C&D: 2012 BMW 1M Coupe prototype drive

[npd2983]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

Power seats?

I had the manual seats in my 135i, and they were plenty low.

Not power - didn't want to pay for the extra weight to drive around since I only adjust a seat approximately ONCE when I buy a car...

[Upgrade+]

I agree. This new "1M" (if so) would have to really blow me away. I'll stay with my current and wait it out. *maybe*

Originally Posted by BMWDAD

I would not buy the 1M until the redesigned 1 and the redesigned three specs and design are well known.

I would buy an M3.

[Norsk]

Niam Niam ... me likey likey

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Upgrade+

I agree. This new "1M" (if so) would have to really blow me away. I'll stay with my current and wait it out. *maybe*

I have no doubt this M1 will blow anyone away. When I drove the 135i for the first time its sheer power blew me away, that's why I bought it. Over time I've dissected it's weaknesses and picked out its flaws.

This M1 will be nothing short of any other M car. It will be epic in every aspect.

[Berduderunner]

1M w/ manual < 135i w/ DCT , tune, coilovers, tires

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Berduderunner

1M w/ manual < 135i w/ DCT , tune, coilovers, tires

Probably. I don't understand why manufacturer haven't built an artificial shifter that behaves mechanically like a real manual but isn't actually connected to the tranny. It will be like rowing the boat but not.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

As has been stated, these specs were pulled out of C&D's ass. Most of it is grossly inaccurate based on what we've been told from official M sources.

I know the M divison has made some MAJOR fail lately (DUB magazine style overpowered SUVs?), but I'd rather stay optimistic than pessimistic.

They haven't royally f*cked up a coupe yet, and I don't think they will now.

Well as long as the e92 M3 is available with 414bhp
They will never give this car anything close
So it wont be 375 or higher
So we're looking at 350 max
A slight tune of the 335is engine
I think is 1M is a test for try 1 series replacement
But in doing this they will ruin the name
Why pay so much for a slightly bettter 135?

When the next M5/M6 comes out with 550hp
And the next M3 has 475
Then the next 1M will have 400
That's when i'd buy it

I'm bummed
I really was thinking of selling my M3 to get this
But I ain't selling a real M for a M junior

[ChristianM]

I'm bummed
I really was thinking of selling my M3 to get this
But I ain't selling a real M for a M junior

What did you realistically expect? It isn't reasonable for BMW to package the M1 as a better value than M3.

Though I'd hardly define the current gen M3 a 'real' M compared to what we know of the M1 so far (which is next to nothing). M3s gained weight and alot of luxury features which are unnecessary - which is the exact of what the 1M is supposed to be. I think it's more important for you to define what an M is, before scrutinizing a car that isn't finished.

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Well as long as the e92 M3 is available with 414bhp
They will never give this car anything close
So it wont be 375 or higher
So we're looking at 350 max
A slight tune of the 335is engine
I think is 1M is a test for try 1 series replacement
But in doing this they will ruin the name
Why pay so much for a slightly bettter 135?

When the next M5/M6 comes out with 550hp
And the next M3 has 475
Then the next 1M will have 400
That's when i'd buy it

I'm bummed
I really was thinking of selling my M3 to get this
But I ain't selling a real M for a M junior

If it has an M3 suspension, and 360hp without gaining weight, it will be a driver's race with an E92 M3 in a straight line, and spank one around a race track brutally (given it's wearing the same sized tires).

Honestly, given we know it has the same tires as the M3, unless they severely under-power the car, or really screw up the chassis, it will be quicker on almost any track. If they do under-power it, I can assure you as a former 135i owner it is EASILY remedied. I think you're falling into the trap of focusing in on HP numbers, and 0-60 times. When it comes to driving fun, these are not the only thing that matter. My lightly tuned 135i would have flat out run away from my Z4 MC (and it did swiftly walk away from E90 M3s), but that doesn't make it more fun to drive. One of THE most fun to drive cars I've owned was my S2000, which was an absolute dog compared to any of the vehicles being discussed.

All I'm saying is that it will almost indubitably handle rings around the M3, and likely be nearly as quick in a straight line. Also, if you REALLY want 400hp, and it's an N54 derived mill, just sneeze on it.

It will be marketed as a junior M, but unless they really screw up the suspension tuning, it will be a superior driver's car to the M3. The video of it doing test runs on the N-Ring suggests to me that they did not screw up the suspension tuning.

What remains to be seen is the character of the engine. If it has an N54 powerband, that's a major area where the M3 would be patently superior. If power peaks at 6600-6800, then we're talking.

