Joined the 1M Family!

[CravingBavaria]

This post is 2 weeks overdue, but I am extremely proud to properly join this forum as a US-spec 1M owner!

It probably makes sense to step back to October 2019 when I made my first BMW purchase, my beloved 2011 E92 M3 ZCP. Almost 6 years in the making, I've been absolutely addicted to this generation of BMW's. I've documented that journey here (M3post) as well as Instagram. I'm very much a purist, enthusiast, you name it, and build a connection with these cars that's maybe even unhealthy

Fast forward to December 2024, most people in this forum will know of the Alpine White No-Nav 1M auction on Cars & Bids. This was the first (and only 1 of 2) cars that I have ever bid on. Prior to that auction I was not looking for a 1M, but was actively looking for another BMW (mainly in manual since the M3 is DCT). I've of course known about the 1M (huge BMW fan-boy), but didn't truly know as much about it in comparison to how much I've learned about the E9X M3 chassis.

Well I didn't win the auction, but it lit this fire in me to start a hunt for 1 of the 86 in the US (I think) AW No-Nav 1M's. Needle in a haystack? Yes.

Scanning AutoTempest every day so I could get the most comprehensive search possible, a sea of VO's was always readily available, and the AW cars had Nav. As everyone here knows, we're talking a dozen or so 1M's for sale max in the US at any given time. There really isn't much to work with.

I put up a WTB here on 1addicts hoping maybe someone was willing to part with one, but also faced reality. One of the only responses I got was from RFM4000 who was the winner of the auction in December noting that I was bidding against him and he's hyped for the car. Well, February 12th I wake up to a message from RFM that would change the game and make me a 1M owner a few weeks later. March 7th, I took a one-way flight to Tuscon, AZ and drove my 1M home to San Diego, CA.

For clarity, yes, RFM sold me his car (the AW No-Nav Cars & Bids example). He is an extremely nice guy and gave me all of the confidence I needed to know I was getting an amazing car (and that has proven itself in the 1k miles I've driven it). Ticked over 65k miles on the drive home, the last 5k miles maintenance log is INCREDIBLE, and I can absolutely say I got a gem of a car.

It's all surreal. The story of how it fell into my lap, the car itself, it's a dream come true. I also now have the ultimate 2-car coupe solution with no plans to ever sell the M3

I'll be posting my journey with the car here as I have with the M3. After going way beyond what I initially planned on the M3, I can promise that the 1M will be staying very OEM+ with no intentions of an extensive mod list. Out of the box the car is amazing and I want to preserve it that way.

The car as it sits today is a far cry from what was represented on Cars & Bids a few months ago. RFM handled all (and more) of the mechanical gremlins that were outlined, and I fast-tracked a lot of the aesthetic TLC that was needed. I just picked it up from fresh front clip PPF, ceramic coating, paint touch-ups, and conservative ceramic tint, and have been replacing a lot of the easy-to-replace items that have worn down (M door sills, interior trim pieces, broken clip cowl covers, etc). I'm doing all I can to make this example as pristine as possible, with the understanding that it has 65k miles and is an ideal example to just drive and enjoy.

Looking forward to all that this perfect car has to offer, and sending my utmost respect and thanks to RFM for allowing me to be the next (and maybe final) caretaker of '665'. Hoping that the stars align for him to get another 1M down the road.

More to come soon, but enjoy the photos for now!

*For anyone that really wants to nerd out on spec, this car is actually a 1 of 1 in the US - the only option being ZPP

[eeghie]

Welcome & congrats on the fastest color!

Thx for pics, it seems to have the ‘Mona Lisa smile’ effect on me; i’m surprised myself how good a (near) stock 1M looks from every angle in a demure way. This must add to the future classic reputation that is steadily fortifying.

Being one of the original 86, i took the car home to Europe, so your US needle is even more rare.

[Rekraps]

Great story and welcome to the Forum. Most of us will be very happy for you (with a few grumpy old guys who dislike everything), but your acquisition process was very cool and you got a great car! My current 1M is a AW stripper (ED) model.

I love the carbon fiber spoiler also. Two minor things you could do that are minimalist and reversible are: Get a Dinan Stage II tune, huge difference in performance with no physical modifications, and second, consider the vent tape (see separate posts). The removable black vinyl pre-cut tapes really make the car pop.

Congrats again, and welcome to the Forum where any topic is a good topic!

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by eeghie

Welcome & congrats on the fastest color!

Thx for pics, it seems to have the ‘Mona Lisa smile’ effect on me; i’m surprised myself how good a (near) stock 1M looks from every angle in a demure way. This must add to the future classic reputation that is steadily fortifying.

Being one the original 86, i took the car home to Europe, so your US needle is even more rare.

Thank you! I absolutely agree with the looks. I've photographed this car from every angle and am hard pressed to find a bad one (where the M3 has several awkward angles). It really is a stunning car especially compared to what BMW has to offer now...

And that's awesome you took yours with you! I'll call it 85 now

[E46M3forRay]

Great looking combo !! Congrats on the 1M .. certainly a keeper

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by Rekraps

Great story and welcome to the Forum. Most of us will be very happy for you (with a few grumpy old guys who dislike everything), but your acquisition process was very cool and you got a great car! My current 1M is a AW stripper (ED) model.

