RE: You Know You Want To: BMW 1 M

[GranCab]

Or this ? Proper V8 and plenty of room inside for 4 ...

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[DJRC]

Raitzi said:

Crusoe said:

Interesting to hear how the 135i goes compared to the 1M, a lot less hardware (no m diff, no wider rear axle etc.) but a newer chassis, only 20bhp or so down and a fair bit cheaper.

No excessive understeer on 1M under track driving situations.

Why the cock would you track a 1500kg motor???

[MarJay]

Want.

[Guvernator]

Too me the 1M is an almost car. I've not driven one but by all accounts it's a very good steer but it I think it misses out on being a classic M for a few reasons.

1) The engine. The engine is superb, I have the same engine in my 335i and it certainly goes well enough and is surprisingly frugal to boot, all fine qualities for a daily runner which you can occasionally have fun with BUT I don't think it's quite special enough for an M car.

2) The looks. The standard 1 series coupe is in a word, ugly. The proportions are all wrong which makes it look slightly dumpy and it has a face that only a mother could love. The M version does improve things slightly and chucking a few choice performance parts at it like aussieinlondon has done for example does make it look halfway decent but it still isn't going to win any beauty awards or make you lust after one on looks alone. Purposeful is probably the kindest word I could use to describe the 1M.

3) Size\weight. For the smallest M car in the range it is still surprisingly heavy and only 80kgs off an M3. The rear also feels very cramped. If they had knocked another 100kgs off it I think it would have made the car a lot more special.

So while it's a very good car, it's not great in the tradition of the best M cars. When you add the fact that for the asking price you can get into some very tasty metal, I think I'd rather take the full fat V8 M3 or even an M3 CSL for nearly half the price if I wanted the classic M experience. Maybe when the 1M is down at around £20k they might make more sense.

[anomaly]

I bought a Valencia Orange 1M two weeks ago to use as a daily driver. I am so glad that I did: what an amazing car. I can't stop grinning every time I drive it. I'm now on a weeks holiday and can't wait to get back to drive it again!

[trixyD]

If I had 40k to drop on a new motor it sure as hell wouldn't be on one of these.

[bertie]

GranCab said:

Or this ? Proper V8 and plenty of room inside for 4 ...

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

But they are dull as dishwater to drive, and I was a big Adui fan.

[g3org3y]

GranCab said:

Or this ? Proper V8 and plenty of room inside for 4 ...

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

And curse yourself everytime you went for a proper hoon?

After the lack of M Powered Z4, the 1M is a good reminder that BMW still make proper cars for proper drivers. Unashamedly pumped up body, big fk off quad exhausts, RWD, what's not to love? Plus I think it looks epic in orange.

[Nano2nd]

just to confirm Chris - if you didn't need back seats i'd be a 2.7 Boxster right? (LOL i'm just about to order one)

[Baryonyx]

A nice car no doubt, but the paint finish on some of them is utterly dreadful.

[sgq89]

Wolands Advocate said:

astirling said:

sgq89 said:

To be honest, to me it doesnt matter how fast it is, how much power it has, its still a 1 series. It just screams "I wish I had an M3 but cannot afford one "

The rest of your post was good, but this bit I disagree with. If you can afford to buy and run one of these, you can afford an M3, albeit 2 year old.

Agreed. You can get a perfectly good E92 M3 for £25k. You need at least £10k more for the cheapest 1M.

I take your points, well made. In that case it leads me to think, why buy a 1M at all? Each to their own obviously, but personally I don't really get it. I'd guess that the only reason the 1M is about is because of the world recession; people not being able to afford a brand new M3, so giving the 1M as an alternative? Either way, still not for me. Good luck to you if you buy one and enjoy it though. I can't imagine the styling will age very well. But then people said that about the Ferrari 575, including myself, but to my eyes they are beginning to look rather beautiful!

[Bill Carr]

sgq89 said:

To be honest, to me it doesnt matter how fast it is, how much power it has, its still a 1 series. It just screams "I wish I had an M3 but cannot afford one "

Odd. By that logic, if you see an M3 driver do you think they wished they could afford the M5?

