White 1M Delivered. Initial Review and Comparison to E46 M3 and Z4 M Coupe

[Wild Bill]

I opened the new issue of Roundel tonight and there is a picture of Dan Parker on the track and winning.

Congratulations,

WB

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I opened the new issue of Roundel tonight and there is a picture of Dan Parker on the track and winning.

Congratulations,

WB

hmmmm just got mine also....

Oh.. and Dan... thanks for posting the comparison between 1M and Z4M and E46 M3. The Z4M is a car that many people in the market for a 1M still have on their radar as a lesser expensive vehicle used (and also available now as opposed to waiting) and the E46 M3 really shares similar dimensions. However, the 1M oversteers at the limit vs the inherent understeer in the E36, E46 and E9x M3... I haven't driven the Z4M a ton... but the E46 M3 has always left me a bit underwhelmed even though it is quite capable. The E9x is rather amazing for it's size, but it's really a big heavy car that manages to get out of it's own way.... It's kinda like Shaq in his younger days... BIG but surprisingly agile.. The 1M in comparison is slimmed down, and the grip simply is amazing isn't it!

[Dan Parker]

I opened the new issue of Roundel tonight and there is a picture of Dan Parker on the track and winning.

Congratulations

Thanks! I need to keep it up if my plan to take over the world is going to work out. I'm the Charlie Sheen of Roundel this month.

Comparing the Z4 MC / 1M / E46 M3 is like pulling teeth. Just the steering alone is so different in each car. I was talking to my friend who owns Lamin-X yesterday (and owns that E46) and he had some good praise for the 1M. His E46 has 225's up front vs. the 1M's 245's and the steering ratio on the 2 cars is vastly different. Yesterday I noticed that I could fidget with the stereo in the 1M (I hate reading manuals without trying things first) without wandering around in my lane like the Z4 MC seemed to do. That car demands your attention at all times which on a long trip can be tiring but in a twisty road or on track is awesome. The E46 M3 (non competition package) steering rack feels like a Lincoln Town Car compared to the 1M (his words, not mine). The 1M, to me, is the perfect middle ground and with the big meaty 245's and that wide stance it feels super planted, even just cruising down the highway or changing lanes.

Sorry for the delay in the video. I got a new computer last week and it's proving to take more time to get the editing right. That and my internet connection isn't blazing fast. (One of the downsides to living in a rural area)

[johnz330]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Thanks! I need to keep it up if my plan to take over the world is going to work out. I'm the Charlie Sheen of Roundel this month.

Comparing the Z4 MC / 1M / E46 M3 is like pulling teeth. Just the steering alone is so different in each car. I was talking to my friend who owns Lamin-X yesterday (and owns that E46) and he had some good praise for the 1M. His E46 has 225's up front vs. the 1M's 245's and the steering ratio on the 2 cars is vastly different. Yesterday I noticed that I could fidget with the stereo in the 1M (I hate reading manuals without trying things first) without wandering around in my lane like the Z4 MC seemed to do. That car demands your attention at all times which on a long trip can be tiring but in a twisty road or on track is awesome. The E46 M3 (non competition package) steering rack feels like a Lincoln Town Car compared to the 1M (his words, not mine). The 1M, to me, is the perfect middle ground and with the big meaty 245's and that wide stance it feels super planted, even just cruising down the highway or changing lanes.

Sorry for the delay in the video. I got a new computer last week and it's proving to take more time to get the editing right. That and my internet connection isn't blazing fast. (One of the downsides to living in a rural area)

Dan, how does it compare to the Elise?

[Dan Parker]

3 pedals
4 tires
1 steering wheel

It stops there. I loved my Elise on a tight road or track but it fell flat on it's face above 100 mph and was annoying on highway trips. Don't get me wrong, it made me a better driver but the car should have had the supercharger from the get go.

How did you know I had a Lotus?

[BMW86]

Great review and nice to hear some feedback from someone who has experience driving other M cars. The 1M sounds like a cracker of a car, I knew how good the engine was but giving it the M suspension/LSD really completes the package. Thanks for the pics too, I still think the 1M is the successor the E46 M3. Not taking anything away from the E90/E92 M3 though!

