1M Prerelease and Development History

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by SickFinga

Here is something that I discovered a while ago that is right on topic. The VO 1M that was used on brochures and press photos is a very early prototype. It is officially a 135i and not yet a 1M. I'm talking about this car.

I guess the 1M in the pictures is a 1M, but BMW simply allocated an 'old' VIN. Very likely the VIN allocator did not feature yet a 1M category at that time, so they 'pigeon-holed' this prototype in an existing category: 135i.

And yes, BMW knows that enthusiasts and spyshot spotters check VIN codes.

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

^^That is very interesting. I wonder what ever happened to this early prototype. Also curious its a euro 135iS when they never made such a car for Europe AND that the car was built in 2008(!) and was BSM!! Well... someone at BMW painted it VO.

All 135i coupes, regardless of the market, are named 135iS on their build sheets. My theory is that originally BMW wanted to call the 135i an iS, along the lines of the X5 4.6iS/4.8iS.

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

@SickFinga(or should I call you Mr Holmes) : Nice info. Thanks.


Some other strange things:

135iS engine output: 225kW=306BHP(normal EU spec N54 135/335i output on paper) and not the 'full' 340 of the 1M. (EU spec)

Colour : Black and not VO.

Cheers
Robin

Well, power output and displacement are tied to the "type code", which is UC71 in this case. UC71 is a LHD eurospec 135i, hence the power output.

That VO car is definitely a repaint. If you look at the VIN, it is painted over. On factory painted cars VIN is cut after the paint and then a sticker placed over the VIN to protect bare metal.

Here is how VIN on the shock tower should look like on an original color car

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I guess the 1M in the pictures is a 1M, but BMW simply allocated an 'old' VIN. Very likely the VIN allocator did not feature yet a 1M category at that time, so they 'pigeon-holed' this prototype in an existing category: 135i.

Highly unlikely. Look at the camouflaged pre-production cars. They are clearly 135i with fender flares and covered moon roof panels. Building on top of the regular production car before going into series is pretty common. The E39 M5 touring was also built on top of the 540i and it has a 540i VIN. The E31 test mule was built on top of the E24.

Originally Posted by Artemis

And yes, BMW knows that enthusiasts and spyshot spotters check VIN codes.

Now they know, but not a couple of months ago. After someone here leaked the M3/M4 VIN numbers they shut down the source pretty quick. Also once the car is released to the public, they could care less if someone looks at the VIN on the press photos.

[G2G]

very nice summary on the 1m´s birth!!

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by SickFinga

All 135i coupes, regardless of the market, are named 135iS on their build sheets. My theory is that originally BMW wanted to call the 135i an iS, along the lines of the X5 4.6iS/4.8iS.

Nostalgia: this notorious Dackel screenshot that went viral back in the day (November 2010). We may reasonably assume that, down at BMW HQ, some chicken got restless, tee-hee...

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Reported on 1addicts Homepage.
Hi Gang,
Ok, I am not gonna say where I got this screen shot from. I will say that in my quest for a German flash tune... I came across this little titbit/jewel!
1M code named "Pyrat" by BMW...
Attachment 459273
It looks to me that this is confirmation that the new 1M will have 250 Kw N54engine. That is 340 HP. Engine code: N54B3OTO
What is even more interesting is the highlight text! Looks like BMW is thinking about a special US only model with 332 Kw or 451 HP! I personally think this will be the engine that ends up in the next M3. I don't think BMW will offer a 1M with this sort of HP power. But seeing it on the screen is very interesting indeed!
It also looks to be the very same 1M Engine code: N54B3OTO, which would suggest that with only a tune/SW the 1M engine will make another 100 Hp!!! Food for thought!
Also of interest (IF you look up that engine listing) is the fact that BMW will also have a 135iS model in 2012. Same HP though, at 225Kw or 306 Hp. The 135iS has engine code: N55B3OUO
And... if you keep looking up that list you can see various engines of interests.
Dackel

[Wolf]

This the best thread I've ever read on bimmerpost. One question I can't seem to get rid of, OP how do you know all this.. I am stalking you from now on

[DrShimmy]

Reading this fills my heart with love and joy! It is a very special car. *hugs VO 1M*

[hlmiii]

Originally Posted by Wolf

One question I can't seem to get rid of, OP how do you know all this.. I am stalking you from now on

lmao

In taking delivery of another M car in Germany, M was gracious enough to provide one of their people for tour and discussion of the Welt and Garching lab over a 1+ day period. It pretty much turned me into the equivalent of a seventeen year-old fanboy for 48 hours.

[Ringer]

Really and i mean really interesting thread. Thanks for sharing all these infos.

Best

[1M_@teewhybs]

Love reading this again....
Awesome thread

[Artemis]

Adding this unofficial 1M FAQ:
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=53

[Artemis]

Article of Sep 23, 2009 resulting from an interview with Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M boss from 2009 to 2011. This man deserves all our respect: without him, no 1M. Read between the lines how he's cautiously hinting at the possibility of a 1M and an M3 GTS.

http://skiddmark.com/2009/09/in-the-...ws-m-division/

[Artemis]

Added:

About the possibility of a 1M Cabrio:
Scott26: "We are certainly in a much better position to propose an M2 Cabrio.
They did make one for the 1er M Coupe but it never made production."
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=10

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Added:

About the possibility of a 1M Cabrio:
Scott26: "We are certainly in a much better position to propose an M2 Cabrio.
They did make one for the 1er M Coupe but it never made production."
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=10

does that mean they made a prototype or that they made a proposal?

[Gtrain]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Added:

About the possibility of a 1M Cabrio:
Scott26: "We are certainly in a much better position to propose an M2 Cabrio.
They did make one for the 1er M Coupe but it never made production."
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=10

I'd love to see a photo of the prototype.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

does that mean they made a prototype or that they made a proposal?

Scott26's words could be interpreted either way.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

does that mean they made a prototype or that they made a proposal?

OK, Scott26 indicated that a 1M cabrio prototype exists.

I had posted:
"I wanna see pictures of the 1M cabrio stored inside the ///M dungeons (BMW M secret garage featuring rarities)."
(http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=11)

He commented:
"I don't think it is @ M. But at the other facility."
(http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=13)

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by Artemis

OK, Scott26 indicated that a 1M cabrio prototype exists.

I had posted:
"I wanna see pictures of the 1M cabrio stored inside the ///M dungeons (BMW M secret garage featuring rarities)."
(http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=11)

He commented:
"I don't think it is @ M. But at the other facility."
(http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=13)

Scott played with my emotions for so long with this. He kept telling me that they were working on it. Then he said that depending on how well the 1M did BMW would produce the cab after. Well Scott, the 1M did amazingly wheres my 1M cab? Guess ill have to make my own.

Heres an old render of what it could look like.

[Artemis]

Updated post #4 with additional trivia:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...30&postcount=4

[IEDEI]

if there is any car made by BMW that deserves a BOOK written about it with photos and mythology about it's development it is the 1M. Photos, sketches, interviews, would be so cool!

[Artemis]

Added another trivia to an earlier post in this thread:

The Valencia Orange color is named after the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia (Spain) (Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo), where BMW hold their Young Talent Cup. Furthermore, on the shores of Valencia, the BMW Oracle Racing team won the 33rd America’s Cup.
(http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/05/21/bm...d-race-tracks/)

[BrokenVert]

I always thought that VO was named after the Valencia F1 street circuit? If it was named after that track wouldn't it be called Tormo Orange?