Carfection: Is the BMW 1M Coupe is the Best M Car Ever

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by 10"

Nothing against the S65 but the people who primarily make these statements are E9X M3 owners. The S65 was a great engine but not necessary in the 1M. The N54 helps give the 1M its bonkers personality along with its aggressive competition pack setup...without it, it wouldn't be the 1M we know and love. Time to accept it for what it is..

by default i'd say most 1M owners respect the E9X M3 because without that car there would be no 1M. That being said we don't want the 1M to be a smaller E9X M3 we wanted it to be a the freakshow little frankenstein that it is!

I did want an NA S65 1M and also a smaller lighter e92. I built one and it is an absolute beast. The m3's weakness is its weight and size, and the 1M's weakness as a track car, is the n54. If you combine the two, I can honestly tell you it creates an entirely different vehicle than many, myself included would expect.

An S65 1M is a far more potent track weapon than an m3 and a 1M but lacks a lot of the stock n54 1M's useable torque and fun factor. I do believe the V8 1M experience likely is not as universally appealing as the n54 1M is to 90% of owners as I do believe 90% of e9x m3 owners never revved their cars past 4k RPM and are limited to street driving.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by baseCPM3

Closer to being the ugliest M than being the best M, but to each their own.

I love the 1M styling and appreciate it for being one of the lesser elegant models.

Originally Posted by KevinM

The "best M" car cannot be answered by anyone except yourself. One of the nice things about M cars throughout the years is that a car enthusiast can usually find one that suits them the best.

For me, it will continue to be the E39 M5. Maybe because it's the first M I owned, maybe it's because I drove two non-M E39s before that, maybe it's the Q-ship element. Realistically it's a bunch of things - the car, that period of my life, what I needed at that time.

I love the Z4M coupe for almost completely different reasons, but I think it is up there as well. It is telling (to me) the that E39 and Z4M are long-term cars for me and staying, but I'll rotate out the third M (currently an F80).

I really love the 1M. I had a lot of seat time in one for 2 years as my friend owned it (keeping it for up to a week at a time). What a fun car. When he sold it he offered it to me first, at a fair price. I didn't take it because 1) I was set on doing a European Delivery; and 2) I wanted a new DD that I wouldn't worry about (as much), and be ready to switch out more regularly than my other Ms. Overall, it was a good decision for me, but I regret it sometimes.

e39 M5 is one of the best. Several friends have them and they are stunning cars inside and out.

[GeorgeA]

The 1M does have something special about it just like the E92 M3 did compered to the M4. That being said the 1M is basically an E92 M3 stuffed into a 1 series coupe with a n54.

For people comparing M3s to 1Ms based on value, that isn't that these cars are about, these cars are about how they drive and make you feel and they are very similar because of the shared hardware. I prefer the S65 and DCT in the M3, while I would still love to have a 1M with its n54 and 6mt as well because I can't have enough M in my life.

I think the idea of "the best" M car is sort of weird because they all fill a certain purpose and roll and they do it well.

[Advevo]

I have had really nice times with the 1M’s.

[10"]

Originally Posted by baseCPM3

Closer to being the ugliest M than being the best M, but to each their own.

I'd say the 1M is easily the best and most badass looking M car since the E30 M3. It has real presence in person...and I am constantly getting people asking and commenting about it. Have you seen one in person? It's very different than in photos. It works very well as a design. It has an iconic look so many cars are lacking in modern design.

[kskpsu]

I’m in the camp that making a list for any car to be determined the best of its breed is going to be finalized with subjectivity...too many great cars to pick from here. My $0.02, and for my values, the 1M is the best of my M car ownership history, which includes worthy cars like the 95 M3 or E46 M3 6mt. The what makes a real M car/engine debate will be a topic (painfully) forever...next up, when they move away from internal combustion. My F80 ZCP was a “real” M car on paper, but the 1M just exploited how dilluted these cars have become...artificial steering feel, sound, etc. Their focus has become trying to appease a wide demographic in the quest for sales volume and brand building than a specialized, niche product they once were imho.

[dmboone25]

Great car for sue, but not the best IMO. But I can see why people love them.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by kskpsu

I'm in the camp that making a list for any car to be determined the best of its breed is going to be finalized with subjectivity...too many great cars to pick from here. My $0.02, and for my values, the 1M is the best of my M car ownership history, which includes worthy cars like the 95 M3 or E46 M3 6mt. The what makes a real M car/engine debate will be a topic (painfully) forever...next up, when they move away from internal combustion. My F80 ZCP was a "real" M car on paper, but the 1M just exploited how dilluted these cars have become...artificial steering feel, sound, etc. Their focus has become trying to appease a wide demographic in the quest for sales volume and brand building than a specialized, niche product they once were imho.

Agreed which is why I never focused on engine. Things in a car will change over time to meet regulations or whatever but what's one thing that will never be subjected to such rules? The chassis. It's inevitable that BMW, a volume manufacturer, will go to alternative energy and the ICE will cease to exist but chassis development will still remain.

[BimmerMat135]

Is it just me or it seem like the E9X M3 person are always the most offended by the 1M?

[10"]

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

Is it just me or it seem like the E9X M3 person are always the most offended by the 1M?

I think it's because the 1M gets so much attention and stole a lot of the attention away from the E9X M3. I remember the YouTube channel EverydayDriver did a video to choose the best M3 ever called "ICON" and they chose the 1M! Happens quite often...

[BimmerMat135]

I don't have enough seat time in a E9X to say which one is the best. I really came close to buy a CPO 2008 M3 instead of my 1M. Something which is important for me maybe not for everyone but the 1M made sense financially which was not the case for the M3. You can pretty much "Â*ownÂ*" a 1M for free while the M3 depreciate like crazy. Just that point make me love this car specially when you have to justify a 3rd car.

[Darth One]

Wow this escalated quickly.

Did this carfection guy actually answer his own question? If so, I missed it

[SDCoupe]

Maybe in the future there will be regular electric motors and "S" electric motors. Idk. The M in BMW stands for motor so I love the fact that they build special motors for special cars. The S54 is my all time fav.

[classyfast]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

Cool story bro.

Maybe start your own thread...

Smh....always one of you guys here, can count on that.

[djafactor]

Every time I watch review vids of the 1M it makes me want to open the garage and rip it

Hands down the best modern M as it has the perfect blend of old and new (I've driven pretty much everything M). Quick, nimble, great steering, instant torque, simple interior (no Nav) with enough touch points to make it feel special, major road presence with it's looks, the best looking wheels ever put on a BMW, perfect shifter, great wheel, etc. My only real gripes are, I would like to address the seats and the exhaust could use a bit more drama.

Overall it makes me grin and gives me goosebumps just like my e30 M3 does

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by baseCPM3

Closer to being the ugliest M than being the best M, but to each their own.

When did this turn into a beauty contest ?

LOL. That's a different thread.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

Is it just me or it seem like the E9X M3 person are always the most offended by the 1M?

It's because we had an opportunity to order one and scoffed at it not being a real M before it came out and bought the E92 instead for less money after discounts.

Oops.

Ask me how I know

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by stefan

It's because we had an opportunity to order one and scoffed at it not being a real M before it came out and bought the E92 instead for less money after discounts.

Oops.

Ask me how I know

Well that is good for you if you had a great deal from the start as the M3 had a more luxurious interior. But I'm wondering if your TCO is really lower overall. Anyway if you consider the 1M as an non-m cars that is up to you, your part of a tiny minority.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

Well that is good for you if you had a great deal from the start as the M3 had a more luxurious interior. But I'm wondering if your TCO is really lower overall. Anyway if you consider the 1M as an non-m cars that is up to you, your part of a tiny minority.

Whoosh.

I made the mistake of buying the M3 when I could have ordered an 1M. I foolishly judged it on it's spec sheet. Now people like me are bitter.. get it? I thought that was obvious. maybe not.

I sold the M3 after 11000km after giving up on enjoying it (no track here anymore). Hardly would have considered the M3 "luxurious" on the inside and I preferred my 135 interior.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by stefan

Whoosh.

I made the mistake of buying the M3 when I could have ordered an 1M. I foolishly judged it on it's spec sheet.

I sold the M3 after 11000km after giving up on enjoying it (no track here anymore).

Oh ok i see i didn't get you right .

[DOMs335D]

Great car, but I love these guys. Great youtube channel.

[low135]

Originally Posted by 10"

I'd say the 1M is easily the best and most badass looking M car since the E30 M3. It has real presence in person...and I am constantly getting people asking and commenting about it. Have you seen one in person? It's very different than in photos. It works very well as a design. It has an iconic look so many cars are lacking in modern design.

Agreed here. I can't understand those that think the 1M is ugly. So much after the 1M obviously was inspired by it's styling.