1M or M3

Author
Discussion

Vetteran

Original Poster:

238 posts

176 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
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Thought of buying a 1M ( £40,000 - £45,000 ) but would I get a better car if I spent the money on an M3 ?
Obviously the 1M will hold value better but is it a better drivers car or are they too different to compare?

ady702

376 posts

146 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
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Best advice is go drive both and see for yourself, 1M for me

jh106

52 posts

226 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
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Not sure which variant of M3 you have in mind? I bought a 1M earlier in the year having had an e46 M3 CS previously (and having driven an e90 M3 on track). In my opinion where the 1M scores very highly is in terms of the usability of the power and the punch it has from low down. Whilst my CS was great the opportunity to use the full rev range was more limited, to be on the right road at the right time with limited traffic is rare. To me the 1M has more in the way of character and it is generally a fun car which offers something a bit different. My time in an e90 was limited and whilst the engine was special it certainly feels like a much bigger car, even on track.

Nice problem to have though..........

jh106

52 posts

226 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
quotequote all
Not sure which variant of M3 you have in mind? I bought a 1M earlier in the year having had an e46 M3 CS previously (and having driven an e90 M3 on track). In my opinion where the 1M scores very highly is in terms of the usability of the power and the punch it has from low down. Whilst my CS was great the opportunity to use the full rev range was more limited, to be on the right road at the right time with limited traffic is rare. To me the 1M has more in the way of character and it is generally a fun car which offers something a bit different. My time in an e90 was limited and whilst the engine was special it certainly feels like a much bigger car, even on track.

Nice problem to have though..........

terryb

975 posts

243 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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The M3 is more refined and if you get a well specced model with EDC and competition pack and the DCT gearbox then it can play a wonderful mix of civilised and hooligan at the press of a switch (literally). It's a nicer car to do a long journey in.

The 1M is an animal - hardcore in comparison to the M3 and feels faster due to the turbo charged nature, but doesn't sound as good.

As said, you need to drive them both - for an M3 I would go for the best spec and be sure to go for the DCT box rather than manual - it just suits the engine better - but then be sure to use the paddles regularly rather than leaving it in auto smile

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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I've not driven the 1M, but own a 1 series and I can say that the physical size of the E9* M3 feels vast compared to the 1 series. The E9* M3 is a very similar width to the E39 M5, which to me makes it feel rather wide for threading down country lanes.

W8PMC

3,345 posts

237 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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A very different car but at your budget surely a 12-18mth old F10 M5 or even M6 is within reach??

Obviously bigger cars but a lot more power that's very usable & more flexible given the larger size.

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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If you like a manual gearbox then the 1M as the E92 M3 manual is really horrible.

Vetteran

Original Poster:

238 posts

176 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Thanks for your views. I own an SL65AMG so bit of torque junkie. The BMW would be more of a day to day car. Looking to replace a Megane Sport sold recently. Drawn towards the 1M but sometimes on our rubbish road surfaces the Megane could be harsh. As suggested test drive both and then try to decide.

NORTS

633 posts

219 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Reminded me of watching this video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99cUdMdPoLI

Worth a watch.


Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Has to be the 1M surely.

PJS917

1,194 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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creepy coupe said:
If you like a manual gearbox then the 1M as the E92 M3 manual is really horrible.
Really in what way?

aussieinlondon

660 posts

218 months

damiangt3

910 posts

239 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Brilliant cars. However I'd go for (and have) a 1M.


V8A*ndy

3,695 posts

190 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Vetteran said:
Thought of buying a 1M ( £40,000 - £45,000 ) but would I get a better car if I spent the money on an M3 ?
Well! Lets see.....

A nice used M3 will most likely have more toys, vastly better interior materials, V8 sound track, decent ride quality and superb DCT. It's a really nice car and a performance bargin.

The 1M is twitchy, snappy, fidgety, a smidgen of turbo lag, low rent interior with unsupportive seats that sit too high and it will bite your balls off if you aren't careful.

But you won't care because the 1M is a total riot to drive, and that's every time you drive it.

The M3 impresses and has much more depth to explore (a ten minute test drive will disappoint so try and get an extended drive), the 1M is true entertainment.

Personally I'd have both and intend to hopefully (wife currently has a 1M).

Enjoy finding out what's right for you smile.


Tony B2

610 posts

174 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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creepy coupe said:
If you like a manual gearbox then the 1M as the E92 M3 manual is really horrible.
Mine's fine with the lever from the manual F10 M5. It transforms the feel. Post 2010 cars have a different clutch mechanism from earlier cars which also makes a big difference.

cerb4.5lee

30,187 posts

179 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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Tony B2 said:
creepy coupe said:
If you like a manual gearbox then the 1M as the E92 M3 manual is really horrible.
Mine's fine with the lever from the manual F10 M5. It transforms the feel. Post 2010 cars have a different clutch mechanism from earlier cars which also makes a big difference.
I didn't mind the manual in my E92 M3 either...my Z4M though now I would describe that as being horrible.

cidered77

1,614 posts

196 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Boring PH-stylee answer maybe: but get the 1M and you'll save huge money vs the M3 through the used values that seem permanently stuck at 40k +

Never driven an M3 (well, did have an E46 for a weekend years ago, and driven an E92 at pamersport but neither serve as a proper comparison) but I have a 1M and it's wonderful. Love it! Everything I have read puts it as being more fun pound for pound day to day than the E92, all that torque makes it a much more exciting experience.

Nice problem to have - but I'd say go for the low volume "special"'car, not the common as muck M3. You won't regret it.

161BMW

1,697 posts

164 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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jh106 said:
Not sure which variant of M3 you have in mind? I bought a 1M earlier in the year having had an e46 M3 CS previously (and having driven an e90 M3 on track). In my opinion where the 1M scores very highly is in terms of the usability of the power and the punch it has from low down. Whilst my CS was great the opportunity to use the full rev range was more limited, to be on the right road at the right time with limited traffic is rare. To me the 1M has more in the way of character and it is generally a fun car which offers something a bit different. My time in an e90 was limited and whilst the engine was special it certainly feels like a much bigger car, even on track.

Nice problem to have though..........
As a M3 CS owner
Really interesting to hear more on your thoughts on CS v 1M
Any chance you could expand more on your thoughts ?
Really hard to put your foot down on CS unless you have loads of empty roads
I have Manual CS superb for cross country road trips

OP
Best to get a drive of all the choices
1M
Best from investment perspective ATM. Though m2 is out soon
If is twitchy surely that's part of the fun

With your budget you can get really nice
1M Coupe
E92 M3
The very best E46 M3 in UK
How about E63 M6 with high revving NA V10 which sounds like ....
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=577569...

BuzyG

787 posts

210 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Vetteran said:
Thought of buying a 1M ( £40,000 - £45,000 ) but would I get a better car if I spent the money on an M3 ?
Obviously the 1M will hold value better but is it a better drivers car or are they too different to compare?
Oh to have such a problem. I've not driven either car, but to look at the 1M Coupe is brilliantly done, very special and very different from any other 1 Series. The M3 looks like any other 3 series with a body kit and a very nice bonnet bulge. Plus it's too big for a sports coupe. Just my two peneth worth.