First Test Report of 1M Coupe PreDrive from Hong Kong Z4 driver

[Wolf]

Nice write-up man! I agree with the 64k$ question... But I don't think it is under-rated as an M car; they wouldn't let you get above 5500 rpm and with 3 people in the car, lol sounds like a diesel car, heavy, big turbos and low rpm :P

[EuroCarsOnline]

What us the rpm ceiling? Congrats on the trip!

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by spiderz17

Thanks for the write-up. One additional question from the quote above: did the power feel like it dropped off at 5500 rpm, forcing you to shift before redline? I know you said you couldn't push the car to its limit, so you may not have been able to test this out. Thanks.

No, it does not drop but only less responsive before the red line, so you still have room for further push.
Yes, 4 lives in my hand, I could not be too aggressive!!!

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by blueshark

How many people were in the car? Weight could have held the car back quite a bit!

The max capacity: 4

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by Cris

Good write up. For some (if not most) people, keeping the interior simple and un-distracting is a plus. Without the bells and whistles with today's vehicles, the driver can maintain his/her attention on the road and actually enjoy the driving experience. I think today's society is so detached from the joy of driving because a lot of folks are multitasked, overscheduled and forget to set a little time aside for simple things like driving.

You are right, but actually we have no time to watch the interior during driving, we have to watch the road, the car is so fast & outside raining heavily.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by 02fireman

Any mention by anyone about limited numbers? (if you are allowed to disclose).

Actually no such limit.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

Thanks for the review!

After the event, did you feel as if you wanted one?

Yes, especially the orange one. Ahh, I am addicted!!!!

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by gobuffs

You had the best quote in the video!

Thanks

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by blueshark

Yes, I loved the "terrible" characterization, if that's what you're referring to -
It captures the imagination better than other commentary so far.

If you were there, you may also give the same comment after we push the M button.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by Evolution_GT

Great review, one question though, do you know if the angel eyes are white or yellow?

My prototype is yellow. I am not sure the production car.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

Bigmouth, Is the vertical air duct real and does it feed a brake duct?

They are real & responsible for cooling the brakes. It also make the car look aggressive.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Bigmouth Studio

They are real & responsible for cooling the brakes. It also make the car look aggressive.

But aren't they positioned directly in front of the tires?

Neil

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by formula M

Bigmouth, how balanced & tossible did the car feel. I understand the car was full... but what is your impression of it's neutrality?

One example was: when I follow the leading car onto the entrance of the highway, a long lorry blocked my way. I down shift a gear, overtake the lorry on its right side, I feel the car was "put" in front of the lorry rather than "swing" to the front of the lorry.
On the highway, only 2 people on the car, I feel the car much more vivid than on the test track.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by 330CIZHP

From your write up, it is clear that the engine ran out of steam after 5500 rpm similar to the N54 engine?? I assume, the redline just like in the publicity shots was 7000 rpm??

It was a little bit different from the 135i, the toque did not fall dramatically but only less responsive & still able to push the car. One thing I forgotten to tell you guys, the max toque did delay to almost 6000rev to 6500rev after we push the M button.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by formula M

Horsepower is not the problem with the 135i.... never was.

Secondly, if a car has better balance, then you are able to use what HP u have, more proficiently. So your statement make little sense, as compared to the topic at hand; the 1M.

Totally agree with formula M, the well balanced car can release all the power from the engine.
As I talked to the BMW M test driver on that day. He also taught me the same things. And all the participant of this event also thing the max horsepower of this 1 M is not very high when compare with 135i but much more fun to drive just because the setting is so good.

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by EuroCarsOnline

What us the rpm ceiling? Congrats on the trip!

I tried 7000rev, Ah

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

But aren't they positioned directly in front of the tires?

Neil

No, they have diffusers to direct the air to the brake disc.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Bigmouth Studio

No, they have diffusers to direct the air to the brake disc.

Excellent. Really appreciate the information you're providing.

Neil

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by Bigmouth Studio

They are real & responsible for cooling the brakes. It also make the car look aggressive.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Are there functional vertical vents in the rear?
Is the M button like the Sport button, or is there a time limit?
How do the 1addict renders compare to the real thing?
How's the rear diff? Your in the wet, yet no comments.
How's throttle response compare?

Electronic Steering. Please elaborate. Do your hands feel the road? How does it compare?

There has got to be some more negatives you can share with us?

[02fireman]

Originally Posted by Bigmouth Studio

Actually no such limit.

Sounds good. Thx

[Bigmouth Studio]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Are there functional vertical vents in the rear?
Is the M button like the Sport button, or is there a time limit?
How do the 1addict renders compare to the real thing?
How's the rear diff? Your in the wet, yet no comments.
How's throttle response compare?

Electronic Steering. Please elaborate. Do your hands feel the road? How does it compare?

There has got to be some more negatives you can share with us?

There is no visible vent for the rear. But the wide back fender already make your saliva dropping.

The M button is the sport mode & will keep running until you press it again.

I think the real thing looks very attractive even you are not cars-lovers. The whole car is more than we all expected in term of the performance & out-look.

The wide back of the car make it looks very sporty & it definitely help stabilizing the car. As I have mentioned, at the test track, at the U turn, the rear still followed well even I over-speed a little bit but it does allow a little slide. Lot of fun but safe.

Throttle response definitely much better than 135i & when the M button pressed, the throttle became even more sensitive & more responsive. The response remained linear even it was so aggressive, so easy to handle.

Actually I do not know this is electronic steering. The steering was very accurate & responsive even at high speed & wet road. You can clearly feel the front wheels & give you high confidence when making turns. When compare with 135i, it is much clear (but may be partially due to RFT in 135i) & very firm when compare with Z4 at high speed.

One more negative feedback is the interval between 5th & 6th gears are quite long due to 6th gear is the over-drive gear. If they can make the gear ratio of the 5th & 6th gear closer, I think I can get to the max speed earlier. But that is not useful for everyday life!

[serali]

Any tech specifics about the engine?

Lucky)