Is the 1M the right choice?

[LC200HE]

I haven’t owned a M car in over 15 years and am ready to get back in to one. I currently have the next allocation for the M2 but the more I think about the more I’m leaning towards purchasing a sub 30k mile 1M. I think for my needs, weekends, evening fun drive to decompress and an occasional track day it would be a better fit for me. My question is with the current market, is the 1M worth 65k? Again I’m not looking for resale or collecting just want the most enjoyable driving experience. I also don’t care about tech or 0-60 times, well it needs to be faster than my land cruiser.

Appreciate any all feedback back.

[ayao]

The F-chassis and G-chassis M2 is superior to the 1M in every objective and measurable metric. The newer ones will also have warranties. (Note: I have not driven any of those cars.)

However, every time I hop into the 1M and start it up, I laugh at the cold start theatrics, and mutter an apology to my neighbors. I park the car at work, lock it, and then inevitably turn around to stare at it. And I start laughing at its cartoonishly caricatured proportions.

After a long day of work I take a spirited drive back. By the time I pull into the garage and turn off the car, I am left wondering how I could ever justify more car than this (well ... GT3/4, anyone?) I laugh at its unruliness and unpolished manners. It's a bit of a thug.

In your post you reference an "enjoyable driving experience" and I think that is different for everyone. The 1M definitely feels alive and has a personality. It's not particularly well-behaved, and it is kind of a truant. I would also point out that at this point it's > 10 years old and I think the N54 maintenance things will start to pop up. My car is a little over 30k miles and I am wondering about when the HPFP, injectors or water pump will go. (Fingers crossed.) Index 12 injectors are almost $3k at this point for a set of six, which kind of makes me wonder about my relationship with this truant.

But in the end, like you, I'm not chasing after the shiniest thing out there with Autopilot, self-deploying running boards, variable geometry turbos and seventeen drive modes. This car has soul and, as a result, is one of a dying breed that has made it a keeper.

[nachob]

Ayao is pretty much on the money. What makes the 1M special are very few subjective things that few people today care about these days. I recently had a re-awakening to my appreciation of mechanical watches after taking my quartz one in for a battery. My Quartz is lovely and bulletproof. Just like cars, watches have gotten huge and blingy and I wanted a new one but in smaller size. I ended up spending close to $2K on a 1945 "Dirty Dozen" British Army Issues watch. It is very cool and and anyone that sees it's pitted case and spartan design would every think it's worth that much. I then bought another RAF issued watch for $1000, this one Quartz even, no one would pay that because it doesn't make sense. Yet, I wouldn't spend that sort of money on a brand new watch. Even if it had the most amazing movement, it is the purpose, design and history of the military watches that appeal to me more.

If you are sentimental, like me, and appreciate these silly things, then the 1M is worth it. I love the unique shape of the 1M over the others ones. The simple cockpit of the no nav cars with manual seats exudes that miltary watch quality of function over form, yet the form is beautiful due to it's rare simplicity. The 1M represents the twilight of the old school BMWs with mechanical diffs, hydraulic steering, focused cockpits as well as the dawn of turbo M cars with things like air curtains used in just every car since. The 1M was the last truly old school fans; It was the last car built by BMW that was only offered in a manual transmission only. Slick top on every one. It's one of the last M cars with hydraulic steering and an amazingly simple and focused instrument cluster. None of these things really matter now to the masses. They are silly things like some guy in a Samurai movie talking about honor on the battlefield, but for a very few, the 1M is a special machine and a piece of BMW history. It is the last Neaderthal/First Homo Sapien.

If you don't really know or truly appreciate this stuff, you really will be better off with an M2 as long as you can stomach a 3800 lb m2. The are selling like hot cakes a boy scout fundraiser, so no one must mind. I think at this point, unless you are loosing sleep about not having a 1M, you are best to get a new car with a warranty. If you were one of the crazies, you wouldn't be posting this. You would be saying...please friends, I can't sleep, my job is suffering, my sex life is stale unless I can find a 1M!! Please help. I speak from experience because this was me a couple of times. : )

This is the way.

Best wishes on your search

[Boost3d_1M]

This is just my sentiment...There are three things that plague me with the current bmw range.

1) The styling isn't to my liking

2) The pricing is exhorbitant

3) I find that whilst these new generation of cars are so damn fast and loaded with so much of tech, that they don't have any soul. There is no chassis and steering feedback and too many electronic nannies that have cut off some of the raw and visceral experience of what driving an M car should be about.

