BMW 1M in Valencia Orange

[anomaly]

I picked it up yesterday and I'm totally smitten. I have desperately wanted one of these since the launch last year but couldn't justify it then so I have waited. I can really see what all of the reviews of these mean: it is simply awesome to drive. Very fast (fast enough for me anyway) and incredibly well balanced. It feels such a "together" car and immense fun to throw around aided also by the fact that it's so small. I think I may be keeping this for a long time....











Oh, ignore the plate. It is the previous owners and will be going back.

[anomaly]

The other one is a 120d MSport. I've always enjoyed it but it obviously isn't in the same ball park as the 1M. The MSport manages to combine a far harsher ride than the 1M (possibly the runflats play a part) with less confidence in the corners. For what it is, it's a good car but not a great one.

[anomaly]

Thanks for all the positive comments. The only three colours 1Ms are made in is white, black or orange. I don't generally like white cars, I have a black 120 Coupe already and I want something different. The orange seems to change in different lights from very bright to rust colour. The more I see it the more pleased I am with the colour.

[anomaly]

KennyGT said:

Superb car. I would love a 1M, in that colour as well, looks superb.

Whats with M3, the previous owner a bit weird ?

I have to say at Sunday service a white one was parked next to a E90 M3, the 1M looked more mean and made the M3 look tame. Cracking car

Thanks. The previous owner apparently usually has M3s but she made an exception for the 1M. She has gone back to an M3 again now. My gain

[anomaly]

tbc said:

just don;t understand the hype

it's an old model with a bit more power

and the amount of cars that are better for 40k is simply huge

As others have said, have you driven one? I thought long and hard about buying this car and possible alternatives. I really couldn't think of anything else that came close for the price so I'd be interested to hear whats on your huge list. The only other serious contender for me was an early Aston V8 Vantage but as a daily driver this is the better option.

Edited for typo.

Edited by anomaly on Monday 24th September 18:03

[anomaly]

jaybarts said:

Literally just drove past you on the A52, looks very nice in the flesh!

Spotted already! I was on my way to work trying to minimise use of the power in the appalling conditions. What were you in?

[anomaly]

Regarding the paint finish, I hadn't noticed it until it was pointed out but yes it is disappointing. It doesn't seem so obvious in the flesh though unless you are looking for it.

[anomaly]

Powerrr said:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

Have a look through this when you have a spare hour. This is extremely difficult to do but the effects are outstanding, as mentioned in this link the standards of paint that come from BMW is shocking considering what your paying.


Gorgeous car otherwise OP.

Really interesting link, thanks. I was not at all aware of this before but feel a bit gutted now. Is this particularly a problem with BMW and Mercedes or is a generally widespread with mass produced modern cars?

[anomaly]

Update after one week of ownership and use on the daily grind. What a fantastic car. The pull at low revs is very impressive then it keeps going to almost a wail at high revs. Love dropping into 4th at 70 and aiming for the horizon like a missile! It's very confidence inspiring in the bends too, very flat and neutral though I haven't attempted silly speeds yet. Also the BMW sat nav is excellent with great features when connected to my iPhone. It does seem to attract a lot of attention too, mostly positive.

Negatives? Cabin space for oddments is lousy. There is quite an annoying boom at 70 - 75 mph from the exhaust that settles above this. And it's going back to the dealer tomorrow for a software update to overcome the recently highlighted security glitch.

Overall very pleased.

[anomaly]

Oh, economy. How could I forget? 22 mpg pottering about and 27 on a fastish run. Figures from the OBC.

[anomaly]

Thought that it's time to update this thread after two months of using the 1M everyday. I really pleased with the car overall though there have been a couple of issues.

The well documented OBD security issue necessitated a return to the supplying dealer in Shrewsbury who collected and returned the car to Nottingham after doing the required software update. It is apparently not a warranty issue or a recall and up to the goodwill of the supplying dealer (or so they said!) so I couldn't get it done locally.

Since buying the car I have noticed a rubbing noise on occasion when turning right on medium lock. Rybrook BMW in Shrewsbury couldn't find a problem with it and it wasn't happening all the time. Some internet trawling, particularly on the 1addicts website, revealed it as a known issue on the 1M. The 19" tyres are on the large side for a 1 series and clearance against the inner wheel arch is minimal. So minimal that it is, at times, non-existent! BMW are aware of the problem it seems and Sytner in Nottingham have replaced the plastic inner arches under warranty. It still however rubs occasionally but I really cant be bothered to take it back and be without it again so I'll wait until the next service.

I've been using the car daily which usually involves an eight mile each way commute and some home visits as I'm a rural GP. This car gets a lot of attention! I'm surprised by how many people know what it is and recognise that its quite special. There are lots of comments at petrol stations etc and even the odd photo! I initially ran it on regular unleaded but found it a bit lumpy, particularly when cold. I've now changed to Shell V-power and it's noticeably better: smoother and more responsive.