[cerb4.5lee]

I really like these & would love to own one, but I must be on my own the current pistonhead rating is in the fives!

I agree the looks are an acquired taste, but in the metal they look so aggressive, I would love to drive one.

[Charlie Michael]

Bill Carr said:

sgq89 said:

To be honest, to me it doesnt matter how fast it is, how much power it has, its still a 1 series. It just screams "I wish I had an M3 but cannot afford one "

Odd. By that logic, if you see an M3 driver do you think they wished they could afford the M5?

Just wait for mr willy waving winner with the M6.

[sgq89]

Also to bring an alternative option to the base topic, why have 1 car?

I recently bought a Maserati Spyder, and knowing that this probably wouldnt be ideal for everyday use, I also spent £1000 on a MK4 Diesel 1.9TDI Golf. I get 70mpg and a hassle free trip to work with 5 seats and 5 doors in one, and something fun to use on all other occasions. £22k for 2 cars, all bases covered. I'm delighted with how its worked out. Just a suggestion!

[Gruber]

TheBigUnit said:

Read the article again: "released in the last year". This was a piece about a practical new performance car, with rear seats, for use as a sole car, not another interminable Pistonheads 'Why would you spend 40 grand on a new car when you could get one of these".

With respect, I think you're the one who's misread the article. It doesn't say "which car released in the last year". It says (paraphrasing) "I came to this conclusion last year and nothing better has come out since".

Hence, those suggesting older stuff seem (to my mind) perfectly entitled to do so.

[Red 5]

D200 said:

You are completely wrong Mr Harris!

Why?

"Just enjoyed a quick cuppa and a few Oreos"

How the hell can you enjoys Oreos - they are effin disgusting

RE: the 1M

I agress, love them. It's just a pity they didnt make more colours

I am not a fan of orange cars in general but I think I would take an orange 1M as it make the 1M standout from a normal 1 Series coupe

I saw a white and also a black 1 Series coupe M Sport with CSL style wheels and at first glance it looked like a 1M

I know the 1M has the big arches etc and on closer inspection you can easily tell the difference

Passers by often ask me, "Is that a 1M?"

I explain that it isn't and that were mine side by side with a 1M, there would be no doubt

I bought my blue car from the current owner of this white 1M. So when we were both in the area a while back, we met for a chat and a drive.

Both are stage 3 and very quick for road cars, but the 1M has a special feeling that mine never could!




Chris, I note that you like both your horrible cookies and your 1M in black
Did you enjoy the Spa Classic 6 Hour?



Compare (iPhone snaps!)

[Hellbound]

s m said:

Hellbound said:

Will we be getting a video from Harris in the M135i?

He's got one for review this week so I'd say almost definitely!

I hope it's a long video, at least long enough for a cuppa and some snacks.

[tommy vercetti]

Red 5 said:

D200 said:

You are completely wrong Mr Harris!

Why?

"Just enjoyed a quick cuppa and a few Oreos"

How the hell can you enjoys Oreos - they are effin disgusting

RE: the 1M

I agress, love them. It's just a pity they didnt make more colours

I am not a fan of orange cars in general but I think I would take an orange 1M as it make the 1M standout from a normal 1 Series coupe

I saw a white and also a black 1 Series coupe M Sport with CSL style wheels and at first glance it looked like a 1M

I know the 1M has the big arches etc and on closer inspection you can easily tell the difference

Passers by often ask me, "Is that a 1M?"

I explain that it isn't and that were mine side by side with a 1M, there would be no doubt

I bought my blue car from the current owner of this white 1M. So when we were both in the area a while back, we met for a chat and a drive.

Both are stage 3 and very quick for road cars, but the 1M has a special feeling that mine never could!




Chris, I note that you like both your horrible cookies and your 1M in black
Did you enjoy the Spa Classic 6 Hour?



Compare (iPhone snaps!)

Lovely colour

[anything fast]

anomaly said:

I bought a Valencia Orange 1M two weeks ago to use as a daily driver. I am so glad that I did: what an amazing car. I can't stop grinning every time I drive it. I'm now on a weeks holiday and can't wait to get back to drive it again!

you lucky git! i am not jealous at all