1M - Is it the 'new' M3. Discuss!
Discussion
You should of had reply?I have been running a 1M for a month now - It is my daily car parked alongside my
Clio V6 and my Megane R26R. I used to work for Porsche GB at the time of the launch of the
Cayman. I have absorbed all of the posts on this thread, laughed at some, took offence at others
and like a lamb to the slaughter want to add my opinion (snipers take aim...).
Mine is a bog standard car in white - as I wanted it is pure as possible and felt that adding options
will put the weight and price up - both pointless in my opinion.
I have done plenty of miles in an M3 DCT with EDC, a Cayman S manual, and a 135i DCT.
Personally (and thats my point) I am totally smitten with the 1M. Sure its a head-turner, to both the people that know and those that dont. The sound of the engine on cold start is close to M3 in noise and quality, however it drops off dramatically after 30secs, but then so does the M3. There is a bit of a drone around 3K at speed, but in town it sounds throaty and menacing. The M button feels like it sharpens throttle response by around 30% - gives you the impression of another 50hp on part throttle. The manual seats go much lower than electric ones - the magazines have only tested high spec cars with the electric seats so they need to try mine. I put the car on a ramp at work and only from that view can you appreciate that BMW really have lifted the suspension out of the M3 and adjusted the body to fit. All of the suspension arms are marked " M Division", the LSD and oil coolers are in situ, with the cooling fins hanging very low indeed. Its so much more special than looking at the underneath of a 135i.
The traction control intervenes ALL the time in the dry in the first 3 gears. I have now taken to switching off the TC and leaving it in MDM. This lets you feel the power with some slip and leads to some very leary power slides...not sure I would do this in the wet but then it has not rained here for weeks.
I am concerned with the quality of the transmission though - the clutch in particular is showing some signs of wear (smells bad) and there is some noise from the box when stationary - it may be just the bedding in process - fingers crossed - surely BMW would have tested that its up to the revised power - and the press have not said anything to back this up - I bet that Orange press car has been given some serious stick over the past few months.
This is one car that I really would like to keep long term - last week I took a Cayman S out for a comparison and it really is a case of "one mans meat...".. I still love the looks of the Cayman, it looked tiny parked alongside the 1M, but it felt slower until you really worked the engine and it felt much lighter in the steering. Love the noise behind you - but so compromised for space, the cabin closes in on you, the boot is tiny (front and back) and of course its a 2 seater.
I love the 1M low down slug of torque, the turbo kicks in like a Focus RS that I owned a few months back, it really is wild. I have not run the thing in yet so I cannot confess to whether it runs out after 5K. For me driving the car around town it is more fun than I ever had in an M3. Because its a manual I can pull out of junctions with total control - whereas in the M3 DCT it takes some practice to get the best out of it. There is a lull in the M3 that makes it feel just plain heavy - and for me that experience dulls the car. Sure anything north of 4500rpm and it was amazing - but in normal driving thats not what you need.
Will the 1M fair well on the track - I will find out soon once the running in service has been done.
I doubt it will lap Brands quicker than my R26R but I will let you all know.
Weighing it all up - for me at any rate - the 1M is just about special enough to deserve the badge. It is so much more than a 135i - honestly - and I too doubt that it will hold its value initially. But it will bounce back in years to come..trouble is I never keep my cars long enough to experience it. I always bail too early; Alfa Romeo SZ, Lancia Delta Integrale, RS Cosworth, Renault 5 turbo 2....all sold too early.
Truth is - like Pugsey, I dont care what it will be worth - I just care that I have owned one and it has made me smile like an idiot...every day, normally in 2nd gear at about 3000rpm......
Clio V6 and my Megane R26R. I used to work for Porsche GB at the time of the launch of the
Cayman. I have absorbed all of the posts on this thread, laughed at some, took offence at others
and like a lamb to the slaughter want to add my opinion (snipers take aim...).
Mine is a bog standard car in white - as I wanted it is pure as possible and felt that adding options
will put the weight and price up - both pointless in my opinion.
I have done plenty of miles in an M3 DCT with EDC, a Cayman S manual, and a 135i DCT.
Personally (and thats my point) I am totally smitten with the 1M. Sure its a head-turner, to both the people that know and those that dont. The sound of the engine on cold start is close to M3 in noise and quality, however it drops off dramatically after 30secs, but then so does the M3. There is a bit of a drone around 3K at speed, but in town it sounds throaty and menacing. The M button feels like it sharpens throttle response by around 30% - gives you the impression of another 50hp on part throttle. The manual seats go much lower than electric ones - the magazines have only tested high spec cars with the electric seats so they need to try mine. I put the car on a ramp at work and only from that view can you appreciate that BMW really have lifted the suspension out of the M3 and adjusted the body to fit. All of the suspension arms are marked " M Division", the LSD and oil coolers are in situ, with the cooling fins hanging very low indeed. Its so much more special than looking at the underneath of a 135i.
The traction control intervenes ALL the time in the dry in the first 3 gears. I have now taken to switching off the TC and leaving it in MDM. This lets you feel the power with some slip and leads to some very leary power slides...not sure I would do this in the wet but then it has not rained here for weeks.
I am concerned with the quality of the transmission though - the clutch in particular is showing some signs of wear (smells bad) and there is some noise from the box when stationary - it may be just the bedding in process - fingers crossed - surely BMW would have tested that its up to the revised power - and the press have not said anything to back this up - I bet that Orange press car has been given some serious stick over the past few months.
This is one car that I really would like to keep long term - last week I took a Cayman S out for a comparison and it really is a case of "one mans meat...".. I still love the looks of the Cayman, it looked tiny parked alongside the 1M, but it felt slower until you really worked the engine and it felt much lighter in the steering. Love the noise behind you - but so compromised for space, the cabin closes in on you, the boot is tiny (front and back) and of course its a 2 seater.
I love the 1M low down slug of torque, the turbo kicks in like a Focus RS that I owned a few months back, it really is wild. I have not run the thing in yet so I cannot confess to whether it runs out after 5K. For me driving the car around town it is more fun than I ever had in an M3. Because its a manual I can pull out of junctions with total control - whereas in the M3 DCT it takes some practice to get the best out of it. There is a lull in the M3 that makes it feel just plain heavy - and for me that experience dulls the car. Sure anything north of 4500rpm and it was amazing - but in normal driving thats not what you need.
Will the 1M fair well on the track - I will find out soon once the running in service has been done.
I doubt it will lap Brands quicker than my R26R but I will let you all know.
Weighing it all up - for me at any rate - the 1M is just about special enough to deserve the badge. It is so much more than a 135i - honestly - and I too doubt that it will hold its value initially. But it will bounce back in years to come..trouble is I never keep my cars long enough to experience it. I always bail too early; Alfa Romeo SZ, Lancia Delta Integrale, RS Cosworth, Renault 5 turbo 2....all sold too early.
Truth is - like Pugsey, I dont care what it will be worth - I just care that I have owned one and it has made me smile like an idiot...every day, normally in 2nd gear at about 3000rpm......
tonylal said:
I have been running a 1M for a month now - It is my daily car parked alongside my
Clio V6 and my Megane R26R. I used to work for Porsche GB at the time of the launch of the
Cayman. I have absorbed all of the posts on this thread, laughed at some, took offence at others
and like a lamb to the slaughter want to add my opinion (snipers take aim...).
Mine is a bog standard car in white - as I wanted it is pure as possible and felt that adding options
will put the weight and price up - both pointless in my opinion.
I have done plenty of miles in an M3 DCT with EDC, a Cayman S manual, and a 135i DCT.
Personally (and thats my point) I am totally smitten with the 1M. Sure its a head-turner, to both the people that know and those that dont. The sound of the engine on cold start is close to M3 in noise and quality, however it drops off dramatically after 30secs, but then so does the M3. There is a bit of a drone around 3K at speed, but in town it sounds throaty and menacing. The M button feels like it sharpens throttle response by around 30% - gives you the impression of another 50hp on part throttle. The manual seats go much lower than electric ones - the magazines have only tested high spec cars with the electric seats so they need to try mine. I put the car on a ramp at work and only from that view can you appreciate that BMW really have lifted the suspension out of the M3 and adjusted the body to fit. All of the suspension arms are marked " M Division", the LSD and oil coolers are in situ, with the cooling fins hanging very low indeed. Its so much more special than looking at the underneath of a 135i.
The traction control intervenes ALL the time in the dry in the first 3 gears. I have now taken to switching off the TC and leaving it in MDM. This lets you feel the power with some slip and leads to some very leary power slides...not sure I would do this in the wet but then it has not rained here for weeks.
I am concerned with the quality of the transmission though - the clutch in particular is showing some signs of wear (smells bad) and there is some noise from the box when stationary - it may be just the bedding in process - fingers crossed - surely BMW would have tested that its up to the revised power - and the press have not said anything to back this up - I bet that Orange press car has been given some serious stick over the past few months.
This is one car that I really would like to keep long term - last week I took a Cayman S out for a comparison and it really is a case of "one mans meat...".. I still love the looks of the Cayman, it looked tiny parked alongside the 1M, but it felt slower until you really worked the engine and it felt much lighter in the steering. Love the noise behind you - but so compromised for space, the cabin closes in on you, the boot is tiny (front and back) and of course its a 2 seater.
I love the 1M low down slug of torque, the turbo kicks in like a Focus RS that I owned a few months back, it really is wild. I have not run the thing in yet so I cannot confess to whether it runs out after 5K. For me driving the car around town it is more fun than I ever had in an M3. Because its a manual I can pull out of junctions with total control - whereas in the M3 DCT it takes some practice to get the best out of it. There is a lull in the M3 that makes it feel just plain heavy - and for me that experience dulls the car. Sure anything north of 4500rpm and it was amazing - but in normal driving thats not what you need.
Will the 1M fair well on the track - I will find out soon once the running in service has been done.
I doubt it will lap Brands quicker than my R26R but I will let you all know.
Weighing it all up - for me at any rate - the 1M is just about special enough to deserve the badge. It is so much more than a 135i - honestly - and I too doubt that it will hold its value initially. But it will bounce back in years to come..trouble is I never keep my cars long enough to experience it. I always bail too early; Alfa Romeo SZ, Lancia Delta Integrale, RS Cosworth, Renault 5 turbo 2....all sold too early.
Truth is - like Pugsey, I dont care what it will be worth - I just care that I have owned one and it has made me smile like an idiot...every day, normally in 2nd gear at about 3000rpm......
agree 100% with everything said above.Clio V6 and my Megane R26R. I used to work for Porsche GB at the time of the launch of the
Cayman. I have absorbed all of the posts on this thread, laughed at some, took offence at others
and like a lamb to the slaughter want to add my opinion (snipers take aim...).
Mine is a bog standard car in white - as I wanted it is pure as possible and felt that adding options
will put the weight and price up - both pointless in my opinion.
I have done plenty of miles in an M3 DCT with EDC, a Cayman S manual, and a 135i DCT.
Personally (and thats my point) I am totally smitten with the 1M. Sure its a head-turner, to both the people that know and those that dont. The sound of the engine on cold start is close to M3 in noise and quality, however it drops off dramatically after 30secs, but then so does the M3. There is a bit of a drone around 3K at speed, but in town it sounds throaty and menacing. The M button feels like it sharpens throttle response by around 30% - gives you the impression of another 50hp on part throttle. The manual seats go much lower than electric ones - the magazines have only tested high spec cars with the electric seats so they need to try mine. I put the car on a ramp at work and only from that view can you appreciate that BMW really have lifted the suspension out of the M3 and adjusted the body to fit. All of the suspension arms are marked " M Division", the LSD and oil coolers are in situ, with the cooling fins hanging very low indeed. Its so much more special than looking at the underneath of a 135i.
The traction control intervenes ALL the time in the dry in the first 3 gears. I have now taken to switching off the TC and leaving it in MDM. This lets you feel the power with some slip and leads to some very leary power slides...not sure I would do this in the wet but then it has not rained here for weeks.
I am concerned with the quality of the transmission though - the clutch in particular is showing some signs of wear (smells bad) and there is some noise from the box when stationary - it may be just the bedding in process - fingers crossed - surely BMW would have tested that its up to the revised power - and the press have not said anything to back this up - I bet that Orange press car has been given some serious stick over the past few months.
This is one car that I really would like to keep long term - last week I took a Cayman S out for a comparison and it really is a case of "one mans meat...".. I still love the looks of the Cayman, it looked tiny parked alongside the 1M, but it felt slower until you really worked the engine and it felt much lighter in the steering. Love the noise behind you - but so compromised for space, the cabin closes in on you, the boot is tiny (front and back) and of course its a 2 seater.
I love the 1M low down slug of torque, the turbo kicks in like a Focus RS that I owned a few months back, it really is wild. I have not run the thing in yet so I cannot confess to whether it runs out after 5K. For me driving the car around town it is more fun than I ever had in an M3. Because its a manual I can pull out of junctions with total control - whereas in the M3 DCT it takes some practice to get the best out of it. There is a lull in the M3 that makes it feel just plain heavy - and for me that experience dulls the car. Sure anything north of 4500rpm and it was amazing - but in normal driving thats not what you need.
Will the 1M fair well on the track - I will find out soon once the running in service has been done.
I doubt it will lap Brands quicker than my R26R but I will let you all know.
Weighing it all up - for me at any rate - the 1M is just about special enough to deserve the badge. It is so much more than a 135i - honestly - and I too doubt that it will hold its value initially. But it will bounce back in years to come..trouble is I never keep my cars long enough to experience it. I always bail too early; Alfa Romeo SZ, Lancia Delta Integrale, RS Cosworth, Renault 5 turbo 2....all sold too early.
Truth is - like Pugsey, I dont care what it will be worth - I just care that I have owned one and it has made me smile like an idiot...every day, normally in 2nd gear at about 3000rpm......
and to add, for anyone interested, we have had a last minute cancellation on a build slot. So if you're looking for a 1M for handover late July-ish, get in touch! Would need to contact me before Monday if you'd want it to your spec, otherwise think we're planning on dressing it with pro-nav, folding mirrors and heated seats
Pugsey said:
Come on chaps - nice friendly topic this one! And stop talking about that fat lardy old M3 will you - yesterdays car lol. Joking, joking!!
Re £costs, try this one for size. A 997turbo COSTS Porsche approx £10k more to build than a BoxsterS..............
So the Cayman R is incredible value for money.Re £costs, try this one for size. A 997turbo COSTS Porsche approx £10k more to build than a BoxsterS..............
Particularly in the UK... ?
Great review Tony. I can't add anything useful to what you wrote, but I did see a black 1M on the M25 today and I must say it has serious road presence. I stopped alongside to give the thumbs up and haven't seen someone smiling so much from behind the wheel for a long time despite the fact he was presumably running it in due to his speed. Please tell us more Tony once you get to stretch it's legs a big more.
tonylal said:
... it has made me smile like an idiot......
Totally agree with your comments mate - had a 1M for four days but was enough to convince me to order one to replace my 135i DCT (as well as my e46 CSL). If I had time for track days and trips to the ring then the CSL may have stayed but for road driving the 1M is more fun (IMHO).Interesting points about the Cayman. Fully agree that the 1M makes the Cayman-S feel slow - its forced me to consider some minor tweaks (gt exhaust, intake plenum, gt3 throttle body) to try and narrow the gap. For me, the cayman still has a v different feel to the 1M - I'd say it feels marginally more poised at times but would be interested in others' views.
As an aside, I have a pair of BMW Performance seats at home, (without the folding function, so i think meant for the e90 or 5 door 1 series). Does anyone know if they can be installed in the 1M ? Or would I need to buy the version with the forward 'fold' function ? They're in immaculate condition and would consider selling to partly fund purchase of the correct seats.
Should add it looks like the BMWP seats have been installed in a 1M: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52...
I'm just hoping the saloon version of the seats can also be installed!
Edited by Kananga on Sunday 5th June 01:35
My 1M was ordered on Monday but I think the wait is going to be something like 16 weeks!
Just waiting for my build date to be confirmed, but I do hope it's good. I've sold my Lotus Exige S 260 for it (I need a more practical car) and it was the only car out there that ticked all of the boxes!
Can't wait
Just waiting for my build date to be confirmed, but I do hope it's good. I've sold my Lotus Exige S 260 for it (I need a more practical car) and it was the only car out there that ticked all of the boxes!
Can't wait
Photos of the car loaned to Kananga (YH11NUE) in the 12 hour slot we had between when he dropped it off and it was taken back to HQ. These are taken by Tomirri.. an excellent photographer (well worth checking out his other BMW stuff!)
http://www.tomirriphotography.com/new/1M/
http://www.tomirriphotography.com/new/1M/
Porscheplayer said:
AOK said:
Will be sold at list price - no more, no less.
Give it 6 months 
You really think an unregistered example of a limited-run car with such strong reviews would struggle to sell?
Kananga said:
Totally agree with your comments mate - had a 1M for four days but was enough to convince me to order one to replace my 135i DCT (as well as my e46 CSL). If I had time for track days and trips to the ring then the CSL may have stayed but for road driving the 1M is more fun (IMHO).
Interesting points about the Cayman. Fully agree that the 1M makes the Cayman-S feel slow - its forced me to consider some minor tweaks (gt exhaust, intake plenum, gt3 throttle body) to try and narrow the gap. For me, the cayman still has a v different feel to the 1M - I'd say it feels marginally more poised at times but would be interested in others' views.
As an aside, I have a pair of BMW Performance seats at home, (without the folding function, so i think meant for the e90 or 5 door 1 series). Does anyone know if they can be installed in the 1M ? Or would I need to buy the version with the forward 'fold' function ? They're in immaculate condition and would consider selling to partly fund purchase of the correct seats.
Should add it looks like the BMWP seats have been installed in a 1M: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52...
I'm just hoping the saloon version of the seats can also be installed!
God the 1m in black looks incredible. CSL wheels really make it look awesome. Interesting points about the Cayman. Fully agree that the 1M makes the Cayman-S feel slow - its forced me to consider some minor tweaks (gt exhaust, intake plenum, gt3 throttle body) to try and narrow the gap. For me, the cayman still has a v different feel to the 1M - I'd say it feels marginally more poised at times but would be interested in others' views.
As an aside, I have a pair of BMW Performance seats at home, (without the folding function, so i think meant for the e90 or 5 door 1 series). Does anyone know if they can be installed in the 1M ? Or would I need to buy the version with the forward 'fold' function ? They're in immaculate condition and would consider selling to partly fund purchase of the correct seats.
Should add it looks like the BMWP seats have been installed in a 1M: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52...
I'm just hoping the saloon version of the seats can also be installed!
Edited by Kananga on Sunday 5th June 01:35
It's so 'beefy' looking
Got mine on Saturday morning. 1M in Black. All in can say for now is wow. Awesome car.
Haven't driven an M3 so will see if I can drive one after I have run the 1M in to form a comparison.
Always wanted an M3 but as soon as they announced a 1M, I lost interest. The current E92 M3 is just not what I am after, too big for my driving preference.
Haven't driven an M3 so will see if I can drive one after I have run the 1M in to form a comparison.
Always wanted an M3 but as soon as they announced a 1M, I lost interest. The current E92 M3 is just not what I am after, too big for my driving preference.
Looks really mean in black in those pics. I've ordered an orange car but status is still pre-production, half tempted to change to black. I haven't seen an orange car in the metal - bet it will look great but a big risk if not!!
AOK said:
Photos of the car loaned to Kananga (YH11NUE) in the 12 hour slot we had between when he dropped it off and it was taken back to HQ. These are taken by Tomirri.. an excellent photographer (well worth checking out his other BMW stuff!)
http://www.tomirriphotography.com/new/1M/
http://www.tomirriphotography.com/new/1M/
R1_NUR said:
Off topic - sorry. What colour is that M3?
1M looks fab in black.
It's called Frozen Silver - I understand its the only European example in that colour, from the factory. We've been given it to see what kind of feedback we get on it from customers in the showroom - if its thumbs up, they will introduce it along side their Frozen Black and Frozen Grey paint codes1M looks fab in black.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/RoadTestsHisto...
Link to Autocar full road test....
Think they are a bit harsh describing the looks as "blessed with looks only its mother could love" - I think it looks fantastic!
Link to Autocar full road test....
Think they are a bit harsh describing the looks as "blessed with looks only its mother could love" - I think it looks fantastic!
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