1M Coupe pre-drive review from an E30 M3 owner / Driving Instructor

[Ryan_T]

Great review. Very excited about this car.

[Racing Teatray]

Originally Posted by treehacker

I really would like to have more details about the side-vents and the "alcantara" seats?!

No idea about the alcantara seats but the side vents are not vents in the sense that there is no actual opening and therefore they serve no engineering purpose. They are merely a crease in the metalwork bisected by an elongated side repeater - an attractive styling flourish but no more functional than that.

[as7920]

Originally Posted by Woland's Advocate

No idea about the alcantara seats but the side vents are not vents in the sense that there is no actual opening and therefore they serve no engineering purpose. They are merely a crease in the metalwork bisected by an elongated side repeater - an attractive styling flourish but no more functional than that.

So it seems that the cheeky little corner on the current VO reveal car is about as much detaill as there is!

[Jaguar66]

Is the 1M going to be like the E30 M3, in that the only options available were color (E30 M3 had optional interiors also), or is one going to be able to option the car more, as in upgraded stereo, remote entry, blue tooth, etc. ??

[adc]

Originally Posted by RobMason

Is the 1M going to be like the E30 M3, in that the only options available were color (E30 M3 had optional interiors also), or is one going to be able to option the car more, as in upgraded stereo, remote entry, blue tooth, etc. ??

I would be surprised if BMW wouldn't allow you to spend another few grands on the car. Heck even the E46 M3 CSL had "options".

[rapter]

Originally Posted by adc

I would be surprised if BMW wouldn't allow you to spend another few grands on the car. Heck even the E46 M3 CSL had "options".

I am inclined to agree, adding to my previous comments about the addition of a sunroof. I think that they would be willing to take more money from their customers in the interest of making them happy.

Personally I will get this car and I want:

1. High Fi radio - just because
2. Sun/ Moon Roof - Dammit just because
3. Ipod connection crap - Same as reasons above...
4. Heated Seats - because I live in a country with winter!

[MDORPHN]

I'd go with the track version: manual alcantara seats, 18" wheels (not likely to be offered), xenon adaptive headlights (if not standard) plus maybe a navi system and ipod hook-up. That's all.

Neil

[I<3BMW]

Thank you for taking the time for this well written review!

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

no CF roof... but then again... not surprpising.... In the past, the US M Brand Manager Larry Koch explained to me that the US federalization process would require testing both a CF and non CF version, which is why the E90 comes in CF roof only... no sunroof option on the 2 door model, so no surprise that in a car in the middle of the life cycle that there were no trick new body panels...

The E90 does not come with a CF roof as standard nor as an option. It is either steel roof or steel roof with sunroof.
The E92 comes standard with a CF roof, however you can get a sunroof as an option.
Either you misheard or US M Brand Manager Larry Koch has no idea what he is talking about.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Pete_vB

No one makes a 260, it's either 255 or 265.

So maybe 265 square, or 265/285 and let swaybars sort the balance.
Edit: it looks like 135i guys have stuffed 245 and 275s under those fenders, so it seems likely 265 35 and 295 30 Hoosier A6s might fit, given M3 9 and 10 x 19 wheels. That's pretty decent rubber.

Did you notice if it's geared short or tall?

Sounds like it'd be a killer if SCCA kept it in D stock with the 135i. I suspect they might move it, though, maybe all the way to A Stock with the current M3?

I am sure you can probably look up the differential ratio as it is brought over from another car. As far as SCCA, anyones guess as far as their classing, wherever it falls will likely be very unfavorable. The gearing matches up well with the 6 speed.

[JasonCSU]

Nice writeup Mark! It was great hanging out with you and everyone else at the event.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by rapter

Where are they keeping all these 1m bmw's that they are making? I thought that production only starts in March of 2011???


Does this mean that there will be earlier delivery dates than previously advertised?

You have to keep in mind that there will be press cars as well for reviewers to use once the car has officially debuted.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by DOUT

The E90 does not come with a CF roof as standard nor as an option. It is either steel roof or steel roof with sunroof.
The E92 comes standard with a CF roof, however you can get a sunroof as an option.
Either you misheard or US M Brand Manager Larry Koch has no idea what he is talking about.

Already corrected in post #30. I'm sure Larry knows the M3.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

You have to keep in mind that there will be press cars as well for reviewers to use once the car has officially debuted.

I'm sure there will be 1Ms sitting in the parking lot at BMW NA in NJ 2 to 3 months prior to the US release date. At least that was true for the M3 prior to the April 6, 2008 release.

Some enterprising forum member will probably post pics in Jan or Feb of a car driving around northern NJ or parked at BMWNA.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by skierman64

I'm sure there will be 1Ms sitting in the parking lot at BMW NA in NJ 2 to 3 months prior to the US release date. At least that was true for the M3 prior to the April 6, 2008 release.

Some enterprising forum member will probably post pics in Jan or Feb of a car driving around northern NJ or parked at BMWNA.

I wouldn't doubt it at all. It was mentioned that some of the cars were heading to BMW NA at some point.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

no mention of a change to the turbos.. As far as engine internals... simply tighter tolerances and uprated piston rings... No parts changes... Since I don't own a 135... even though we looked under the hood.... I can't comment on size... It was clear from the employees that the N54 was considered superior to the N55, and it also costs more to build.