For me owning and driving a 1M is about taming that wild rear end and enjoying the feedback of the hydraulic , heavy weighted steering. Owning a car where the proportions look comical yet they work so well to give a baby M such street prescence.

[BMWCCA1]

I prefer my cars to be nearly as wide as they are long.

I sell new BMWs for a living and have done so since 1976. My daily-driver is a 128i M-sport stick, so which do you think I prefer?

[PRTSB1M]

If you have to ask if the car is worth the price, it isn't the car for you.

[LC200HE]

Originally Posted by PRTSB1M

If you have to ask if the car is worth the price, it isn't the car for you.

Maybe. Unfortunately, it isn’t like I am able to drive a hour or so and test drive one. Even not being able to drive one, my gut tells me the G87 isn’t for me. I offered 71k for a 1M listed at 76k in GA. They wouldn’t go below 75k. Since it is over a decade old, I would change all fluids, injectors plugs etc. Add that into the numbers, it becomes over 10k more than a new M2 and that is when doubts set in. I just want to find the most fun per dollar and be able to go thru the gears on a back road Sunday morning with a huge grin on my face.

[PRTSB1M]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Maybe. Unfortunately, it isn’t like I am able to drive a hour or so and test drive one. Even not being able to drive one, my gut tells me the G87 isn’t for me. I offered 71k for a 1M listed at 76k in GA. They wouldn’t go below 75k. Since it is over a decade old, I would change all fluids, injectors plugs etc. Add that into the numbers, it becomes over 10k more than a new M2 and that is when doubts set in. I just want to find the most fun per dollar and be able to go thru the gears on a back road Sunday morning with a huge grin on my face.

The 1M would be the most fun per dollar car, if they had imported more of them. The Supra might be a better option for you.

https://www.toyota.com/configurator/...1-f5cc3fadd732

[seis-speed]

Good points already shared….

If it is a weekend car and fun is the goal - 1M all the way.

There is no way the 1M would not be more fun than a new big, heavy, modern spaceship that needs to drive at excessive speeds to excite. The only way I would consider a new Mcar would be in 4door form, I do not get the appeal of the M4/M2. I would rather drive another brand in 2door form, or an older generation Mcar, YMMV.

You will want an exhaust and the Mperfromance / Recaro seats transform the car. JMHO

As for price and trying to get a good deal, I am not sure how many clean title 1M’s exist, but there are not a lot, so I would not expect to steal one from a seller…I think 1M owners kind of know these cars will likely appreciate over time and not many are ever up for sale.

Good luck!

[LC200HE]

Thanks for everyone’s time and responses. I’ve driven a lot of cars over the past few days and have narrowed it down to the 1M or a 981 Gt4. I’ve given myself until next Friday to pull the trigger on one. I’ve got to determine if I’m really going to hit a track more than a few times a year to justify the long gearing in the GT4. One a side note, I have discovered I am old and can’t stand all the new tech in modern cars.

[PRTSB1M]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

One a side note, I have discovered I am old and can’t stand all the new tech in modern cars.

Now you're speaking my language. I haven't driven a 981 GT4, but the specs sound savory. Unlikely bedfellow of the 1M in a car decision, I would think, in terms of power profile. In terms of ownership, I am a DIY'er and the BMWs are usually much easier to wrench on at home.

If you think track days are a part of your ownership experience, you will have to prep the 1M (more investment in parts to manage the heat of pushing the car at limits for more than 5-10min).

[LC200HE]

Well screw waiting, paid for pick up my 1M next week.

[ayao]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Well screw waiting, paid for pick up my 1M next week.

WOW!

1. We need/want details and pictures!
2. The 1M is completely trackable in its stock form. It is a blunt instrument for ths purpose (especially vs GT4) but this is always how it goes for track rats -- more trackable = less streetable and vice versa. (Depending on your skill level, upgrade path will be, in order of importance: brake fluid, brake pads, camber plates, tires. Maybe charge pipe. Cooling mods are more needed if the car is tuned. It's a slippery slope, as you probably already know.) I also agree with SEIS -- an exhaust modification further increases enjoyment of the car and experience.
3. Enjoy in health!
4. See #1 above.

