Just Delivered...

[NGEE]

I was completely happy with my N55 135is Dinan Stage 3. Well, except for that open diff. But I wasn't even looking when I came across this slick-top with single bump dash and manual seats - I had to jump. Delivery last night.

I haven't had enough drive time yet to really compare, but power-wise I'm not sure which is better. I need a week or so to really sort it out.

https://youtu.be/tzUucPYGoz0

https://youtu.be/6OMvM3XArPU

[anglocanadian]

Really looking forward to the comparison as I'm interested in a stage 3 Dinan tune.

[Topcarbon]

congrats

looking forward to your impressions

[1'M Blue]

Congrats. nice duo !

[ayao]

Congratulations!

[PRTSB1M]

Congrats on the upgrade! The 1M Coupe was never offered with a sunroof. Comparing the power of a stage 3 DCT car to a presumably untuned 3-pedal car is hardly apples-to-apples; I can assure you that the 1M will respond better to all mods than the 135is did.

[E46M3forRay]

that's a stunning pair !! Congrats on such a nice and clean pick up. Harder to choose which one to drive.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by anglocanadian

Really looking forward to the comparison as I'm interested in a stage 3 Dinan tune.

So I've driven the car for ~100 miles. I had the N54 in my 335, but this is so much faster. Is the N54 in the 1M running a factory tune? Or maybe it's just the weight?

I've heard people state that the 1M is very difficult to describe - "you just have to drive it". I think that's true. It's sublime and there's something about it that defies description. It's raw and refined at the same time.

Compared to the 135is, the steering is very different. It feels lighter, but somehow better connected. In sport mode I think the 135is is faster, but it has difficulty putting the power to the ground with its open diff. The diff in the 1M makes all the "diff" in terms of usable power, and the 1M is really quick.

I'm not a driver, and won't be pushing this car, which is kind of a shame. One of these days maybe I'll make it up to "Friday at the Track" at Summit Point and get some training.

In terms of Dinan Stage 3, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for the 135 unless you pair it with an LSD.

[PRTSB1M]

Originally Posted by NGEE

So I've driven the car for ~100 miles. I had the N54 in my 335, but this is so much faster. Is the N54 in the 1M running a factory tune? Or maybe it's just the weight?

The 1M does have a bespoke tune/ECU-map and high-flow cats in the downpipes. It's probably easier to think of the 1M as a short wheel-based E92 M3 with N54; including the steering rack (but it does not have a "sport" steering map). Sport mode in the 1M forces the wastegates shut, shifts vanos, and gives very sensitive throttle signal. FYI, the fuse panel is also closer to M3 than 135.

Have you tried MDM yet?

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by PRTSB1M

Have you tried MDM yet?

No. Tips?

[10"]

Your 135is will be gone soon!

Congratulations!
If you’re on FB join the
1M Owners Society there

Sincerely,
—-Former 135is owner

[PRTSB1M]

Originally Posted by NGEE

No. Tips?

If you're wanting to do spirited driving in the 1M, you want to be in MDM (M Dynamic Mode), just push the traction button on the dash once and MDM+DSC lights will illuminate on the cluster.

MDM will allow some amount of sliding the backend around. Without MDM activated, you'll probably not get the rear diff to lock. The 1M and E9x/E46 M3 rear diff all use the same fluid engagement mechanism. When one wheel slips more than the other, a small pump built into one of the stub shafts creates pressure against and locks the friction plates. The Dodge Viper also came with this GKN brand of fluid-based locking mechanism; it locks abruptly in the forward direction, but behaves more like an open diff under deceleration conditions.

It should become obvious how intrusive the traction control is, once you've gotten used to driving in MDM. If the car still has the factory plastic charge pipe, you might pop it driving in MDM. If you get limp mode with code 30FF, it's most likely the popped charge pipe.

In episode 1 of series 17 of Top Gear, the stig goes off-roading in a 1M and destroys the front bumper... which is why I don't ever turn the traction control all the way off. I have coded mine to euro-spec MDM, and it is noticeably less constrained and more gracious.