Hours from sealing deal on a 1M - final thoughts?

[phatgixer]

Add a bit of dosh and buy an E92 M3. At least then you won't be embarrassed by the gawky looks of the 1 series...

...and you'll get a miles better driveline.

[HungryHorace]

phatgixer said:

Add a bit of dosh and buy an E92 M3. At least then you won't be embarrassed by the gawky looks of the 1 series...

...and you'll get a miles better driveline.

1M is an M, E92 is a lardy wheezy v8 blinged up in M drapery with enough torque to just pull away from the lights and driven by those salesmen that cannot quite afford a decent Audi RS.

[dvshannow]

phatgixer said:

Add a bit of dosh and buy an E92 M3. At least then you won't be embarrassed by the gawky looks of the 1 series...

...and you'll get a miles better driveline.

^this

at least try one, the N/A V8 makes the car, soon all Ms will be eco stat friendly forced induction conformists. and you wont feel the need to go around shouting how amazing your 1M is

[rtg0616]

HungryHorace said:

1M is an M, E92 is a lardy wheezy v8 blinged up in M drapery with enough torque to just pull away from the lights and driven by those salesmen that cannot quite afford a decent Audi RS.

Exactly! I fell asleep during my M3 test drive. If you don't want to rag the engine (like a boy racer) to get anything out of it, then the 1M is for you.

[cerb4.5lee]

rtg0616 said:

;)

HungryHorace said:

1M is an M, E92 is a lardy wheezy v8 blinged up in M drapery with enough torque to just pull away from the lights and driven by those salesmen that cannot quite afford a decent Audi RS.

Exactly! I fell asleep during my M3 test drive. If you don't want to rag the engine (like a boy racer) to get anything out of it, then the 1M is for you.

I own a E92 M3 & I agree with this, the M3 is only exciting when you are absolutely kicking its backside which is enjoyable but it hasn't enough torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding & it weighs far far too much...the 1M is a more exciting car imo

The engine is sweet & obviously is better than the mass produced unit you get in the 1M but N/A is going to get left in the past which is a shame but not a surprise when you can get more power & economy from a blown unit.

[cidered77]

A used 4 door m3 was actually on the list as well, but as well as an occasional track day toy, i do lots of short commuting, and to be honest 18mpg and 200 mile or so range would just annoy me too much. It's also more of a risk as a used buy from my perspective (more miles, less clear of history, more to go wrong), plus it's bigger an heavier - so not really so suited for regular track days, not without a lot of nagging doubt and expense anyway.

I know the 1M has some of these concerns too, but lessso. I also love the way it looks, it's more bespoke, "special" and pretty much every review raves about it. Considering the initial choice for a car this year was a Megane Cup you can see the sort of thing i'm looking for - and the E92 just isn't it.

This may also be blasphemous - but not too bothered about NA engines either. For me turbos are just a reality, fact of life, etc.

[GentlePersuasion]

I don't understand how anyone could consider a 1M but ignore the massive elephant in the room that is the 997 C2S.

18 months ago, I had the option of either a delivery mileage 1M, a 6 month old M3 or a (albeit slightly older) 997 C2S with 15k on the clock.

The Porker was so much better to drive in every single way that I couldn't help but be completely gobsmacked by the price of the 1M. It was and still is a ludicrous amount of money for a car that, day to day, is no better to drive than the very much cheaper and almost as fast 135i.

I really don't understand the hype surrounding this car.

And before anyone mentions 'practicality', I've had four people in relative comfort in the 997, with room in the front for their luggage. It's also swallowed my road bike on numerous occasions with some considered packing. Oh, and a chest of drawers.

[HungryHorace]

The hype is simple to understand.

Look at the M3, look at the M5, what are they now other than luxo barges with sporting pretention (albeit it very bloody good) they are not in the essence of M. Look at the 1m, small chassis, great engine, great handling, feedback, analogue more than digital a car where you feel more of a part of the total machine than a passenger. Its a little more hardcore than the other M's that have, as previously been discussed, become nothing more than an Audi S line type marketing exercise.

The proker I am sure is great and I might look at one but I have never woken up wanting a 911 but since I can remember the M has been a car to have.

[cidered77]

GentlePersuasion said:

I don't understand how anyone could consider a 1M but ignore the massive elephant in the room that is the 997 C2S.

18 months ago, I had the option of either a delivery mileage 1M, a 6 month old M3 or a (albeit slightly older) 997 C2S with 15k on the clock.

