Would you… sell a 1M for an M2?
Discussion
I have a 1M which I absolutely love, but for complicated reasons driving a manual is becoming more and more difficult for me, so … would you consider selling a 1M to buy a DCT M2?
The 1M has proved the perfect balance of performance and practicality … including a superb road trip across Europe with my kids and a mate in his GT3 in the summer, great memories of the two cars flying across Germany to the ‘ring and then down to Switzerland. When needed it can easily fit a bike in the back and so on. It’s just brilliant.
My biggest concern is that it’ll probably be a financially disastrous decision … I have form for terrible car sale decisions (looking at you 993) … I expect the minute I sell it 1Ms will rocket in value …
The 1M has proved the perfect balance of performance and practicality … including a superb road trip across Europe with my kids and a mate in his GT3 in the summer, great memories of the two cars flying across Germany to the ‘ring and then down to Switzerland. When needed it can easily fit a bike in the back and so on. It’s just brilliant.
My biggest concern is that it’ll probably be a financially disastrous decision … I have form for terrible car sale decisions (looking at you 993) … I expect the minute I sell it 1Ms will rocket in value …
I'm assuming that you'll still be able to drive a manual in the future, albeit perhaps not as a daily?
No way I'd sell a 1M if I had one. Keep that for special drives and lease the cheapest auto you can live with as a daily.
If manual driving really isn't an option then I guess you've no choice but to change....
No way I'd sell a 1M if I had one. Keep that for special drives and lease the cheapest auto you can live with as a daily.
If manual driving really isn't an option then I guess you've no choice but to change....
Have you considered having a DCT conversion done to the 1M? Usually you have to buy a standalone GCU like a HTG but as your car is already a BMW it may just be a case of fitting an OEM part to the car.
I'm not that familiar with BMW's but was your base engine ever offered as a DCT in another car? Could just be as simple as a bolt off/on experience. Keep the manual stuff incase you ever want to sell the car on in the future.
I'm not that familiar with BMW's but was your base engine ever offered as a DCT in another car? Could just be as simple as a bolt off/on experience. Keep the manual stuff incase you ever want to sell the car on in the future.
All things being equal i'd say you are mad to sell a 1M for an M2, M2's are great cars but the 1M is always going to far more valuable in the longer term in my view, and much less common.
All that being said if for whatever reason you can't live with the 1M due to the gearbox then get something you can use instead would be my view.
All that being said if for whatever reason you can't live with the 1M due to the gearbox then get something you can use instead would be my view.
Have to say I wouldn't sell a M140 for a M2 , a comp yes but not a M2 not a chance
A decent 1M must be comp money surely a car that's starting to become less than ideal to drive vs one that's entirely useable with little compromise yes I would but you need to be comfortable with the fact you will be unlikely to ever own another
A decent 1M must be comp money surely a car that's starting to become less than ideal to drive vs one that's entirely useable with little compromise yes I would but you need to be comfortable with the fact you will be unlikely to ever own another
Thanks for all the input, great stuff.
To answer some of the questions:
1. I’m guessing that sooner or later I won’t be able to drive a manual at all - right now it’s just a bit uncomfortable, though sometimes no problem at all
2. The 1M is not a daily driver - high days and holidays only; I don’t really drive on a daily basis anyway
3. I was using “M2” in the generic sense - not specifically the non-Comp though there do seem to be quite mixed views about which people prefer, so I’d need o test them both
4. No, I haven’t considered a DCT conversion of the 1M, that sounds a bit rash to me
To answer some of the questions:
1. I’m guessing that sooner or later I won’t be able to drive a manual at all - right now it’s just a bit uncomfortable, though sometimes no problem at all
2. The 1M is not a daily driver - high days and holidays only; I don’t really drive on a daily basis anyway
3. I was using “M2” in the generic sense - not specifically the non-Comp though there do seem to be quite mixed views about which people prefer, so I’d need o test them both
4. No, I haven’t considered a DCT conversion of the 1M, that sounds a bit rash to me
EmilA said:
Have you considered having a DCT conversion done to the 1M? Usually you have to buy a standalone GCU like a HTG but as your car is already a BMW it may just be a case of fitting an OEM part to the car.
I'm not that familiar with BMW's but was your base engine ever offered as a DCT in another car? Could just be as simple as a bolt off/on experience. Keep the manual stuff incase you ever want to sell the car on in the future.
The E89 Z4 35iS came as DCT only and with the 1M tune of N54 engine. So should be an easy conversion if so desiredI'm not that familiar with BMW's but was your base engine ever offered as a DCT in another car? Could just be as simple as a bolt off/on experience. Keep the manual stuff incase you ever want to sell the car on in the future.
