Tuesday 24th May 2011

1-Series M.zip Files: Airport Parking

Does the M car warrant that crucial wistful glance as you walk away..?

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It's a measure of how much a car holds your attention if, when heading into an airport on the way to - say - a media launch for something new and exciting, you give a wistful glance over your shoulder at the car you arrived in.

I've left the M in the car park on the way to try out the new Mercedes C63 AMG coupe in Seville (yes, yes, we know - it's a hard life etc, etc). It's a trip that ought to get even the most jaded of hacks slavering in anticipation, but the 1-series M I've has definitely earned itself one - if not two - backward glances.

We're only a few days into our time with the Valencia Orange M car (or a couple of months in compressed '.zip' time), and we've already covered 1200 miles on some fabulous roads (a trip you'll be able to read about soon). But I still have an urge simply to get in it and drive - with no particular destination in mind - and if that isn't proof enough that it's worthy of the famous M stripes I don't know what is.

I reckon the combination of a short, wide wheelbase, an endlessly eager turbocharged in-line six and the absence of too much electronic messing is definitely enough to keep even the most demanding driver more or less endlessly amused - and reluctant to get out even after 10 hours behind the wheel.

There's one thing that might stop you from giving that last longing gaze before you leave it overnight in a car park, though. The 1-series has never been feted as a beauty, but those bulging arches, particularly at the rear, do seem to make BMW's smallest saloon a bit awkward visually... Perhaps this is one of those cars that look better from the driving seat...

1 Series M.zip files Part One

 

 

 

[EcosseBMW]

I love this car...It is so tiny yet in a modern world so big! If the Mini Cooper S and the E46 M3 are anything to go by this thing will create a massive smile on the face of many. Its tiny enough to park in a small space yet has the power and weight difference to embaress most bigger powerful cars. I can't wait to read the road report...I really prefer this over the current M3!

[Spiritual_Beggar]

Saw one of these driving through Gerrards Cross last week.

Must have been a demo car....but it did look lovely.

[AlexRWD]

I think I saw this car on a motorway 2 weekends back, and whilst I hate this colour, I thought the car looked very purposeful and aggressive, loved it!

[PaulK]

Not usually my cup of tea but I love it

[BBS-LM]

I like this car more then the M3, it's small foot print gives it real character but with aggression. Would look mean in black.

[daz4m]

Nice car, love the colour but that front bumper is a disaster. Need to organise a drive in one to comment on the engine.

[P4ROT]

Best looking M car since the m3 csl!

[alexpa]

Does the M car warrant that crucial wistful glance as you walk away..?

No.

It looks like a dog. A heavy dog.

[Daniel1]

as with the current M3, it looks like its been on steroids, where as the E46 M3 looked like it was a 3-series that goes to the gym and eats healthily. The subtlety has gone and i believe that if this M was actually a 135i modified by an individual, people would be shouting about how rubbish it looks.

[Mermaid]

P4ROT said:

Best looking M car since the m3 csl!

will it follow the same depreciation path of the early years?

[CABBYBROWN]

I've not seen one on the road yet, only seen the pictures but it's not the rear end that's the problem: It's the front! The headlight design and the seam between the headlights and the top of the wheel arch just doesn't work for me - might look better in a darker colour where the seam is less visible but I still think the E39 / E46 headlight cluster looked better!

[daz4m]

CABBYBROWN said:

I've not seen one on the road yet, only seen the pictures but it's not the rear end that's the problem: It's the front! The headlight design and the seam between the headlights and the top of the wheel arch just doesn't work for me - might look better in a darker colour where the seam is less visible but I still think the E39 / E46 headlight cluster looked better!

Nail, head and a big + 1 from me.

[MarJay]

I really like it, I think its got something of an early Impreza type angry look about it, with a nice chunk of european flair. As Clarkson put it, it has 'non styling driven appeal'. In other words, its functional and beautiful because its functional, its not a piece of art.

[breadvan]

BBS-LM said:

I like this car more then the M3, it's small foot print gives it real character but with aggression. Would look mean in black.

I would agree, here's mine (in case you haven't perused the other 1M threads)...

[DeadMeat_UK]

I've got to say, chaps, on the pure looks front, I've had walked past it in the car park without even noticing it was something special.

I'm sure driving, however, is something else.

[BIGBerries]

daz4m said:

that front bumper is a disaster.

[dele]

I dont get how anyone can like the looks of this thing, it really is horrid

Sure its a hoot to drive though, theres one in my local dealership that i might go have a look at

[nick30]

have to echo the ugly comments im afraid. was also hoping that the black may look nicer and more subtle but for cosmetics i would rather the 135i to be honest. obviously the handling is far better but 10k better??

[chippy17]

dele said:

I dont get how anyone can like the looks of this thing, it really is horrid

Sure its a hoot to drive though, theres one in my local dealership that i might go have a look at

I have always thought that the 1 series coupe is probably the best looking BMW in the curernt range (I suppose that is not saying much) whether the M version looks good cannot say as have not seen it in the flesh

by the pictures in this thread I would certainly say it looks better in dark colours, also loving the lairy wheel arches

has anyone mentioned weight yet...

Edited by chippy17 on Tuesday 24th May 13:38

[will261058]

I like the looks. And I bet it goes like st off a shovel!