Autoblog BMW 1M Review - "We would take this new 1M Coupe over a BMW M3 Competition"

[Jason]

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Autoblog 1M Coupe Review - "E30 M3 Reincarnate"

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Autoblog's review (full review) of the 1M coupe is in and this is the message they have for everyone -- "Enthusiasts, BMW has your car."

They also called the 1M an E30 M3 Reincarnate.

The following sums up their experience in a few sentences: In similar manner, what makes the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe so special isn't found in charts, numbers or statistics. Instead, its appeal is discovered once you settle into the supportive bucket seats behind the thick steering wheel. Its allure is captured in the masterful combination of a torque-laden engine mated to a lightweight rear-wheel-drive platform controlled with a traditional manual transmission – the little coupe with the big flares is old school retro-cool and deliciously fun to drive. The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe doesn't target boy-racers, it targets enthusiasts.

And a few quotes which stood out to us:

After painfully watching for years as the automaker's beloved M lineup ballooned in both size and weight – even adding sport utility vehicles – the German's have delivered us a new little jewel. It's not another derivative of the race-bred M3, the highly anticipated next-generation M5 or a sneak preview of the future M6. Instead, this little shot of driving ecstasy comes in the guise of the lowly 1 Series – the entry-level BMW.

Launching the M Coupe from a standstill is easy, thanks to a clutch pedal that is weighted perfectly with predictable and progressive take-up. Throws are short and BMW-familiar precise. Thanks to the amazing torque curve of the tuned N54, a slightly aggressive launch will easily spin the rear wheels. Even better, the M Coupe will pull from all six gears at nearly any engine speed (just out of curiosity, we even run it in sixth gear at one-thousand RPM around town and it slowly pulls itself up to the power band without any sign of protest).

While lacking the sophisticated Electronic Damping Control (EDC) found on the M3, the 1M Coupe rides very well. It's firm, but never punishing. Just a month after the seasonal thaw, New York's pothole-laden surface streets do their best to unsettle the two-door, but it bounces resolutely out of each crater without losing its sense of direction. It doesn't ride as well as the longer-wheelbase M3, but it makes the Lexus IS-F seem downright abusive. The suspension will easily be tolerated by those who choose to use it as a daily-driver.

The steering also rewards smoothness. Just line up the entry with the front wheels, turn, and hold the wheel steady as the 1M Coupe clips the apex. Slight course corrections are accomplished with gentle inputs as sawing on the wheels seems to accomplish nothing more than bleeding off speed. It was very easy to place the BMW on a precise imaginary driving line (for the first few laps, we used a small rock which had been tossed onto the surface as an apex marker for one of the corners – we were able to nail it nearly every time).

The brakes simply begged for more.

For the ultimate comparison, BMW allowed us to take an M3 Competition (with DSG) out on the track for a couple of hot laps immediately after pulling the 1M Coupe into the pits. To keep things fair, we configured MDM identically and put the transmission in its fastest setting.

So, which of the two is quicker around Monticello's south course? The more agile 1M Coupe takes the corners, while the more powerful M3 takes the straights – yet, overall, the pair are unbelievably close on this circuit. Lacking telemetry, we honestly don't know which is quicker. However, it is obvious that the new car is more engaging and more enjoyable to drive. Offered the choice between the two, seeking a weekend track racer that will see double-duty as a work commuter, we would take this new 1M Coupe over a BMW M3 Competition.

Check out the full review at Autoblog.

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[JasonCSU]

Exactly, targeted for the enthusiast.

[Rawhide]

....I just creamed myself...

[pyrat]

Do Want, So Bad.

[crackberry]

They don't know which is quicker? How about using a stopwatch?

[rmani]

well done BMW. this would make for a great DD in the future.

[bmw13]

Got word my 1M arrives in July. Prior its release, for over a year I dreamed of getting an e92 M3, but when it came down to the numbers it was just too much... they say somethings are worth waiting for and I am so happy this is the turn out Finally, BMW has come out with a real M3 again.

[Sedan_Clan]

Good job BMW! I never doubted that the 1M would be a fantastic car.

[Diver]

Too bad only one year of production. Could do a lot with the $15 or $20 k left over.

[auggiem3]

Pretty impressive - the car is well received within the auto enthusiasts media forum and it appears to be selling well.

I hope that, in aggregrate, these positives promote a next generatation 1M.

If the next iteration is designed to meet what the folks at M Gmbh believed the 1st generation missed in keeping with the M ideal (per interview with head of M division) - the next one will be aboslutely unreal!

[Joer]

Great review!!

[auggiem3]

Just because I know someone will question my post about the first gen 1M lacking what the M division considers a full M effort....see below for quote.

"Unfortunately everything that makes a great BMW M Coupe was not attainable due to the low budget. When you take into consideration of crash testing etc. Had the 1M be equipped with a standard carbon fibre roof it would not be heading to the USA as BMW would not have funded extra crash testing.

BMW did not want to fully commit seeing as the car has a relatively short production window. At first not everyone was convinced but now everybody is a believer.

Look at this car now and look at it closely. Because it is what is attainable ,when you have limited resources to work with.

It is also the appetizer , given the response to the car when it was undergoing development. The next generation 1er M Coupe or M2? has been given a much larger development budget so next time round , there is more freedom to progress ideas that could not be attained this time around, because of cost within the next car."

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464177

[Ash83]

I still think an M car should have a new engine.. if they were targeting 335HP they should have made a new non Turbo I6 3.5L to get that horse power.. otherwise this is a wet dream car..

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by auggiem3

The next generation 1er M Coupe or M2? has been given a much larger development budget ."[/i] ...............

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464177

The quote above is what i love.... I think i can now calmy wait till my current 128i lease expires and then order / get the 2nd gen 1M ..... Happy days are coming !!!

[MITE82]

Want one so bad now .. But for now I'll just take my 135i one mod at a time wonder when can we get our hands on some of the performance 1M coupe parts ??

[speedfan]

Besides all the great reviews about the 1M, I hope this N54 doesnt have HPFP problem.

[emathis]

Hi everybody.
Took delivery of my AW 1 M Coupé today, the first to be delivered in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Drove it for almost 200 km. Impressive, even unbelievable what this car offers in terms of performance for little money compared to an E9x M3
I still have my E46 CSL and will keep it, but this 1 M is by far the most "M" car I have been driving for the past couple of years.
I used to own a E92 but the 1 M is by far the better M car. It reminds my of my former M experiences when I was young and owned a E30 Sport Evolution. Back to the roots for M GmbH. Great deal guys!!!
I can only confirm Dr. Segler's words : IT'S M PURE
And I now understand why M GmbH made such a massive marketing struggle concerning the disclosure of the car.
To all those waiting for theirs to be delivered.....waiting time is worth it. To all others, you don't know what you are missing.

[eisenb11]

Originally Posted by Ash83

I still think an M car should have a new engine.. if they were targeting 335HP they should have made a new non Turbo I6 3.5L to get that horse power.. otherwise this is a wet dream car..

I've always been confused about the turbo vs non-turbo arguments.

I can understand the concern with the M3, because it's going from a NA V8 to a FI I6. You're losing the awesome sound of the V8 and it's high rev capability.

But in the case of the 1M, you'd be going from a FI I6 to a NA I6... ok, maybe we'd have a higher rev limit on the NA engine, but you'd be losing out on all of the torque from the FI engine.

The way I see it, isn't having turbos pretty much a win if you're not going to be changing engine displacement and you're staying with the same number of cylinders anyway?

Also, I'm sure the upcoming FI I6 engine for the M3 will beat the NA V8 in performance, but there's always something to be said about having more cylinders - it's probably the sound/fun factor.

[blacknbean]

Originally Posted by MITE82

wonder when can we get our hands on some of the performance 1M coupe parts ??

like what? everything is already available since it came from the m3. the only new part might be the lightweight flywheel.

[eisenb11]

Originally Posted by blacknbean

like what? everything is already available since it came from the m3. the only new part might be the lightweight flywheel.

Well, if it's like the M3 the "performance" parts are a black kidney grill, carbon fibre mirror cover, carbon fibre front splitters, carbon fibre spoiler, and the performance exhaust. It's funny that the exhaust is the only one of the performance parts that might have any real world impact on performance.

[ns2000x]

I have tickets for the weekend but am out of town Saturday. Hope to make it to the Sunday morning race.

[ns2000x]

Ok this iPhone app has really shit the bed today.

This will probably end up a duplicate.

I have tickets, but have family birthday commitments Saturday. I'm hoping to make it to the Sunday morning race.