Superior in what way? Why is BMW going with N55 for next gen M1/M3?

[montreal red]

op, can you give your opinion on which car would be a better driver's car? the 1M or the e92 M3?

in terms of some factors, the 1M is no doubt better - less weight.
but the m3 has some factors that are superior than the 1M, e.g high revving engine with smooth power delivery.

considering the overall feel of both cars, which do you think is a better driver's car? i bought the m3 over other M cars like the m6 or the m5 because i felt that its the best driver's car in the bmw line up. so i am wondering, if money is no object, which would you choose?

[skierman64]

I just got an email from BMW M Driver.com with a link to the video of the event that the OP attended in Germany. It's about 3.5 minutes long but it's in a closed room on youtube, so I think you need to be registered at m driver in order to gain access to it. They don't show the car without the disguised paint.

The OP, had a speaking part in the video as well. It was a fun video to watch and it looked like the OP and the 11 others had a really good time. Plus, they got some nice M jackets as well. I wish I'd been selected.

Here's the link, I'm not sure if it works for non-registered users: http://www.m-power.com/_open/s/closedroom.jsp?lang=en

[M3 Adjuster]

This is a good question, and one that many potential buyers may face, as used E9x M3s are now available for the same price or perhaps even less than what the 1M will be priced at. Someone had already alerted me to the fact that E9x M3 models are in the middle 40s before I left for Germany, but after driving the 1M.. the thoughts of an E9x M3 are gone for me.

Cost no object.. as a drivers car, one I would take to the track often... (I do about 15-20 track days plus another 10 autocross days a year) . one coupe to another... I would absolutely go with the 1M... The E9x V8 motor sound is truly seductive but lower curb weight (by more than 400 lbs!) rules the day.. Plus one can still likely tune the 1M for power more easily in the aftermarket!

If I could only have one car in my garage , and it had to do everything.. then perhaps the M3 (particularly in sedan form) would be more versatile and still very capable on the track. The M3 is a great car that you can wring performance from, but it's still a very heavy car.... It doesn't feel NEAR as heavy as it is... With the HP on tap and it's ability to rev, it really gets out of it's own way far better than one would think! I know it always gets a bad rap in terms of weight so I do want to state that it really is an awesome machine... However, in comparison, the 1M so far has not felt heavy at all. Again, I do wish that there had been more dry pavement and perhaps a better autocross course or a track with esses to really assess the weight/balance of the 1M.. but that was not available on that day.

Originally Posted by montreal red

op, can you give your opinion on which car would be a better driver's car? the 1M or the e92 M3?

in terms of some factors, the 1M is no doubt better - less weight.
but the m3 has some factors that are superior than the 1M, e.g high revving engine with smooth power delivery.

considering the overall feel of both cars, which do you think is a better driver's car? i bought the m3 over other M cars like the m6 or the m5 because i felt that its the best driver's car in the bmw line up. so i am wondering, if money is no object, which would you choose?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

Superior in what way? Why is BMW going with N55 for next gen M1/M3?

Our M hosts indicated that (currently) the twin turbo setup on the N54 is a more robust setup. I presume that means more power certainly, and it may mean other things as well but I don't want to speculate. I was told that the N55 is cheaper to build, (i am sure the single turbo setup is less costly) however there's a reason the N54 is being used in the 1M as the M car gets the best power plant available.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Nice writeup Mark! It was great hanging out with you and everyone else at the event.

Thanks Jason!! Glad to see you made it back stateside ok after the long flight home! It was a blast hanging with you in Leipzing and even more so in Munich! Here's hoping we meet again either in Europe, or at a CCA O'fest..

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

This is a good question, and one that many potential buyers may face, as used E9x M3s are now available for the same price or perhaps even less than what the 1M will be priced at. Someone had already alerted me to the fact that E9x M3 models are in the middle 40s before I left for Germany, but after driving the 1M.. the thoughts of an E9x M3 are gone for me.

Cost no object.. as a drivers car, one I would take to the track often... (I do about 15-20 track days plus another 10 autocross days a year) . one coupe to another... I would absolutely go with the 1M... The E9x V8 motor sound is truly seductive but lower curb weight (by more than 400 lbs!) rules the day.. Plus one can still likely tune the 1M for power more easily in the aftermarket!

If I could only have one car in my garage , and it had to do everything.. then perhaps the M3 (particularly in sedan form) would be more versatile and still very capable on the track. The M3 is a great car that you can wring performance from, but it's still a very heavy car.... It doesn't feel NEAR as heavy as it is... With the HP on tap and it's ability to rev, it really gets out of it's own way far better than one would think! I know it always gets a bad rap in terms of weight so I do want to state that it really is an awesome machine... However, in comparison, the 1M so far has not felt heavy at all. Again, I do wish that there had been more dry pavement and perhaps a better autocross course or a track with esses to really assess the weight/balance of the 1M.. but that was not available on that day.

great answer. i have owned my m3 since 2008 and its more than 2 yrs old now. so the 1M is a really tempting proposition. but i am also in love with the engine of the m3!! u're definitely right bout the whole weight issue. i really wished they could make the m3 slightly lighter and kept the v8 high revving engine. other than the weight, i really cant complain too much bout the m3. this makes it really hard for me to get rid of it.

i'll have to get myself to test drive a 1M as soon as it hits US/canada... we'll see if i decide to keep my m3 or not then. thanks again!