model of the same platform but I will wait for the next gen M. 1M is a different animal performance wise, I get that, but a car to me is the entire package from capability, design aesthetic, reliability, and cost.

You my friend need to read more, because you clearly don't know what the hell you are talking about.

lavaletta · 05-12-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Nice car. Sadly it's been plagued by a problematic powerplant.

I loved my 2 n54's, but BMW dropped the ball on that one.

Ahhhh, that would be the International Engine of the Year for 2007 and 2008, right?

M3 Adjuster · 05-12-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

I'm not talking about just the performance. From an overall package, the frame or steel cage is still the same no? So it holds the same shape as the 1 coupe. Besides the widen stance, most the panels are the same.

Hood, doors (2), roof, rear body panel, and decklid are the same (6)
fenders (2) , quarters (2), rear bumper cover, front bumper cover are new (6) .

That doesn't sound like MOST panels are the same.

How about... HALF the panels are the same...

But that said.. or perhaps, properly defined, what additional panels are different on say, the E9x non M vs M? Just the hood and roof additionally?

05-12-2011, 11:17 AM	#1
foxyman Private Drives: '10 M3 DCT E92 Alpine White Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cape Town Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	Jalopnik 1M Coupe First Drive Review - "This is most definitely an M car" FULL REVIEW: http://jalopnik.com/5801175/2011-bmw...pe-first-drive "This is most definitely an M car." "If the sign of a good car is how soon after your first drive that you're comfortable pushing the limits, then this is a very good car." "and here's where the 1M is indeed true to BMW's own narrative for it — the 1M resembles those nimble, neutral-handling, frisky M cars of yore, which should make pain-in-the-ass purists very happy." "The 1M isn't particularly quick; BMW says it can get from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, which isn't far off the 135i's low-five-second-range time, even if the company's being typically conservative. No, the point of this car isn't blinding quickness; the point of the 1M is agility, and it has plenty of it." "The 1M can carry an astounding amount of speed through corners, and there's plenty of advance warning before the tires finally give way." "And then there's that stance, which BMW's gotten exactly right. The wider track and ever-so-slight negative camber in the rear wheels gives the 1M an attractive, bulldog stance. In fact, stance-wise, it's leaps and bounds over any other modern M."
	Tweet

05-12-2011, 01:23 PM	#5
Robert Major General Drives: 135i, current is350 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal Posts: 6,768 iTrader: (1)	Great news. Biggest fault of the 135i was its suspension being too soft, the shift of weight during transition was still too dramatic, inspires less confidence, and contributed to heaviness feeling of the vehicle. Maybe I will pick up a next gen 1M, there is still too much similarity between a 135i and 1M to justify the 50k price tag. __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint

05-12-2011, 03:03 PM	#10
aaron529 Private First Class Drives: 135i coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NY Posts: 122 iTrader: (0)	aaron ohabi __________________ 2009 135i coupe \| 6MT \| Montego \| M sprt \| Nav\| Split Second Turbo Tuner

05-12-2011, 04:41 PM	#14
jmcphillips1 Lieutenant Drives: 2012 128 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 539 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	Why oh why did BMW not offer the dual clutch like on the M3 or I'd have ordered one for sure!! __________________ 2012 128i Coupe M-Sport Retired: 2009 X6 35i Retired: 2003 x5 4.6is Retired: 2006 330i Post September Retired: 2003 X5 3.0

05-12-2011, 05:29 PM	#19
Malek@MRF Colonel Drives: E92 ZCP Melbourne 6MT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 2,890 iTrader: (5)	Nice car. Sadly it's been plagued by a problematic powerplant. I loved my 2 n54's, but BMW dropped the ball on that one. __________________ MRF on Facebook Southern California's largest & most reputable E9x M3 forced induction & suspension facility. *"Performance; Uncompromised."*

05-12-2011, 12:49 PM	#2
NYC6 Banned Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY Posts: 2,080 iTrader: (0)	Sounds good but, 2 US mags(Motortrend and C&D) got bone stock N54 135's running 0-60 in 4.7-4.8. It seems BMW is conservative with performance figures and likely are with the new 1M. Hopefully so, I look forward to further tests of the car. Great handling is of course welcomed but so is that extra kick in the back push that gets the adrenaline pumping.

05-12-2011, 12:53 PM	#3
Red135 La Flama Blanca Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 1,546 iTrader: (1)	Having driven both a 135 and a 1M. Both feel different in terms of how the apply their speed. The 135 felt quick, but the 1M feels powerful. Even though they may be getting to the same place at approx the same time, how they do it differs. I don't know if that makes any sense.

05-12-2011, 01:06 PM	#4
Dick Brown Private Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	"The 1M isn't particularly quick; BMW says it can get from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds" I always thought that was pretty quick. Probably faster than 97% of the cars on the road. When the Turbos kicked on in my 135 it definitely felt very fast and on my 1m it's even a little better.

05-12-2011, 01:33 PM	#6
Dick Brown Private Drives: 1m, Porche Boxster, Audi A8L Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC & FL Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	I have had my 1m for a few days and in my opinion the price difference it totally justified. In fact it feels actually like a good deal when you experience the beauty of the Interior and the Exterior and the Performance is extremely satisfying. I loved my 135 but this is a far better car and very different feel than the non M 1 series.

05-12-2011, 02:53 PM	#9
Seneca New Member Drives: 2001 325i Sport Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sparta, NJ Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	This has to be the first time I've seen someone wearing a balaclava while driving a road car on the track. . . .

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search