Going from an E9* M3 to 1M... has anyone done it?
Discussion
On and off over the past wee while I’ve thought about whether I should make the switch from my E92 M3 ( Details Here) to a 1M.. but I’m really unsure about whether it would be a wise move or not, so I thought I’d see if anyone has done the same and if they were happy with the change or whether they regretted it at all?
I’d also be hoping that since they use some of the same OE parts, it’d mean that I could also transfer over the bits I’ve just bought for my M3 (MP Steering Wheel, AP Brakes & Recaro CS) which would improve the areas of a 1M which I’m not too keen on.
It’s a big consideration because if I did make the switch and for whatever reason didn’t enjoy it; then the chances of getting another E92 with low miles, in good condition and in the same spec as my current car would be really slim.
I’ve loved the 1M since it was launched and If I didn’t enjoy or like my M3 as much as I do then I’d just take the (calculated) gamble and see what happened; but given how attached I am to my M3, it’s not as easy as that!!
I’d also be hoping that since they use some of the same OE parts, it’d mean that I could also transfer over the bits I’ve just bought for my M3 (MP Steering Wheel, AP Brakes & Recaro CS) which would improve the areas of a 1M which I’m not too keen on.
It’s a big consideration because if I did make the switch and for whatever reason didn’t enjoy it; then the chances of getting another E92 with low miles, in good condition and in the same spec as my current car would be really slim.
I’ve loved the 1M since it was launched and If I didn’t enjoy or like my M3 as much as I do then I’d just take the (calculated) gamble and see what happened; but given how attached I am to my M3, it’s not as easy as that!!
I can't give you an opinion on going from a e92 m3 to 1M but I was in the same situation as you going from my e46 m3 that I was extremely attached to and have subsequently kept to a 1M that I bought new in 2011.
I must admit that the 1M was a car that I didn't immediately gel with, I thought it lacked a little in the sound department and I thought the ride to be a touch firm on bumpy back roads to say the least.
So it was either improve it and see what it was like or sell make a bit of profit and move on.
I decided to improve it so Akrapovic exhaust with n55 mids, Performance seats, Birds suspension, Forge intercooler, Cobb access port later it's now a car that I will never part with.
It is now just so much fun to drive and is just so chuckable like an overpowered go cart .
I would say go for it and with the bits you've already bought for the e92 you're a good way there !
I must admit that the 1M was a car that I didn't immediately gel with, I thought it lacked a little in the sound department and I thought the ride to be a touch firm on bumpy back roads to say the least.
So it was either improve it and see what it was like or sell make a bit of profit and move on.
I decided to improve it so Akrapovic exhaust with n55 mids, Performance seats, Birds suspension, Forge intercooler, Cobb access port later it's now a car that I will never part with.
It is now just so much fun to drive and is just so chuckable like an overpowered go cart .
I would say go for it and with the bits you've already bought for the e92 you're a good way there !
Whilst I didn’t go directly from M3 to 1M, I did own an E90 M3 in 2010/2011 and now have a 1M so can give you some insight.
Some background first:
I bought the M3 to replace two cars (156 GTA and a Griff 500) because I was working away a lot and it wasn’t sensible or practical to run two cars. I was doing 15k miles/year at the time, mostly long M’way trips between where I was working and home.
Hoped the M3 would be a good mix of useable daily and fun weekend. For me it wasn’t great at either role – too big and expensive to run as a daily but never special enough just to drive for the hell of it. It was DCT which I think suited the car/engine but detracted a little from the fun side, as did the sheer competence of the thing – driven enthusiastically on the road I'd always fear losing my licence.
I was one of the first to do the DIY exhaust mod and loved the sounds it made, it was comfortable (EDC & all the toys) and reliable but we never really bonded. I sold it for a 130i which I still own and love dearly, this is my perfect daily driver.
When work/space allowed I got another TVR and then an Exige V6. The 1M replaced the Exige earlier this year – all are cars you’d get up early just to drive and the 1M adds some practicality to the mix.
So, comparing the M3 and 1M:
M3 sounds better than a standard 1M but I’ve now fitted a Milltek exhaust which helps enormously. It's personal but I think the 1M looks spectacular, I much prefer its smaller size and the cabin is a nice, well screwed together, place to be. The M3's interior is better finished.
I'm absolutely not a driving god but the 1M is more challenging to drive briskly and this really appeals to me since I get more enjoyment out of it at speeds much less likely to land me in custody. (I know, I'm strange but then I've always preferred TVR/Lotus to Porsche).
In summary, the 1M feels very special and exactly like what it is – a hot rod conceived and put together by talented and passionate engineers, aimed squarely at the enthusiast.
I appreciate and admire the M3 for what that is though - a highly developed, mass produced, crushingly fast and competent car but for me that makes it difficult to love. No such problem with the little M.
Apologies for the long rambling reply, hope it make sense?