[LC200HE]

Here is the link to the one I purchased. I’ll fly up and drive it back to Tampa on the 3rd. It already has a full exhaust setup.

https://www.momentummotorcars.com/used-vehicle-2011-bmw-1-series-m-coupe-c-2283/

[PRTSB1M]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Here is the link to the one I purchased. I’ll fly up and drive it back to Tampa on the 3rd. It already has a full exhaust setup.

https://www.momentummotorcars.com/us...-coupe-c-2283/

Black in Tampa... oof. I'll have my AW3 in central freedomistan by the end of the summer. You can update the nav via the USB in the glovebox, map files are online.

[LC200HE]

Originally Posted by PRTSB1M

Black in Tampa... oof. I'll have my AW3 in central freedomistan by the end of the summer. You can update the nav via the USB in the glovebox, map files are online.

Thanks for the map info. Yeah Tampa can get a little warm, but this won’t be a daily.

[Goombeh]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Well screw waiting, paid for pick up my 1M next week.

Haha... good attitude, when you know, you know.

You'll love it. I bought mine new back in 2012 and cars have come and gone, but this one still sits on a battery tender and makes me smile when I have the chance to take her out to the hills for a rip.

My purchasing decision was somewhat similar as I was looking at 911's and M3's, but one drive of the 1M and I threw money at them to secure it.

Still enjoy driving it as much as the first day. I keep driving each new update, M2, M2 Comp etc.... haven't driven the new ugly one yet though... and none of them so far have made me feel so good driving them.

Congrats!!

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Here is the link to the one I purchased. I’ll fly up and drive it back to Tampa on the 3rd. It already has a full exhaust setup.

https://www.momentummotorcars.com/us...-coupe-c-2283/

That is huge, they can take some time to sort - When I got my Akra exhaust it took me a year to find a MadDad mid-section and about 4 months for the Akra rear section. That was 5 years ago. In WTB adds I always encourage the buyers to buy a car with some mods that you might want down the road.

Originally Posted by PRTSB1M

Now you're speaking my language. I haven't driven a 981 GT4, but the specs sound savory. Unlikely bedfellow of the 1M in a car decision, I would think, in terms of power profile. In terms of ownership, I am a DIY'er and the BMWs are usually much easier to wrench on at home.

If you think track days are a part of your ownership experience, you will have to prep the 1M (more investment in parts to manage the heat of pushing the car at limits for more than 5-10min).

I wish I was a DIYer in the engine-bay. Just blew a charge-pipe and had to let a shop do the repair, even if I had the skills, not sure I have the time to diagnose and source the parts in a timely manner.

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Thanks for everyone’s time and responses. I’ve driven a lot of cars over the past few days and have narrowed it down to the 1M or a 981 Gt4. I’ve given myself until next Friday to pull the trigger on one. I’ve got to determine if I’m really going to hit a track more than a few times a year to justify the long gearing in the GT4. One a side note, I have discovered I am old and can’t stand all the new tech in modern cars.

1M is pretty good, no rev matching, no adjustable suspension, real gauges, hydraulic steering for a car that is fairly new it is very basic - just get in the car and drive. The only thing I do, hit the exhaust button (that came with my exhaust) and play with traction control. I do not even use "sport mode"

The basic setup is so refreshing - Also the size - it is the perfect size for a fun car, IMVHO, quite a bit shorter than an E46 M3.

Enjoy!!

[PRTSB1M]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

Thanks for the map info. Yeah Tampa can get a little warm, but this won’t be a daily.

It's a beautiful color, my F80 before the 1M was BSM.

[atl_1M]

Originally Posted by PRTSB1M

Black in Tampa... oof. I'll have my AW3 in central freedomistan by the end of the summer. You can update the nav via the USB in the glovebox, map files are online.

Where can we find the map files? And is the process pretty straightforward?
Thanks!

[LC200HE]

Just made it back from Atlanta with her. 100% thrilled, zero doubts I picked the wrong car.

[nachob]

Ha! Welcome to the crazies!

: )

I still remember when I came back from Germany after picking up my 1M. A few people at work knew I about it and when I got back they were quizzing me about it. One person was asking about the autobahn and my BMW. He said, man I bet 150 mph felt like 85 in your BMW.......Nope, I felt every single one of the 150 miles in mine! He looked puzzled. Then another gal asked if she could go down and look at it and she jumps in it and looks around and looks at me puzzled..... This is very austere! I didn't know BMW even made something so austere. : ) Everyone was puzzled and disappointed about what THEY thought a BMW was.

This is not a car for the masses and I don't mean that in a snobby money way, I mean it is a significantly different car from what people perceive a BMW should be today, and that is part of the magic. It gives you a different experience from modern cars while still being modern.