[fastauto]

lets see that video! do you have any pics of your headlights on while wearing the lamin-x? i had lamin-x (yellow) on my audi and loved the product.

[1SerieStud]

Looks great even though I'm not partial to what you did with the headlights...I'm a huge advocate of clear protective film though! Congrats on the new ride!

[superchargedman]

Laminx should make precut smoked films just to cover the ambers.

[Dan Parker]

lets see that video! do you have any pics of your headlights on while wearing the lamin-x?

The video is uploading...13 minutes long HD so it's taking a while. I'm headed out for the day so it will be ready when I get home this afternoon.

I'll take some pics of the lights on tonight. With Xenon's they burn right through and on my Z4 MC I couldn't see any loss in the light.

Laminx should make precut smoked films just to cover the ambers.

Easy enough to do. I'll ask them make a template if there is interest.

[fastauto]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

Laminx should make precut smoked films just to cover the ambers.

interesting

[superchargedman]

Is this laminx's darkest tint or 2nd darkest?

[superchargedman]

Thanks! I'd be very interested!

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

The video is uploading...13 minutes long HD so it's taking a while. I'm headed out for the day so it will be ready when I get home this afternoon.

I'll take some pics of the lights on tonight. With Xenon's they burn right through and on my Z4 MC I couldn't see any loss in the light.

Easy enough to do. I'll ask them make a template if there is interest.

[johnz330]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

How did you know I had a Lotus?

I bought it from you

[Dan Parker]

Ha!!! Hey John! Apparently I'm getting senile. Miss the car yet?

[BimmerGuyFL]

"Yesterday I noticed that I could fidget with the stereo in the 1M (I hate reading manuals without trying things first) without wandering around in my lane like the Z4 MC seemed to do. That car demands your attention at all times which on a long trip can be tiring but in a twisty road or on track is awesome. The E46 M3 (non competition package) steering rack feels like a Lincoln Town Car compared to the 1M (his words, not mine). The 1M, to me, is the perfect middle ground and with the big meaty 245's and that wide stance it feels super planted, even just cruising down the highway or changing lanes."

Does this mean that it's hard to keep going in a straight line? As in it follows the crown of the road to easy (i.e. Pulling/Drifting to the right)?

[S54dan]

We enjoy being his sponsor

[zsapphire7]

get the car to a track ASAP!! i wanna hear back on the oil/coolant temps

[esqu1re]

Great review.

[pyrat]

awesome. thanks for the thorough test and review. enjoy the new toy.

[Kamal]

Nice review, really looking forward to the video!

As an aside... Can you get your friend who own's Lamin-X to make pre-cut film to cover the third brake light?

I've seen people on here endlessly pester the various retailers/vendors to sell a pre-cut strip to cover the third brake light (the pre-cut kit comes with film for just the tails... leaving the bright red brake light sticking out like a sore thumb), but the vendors just get all quiet and ignore the request.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

"Yesterday I noticed that I could fidget with the stereo in the 1M (I hate reading manuals without trying things first) without wandering around in my lane like the Z4 MC seemed to do. That car demands your attention at all times which on a long trip can be tiring but in a twisty road or on track is awesome. The E46 M3 (non competition package) steering rack feels like a Lincoln Town Car compared to the 1M (his words, not mine). The 1M, to me, is the perfect middle ground and with the big meaty 245's and that wide stance it feels super planted, even just cruising down the highway or changing lanes."

Does this mean that it's hard to keep going in a straight line? As in it follows the crown of the road to easy (i.e. Pulling/Drifting to the right)?

Yes... if you are referring to the Z4M

The 1M tracks straight and true. I autocrossed a friend's E46 M3 about a month ago and the steering in the E46 IS like a lincoln. It was the first time in several years in an E46 M3 at an a-x for me, but the steering is definitely numb and vague.... of course my point of reference is an E30 M3 with an upgraded rack... but it was like... where are the front tires?