1M Coupe pre-drive review from an E30 M3 owner / Driving Instructor

[skierman64]

I will also be test driving the 1M, but I don't see myself getting rid of the M3. I love it.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by montreal red

great answer. i have owned my m3 since 2008 and its more than 2 yrs old now. so the 1M is a really tempting proposition. but i am also in love with the engine of the m3!! u're definitely right bout the whole weight issue. i really wished they could make the m3 slightly lighter and kept the v8 high revving engine. other than the weight, i really cant complain too much bout the m3. this makes it really hard for me to get rid of it.

i'll have to get myself to test drive a 1M as soon as it hits US/canada... we'll see if i decide to keep my m3 or not then. thanks again!

This is one thing where the folks at M have promised to focus on in future cars. They are aware that the last round of M cars have been quite heavy and have promised lighter cars in the future, so the F30/F32 M3 and the next F10 M5 should be lighter than the current models.. However, you can also expect the new cars to continue the twin turbo architecture. Apparently some of the the twin turbo engineering design on the X5/X6M motor and now 1M is proprietary and BMW intends to take full advantage of this in the future. So.. look for more power and lighter weight in the next F30/F32, but you may still prefer the E90/E92 if you want the high revving motor...

[cpippolo]

M3 Adjuster - I'm looking at some of the most recent "spy pics" and it looks like the side sills and doors still have the same overall cut as the current 135i. Does the 1M still have that "pot-bellied" look of the 135i? That's really the only feature of the current design that I find unappealing.

[as7920]

Don't know if this is old news or repost but links to your 5 1addicts reviews have been uploaded to the M-power closed room site!

Nice going guys!

Regards,

Mark.

[BMW269]

Is there any turbo lag in the M1? Even very slight?

[Justin(OKC)]

Wish I had a trip to Dallas coming up soon so you could drive my car a bit and give me some feedback on the difference between the 1M and a 135i with essentially the M3 suspension setup with ASTs. The main difference between my car and the 1M would have to be the dampers themselves, spring rates, track width, and my lack of a LSD.

If I decide to make take the plunge, I'll throw the AST 5200's with Swift springs on the 1M. I would imagine that the wider track really makes the car feel more E30 M3-like. I'm a big fan of the M3 suspension setup on the 135i with the AST/Swift combo. I just can't imagine how much better it would be with the track width....I'd venture to say....INTOXICATING!!

Decisions, decisions. M3 or 1M. It's going to be a tough choice for me.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Justin(OKC)

Wish I had a trip to Dallas coming up soon so you could drive my car a bit and give me some feedback on the difference between the 1M and a 135i with essentially the M3 suspension setup with ASTs. The main difference between my car and the 1M would have to be the dampers themselves, spring rates, track width, and my lack of a LSD.

If I decide to make take the plunge, I'll throw the AST 5200's with Swift springs on the 1M. I would imagine that the wider track really makes the car feel more E30 M3-like. I'm a big fan of the M3 suspension setup on the 135i with the AST/Swift combo. I just can't imagine how much better it would be with the track width....I'd venture to say....INTOXICATING!!

Decisions, decisions. M3 or 1M. It's going to be a tough choice for me.

I'm certain that you're correct -- the AST 5200s w/Swift springs will be superior to the stock set-up.

What rate springs are you currently running?

Neil
(running custom-valved AST 4200s on my M Coupe)

[Justin(OKC)]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

I'm certain that you're correct -- the AST 5200s w/Swift springs will be superior to the stock set-up.

What rate springs are you currently running?

Neil
(running custom-valved AST 4200s on my M Coupe)

Exact specifics are listed in "my garage" but it is basically 400#/800#. Rates were chosen based on the swaybars selected and the lack of a LSD. I'm mostly curious if the added track width makes a huge difference as my car is only missing the track width and the LSD when compared to the 1M (suspension difference, that is). I am pretty sure I will be able to bolt the AST's right up to the 1M. In the end, the reason to buy the car is because it's an M. I'm sure I could put a tune on my car and it be fairly comparable, but it's still not an M-car.

I do think that there is some magic to the more square stance of the E30 M3 or even a mini cooper. It just seems to have the ability to rotate very well. It may be very worth the 1M just for that alone, if it makes that much difference.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Justin(OKC)

Exact specifics are listed in "my garage" but it is basically 400#/800#. Rates were chosen based on the swaybars selected and the lack of a LSD. I'm mostly curious if the added track width makes a huge difference as my car is only missing the track width and the LSD when compared to the 1M (suspension difference, that is). I am pretty sure I will be able to bolt the AST's right up to the 1M. In the end, the reason to buy the car is because it's an M. I'm sure I could put a tune on my car and it be fairly comparable, but it's still not an M-car.

I do think that there is some magic to the more square stance of the E30 M3 or even a mini cooper. It just seems to have the ability to rotate very well. It may be very worth the 1M just for that alone, if it makes that much difference.

I don't plan to make many mods, but will likely go with coilovers (AST or Motons) and wil probably move to a square set-up with 265s or 275s, if they'll fit.

BTW, Hallett is one of my favorite tracks and is only a couple of hours from you. Looking forward to running it -- likely during a future One Lap of America -- in my 1M!

Neil

[Justin(OKC)]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

I don't plan to make many mods, but will likely go with coilovers (AST or Motons) and wil probably move to a square set-up with 265s or 275s, if they'll fit.

BTW, Hallett is one of my favorite tracks and is only a couple of hours from you. Looking forward to running it -- likely during a future One Lap of America -- in my 1M!

Neil

Hallett is a cool place. As a square tire setup, I'm sure it will be fairly easy. I was able to get a 255 on the front of my 135i. I am sure getting a 265 up front will be easy. On the back I think we will be able to go as wide as we want with the right kind of wheel, but I'm like you and would rather have a square setup.

Neil, you may not remember me, but I do remember you from bimmerforums. LOL, you are more famous than I ever will be in the BMW community . You selling the M coupe?

[MDORPHN]

Justin -

I'd love to keep it, but the only way I can swing the 1M is to sell my M Coupe.

The 1M is the first new BMW that's had me excited in a long time.

Neil

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Justin(OKC)

Wish I had a trip to Dallas coming up soon so you could drive my car a bit and give me some feedback on the difference between the 1M and a 135i with essentially the M3 suspension setup with ASTs. The main difference between my car and the 1M would have to be the dampers themselves, spring rates, track width, and my lack of a LSD.

If I decide to make take the plunge, I'll throw the AST 5200's with Swift springs on the 1M. I would imagine that the wider track really makes the car feel more E30 M3-like. I'm a big fan of the M3 suspension setup on the 135i with the AST/Swift combo. I just can't imagine how much better it would be with the track width....I'd venture to say....INTOXICATING!!

Decisions, decisions. M3 or 1M. It's going to be a tough choice for me.

Yes OKC is not far from DFW. I was actually at the last ok/kan event at hallett in September, I just came up to hang out for a day. This is a different justin than justin R, whom I did meet that weekend?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Justin -

I'd love to keep it, but the only way I can swing the 1M is to sell my M Coupe.

The 1M is the first new BMW that's had me excited in a long time.

Neil

Me too Neil. I rather doubt that I can keep both an e30m3 and own a 1M unless i were to wait and pick up a 1m used in a couple years. I'll have to see where the pricing is on the 1M before making any decisions.

[Dezmo]

Nice work Mark. By the way I got 1st in the Class D this season with the 128i. The Mini Coopers have dominated D for the last 3 years. Jesse

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dezmo

Nice work Mark. By the way I got 1st in the Class D this season with the 128i. The Mini Coopers have dominated D for the last 3 years. Jesse

Nice work indeed breaking through.... I think we've done a good job classing the cars so that they are competitive with each other. it's been great to see you getting quicker and now winning the battle! Congratulations!

[Justin(OKC)]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Yes OKC is not far from DFW. I was actually at the last ok/kan event at hallett in September, I just came up to hang out for a day. This is a different justin than justin R, whom I did meet that weekend?

I'm Justin P I will be in Dallas March 12th for a meeting. I usually get done around lunch time so I may see if you have time to meet up. I'll be in the 135i for sure as the M3 is the queen of the garage. I wanted to go to Hallett that weekend to spectate, but I ended up going with a friend of mine to Warsaw, Indiana that weekend. He turned his 2009 Cadillac CTS-V into a 640 rwhp monster at a shop up there. I couldn't resist taking the road trip with him.

[treehacker]

Another Question...
Does the Motorcover have the tipical M sign on it? And... are there any parts on the car made out of Carbon?

[treehacker]

And one more...
I don't know if it has already been answered.
Is the ducktail really different to the standard 135i?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by treehacker

Another Question...
Does the Motorcover have the tipical M sign on it? And... are there any parts on the car made out of Carbon?

There are no carbon parts that I am aware of.. The valve cover has an M logo on it, and it also says TWIN TURBO. And.. while it doesn't say " BMW M power" , it did have a similar phrase... It's definitely typical M.


The rear decklid has me guessing... on several of the prototypes there was a cool CSL style rear decklid, but it was not on the two cars at the unveiling..

[Daisy]

Awesome story and clearly I'm jealous. I can't believe they chose all men for this event........why didn't they choose any women

[cpippolo]

Originally Posted by Daisy

Awesome story and clearly I'm jealous. I can't believe they chose all men for this event........why didn't they choose any women

They did pick one German woman. Check out the video in the closed room at www.m-power.com. Its also somewhere in this forum.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by cpippolo

They did pick one German woman. Check out the video in the closed room at www.m-power.com. Its also somewhere in this forum.

. thanks Daisy.. and Cp is correct.. there was a German woman. We both couldn't stop drooling over the car in black at the unveiling... We all had a tremendous amount of fun the day of the event, and the nights before and after. The entire group blended together well, and it was neat having such a great mixture of people together.... Definitely one of the best memories of my life, and I gained more than a dozen friends from around the world..