BMW 1M in Valencia Orange
Discussion
Cheers all. I see no point in spending money on a car you really want then being afraid to use it. Sure it might depreciate a bit more than a 10,000 mile example but the residuals on these are insane anyway.
On this theme I had the winter tyres swapped on this morning. Hate the looks but it seems the sensible option. You can actually fit all four wheels and tyres in the back of an e82, not bad considering the size of them.
On this theme I had the winter tyres swapped on this morning. Hate the looks but it seems the sensible option. You can actually fit all four wheels and tyres in the back of an e82, not bad considering the size of them.
Thanks for that, really informative. I guess I am used to the power now but it's more than enough for me: on winters this afternoon in the dry it lit up the rears in 3rd in a straight line! This is one reason why I've no inclination to modify it. Others are that it's my daily and needs to be reliable, I don't track it and I hope BMW knew what they were doing building it and I don't think I know any better!
I test drove an M4 this week as there are some good deals to be had. I was actually very impressed but have decided to stick with the 1M. The M4 felt bigger (obviously) and more grown-up. The twin-clutch gearbox was seriously impressive. The car sounds fantastic - better than the 1M actually. Overall though it just felt less special and and I couldn't currently bring myself to part with the 1M. This and the fact that the M4 is unlikely to hold it's value anywhere near as well as the 1M means that I be sticking with this a while longer.
Exitus said:
Pretty sure I've seen your car around - especially in the medical center car park!
I certainly agree with you about the winter tyres - I have a set on my M135i, and it makes the car surprisingly drivable in the snow, as long as you're gentle. Good at standing water too.
Ha! I've been spotted. I'll keep an eye out for your M135i.I certainly agree with you about the winter tyres - I have a set on my M135i, and it makes the car surprisingly drivable in the snow, as long as you're gentle. Good at standing water too.
Change of plan, again. Despite coming close I haven't sold it. I had inherited a Boxster S from my dad and was going to sell the 1M to release some capital. The thing is, I couldn't really get on with the Porsche. Despite the roof down and the sun shining it wasn't really a patch on the 1M. Perhaps it was hampered by it's tiptronic gearbox but I couldn't really see myself in it for long.
So the 1M is staying, yay! Another trip is planned to Germany and perhaps beyond in June. Booked the tunnel tickets and taking the tent to wherever pleases us for two weeks. I'm quite tempted to visit the Nurburgring but am a little apprehensive given some of the horror stories I've read, the insurance issues and my lack of track experience. We'll see.
So the 1M is staying, yay! Another trip is planned to Germany and perhaps beyond in June. Booked the tunnel tickets and taking the tent to wherever pleases us for two weeks. I'm quite tempted to visit the Nurburgring but am a little apprehensive given some of the horror stories I've read, the insurance issues and my lack of track experience. We'll see.
thrashermax said:
Great to see that you've used her and enjoyed it. I did 40,000 miles in my CSL, sold her last month... I'd love a 1M, I'm waiting for a high mileage example to turn up... yours is getting there on the miles.. good luck with the sale... what are you getting next? You've a great car history so far.
Thanks for that. Your CSL looked fantastic, must have been one of the higher mileage ones. Interesting car history you've had too!Just picked up the car from Sytner. For the past few weeks it has been a bit lumpy when accelerating and on three occasions under hard acceleration in third gear it has misfired badly and the engine light has come on. It required a new coil pack and spark plug on cylinder 5 and is driving beautifully again. It is also MOT time and pleasingly it passed with only one advisory: a nail in one of the new Supersports. I'll see if it can be repaired. I also took the opportunity to have the front pads replaced as there was only a predicted 2000 miles left on them.
Next week we're off on another Roadtrip. The plan is: Luxembourg, southern Germany, Austria, Hungary, meeting up with a friend in Ukraine and returning via Poland and Berlin. This may change a little though as we go along.
Next week we're off on another Roadtrip. The plan is: Luxembourg, southern Germany, Austria, Hungary, meeting up with a friend in Ukraine and returning via Poland and Berlin. This may change a little though as we go along.
ChrisBuer said:
Fantastic!
I love 1M's! I sold mine last October and I maintain that it was the best "all-rounder" I've owned yet. It does everything so well and with it being rare, I got back almost what I paid for it.
I'll continue to enjoy reading your thread
(My old 1M)
Sorry you've left the fold but the Exige is a more than worthy replacement!I love 1M's! I sold mine last October and I maintain that it was the best "all-rounder" I've owned yet. It does everything so well and with it being rare, I got back almost what I paid for it.
I'll continue to enjoy reading your thread
(My old 1M)
Had the "nail" pulled out today and it was little more than a stud about 3mm deep so no harm done, all good!
I returned yesterday from a two week road-trip around Eastern Europe with the 1M and thought I would share some of the experience. The plan was to meander through Germany and Hungary before meeting up with a friend in Ukraine then work our way back.
We spent the first night in Luxembourg then made a stop at the excellent Sinsheim auto and technik museum before spending the next two nights camping at Lake Constance. I have driven on Autobahns previously though never in a car with as much shove as the 1M. On the whole I enjoyed the experience with a few caveats! When traffic is lightish a cruise at 100 - 120 mph is really comfortable and enjoyable. Above this and things start to happen quite quickly and if a truck pulls out unexpectedly then you have to act fast! The maximum I achieved was an indicated 145 mph which disappointed me a bit but the combination of a laden car, traffic, lack of straight sections and a somewhat nervous passenger made me hold off going faster. The 1M was though charging pretty hard at that point and it felt like there was lots more to give.
Next up was Munich and the amazing BMW Welt and museum. This really is impressive if you're at all into BMWs and I'd highly recommend it. Managed to get a picture outside too!
After this we headed to Hungary to spend a few days at Lake Balaton. Managed to get pulled over by the Slovenian police for a document check after crossing the border:
Spent a couple of days after this in wonderful Budapest before heading east again towards Ukraine. To be honest I was a little apprehensive about taking the 1M to Ukraine. I tried to research it a little before going and it seems that not many people actually drive there! Things are certainly very different as the EU is left far behind. It really does feel like stepping back in time. One of my concerns was that typical European car insurance stops at the border and Admiral refused to cover me there. I read that the only option was buying third party insurance at the border which is what we did from a man in a hut! The whole process was a bit farcical and took nearly an hour. He spoke no english whatsoever and there wasn't a computer in sight. With the use of books, tables and a very long form he produced what I hoped was a certificate of insurance to drive there. All for the fee of £4.15! The reason for doing this was to have something to show police if stopped as if I was in an accident I'd just have to take my chances!
The insurance hut:
After this we were finally off. Nothing had prepared me for the experience of driving in Ukraine. With hindsight the 1M was completely unsuitable. The road surfaces were appalling. Easily the worst I have driven on anywhere and I have travelled quite a lot. Huge potholes (craters) at random intervals with no attempts to repair them. Transverse ridges randomly. It was impossible to maintain any sort of speed and concentrating constantly on avoiding the worst was draining for the journey from the Hungarian border to Lviv, our destination. Another issue were random road hazards: horse and carts, people, animals and erratically driven Ladas. I was surprised but there are loads of these still in service.
We fortunately managed to avoid a puncture or other damage as the 1M doesn't have a spare or even run flat tyres. I suspect sourcing a Michelin PSS may have proved tricky!
After a lovely few days in Lviv, a charming place, we started to head back via the closer Polish border. Only a 2 hour queue to cross, again nobody spoke English but we managed.
Worked our way home then via Poland, Germany and Belgium stopping for a night in Leipzig where the 1M was built. Some more pictures from the journey:
Once again I've been very impressed with the 1M, it was a delight at all times and faultless over the journey. I'd happily do it all again tomorrow but unfortunately work duties beckon for me and the car.
Some stats from the journey:
We spent the first night in Luxembourg then made a stop at the excellent Sinsheim auto and technik museum before spending the next two nights camping at Lake Constance. I have driven on Autobahns previously though never in a car with as much shove as the 1M. On the whole I enjoyed the experience with a few caveats! When traffic is lightish a cruise at 100 - 120 mph is really comfortable and enjoyable. Above this and things start to happen quite quickly and if a truck pulls out unexpectedly then you have to act fast! The maximum I achieved was an indicated 145 mph which disappointed me a bit but the combination of a laden car, traffic, lack of straight sections and a somewhat nervous passenger made me hold off going faster. The 1M was though charging pretty hard at that point and it felt like there was lots more to give.
Next up was Munich and the amazing BMW Welt and museum. This really is impressive if you're at all into BMWs and I'd highly recommend it. Managed to get a picture outside too!
After this we headed to Hungary to spend a few days at Lake Balaton. Managed to get pulled over by the Slovenian police for a document check after crossing the border:
Spent a couple of days after this in wonderful Budapest before heading east again towards Ukraine. To be honest I was a little apprehensive about taking the 1M to Ukraine. I tried to research it a little before going and it seems that not many people actually drive there! Things are certainly very different as the EU is left far behind. It really does feel like stepping back in time. One of my concerns was that typical European car insurance stops at the border and Admiral refused to cover me there. I read that the only option was buying third party insurance at the border which is what we did from a man in a hut! The whole process was a bit farcical and took nearly an hour. He spoke no english whatsoever and there wasn't a computer in sight. With the use of books, tables and a very long form he produced what I hoped was a certificate of insurance to drive there. All for the fee of £4.15! The reason for doing this was to have something to show police if stopped as if I was in an accident I'd just have to take my chances!
The insurance hut:
After this we were finally off. Nothing had prepared me for the experience of driving in Ukraine. With hindsight the 1M was completely unsuitable. The road surfaces were appalling. Easily the worst I have driven on anywhere and I have travelled quite a lot. Huge potholes (craters) at random intervals with no attempts to repair them. Transverse ridges randomly. It was impossible to maintain any sort of speed and concentrating constantly on avoiding the worst was draining for the journey from the Hungarian border to Lviv, our destination. Another issue were random road hazards: horse and carts, people, animals and erratically driven Ladas. I was surprised but there are loads of these still in service.
We fortunately managed to avoid a puncture or other damage as the 1M doesn't have a spare or even run flat tyres. I suspect sourcing a Michelin PSS may have proved tricky!
After a lovely few days in Lviv, a charming place, we started to head back via the closer Polish border. Only a 2 hour queue to cross, again nobody spoke English but we managed.
Worked our way home then via Poland, Germany and Belgium stopping for a night in Leipzig where the 1M was built. Some more pictures from the journey:
Once again I've been very impressed with the 1M, it was a delight at all times and faultless over the journey. I'd happily do it all again tomorrow but unfortunately work duties beckon for me and the car.
Some stats from the journey:
I ordered a set of genuine blackline taillights from a seller in Germany. Unfortunately one was damaged when they arrived so I've sent them back but when fitted I actually wasn't keen on the look anyway. Think they'd be better on a darker car.
The blackline is on the left, usual taillight on the right:
The blackline is on the left, usual taillight on the right:
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