Digging into the 1M; How special this car really is!

[Rekraps]

Hey guys, don't mean to wear out this Forum, but just like living in Colorado with spectacular views, after a few months people forget just how impressive it is. So too, with the 1M.

Coming back after a lengthy absence, I spent time watching reviews of the car (Jeremy Clark's is the best) and then I really dug into the Technical Training Manual.

This car is a unicorn by any measure. There is so much M3 in it that we could call it a baby M3! Seats, chassis & suspension, cooling system components, mirrors, drive shaft and final drive, center bearing, differential, braking system, wheels and more! This is not just an upgraded 135i, it's a hybrid small brother to the 2011 E92 M3.

Noted by the designers as an instant classic and collectible vehicle, we can be certain that BMW will NEVER again produce a car like this that is not designed and built from the ground up. The 1M is literally a parts car that incorporates the very best of the M3 into a smaller package. As compared to all other "M" variants, this automobile has steadily increased in value over the 14 years since its production and draws crowds and stares wherever it goes. M2's, M3's, M4's and M5's are seen everwhere... but not 1M's.

I could shoot my self for selling my previous cars... not gonna happen again.

Those of us who own these magnificent pieces of engineering are the lucky few. Congratulation!

[powerbait]

Seats are not from the M3, they are the standard 1/3 series sport seats with orange stitching and an ///M on the headrest.

[Rekraps]

Originally Posted by powerbait

Seats are not from the M3, they are the standard 1/3 series sport seats with orange stitching and an ///M on the headrest.

Interesting in that I saw a post on this site where a member was lowering his seat and when he removed the unit, it clearly indicated M3 underneath the main seat cushion.

[EdgyE36]

Not being a wet blanket, but I've always felt BMW gamed the market by importing so few of the cars to NA. Would prices be so strong if say, 3-4K has been imported instead of less than 1K? Fair question IMHO. Not that I wouldn't love to own one!

[iDontRemember]

Originally Posted by EdgyE36

Not being a wet blanket, but I've always felt BMW gamed the market by importing so few of the cars to NA. Would prices be so strong if say, 3-4K has been imported instead of less than 1K? Fair question IMHO. Not that I wouldn't love to own one!

With only 6xxx being made it’s hard to justify that number of cars for the North American market.

[Rekraps]

Originally Posted by EdgyE36

Not being a wet blanket, but I've always felt BMW gamed the market by importing so few of the cars to NA. Would prices be so strong if say, 3-4K has been imported instead of less than 1K? Fair question IMHO. Not that I wouldn't love to own one!

You’re not a wet blanket at all. Having owned 92 cars in my 66 years on this planet, of all types and makes, this one single low end entry model of the legendary “M” moniker is hands down the best. Shell out the dough and get one, then you will have an epiphany like Saul!

Plus there only a few!

[Rekraps]

I also found out in research that the 1M was the first M series car to apply air curtain technology (routing air through the front dam to reduce drag around the wheel/fender area). Another first!