My view:
It partly depends what you paid for the 1M and where you are in the 'depreciation curve'...
If you've owned it a number of years and paid far less than current value, then it might be the best time to move it on. In terms of values, it would probably need to be another car which might become an iconic model ... OG M2's seem to be a solid atm as do M2 comps, but there are lots of them around. M2 CS, M4 CS or M3 CS would be the direction I would go ... although you've said that garaging might be an issue.
It partly depends what you paid for the 1M and where you are in the 'depreciation curve'...
If you've owned it a number of years and paid far less than current value, then it might be the best time to move it on. In terms of values, it would probably need to be another car which might become an iconic model ... OG M2's seem to be a solid atm as do M2 comps, but there are lots of them around. M2 CS, M4 CS or M3 CS would be the direction I would go ... although you've said that garaging might be an issue.
WD-40 said:
I've been contemplating going in the opposite direction but can't decide whether I'd miss the more modern feel / tech of the M2, which will be a backward step even if the driving experience may be a forward step (in which case would it be worth the step up in cost)
Although similar on paper, I’d say they’re chalk and cheese. The 1M was probably one of the last BMWs with an analogue feel. As a daily driver the M2 is probably better, but as a weekend / holiday car the older stuff feels much more special.
That said. Can’t say I care much about the tech. The only think that I find useful on the newest car we own is the HUD.
The 1m has already rocketed in value. I can’t see it going ridiculously much more.
If it’s sore/uncomfortable to drive plus getting worse, and you haven’t the storage space/inclination for 2 cars then it would be an easy decision for me to sell it. You’ve had great times in it and memories that will last, now move onto something that will allow you to enjoy with no pain, which drives just as well if not better and make new memories.
An m2 will never be an investment piece, but they’re a fun and capable car. Buy the right one, look after it and it wont drop a fortune.
If it’s sore/uncomfortable to drive plus getting worse, and you haven’t the storage space/inclination for 2 cars then it would be an easy decision for me to sell it. You’ve had great times in it and memories that will last, now move onto something that will allow you to enjoy with no pain, which drives just as well if not better and make new memories.
An m2 will never be an investment piece, but they’re a fun and capable car. Buy the right one, look after it and it wont drop a fortune.
As a 1M owner, my obvious response should be 'keep the 1M'. Whether the 1M goes up or down in value from here, it's scarcity will mean it'll always be a much better financial option than an M2.
However, we shouldn't own cars as investments, but instead for the joy they bring. If driving a manual is reaching the point where it's no longer a joy (or won't be soon) then I'd say get shot of it (before the market really jams up over the next couple of years) and move into something else.
A DCT M2 would be a fantastic thing to replace it with. Many of the things you like about your 1M are there in the M2 in spades, and the upgrade in interior/toys will be lovely too. You may miss the manual but the BMW DCT gearbox is a work of wonder.
So what if you've got out of a 1M? You've had one, you've had your fun, time to pass it on to someone else. Get yourself into a car you'll love using and hit the road.
Good luck!
However, we shouldn't own cars as investments, but instead for the joy they bring. If driving a manual is reaching the point where it's no longer a joy (or won't be soon) then I'd say get shot of it (before the market really jams up over the next couple of years) and move into something else.
A DCT M2 would be a fantastic thing to replace it with. Many of the things you like about your 1M are there in the M2 in spades, and the upgrade in interior/toys will be lovely too. You may miss the manual but the BMW DCT gearbox is a work of wonder.
So what if you've got out of a 1M? You've had one, you've had your fun, time to pass it on to someone else. Get yourself into a car you'll love using and hit the road.
Good luck!
1M from me all day long. Though i take the point about the newer tech.
I've had a 130i and M2. The 130i had better steering for definite (pre-facelift with hydraulic power steering). And the engine (N52) is a masterpiece. It lacks the torque of the N55, but it also doesn't overwhelm the chassis.
I'd have another 130i, but take a trip to Birds for some dampers and an LSD, plus some other M-goodies.
M2 doesn't have the same soul/feel/specialness that my 130i did, but maybe i'm an old fart
I've had a 130i and M2. The 130i had better steering for definite (pre-facelift with hydraulic power steering). And the engine (N52) is a masterpiece. It lacks the torque of the N55, but it also doesn't overwhelm the chassis.
I'd have another 130i, but take a trip to Birds for some dampers and an LSD, plus some other M-goodies.
M2 doesn't have the same soul/feel/specialness that my 130i did, but maybe i'm an old fart
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