[kalare]

Why the hell is everyone so concerend with maximum power...Even if the car is say, 340PS, that doesn't mean it's a chipped N54. None of us have ANY idea how that power is delivered or what the torque curve looks like.

[CarForHire]

Patience.

[Tag]

Only 35 more hp than a 135i and no DCT? This is clearly no ///M car but then again I don't think BMW ever said it was an ///M. But they are marketing it as such. Quad exhaust, wider stance, larger wheels, better suspension etc. you would think it was an ///M. What other non-///M car has quad exhaust!

Still make no sense why they don't offer DCT. It's been mated to the N54 so there's no excuses there.

I'm sure the suspension and other stuff will make for a much improved 1er but this is a total FAIL. Ohh well, there's always the F32 turbo I6 ///M3 in our future.

[BrokenVert]

Tag you are super wrong.

I've said it before and I'll say it again..."since when do we actually listen to what C&D says?"

[HERR FSTIR]

I think the DCT issue has been adequately addressed by Scott in recent posts. Although he has not explicitly stated it will be offered, he made it clear that for sales purposes a DCT would be offered (auto/DCT/SMG sell 10 times more than manual). For me at least, this was enough confirmation to put a deposit down.

[IS3andME]

Originally Posted by tag824

Only 35 more hp than a 135i and no DCT? This is clearly no ///M car but then again I don't think BMW ever said it was an ///M. But they are marketing it as such. Quad exhaust, wider stance, larger wheels, better suspension etc. you would think it was an ///M. What other non-///M car has quad exhaust!

Still make no sense why they don't offer DCT. It's been mated to the N54 so there's no excuses there.

I'm sure the suspension and other stuff will make for a much improved 1er but this is a total FAIL. Ohh well, there's always the F32 turbo I6 ///M3 in our future.

from what Scott has said, the S55 engine in the 1M is the basis for the next M3...and the vid by Doc K shows it's a M product...

Tag, your it...

[Eyeman]

If they use the N54 or N55, I could really care less what hp they make it (it could be aftermarket tuned to deliver whatever you want). The keys will be how much more it costs vs what it comes with. If it comes with an LSD and a great suspension then I'd be interested if I were in the market. It definitely seems to me that it will look great!

[zbladejr]

And another point that nobody's discussing is the interior. If they do a nice job with the exterior and the interior, in addition to LSD, larger turbos (a given if I was at M), larger downpipes, better brakes, M sport exhaust, better suspension (M spec), we will get an M power, M handling, M looking car that will be unique to my current 135i in every way. Being it's an N54....or S54 or whatever, power is the least of our concerns - just a little more cash and boost increase is a given - what we need is everything else - that's what will make it an M.

I can't wait to see the final product - the look of an M is as critical to an M as the N-ring stats (yeah, i95 at 80 is no N-ring...lol...)

[Tag]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Tag you are super wrong.

I've said it before and I'll say it again..."since when do we actually listen to what C&D says?"

Wrong in what manner? On everything I commented on or something specific?

Originally Posted by IS3andME

from what Scott has said, the S55 engine in the 1M is the basis for the next M3...and the vid by Doc K shows it's a M product...

Tag, your it...

What I meant was I don't know how you can call it an ///M when the 135 makes only 35 hp less. Now whether that's the real hp or not I guess none of us know yet. But being BMW doesn't like to encroach too much on the ///M3 I believe it is. The 335is is 320hp and this is 335hp according to C&D. Sounds about right.

P.S. It's you're not your.

[amdmaxx]

why everyone wants DCT? its nothng but warrany liability and they don't handle torque as far as I can see with other manufacturers...
Manual please!! Cheaper and easy to replace.

[JimmyT]

I wouldn't bet the bank on what C&D said about driving in a pre production test car. Wait until the M division publishes the specs in Nov-December before you start trying to deep throat your Glock....

[BMWDAD]

My 2008 335i coupe warranty ends in dec 2011.

By then I hopefully will know what the:

1 M is, the redesigned 1 is, and the redesigned 3 is. Plus there is nothing wrong with buying an M3.

I would have bought an 135i, but it was not available when I bought my 335i.

This time I will do it right, and if the 1M is worth it I will buy it. Otherwise, we have some options here, including extending the warranty to wait.

I am old, so I want to do it right, and want to keep it this time. So it has to be very desirable in all aspects of the car.

[Eccentric]

Dont flame me for this, but looking at the front long enough it reminds me of the new generation STI