Monday 8th October 2012

You Know You Want To: BMW 1 M

Harris ponders the 'one car to rule them all' purchase and returns to his original conclusion...

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Just enjoyed a quick cuppa and a few Oreos and considered what car I would like to run if I only had access to a single everyday machine for the next 12 months. And by some margin it was a BMW 1M.

Continued desirability = solid values

This is surprising, because I conducted the same piece of research in my head about a year ago, and reached the same conclusion. Has there not been another sporting car I’d rather own and live with released in the past year? Not the 991, and not a Boxster – simply because I need back seats.

And what about the impending 1 M residual doom predicted by many people? Yep, they got it wrong.

There aren’t many 1 Ms for sale right now. Just 450 came to the UK, and you’d have to suppose that the lucky few who own them are enjoying the experience. (Just look at the packs of them that turn up at any Sunday Service - Ed.) Every time I drove one last year, I thought it was the most interesting package, partly because it didn’t conform to the normal M behaviour.

Drives like a weapon, looks like it in black

In being turbocharged it had masses of low-effort performance and half-decent fuel economy. On-boost it was a complete animal and, with the systems switched off, it was plain spiteful. In other words it was the antidote to modern, anyone-can-drive-it performance, but it was still technically very capable. Crazy fast too. I wouldn’t want to try and stay with one in an M3. I suspect the little brother might embarrass big bro.

There was just one frustration with the cars that I drove: they were all that burnt orange colour. I think they look better in the other two choices: black or white. And that leads me to another reason for wanting a 1 M. It’s infantile and pathetic, but I just think they look superb. Especially in black.

A new M135i arrives tomorrow for a week’s loan. I’m already excited by what it might offer, but the 1 M just looks so much better.

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BMW 1 SERIES M COUPE
Price:  £41,500
Why you should: It’s a 1 M. It’s black.
Why you shouldn’t: Um, nope, can’t think of anything

See the original ad here.

 

[aussieinlondon]

Ahmen.....

Edited by aussieinlondon on Monday 8th October 17:12

[aussieinlondon]

GroundEffect said:

It's still over 1500kg. It's not a light car.

Actually it is 1495kg (so pretty close) without the driver (which does vary from driver to driver lol)

[aussieinlondon]

sgq89 said:

I had already responded to this arguement if you read through the thread.

however, I do feel that the M3, M5 and M6 all offer something slightly different to each other, meaning you could choose any of the 3 depending on what suits your needs, whereas the 1M just seems like a budget version of the M3. Thats how I see it anyway.

You once had a porsche boxter right?

Was that your choice because you could not afford a cayman?

[aussieinlondon]

Oddball RS said:

Great car, but how can this fit the one car rule? you can't carry anything or fit anyone in the back in comfort?

A couple of weekends ago blasting around the evo triangle and the black mountains, yesterday the monthly trip to costco and piled it all in the boot, SS later in the month and next a trip over to he IOM.....Does it all for us

[aussieinlondon]

Oddball RS said:

Just the two of you though?

At present yeah but there is a few with 3 plus I know of......

[aussieinlondon]

Verde said:

BMW 1M (except we don't get them here in the US).
V

You guys took delivery of 740

[aussieinlondon]

s m said:

I think the writer of the story had an M3 for quite a while, didn't you Chris?

But he's chosen a 1M too rather than a V8 M3

And there is a number of former e9* M3 owners over on bimmerpost who chopped in for the 1M and haven't looked back...

Though at least this time around the press has praised rather than ridiculed like many PH members, difference being, the press have driven to appreciate what it is all about rather than seeing a picture on phweb and proclaiming it crap! lol

Opinions make the world go around

[aussieinlondon]

DUBU said:

I don't doubt they are, but something special would really make a difference to the interior. For example the Recaro's Audi / VW put in their RS and R models.

I't not limited to the 1M, excluding the CSL a lot of M cars are the same, the e46 m3 seats look like something you'd sit in beside a fire drinking brandy (I love e46 M3 btw )

Seats make a huge diffence to a car imo, even sitting in traffic it can make a car feel special.

But keep in mind the recaro's Audi/VW fit are an expensive option and not the standard seating, but saying that you can fit the BMW Performance recaro, again an expensive seat to fit.....

[aussieinlondon]

And an even more expensive route, re-covered in matching leather and orange stitch



and the re-stitch route, but this one done by Recaro Germany to an exact.

[aussieinlondon]

And a good side of 4k with fitting .....

May look at recaro sportster cs's as a cheaper option and have then recovered, but in no rush as the current are well comfortable on longer drives and beats my recaro pole positions for such in my other car.....

Edited by aussieinlondon on Tuesday 9th October 11:20

[aussieinlondon]

Bring on the M Adventure part 2 IOM, my 1M's front splitter is dying for another caning

Edited by aussieinlondon on Tuesday 9th October 21:19

[aussieinlondon]

mlhj83 said:

Bring it on!!! Can't wait.

Think your splitter will have a good time there as they will serve their function on the A36 and the mountain road for lift reduction. There aren't any roads without speed restriction that will allow us to go airborne like we did in Wales unfortunately. Will be swapping to my track pads for the trip as I remember being really hard on the brakes with a few 1 mile+ straights. Will decided on swapping to my competition pack wheels once we get some weather info closer to the date, as I could do with additional lateral grip and stiffness on the IOM.

The air time was good hey, but the underside of my splitter did take a hammering but scrapes is all it was and still in one piece, but it is strong as and plenty of pre made testing on the ring and autobahn by Lightweight.

Looking forward to later next month, then the Euro drive 2013

[aussieinlondon]

Panayiotis said:

This thread single handedly forced my hand....I just put a deposit down on a white one...this is going to be fun.

Congrats and enjoy

[aussieinlondon]

crackthatoff said:

like the idea of it although a somewhat lazy and un informative review for the pistonheads massive... no vids and no comparisons !

Here you go, CH's vid and comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJPJxOndCXQ

[aussieinlondon]

Panayiotis said:

Thanks....and here she is!

Just need to figure out the best route from Sydney to Melbourne to get acquainted with her!

Monkey, its all your fault!

Nice one mate, and great colour

Well my ideal route may be a little far but I have done it before, Head west Sydney to Norseman (might as well get Perth in if you go that far lol) turn around and hit the Nullabor again and head east, drop into Adelaide for some fuel and then hit the coast finishing up on the great ocean road and back to dreary Melbourne......Now if your'e stretched for time head from Sydney via the Princess Highway south along the coast taking in the great scenery and beaches, hit the border and make your way into Melbourne via Orbost, Lakes Entrance and on to Bairnsdale, better still, from NSW side take a right at Batesman Bay to Canberra and head down to Cooma then take in the snowy mountain region, then down to Bombala and across the boarder or I would head over to Bega and hit the coast again down to Eden.......Now that could be a nice drive and to get acquainted with a great car, just don't bore yourself silly hitting the Hume all the way back.