I love the carbon fiber spoiler also. Two minor things you could do that are minimalist and reversible are: Get a Dinan Stage II tune, huge difference in performance with no physical modifications, and second, consider the vent tape (see separate posts). The removable black vinyl pre-cut tapes really make the car pop.

Congrats again, and welcome to the Forum where any topic is a good topic!

Thanks!! Yours came up for sale while I was looking and I believe that and the overpriced one in Fullerton (still for sale) are only other AW No-Nav's formally listed during my search. Your car is perfect, I wish my budget allowed for that one, but I know I'd be scared driving a car that nice

The spoiler looks amazing. I have a paint matched AW high-kick spoiler on the M3 and never liked carbon fiber spoilers on white E9X's. For some reason it just looks right at home on the 1M and it's a great accent piece to break up all of the white.

The car actually does have MHD already! I plan on messing around with that once I get more comfortable driving the car on the stock map. I've read that upgrading the intercooler is a smart move even for Stage 1 so I might look into that as a OEM+ upgrade too (already has an aluminum VRSF charge pipe). The vinyl tape looks great, I just find it a bit gimmicky. I wish the fenders were factory cut, would truly be the icing on the cake for this beautiful car.

Enjoy your pristine example!

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by E46M3forRay

Great looking combo !! Congrats on the 1M .. certainly a keeper

Thank you sir!

[Goombeh]

Great intro.

Always nice hearing about how people went from learning about this special little car, to becoming intrigued enough to purchase, to then inevitably becoming a little too obsessed with the little angry creature.

I think we all have a great story like that, I was set on buying an E92 M3 when during the decision making process, and when I was told here in Australia, all of the allocated 1M's had deposits on them, one of the last AW's were coming to the dealer where I was looking at the M3. It was unallocated as it was bought with a Black one by the owner of the dealership. I was told he ordered them both unsure of which colour and wanted one or both for his dealership M display upstairs.

Long story but in the end, I convinced them to sell me the AW as that was the colour I wanted, and seeing it in person confirmed it, it was magnificent.

13 years later, I still have it, have been through many cars since then, but still have the 1M. Still one of 'the' best cars I've ever driven, and I made a hobby out of driving every new thing that landed.

Congrats and you'll love it. Love the M3 too, looks perfect.

[1'M Blue]

Congrats on your purchase may you enjoy the car in good health !

[Rekraps]

And, now that I own one, the AW is the fastest of the three available models.

[MParallel]

Enjoy!

Seems like all you need now is an AW E88 135i!

[rbizet]

I am in San Diego too and very similar story. Acquired a VO from BAT/EAG in January and last week bought a 128i slicktop manual for my son that we are catching up on deferred maintenance.

I attend the cars and coffee in Rancho Santa Fe every Saturday morning, feel free to ping me if you want to compare stories.

Congrats on your purchase!!

RB

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Enjoy!

Seems like all you need now is an AW E88 135i!

I'm thinking of eventually completing the Holy Trinity of coupes with an AW E46. AW on cinnamon slicktop is the dream. Maybe one day!

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by rbizet

I am in San Diego too and very similar story. Acquired a VO from BAT/EAG in January and last week bought a 128i slicktop manual for my son that we are catching up on deferred maintenance.

I attend the cars and coffee in Rancho Santa Fe every Saturday morning, feel free to ping me if you want to compare stories.

Congrats on your purchase!!

RB

Congrats on the new family purchase! I've seen your VO a handful of times at RSF already I plan on bringing the 1M on April 5th for the first time. We'll link up for sure!

Editing this as I re-read your post, you got an AMAZING car for the price! I will absolutely check it out in person. I was at South OC C&C a few Saturday's ago and saw 2 other VO's. I think there might be 4 that are actively out and about in OC/SD, and my AW along with Kaiv you may know of that has a Canadian AW. It would be killer to get as many of them together as we can for a shoot.

[CravingBavaria]

Got them out for a proper photo shoot last weekend!

[Rekraps]

That AW 1M looks so much better than the Corolla!

[EdgyE36]

Great story and that's some garage. Mine is a different color but same concept.

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by EdgyE36

Great story and that's some garage. Mine is a different color but same concept.

Beautiful combo! The best duo you could get from the early 2000's

[NGEE]

Your car is gorgeous.

I love my AW stripper. Heated seats the only option. No nav, manual seats, three pedals - feels like my old school BMWs from the past, but way faster. Like you, I was not in the market for a 1M. I loved my Stage 3 135is. But when I stumbled on a 1M (EAG) with no nav I jumped and paid way too much. Didn't tell my wife until after it was delivered, which I do not recommend.

[Rekraps]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Your car is gorgeous.

I love my AW stripper. Heated seats the only option. No nav, manual seats, three pedals - feels like my old school BMWs from the past, but way faster. Like you, I was not in the market for a 1M. I loved my Stage 3 135is. But when I stumbled on a 1M (EAG) with no nav I jumped and paid way too much. Didn't tell my wife until after it was delivered, which I do not recommend.

You did not pay too much, you just bought too early! EAG stuff is pricey but you get a great product that is gone over in detail. I have bought from them in the past and found the experience excellent.

[Rekraps]

And I had to trade my wife a new kitchen for the car! Ouch!

[ArtFoodBMW]

The right cars always show up for us, great find and great photos!