Some background first:
I bought the M3 to replace two cars (156 GTA and a Griff 500) because I was working away a lot and it wasn’t sensible or practical to run two cars. I was doing 15k miles/year at the time, mostly long M’way trips between where I was working and home.
Hoped the M3 would be a good mix of useable daily and fun weekend. For me it wasn’t great at either role – too big and expensive to run as a daily but never special enough just to drive for the hell of it. It was DCT which I think suited the car/engine but detracted a little from the fun side, as did the sheer competence of the thing – driven enthusiastically on the road I'd always fear losing my licence.
I was one of the first to do the DIY exhaust mod and loved the sounds it made, it was comfortable (EDC & all the toys) and reliable but we never really bonded. I sold it for a 130i which I still own and love dearly, this is my perfect daily driver.
When work/space allowed I got another TVR and then an Exige V6. The 1M replaced the Exige earlier this year – all are cars you’d get up early just to drive and the 1M adds some practicality to the mix.
So, comparing the M3 and 1M:
M3 sounds better than a standard 1M but I’ve now fitted a Milltek exhaust which helps enormously. It's personal but I think the 1M looks spectacular, I much prefer its smaller size and the cabin is a nice, well screwed together, place to be. The M3's interior is better finished.
I'm absolutely not a driving god but the 1M is more challenging to drive briskly and this really appeals to me since I get more enjoyment out of it at speeds much less likely to land me in custody. (I know, I'm strange but then I've always preferred TVR/Lotus to Porsche).
In summary, the 1M feels very special and exactly like what it is – a hot rod conceived and put together by talented and passionate engineers, aimed squarely at the enthusiast.
I appreciate and admire the M3 for what that is though - a highly developed, mass produced, crushingly fast and competent car but for me that makes it difficult to love. No such problem with the little M.
Apologies for the long rambling reply, hope it make sense?
swanny71 said:
Hoped the M3 would be a good mix of useable daily and fun weekend. For me it wasn’t great at either role – too big and expensive to run as a daily but never special enough just to drive for the hell of it. It was DCT which I think suited the car/engine but detracted a little from the fun side, as did the sheer competence of the thing – driven enthusiastically on the road I'd always fear losing my licence.
Yep, just what I thought..... Wonder if Grant is thinking the same thingThanks very much for the replies and experiences, it's very helpful.
It's not so much that I don't see the E92 as a good 'fun/weekend' car, I actually do enjoy it and see it as a special enough car to return to after a mundane commute/winter of boredom. I'm coming from the slightly different angle that I've always loved the 1M styling and a friend who has owned a couple of them (amongst a lot of other nice cars) said that his 1Ms were the most fun cars that he owned and the cars which he regrets selling the most.
Neither car will be used on track, so ultimate performance and feel don't really come into it for me. I love that I can potter around with my M3 and that V8 is omnipresent bumbling around the village/town, just as it is when you're heading past 8,000rpm on an open road. I've made a couple of small changes (brakes/seats/wheel) to improve it for me but that's probably as far (with the possible exception of suspension) that I'll take it because I don't want to ruin it.
Had this been a few years ago when E92 M3s were still ~35k cars and 1Ms were ~40k cars then I don't think that the price difference would be something I'd be thinking about; but times change and part of my hesitation is whether I'd appreciate the car/reap enough enjoyment from spending ~20k to switch from my M3 to the 1M.
I think the next step for me will be going to look around a 1M and go for a drive in it back to back with my M3.. however at the end of the month the M3 will be off the road for winter so unless I can find the time/find a car within easy striking distance of me within the next week or two then this will all have to wait until next year now.
It's not so much that I don't see the E92 as a good 'fun/weekend' car, I actually do enjoy it and see it as a special enough car to return to after a mundane commute/winter of boredom. I'm coming from the slightly different angle that I've always loved the 1M styling and a friend who has owned a couple of them (amongst a lot of other nice cars) said that his 1Ms were the most fun cars that he owned and the cars which he regrets selling the most.
Neither car will be used on track, so ultimate performance and feel don't really come into it for me. I love that I can potter around with my M3 and that V8 is omnipresent bumbling around the village/town, just as it is when you're heading past 8,000rpm on an open road. I've made a couple of small changes (brakes/seats/wheel) to improve it for me but that's probably as far (with the possible exception of suspension) that I'll take it because I don't want to ruin it.
Had this been a few years ago when E92 M3s were still ~35k cars and 1Ms were ~40k cars then I don't think that the price difference would be something I'd be thinking about; but times change and part of my hesitation is whether I'd appreciate the car/reap enough enjoyment from spending ~20k to switch from my M3 to the 1M.
I think the next step for me will be going to look around a 1M and go for a drive in it back to back with my M3.. however at the end of the month the M3 will be off the road for winter so unless I can find the time/find a car within easy striking distance of me within the next week or two then this will all have to wait until next year now.
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