Are you disappointed with the 1M now that it's released?

[M_Anthony]

Originally Posted by bmwboi

I'm definitely not too disappointed as we kind of new all along that it was getting a tweaked N54. As I said over on the M3 site, what more do you really want for ~$46k?

A tweaked N55.

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by turbo8765

The reason the car doesn't seem like an M to me is the sense of compromise and cost cutting you feel as you peruse the parts/specs. There is something special about knowing that the S65 was developed specifically for the M3, and only for the M3. You feel it when you drive the car, the engine is in perfect harmony with the chassis. The sound and throttle response are ungodly.

I can't help but think of the nissan VQ series when I look at the 1M. The VQ is a very nice engine.... BUT It's hard to revere the Z cars when the Quest minivan at the stoplight next to you has a detuned version of your engine. Yes the N54/55 motors are fantastic in nearly every way, but they lack that special something.

Previous M cars feel from the ground up as though they were designed to be something special, unique. The 1M gives the sense of a really good car that was developed to take advantage of a reputation built on the shoulders of truly great cars.

That's my perspective having owned an E36 M3, E46 M3, E90 335, E93 335, E92 335, and E92 M3. In addition, having driven many many other great cars BWM et al

+1

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

You can dress it up any way you like, but the net result is socialized health care.

Wrong. Go read up on what socialism is before you comment.

[M_Anthony]

Originally Posted by ANILE8

Please remind me if you would be so kind as to why BMW had to axe the multi award winning naturally aspirated high revving S54 ,S65 and S85 engines again.

Fuel Economy vs Performance?

• Porsche
• Ferrari
• Audi
• Mercedes-Benz
• Lamborghini
• Aston Martin
• HSV
• Chevrolet
• Dodge
• Holden

The above list of manufacturers are but some who come to mind that currently provide a selection of fantastic high revving naturally aspirated engines to suit all types of performance enthusiasts instead of relying on turbo technology.

BMW is somehow different?

Well, you can immediately take Ferrari, Lambo, Aston, and other exotics off of the list; they sell to a different market entirely and don't need to care about fuel economy at all.

Audi is already moving away from their NA engines, especially with their continued TDI research. Just wait for the V12 TDI to be put in the R8 for the general public. The RS models are all going turbo as well, and the 2.0T is in freaking everything in their lineup.

Merc's AMG line is moving forced induction as well, look at the new CL65 AMG, turbo engine. They're not as quick to embrace it as BMW, but they are moving that way.

GM's LS IV engine is tapering off as well. Think about the cars it was found in the past 5 years:
Pontiac GTO/Holden Monaro, Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevy SSR, Saab 97X, Trailblazer SS...these are all discontinued now! You basically can get it in a Corvette, SS Camaro (standard models are V6s) or a top-end CTS-V Cadillac. And in the ZR1 Vette, it's supercharged, so we're back to FI again.

I could go on & on. Point is, there's a lot less big V8s than there were even a few years ago.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

SUV is based on body-on-frame. The others are unibody. The traditional "SUV" was reinvented by BMW when they designed the X5, which is the first unibody "SUV" or called a SAV or even a crossover. Confusing part is crossovers come in may different forms these days.

The X5 definitely wasn't the first unibody SUV. The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) of 1984-2001, for example, was also unibody.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

The X5 definitely wasn't the first unibody SUV. The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) of 1984-2001, for example, was also unibody.

Yes it is a unibody but on 2 live axles. I should me more clear that the X5 is the first crosover unibody which utlizes Independent suspension all around.

[oztiks]

Seems future owners of the 1M will be on the never ending debate..real M ..not...frankenbmw ..blah blah. At 43 to 45 k U.S I believe it's a no brainer and a damn good car. Unfortunate for us Canadiens even with the dollar at par and perhaps higher than the greenback in the near future, we are still taxed up the _ _ _...and I have no doubt it will be in the 55 to 57 k range...which puts us in the 2009 gt-r ??? 2009 m3?? Which of those would you rather live with?

[360bhp]

I had been very interested in getting the 1M Coupe and 1st on the list. However, the more I read (re technical, spec etc)and the price is getting a bit warm after spec'ing up the car...I have decided to not proceed with the order. I am sure it will be a great car but not for me this time.

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by oztiks

Seems future owners of the 1M will be on the never ending debate..real M ..not...frankenbmw ..blah blah. At 43 to 45 k U.S I believe it's a no brainer and a damn good car. Unfortunate for us Canadiens even with the dollar at par and perhaps higher than the greenback in the near future, we are still taxed up the _ _ _...and I have no doubt it will be in the 55 to 57 k range...which puts us in the 2009 gt-r ??? 2009 m3?? Which of those would you rather live with?

Need to see and inspect the 1M in the metal before I make any final decision also for me predominantly based on its cost.

At US price point I'd snap one up regardless, but here in Aust. it'll be priced around 110-120k (yes don't faint) and we too are almost on par with the $USD, so unless it lives up to expectations for me there's no way I'd want to part with that amount of money for it...

[Art__Vandelay]

Talking about the price, you guys really can be happy, even in Canada. We have much higher prices in Europe, most probably in every country. For example, I guess the price in Switzerland will be about 80'000 $, and they don't have high luxury taxes or anything. Sure, it's also because of the current exchange rate, since the Swiss Franc was getting pretty strong in the last few months. But still, the differences are really impressive...

[marcel b]

Originally Posted by Croatian test driver

Talking about the price, you guys really can be happy, even in Canada. We have much higher prices in Europe, most probably in every country. For example, I guess the price in Switzerland will be about 80'000 $, and they don't have high luxury taxes or anything. Sure, it's also because of the current exchange rate, since the Swiss Franc was getting pretty strong in the last few months. But still, the differences are really impressive...

The strong CHF should give a lower price in Switzerland, however, almost all companies just use the strong currency to make more profit instead of making their products cheaper for their customers

Base price in Germany 50.500 EURO = 67k USD
Base price in Switzerland 72.800 CHF (not official yet) = 57.5k EURO = 76k USD
Base price in Holland is normally equal to the price in CHF, but in EURO, so 73k EURO = 96k USD
In countries like Norway it is even far worse.

You guys in the States are so lucky with the prices you have over there!

[Art__Vandelay]

Yes, it should... depends from which point of view you watch on it, of course.

However, the differences are incredible and really frustrating for us Europeans.

[marcel b]

but anyway, as all cars are more expensive here, the 1M is still a good bang for the buck. I will have one in my driveway next year

[WULFFZA]

Lives up to my expectations, as long as the price is in the initially expected $45k-$47k base. If not, I would have expected something more special in the interior, specially the front seats.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by swamp2

The only real disappointment here (for which there seems to be a glimmer of hope for resolution) is the lack of a DCT.

Can you elaborate?

[bluemoon]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

It may be the first time that you've mentioned it. But it a teed and invalid argument. I'm not going to say why but disappointment has to be tangeble. Saying a car developed by M GmHb is not an M and called a 135is is an intangible argument and quite frankly is dumb. Say why you are disappointed ^in it.

Is it the LSD? The widebody?

It's proberby the engine. Hense the is comment but that isn't a valid point ecause an M is more than the sum of it's parts. The N54 is a good engine, and you should actually say what your beef is with it. I don't like the torque drop after 6k...that is a valid disappointment.

It's like saying George Bush wasn't your president because you didn't agree with his policies. The fact is he was your president just as the 1M is an M car

Rubbish! Why is it that your opinions are the only ones having any merit? He said the N54 engine isn't unique to the 1M nor, I might add, is it an M-build engine and that's a valid opinion shared by many people. Buy the car when it comes out and have a blast but don't knock everyone who thinks this car doesn't measure up.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by bluemoon

Rubbish! Why is it that your opinions are the only ones having any merit? He said the N54 engine isn't unique to the 1M nor, I might add, is it an M-build engine and that's a valid opinion shared by many people. Buy the car when it comes out and have a blast but don't knock everyone who thinks this car doesn't measure up.

I think his point is that ANY individuals OPINION that it doesn't measure up doesn't make the car any less of an M car.. hence the comment...

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

It's like saying George Bush wasn't your president because you didn't agree with his policies. The fact is he was your president just as the 1M is an M car

There's only one authority on whether or not a car is an M car.... BMW M.

Just because a lot of people got excited over someone's rendering with fender slits, CF roofs, unique hoods, or other bits, only means those people should be frustrated at believing the rendering would be the actual car. It's their disappointment that the items they THOUGHT would be on the car that is creating the disappointment. As I've said a dozen times or more... one can only really make an informed opinion anyway after driving the car.

[BrokenVert]

As M3 Adjuster already stated I didn't say that my opinion was the only valid one. I said that you need to develop a reasoning behind your opinions. My arguments are fully developed and are tangible. Just saying something doesn't make it true, you have to say why you feel that way and the whole it's not an M car it's an is car is a stupid argument and nobody that has made it has given their reasons behind that opinion.

And if M division says it's an M car and that letter is put on the car than it's an M car. Plain and simple.

Originally Posted by bluemoon

Rubbish! Why is it that your opinions are the only ones having any merit? He said the N54 engine isn't unique to the 1M nor, I might add, is it an M-build engine and that's a valid opinion shared by many people. Buy the car when it comes out and have a blast but don't knock everyone who thinks this car doesn't measure up.

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

...
And if M division says it's an M car and that letter is put on the car than it's an M car. Plain and simple.

BMW is getting a bit loose with M. There are Ms written all over my car. What do my Ms mean as compared to the Ms on a 1M?

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

BMW is getting a bit loose with M. There are Ms written all over my car. What do my Ms mean as compared to the Ms on a 1M?

Lol I have those too. And if you believe the old rumors the 135 was originally supposed the M 1 series so it's an omage to that idea

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Lol I have those too. And if you believe the old rumors the 135 was originally supposed the M 1 series so it's an omage to that idea

It works for me, most girls don't know the difference. Seriously, I would be happy without the M stickers on the 135.