I attended a family gathering in Dublin a couple of weeks ago so rather than face Ryanair I took the 1M on the Ferry: there and back in 24 hours. It was faultless and really comfortable on the motorway. The BMW Professional Nav is excellent and intuitive and I love the way it plays music from my phone via. bluetooth. It does have quite an annoying drone from the exhaust at 70 but it seems to settle above this. Again, it seems this is a known issue.

I'm considering winter tyres. Autocar rave about the effect they had on their long term 1M so maybe I will but Sytner want £1900 for a set with 18" wheels. I have an old Jeep Cherokee which I might just use instead if the weather gets really bad but we'll see.

Consumption is a pretty steady 22 mpg around town and commuting with 27 mpg on the motorway. Not bad I suppose for this type of car.

Overall I love it and definitely no regrets!

[anomaly]

ChrisBuer said:

Great car OP!

I too have a 1M (linked my thread below if you want to read a fellow owners musings on the car) and I think they're superb.

Enjoy

My 1M thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks Chris. Love your car and reading about yours and Aussie's on here was one of the reasons I took the plunge!

[anomaly]

Some new photos with the correct plates. Just been to the Cotswolds then Central London with it for a few days. The car's performing faultlessly.

Edited by anomaly on Sunday 9th December 22:11

Edited by anomaly on Sunday 9th December 22:13

[anomaly]

Time to update this thread. Still using the 1M daily, and more! We have just returned from a two week trip touring Spain and Portugal in it. Took the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander then worked our way through Lisbon, the Algarve, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Marbella, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Bilbao then back to Santander. Nearly 3000 miles in total and the car was faultless.

Some photos from the trip:


High quality road to a Portuguese beach!


The most southwesterly point in Europe:


Leaving the Batcave! A car elevator from the hotel carpark in Oldtown Cadiz


Main road into Gibraltar crosses the runway!


On the street in Barcelona:


Some stats from the journey:


And bikes on the roof in the Peak District, this is a 1M that gets used...


Overall it's great. Can't see myself replacing it anytime soon.

[anomaly]

Bit of an update. In preparation for some cold weather I've taken the plunge and bought some winter tyres. Last year was hairy at times on summer rubber. I wanted the BMW recommended set-up for the 1M/M3 which is type 270 wheels with Michelin Pilot Alpin tyres. The summer set up is 245/35 19 front and 265/35 19 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 2s. The winter set up is 235/40 18 all round. Apparently a "square" set up is better in the winter.

BMW wanted £1900 for all this but I found a very lightly used and immaculate set for a lot less. They've been on for over a week now and I'm quite impressed. Obviously this compares to well worn summer rubber but the winter set up is quite grippy, particularly in the wet. The ride on 18s is far superior and the car is quieter. Narrower rubber at the rear makes it very difficult to get the power down in the dry though when pressing on and there is a lot of intervention from the DTC. The main downside is the looks. There can't be many small cars that make 18s look small but the 1M certainly does particularly at the rear. The real test will be if we get any snow.





The car is going better than ever. Now on 44000 miles rising and still can't think of a better all rounder for me.

[anomaly]

Trtj said:

Very nice car. Question, why is a square set-up better in Winter?

Not really sure but all four winters are significantly narrower than the summer set up. Wide rubber and snow don't mix well I think.

[anomaly]

Another update. The car continues to be faultless! Glad to be back on summer rubber now, the old Michelin PS2s were effectively dead after 15,000 miles so I've replaced them with Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Difficult comparing exactly with well worn PS2s but they're certainly a big improvement on the winter rubber.

A minor irritant is the BMW variable servicing. It seems that something is needed at the dealer every few months: rather than a full service where everything is done together the car requests for example a check, then an oil change, then brake fluid change etc. This means lots of visits to the dealer who seem pretty good actually. At least its all paid for on the service pack. Its coming up for 3 years old next month and I think I'd be mad not to go for the BMW extended warranty which is £279 - £490 per year depending on excess.

Just returned from a quick trip to Denmark and Sweden. I saw only one other e82 on the whole trip and certainly no 1Ms! The car is always a great companion on long trips and it was one of the reasons I drove rather than flew. Out of interest I always go for valet parking at hotels and haven't had any bad experiences (that I know of). How do others feel about leaving their pride and joys with the doorman?

Anyway some photos:


Outside the impressive new Copenhagen Opera House


Crossing the amazing Oresund Bridge to Sweden in foul weather

[anomaly]

Yes it is 450 for the UK market, not sure of the numbers worldwide.

We took the overnight ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark. It was then a 3 hour drive to Copenhagen and a short drive across the bridge to Malmo. It worked well, I'd recommend it.

[anomaly]

First MOT today and… one advisory. A ball joint is worn. It's not quite three years old yet so the warranty will cover it and full alignment at Sytner too which is nice. A bit surprised it didn't fly through though.

[anomaly]

Busy weekend with the 1M. Just returned from a weekend in Scotland at a mate's wedding in Perthshire. We had a group shot with the three "interesting" cars at the ceremony though the 1M was a little overshadowed by the Rapide and Lambo! Took advantage of being north of the border and had a great drive through Glenshee and then stayed in Dundee for a couple of nights.

Now on 53,000 miles and going great. No idea what I'd replace this with...

Some pics: