My DMS 1M reviewed in BMW Car mag
Discussion
Back in August I was contacted by a car photographer and reviewer to ask if I would be happy for my 1M to feature in BMW Car magazine. Of course I accepted we met up on the 28th August to carry out the shoot.
Fast forward to this morning, when I wandered into WHSmith to see the November issue of the magazine on the shelves and my little 1M on the front cover
I’m not going to spoil the article for anyone who wants to read it, but some stand-out quotes really made me smile:
“What’s not is doubt is the way this DMS-tuned 1M goes down the road; “fast” seems an inadequate way to describe a car that would take on a Ferrari 360 (or just about any other Noughties performance car you care to mention) in a straight line”.
“…where the performance of the standard 1M ebbs away into merely impressive, this DMS tuned car continues gathering speed unabated”.
“It’s fourth gear though that really nails this car’s performance to the board under the title “supercar” though with simply no let-up in urge..”
“It’s one of the finest 1M’s we’ve seen yet”.
Below are some photos from the shoot, which came out really well (thanks to Steve Hall the reviewer and photographer!).
Many thanks to Steve and BMW Car magazine for the feature
Fast forward to this morning, when I wandered into WHSmith to see the November issue of the magazine on the shelves and my little 1M on the front cover
I’m not going to spoil the article for anyone who wants to read it, but some stand-out quotes really made me smile:
“What’s not is doubt is the way this DMS-tuned 1M goes down the road; “fast” seems an inadequate way to describe a car that would take on a Ferrari 360 (or just about any other Noughties performance car you care to mention) in a straight line”.
“…where the performance of the standard 1M ebbs away into merely impressive, this DMS tuned car continues gathering speed unabated”.
“It’s fourth gear though that really nails this car’s performance to the board under the title “supercar” though with simply no let-up in urge..”
“It’s one of the finest 1M’s we’ve seen yet”.
Below are some photos from the shoot, which came out really well (thanks to Steve Hall the reviewer and photographer!).
Many thanks to Steve and BMW Car magazine for the feature
Edited by ChrisBuer on Wednesday 17th October 11:20
Yes maybe a slight over-exaggeration, but it's certainly no slouch for a little 1 Series 
Was a pleasure to drive, photograph & write about your car Chris! Some may think the 'supercar' quote an exaggeration, but the performance really is in the realm of what we called a supercar only a few years ago - it's sensationally rapid! Tbh, with the kind of in gear grunt this car has, it'd probably open a gap against a 360 & give a 430 something to think about x-country.
It's all covered in the article - go buy BMW Car! ;D
If wrong I'm sure Chris will put me right, but it's a remap, exhaust mods & intercooler. Not as fast as a GTR (what is!?) but in many ways more fun to drive - again, worth reading the feature for expanded opinion on that.
cheers,
Steve
If wrong I'm sure Chris will put me right, but it's a remap, exhaust mods & intercooler. Not as fast as a GTR (what is!?) but in many ways more fun to drive - again, worth reading the feature for expanded opinion on that.
cheers,
Steve
Thanks Steve, it was a pleasure to have the car reviewed
Obviously you get to drive a lot more cars than I do, but I always thought my 1M was pretty quick. I only have a few cars to judge it against (E92 M3, Porsche 997 Turbo, Caterham Superlight, supercharged Elise, an Exige 260 and various hot hatches), but it feels quicker than all of them, perhaps for the Porsche.
Also, to answer the question about what mods the car has, performance wise it is just a remap, Forge intercooler and the N55 mid-pipe (which deletes the secondary cats).
The map is actually quite restrained as well and DMS limit the torque. I was told that torque would be up to around 530 lb.ft if they didn't reign it back, but to be honest, with 485 lb.ft it doesn't really need any more. As a road car, it's plenty fast enough
Obviously you get to drive a lot more cars than I do, but I always thought my 1M was pretty quick. I only have a few cars to judge it against (E92 M3, Porsche 997 Turbo, Caterham Superlight, supercharged Elise, an Exige 260 and various hot hatches), but it feels quicker than all of them, perhaps for the Porsche.
Also, to answer the question about what mods the car has, performance wise it is just a remap, Forge intercooler and the N55 mid-pipe (which deletes the secondary cats).
The map is actually quite restrained as well and DMS limit the torque. I was told that torque would be up to around 530 lb.ft if they didn't reign it back, but to be honest, with 485 lb.ft it doesn't really need any more. As a road car, it's plenty fast enough
Just read the article in BMWCar mag.
Awsome car and very tasteful mods that enhance rather than detract from original concept.
Brakes and suspension next?
I am still thouroughly enjoying my E39 M5 at present but the 1M is definately an attrictive proposition for the future. The first M since the E46 CSL that has really floated my boat.
Awsome car and very tasteful mods that enhance rather than detract from original concept.
Brakes and suspension next?
I am still thouroughly enjoying my E39 M5 at present but the 1M is definately an attrictive proposition for the future. The first M since the E46 CSL that has really floated my boat.
StuH said:
Lets revisit this in 6 months once the power level becomes "normal" to you - once you start modding it's hard to stop!
I agree, but to be honest, there is little else I can do now. I could go for an aftermarket exhaust but to be honest, I don't actually want it any louder at the moment. It's currently perfect, with a nice burble and crackle when you're "on it" but fairly quiet when you're not. Perfect for when I'm out late at night with my 16 month old daughter in the back trying to get her to sleep!scarecrow said:
Just read the article in BMWCar mag.
Awsome car and very tasteful mods that enhance rather than detract from original concept.
Brakes and suspension next?
I am still thouroughly enjoying my E39 M5 at present but the 1M is definately an attrictive proposition for the future. The first M since the E46 CSL that has really floated my boat.
Suspension, brakes? The standard set up is pretty good actually. In fact on the road, it's fine. On track, I didn't find it leaning or pitching at all. The brakes seemed to hold up pretty well as well. Awsome car and very tasteful mods that enhance rather than detract from original concept.
Brakes and suspension next?
I am still thouroughly enjoying my E39 M5 at present but the 1M is definately an attrictive proposition for the future. The first M since the E46 CSL that has really floated my boat.
Depending on how many track-days I actually get around to doing next year, I may put some slightly better pads on and better quality brake fluid, but the suspension I have no intention of touching.
In fact the only thing I want to add to the car now is a full set of Michelin Pilot Super-Sport tyres as, by all accounts, they are vastly superior in all conditions and last a lot longer.
sumo69 said:
Chris
...Is it a handful to drive using that grunt?
David
Sorry forgot to answer this. In the wet, if you burying the throttle in 2nd or 3rd, then yes, it squirms about and the traction control light (if engaged) just flashes away. In the dry, it does the same but obviously not to the same extent. However, having said this, I don't know of many powerful RWD cars that you can just burying the throttle in and expect it not to light the rear tyres up. However even the standard 1M reacts this way!...Is it a handful to drive using that grunt?
David
The answer is just to be more progressive with the throttle or, as the article says, use the next gear up. The other solution (which I'll do soon) is to fit a set of the Pilot Super-Sports (which I'm told are superb). With the improved grip, it should put power down a bit better
ChrisBuer said:
StuH said:
Lets revisit this in 6 months once the power level becomes "normal" to you - once you start modding it's hard to stop!
I agree, but to be honest, there is little else I can do now. I could go for an aftermarket exhaust but to be honest, I don't actually want it any louder at the moment. It's currently perfect, with a nice burble and crackle when you're "on it" but fairly quiet when you're not. Perfect for when I'm out late at night with my 16 month old daughter in the back trying to get her to sleep!Fully relate to the daughter scenario - at least you have some low down torque - trying to rag an e60 m5 with the Mrs on board generally results in a sharp glare
ChrisBuer said:
The other solution (which I'll do soon) is to fit a set of the Pilot Super-Sports (which I'm told are superb). With the improved grip, it should put power down a bit better
Will be interested to hear what you make of the Super-Sports; I get the impression they're the best tyre around in the dry but not necessarily top of the heap in the wet....ChrisBuer said:
sumo69 said:
Lovely photos and lovely car.
This is the only thing out there that I may sell my R35 GTR for!
Has yours been dyno'd? What are the figures?
David
Yep it's been dyno'd.This is the only thing out there that I may sell my R35 GTR for!
Has yours been dyno'd? What are the figures?
David
431bhp and 485 lb.ft torque (656nm in new money)
Plot below...
ant man said:
Why was the car dyno'd in the wrong gear? It s/b dyno'd in 3rd! No wonder such a high torque number was shown. There is no way on earth it's producing those numbers.
Phone Rob at DMS. The car was dyno'd in 3rd and 4th gear btw. The car IS producing those numbers trust me ChrisBuer said:
ant man said:
Why was the car dyno'd in the wrong gear? It s/b dyno'd in 3rd! No wonder such a high torque number was shown. There is no way on earth it's producing those numbers.
Phone Rob at DMS. The car was dyno'd in 3rd and 4th gear btw. The car IS producing those numbers trust me Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff