1M vs 135iM (or whatever it's called).A layman's thoughts.
Discussion
So on Friday after just shy of 10k miles in it I traded in my wonderful 1M for a brand new 135iM,both valencia orange.In terms of spec I trust my long established contact at Dick Lovett implicitly and so he specced both cars ex the colour (chosen by my 6 year old son) with an eye on resale given he knows he'll be the one reselling them which seems reasonable,but I guess both are relatively heavily specced with toys.
In truth the change was somewhat forced by a new baby (second kid) who arrived eight weeks ago meaning a the hatchback configuration is just that much more practical.The 1M was my second (first was white,did 6k miles),but having struggled a bit with the folding front seat for the last two years or so,when the new arrival was imminent I decided it was time for a change.
I am very fortunate to have owned most of the lovely cars I have coveted over the last 15 years,and currently have an MP412C and Maserati MC Stradale amongst others but in terms of pounds per thrills (if that makes sense,and I hope it does) the 1M might be the best car I've ever owned.For me it just did everything superbly.I realise,having parted with it,that I must have driven it 99% of the days I owned it,if only for a mile or two,which tells me intuitively that I must have WANTED to drive it,and again,I can't think of anything I've owned that's made me feel like that.Not GT3's,M3's,911 Turbos,Caymans and certainly not more exotic stuff.The 1M never,ever felt 'precious' (by which I don't mean valuable),it always felt like it could look after itself,especially in central London,in a way that nothing else I've ever owned could,perhaps bar a 996 turbo from hazy recollection.
Also I have never received more positive attention in any car.Not that that is or was a consideration,but given certain cars receive their fair share of negative attention,the amount of thumbs up,favourable comments,friendly waves,and most of all polite enquiries,was really nice.I shall miss that.Motoring journalists far more capable than I could ever be (both as writers and drivers) have eulogised enough about why it's so great to drive,so let me just emphasise how great a car it is to live with.I won't harp on about the looks,noise,torque,build quality,manual shift and terrific compactness,but I could!
In terms of criticism my only one would be how skittish it felt in the wet.Probably says more about me as a driver than anything,but it really was a handful at times...uncomfortably so when it really poured down and I was on a motorway or something.
I've only had the 135 for a couple of days and a couple of hundred miles so I'll opine more at a later date when I've gotten to know it better.I think it feels a fair bit softer and better suited for my current requirements.I dare say it'll be a better 'family' car and that it'll get under my skin in the way that the 1M(s) did.I really mean that.Performance wise I guess my only observation is that despite the lower bhp that (paddle) gearbox makes the speed feel even more accessible,if in a lazier way,and in terms of tyre/road noise at cruising and motorway speeds it's far more relaxing.I always felt that my everyday car had to have a manual 'box,the 135 is the first I've ever had that isn't,and I must say its gearbox feels like an absolute masterpiece.Certainly better than cars several times more expensive in my experience.
Anyway,hopefully that gives a bit of a flavour.Both fantastic cars,truly.If anyone picks up a vo 1M from Lovetts anytime soon please cherish her as I did.Proper car.
In truth the change was somewhat forced by a new baby (second kid) who arrived eight weeks ago meaning a the hatchback configuration is just that much more practical.The 1M was my second (first was white,did 6k miles),but having struggled a bit with the folding front seat for the last two years or so,when the new arrival was imminent I decided it was time for a change.
I am very fortunate to have owned most of the lovely cars I have coveted over the last 15 years,and currently have an MP412C and Maserati MC Stradale amongst others but in terms of pounds per thrills (if that makes sense,and I hope it does) the 1M might be the best car I've ever owned.For me it just did everything superbly.I realise,having parted with it,that I must have driven it 99% of the days I owned it,if only for a mile or two,which tells me intuitively that I must have WANTED to drive it,and again,I can't think of anything I've owned that's made me feel like that.Not GT3's,M3's,911 Turbos,Caymans and certainly not more exotic stuff.The 1M never,ever felt 'precious' (by which I don't mean valuable),it always felt like it could look after itself,especially in central London,in a way that nothing else I've ever owned could,perhaps bar a 996 turbo from hazy recollection.
Also I have never received more positive attention in any car.Not that that is or was a consideration,but given certain cars receive their fair share of negative attention,the amount of thumbs up,favourable comments,friendly waves,and most of all polite enquiries,was really nice.I shall miss that.Motoring journalists far more capable than I could ever be (both as writers and drivers) have eulogised enough about why it's so great to drive,so let me just emphasise how great a car it is to live with.I won't harp on about the looks,noise,torque,build quality,manual shift and terrific compactness,but I could!
In terms of criticism my only one would be how skittish it felt in the wet.Probably says more about me as a driver than anything,but it really was a handful at times...uncomfortably so when it really poured down and I was on a motorway or something.
I've only had the 135 for a couple of days and a couple of hundred miles so I'll opine more at a later date when I've gotten to know it better.I think it feels a fair bit softer and better suited for my current requirements.I dare say it'll be a better 'family' car and that it'll get under my skin in the way that the 1M(s) did.I really mean that.Performance wise I guess my only observation is that despite the lower bhp that (paddle) gearbox makes the speed feel even more accessible,if in a lazier way,and in terms of tyre/road noise at cruising and motorway speeds it's far more relaxing.I always felt that my everyday car had to have a manual 'box,the 135 is the first I've ever had that isn't,and I must say its gearbox feels like an absolute masterpiece.Certainly better than cars several times more expensive in my experience.
Anyway,hopefully that gives a bit of a flavour.Both fantastic cars,truly.If anyone picks up a vo 1M from Lovetts anytime soon please cherish her as I did.Proper car.
They're good fun these little 1Ms aren't they 
My friend picks up his M135i at the end of April and I can't wait to have a ride in it. I don't think you'll be disappointed as I think the M135i looks to be a cracking car!
Regarding your comments about the 1M being skittish in the wet. I found this as well until I changed the stock PS2 tyres over for the newer and improved Pilot Super Sports. Wet grip now is stunning and in the dry...well you just laugh at the grip. The M135i comes with PSS tyres as standard I think, so I'd be interested I hear how you find it.
My friend picks up his M135i at the end of April and I can't wait to have a ride in it. I don't think you'll be disappointed as I think the M135i looks to be a cracking car!
Regarding your comments about the 1M being skittish in the wet. I found this as well until I changed the stock PS2 tyres over for the newer and improved Pilot Super Sports. Wet grip now is stunning and in the dry...well you just laugh at the grip. The M135i comes with PSS tyres as standard I think, so I'd be interested I hear how you find it.
I've had my M135i for just over a week now and it's every bit the do-everything-car I had hoped it would be.
Relaxing, comfortable small family hatch with reasonable fuel economy one moment. Quick little sports car the next. Very understated too, certainly surprised some big car drivers with it's turn of speed (though that might have something to do with the 116d badge on the back of mine).
Relaxing, comfortable small family hatch with reasonable fuel economy one moment. Quick little sports car the next. Very understated too, certainly surprised some big car drivers with it's turn of speed (though that might have something to do with the 116d badge on the back of mine).
Funnily enough I sat in a used Valencia 1M at the weekend - in Sytner Harold Wood. Gorgeous looking car (bar the colour) bit too in-ya-face for me. A far prettier car than my M135i on the outside, but quite a bit smaller inside. I also found it quite subdued inside for an M Car (no bad thing), looked ready for a fight on the outside mind.
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