The Porker was so much better to drive in every single way that I couldn't help but be completely gobsmacked by the price of the 1M. It was and still is a ludicrous amount of money for a car that, day to day, is no better to drive than the very much cheaper and almost as fast 135i.

I really don't understand the hype surrounding this car.

And before anyone mentions 'practicality', I've had four people in relative comfort in the 997, with room in the front for their luggage. It's also swallowed my road bike on numerous occasions with some considered packing. Oh, and a chest of drawers.

thought about it, rejected (sorry!) partly because of practicality. I've had a nose in the back of a 997 and putting the little one in and out of a car seat on a regular basis would be a pain. they're also more expensive to run, more expensive in consumables, and i'd need to get something older /higher mileage to compete also.

there's also a bit of the big kid in me that likes driving around in something exclusive; something that marks you as a motoring enthusiast. Owning and driving a 997 does not do that, is it victim of it's own success in that respect. One of the missus' friends drives about her blokes one. She is a lovely girl - fit as a butcher's dog too - but a motoring enthusiast she is not, and not untypical for a 997.

it'll cost less over the long term as well - residuals will be better than even the 997 C2; there are less of them, they had a great press, they'll always be a market for them.

finally - in terms of "not understanding the hype"; i've yet to read a word from a professional motoring journalist that is anything but positive about the thing. Agree the 135i drives almost as well - but "almost", and not on the track either without a proper diff. Maybe speaks more about the quality and pricing of the 135i than the 1m?

Anyway, happy with the choice and just to confirm, still EXCITED!!

[kayzee]

1M over the Porsche any day! They're amazing looking machines, hopefully one day I'll get a go in one.

[Aotearoa]

Well done that man!

I've just put a deposit down in a 6k VO 1M. Picking it up Saturday. I had a similar dilemma, albeit between a 57 plate CLK63 Black Series and the 1M. Chose the 1M as financially it made better sense and the performance is far more exploitable at real world speeds. This will be my second 1M after owning numerous performance cars/supercars 458 included. The fact that I'm returning after having the opportunity to own and drive such fantastic vehicles speaks volumes about the 1M. ENJOY!

[rtg0616]

GentlePersuasion said:

I don't understand how anyone could consider a 1M but ignore the massive elephant in the room that is the 997 C2S.

18 months ago, I had the option of either a delivery mileage 1M, a 6 month old M3 or a (albeit slightly older) 997 C2S with 15k on the clock.

The Porker was so much better to drive in every single way that I couldn't help but be completely gobsmacked by the price of the 1M. It was and still is a ludicrous amount of money for a car that, day to day, is no better to drive than the very much cheaper and almost as fast 135i.

I really don't understand the hype surrounding this car.

And before anyone mentions 'practicality', I've had four people in relative comfort in the 997, with room in the front for their luggage. It's also swallowed my road bike on numerous occasions with some considered packing. Oh, and a chest of drawers.

Massive elephant in the room? Not everyone likes nor wants to drive a Porsche. The shape is dated whereas the 1M is fresh and exciting. The 1M turns heads, they're not everywhere you look and have to be one of the most talked about cars (BMW) for years. And that's for good reason, they're fantastic, unique little cars.
I don't think the're expensive, I'd have paid 50k if I had to.
I have to laugh when you try to promote the "practicality" of a 997. Four people in the 997 is not something I would imagine being at all pleasant. You're surely talking very small people? With luggage too? That would be 4 suitcases - right?
A 997 much better to drive in everyway? Absolute twaddle!!

I don't blame you for loving your 997, but it's not a better car by any means.

[sita]

What really matters is personal choice and the best judge of that is the person buying the cars along with a selection of informed reviews from well-established commentators.

Personally I find the 1M to be a more challenging drive than the E92 and that's what I personally like but I wouldn't say the E92 is dull either. I'm also not fussed at all about N/A but it does sound great. I'll put a V8 CD on..

For humour - Phattygixer has probably never driven a 1M for an extended period and IIRC his very own car was pitted against a 1M around a circuit and the 1M was faster.. He'll calm down for a bit when Julian Cope releases another album Angus, lets swap cars for 2 days..

[FuzzyDunlop]

Sounds like a good choice. Buy what you want, justify it later, make it up to the Mrs with a nice holiday (in the car of course).


I would have bought an 1M over the M135i I've got now if I had an extra £10k in the bank and could live with only having 3 doors. But I guess if I'd have really, really actually wanted one there would be one on my drive right now!

[dvshannow]

cerb4.5lee said:

I own a E92 M3 & I agree with this, the M3 is only exciting when you are absolutely kicking its backside which is enjoyable but it hasn't enough torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding & it weighs far far too much...the 1M is a more exciting car imo

The engine is sweet & obviously is better than the mass produced unit you get in the 1M but N/A is going to get left in the past which is a shame but not a surprise when you can get more power & economy from a blown unit.

You might have bought the wrong car every post you seem to say I own an m3 , it kinda sucks I wish I got a 1m

Didn't you notice the "not enough torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding" during the test drive?

Most people seem biased to the car they bought so I guess its nice to some other point of view, though may suggest given the mpgs and depreciation you are facing on your m3 might be worth cutting losses

[cerb4.5lee]

dvshannow said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I own a E92 M3 & I agree with this, the M3 is only exciting when you are absolutely kicking its backside which is enjoyable but it hasn't enough torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding & it weighs far far too much...the 1M is a more exciting car imo

The engine is sweet & obviously is better than the mass produced unit you get in the 1M but N/A is going to get left in the past which is a shame but not a surprise when you can get more power & economy from a blown unit.

You might have bought the wrong car every post you seem to say I own an m3 , it kinda sucks I wish I got a 1m

Didn't you notice the "not enough torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding" during the test drive?

Most people seem biased to the car they bought so I guess its nice to some other point of view, though may suggest given the mpgs and depreciation you are facing on your m3 might be worth cutting losses

I have always been honest regards the cars I own & I see them for what they are & tbh it's only until you get to know a car or get used to it that you can make an informed opinion, I really liked the M3 when I test drove one back in jan 2008 & then after that I always wanted one.

Unfortunately I only had £30k to spend & that didn't stretch to a 1M i even joked with the salesman about it, I still stand by the fact that a N/A M car hasn't enough torque my old Z4M was the same too, you just have to make sure you cog it down a few gears to wake it up.

My old Cerbera spoiled me tbh as that got up & went in all gears & had more torque than the M3 & weighed over 400kgs less but it never worked so all cars have flaws!

I don't dislike my M3 at all as when you flog it to death it's performs well but if you don't imo it feels too much like a 5 series & isn't that exciting day to day, but it is a multi talented car & I presume that's what the owners like.

[cidered77]

hi - have read through recent thoughts on this thread and would just like to point out that i remain EXCITED.

thankyou.

[phatgixer]

What is all this cobblers about no torque in an E92. It has revs. Revs x torque = power. Power is the class A, not beard dribbling torque. It is an M car, not a ferkin Taxi.

If you think torque is the great provider, then the turbo nasty 1M is for you.

But those who know how to use all the revs will have bigger smiles.

Christ, they'll be babbling on about how good a diesel will be in an M...

God rot 'Torque'

[cerb4.5lee]

phatgixer said:

What is all this cobblers about no torque in an E92. It has revs. Revs x torque = power. Power is the class A, not beard dribbling torque. It is an M car, not a ferkin Taxi.

If you think torque is the great provider, then the turbo nasty 1M is for you.

But those who know how to use all the revs will have bigger smiles.

Christ, they'll be babbling on about how good a diesel will be in an M...

God rot 'Torque'

I love your post I respect that you think your M3 is the best car in the world & don't get me wrong I love revving its backside off...but if it had more torque I wouldn't have too.

[ChrisBuer]

phatgixer said:

What is all this cobblers about no torque in an E92. It has revs. Revs x torque = power. Power is the class A, not beard dribbling torque. It is an M car, not a ferkin Taxi.

If you think torque is the great provider, then the turbo nasty 1M is for you.

But those who know how to use all the revs will have bigger smiles.

Christ, they'll be babbling on about how good a diesel will be in an M...

God rot 'Torque'

Perhaps you should drive a "turbo nasty 1M" properly and then make your comments. My 1M revs to around 7000rpm before the power tails off and with the torque wallop, it's a lot of fun.

I drove the M3 and 1M back to back before deciding and like many on here I just found the 1M more fun. It's more nimble, more unique, a lot more fun to hassle around country lanes, has great in gear performance and personally I think it looks more aggressive. The only thing I liked about the M3 was the sound it made. Apart from that I found it felt too large, was too thirsty and didn't have much real world performance.

You know, you can be a petrol head and still like turbo cars I've had supercharged cars, NA cars and with the 1M a turbo. Out of all of them, I enjoy the 1M the most.

Finally regarding the Porsche comment earlier, I spent the day at Porsche Silverstone on Tuesday driving their various cars around the track. Although they were good fun to drive, they all felt slow and lethargic compared to my 1M. The most powerful car was a Carrera 4S (400bhp?) but without the torque I'm used to, it felt like I was flogging a dead horse.