BMW 1M Coupe | PH Auction Block
The current M2's grandad is now a modern M car hero - and there can't be many better than this
While we’re only a decade into the BMW M2’s story, the idea of a spicy coupe beneath the 3 Series has actually now existed for almost 18 years. It was October 2007 when the Concept 1 Series tii was shown at the Tokyo show with the V8 M3 saloon, hinting at a two-door 1 Series 'with lightweight materials, optimised aerodynamics and a race-inspired interior to deliver an uncompromising focus on motorsport’. While there were no powertrain details or plans for production back in ‘07, it was clear that BMW was keen on resurrecting something small, stocky and speedy. As was the general public.
So it was little surprise when a full-fat 1M Coupe emerged a few years later. While it wasn’t quite as extreme as the tii, there was plenty to like about the new junior M car: wider tracks, an M3 diff, a manual gearbox and some fantastic CSL-style wheels. Nobody would ever call the 1 Series a truly pretty coupe, an impression that would extend into the 2 Series’ life, but it undoubtedly had presence.
Some weren’t too sure, though. It was only BMW’s second turbocharged M car model, following the X5/X6M pair (which hasn’t exactly made the best impression), and its engine didn’t have an ‘S’ designation, instead carrying an ordinary ‘N’ badge; at a time of 8,400rpm M3s, some worried that a turbo 1M wouldn’t be special enough for the hallowed tricolour. These days a turbo six is ubiquitous in the M line-up; 15 years ago, it was almost as contentious as plug-in hybrids are today.
The worry was unfounded: the 1M was as fast and furious as anyone could've hoped for with a junior M car. It wasn’t as sharp as its Porsche Cayman R contemporary, but as an introduction to front-engined, rear-drive, manual M cars, the 340hp 1er nailed its objectives. It could be a sensible, everyday 3.0-litre BMW, it could string a set of bends together unlike any other 1 Series, or it could bonfire tyres all day. Whichever you chose, the 1M was happy to oblige.
So it was hugely entertaining to drive. But very limited availability, with just 450 cars coming to the UK, is what ensured the 1M cult classic status over here. For a car that was £40,000 new, the residual strength of the funny-looking flagship 1 Series was incredible; even during Covid they didn’t really drop below £30,000. This one, up for auction next week, is going to cost you more than £30,000 - but looks like being worth more than £30,000 for a long while yet. It’s a 2011 car, as almost all of the 1Ms are, yet one showing fewer than 8,000 miles. So it’s one for the collector rather than the Cadwell regular, but what an example. It presents basically as new inside and out, the only clues to any ageing being small grazes on the boot badge and some rusty discs. Plus the fact that the grilles are a normal size, of course…
The miles are low on this 1M because it’s been in dry storage since 2015. It hasn’t been serviced in that time, so some fresh fluids would probably be wise for the winning bidder, but the MOT was advisory free in March. Fresh tyres are going to be fitted, so it’s not going to require much to be in fine fettle. And what a car that’s likely to result, a manual M car icon that’s becoming more and more desirable by the day. Just please don’t tuck it away for another decade unless you really have to…
The PH car will need a thorough recommissioning service:
New hoses, bushes, and gaiters. Possibly top mounts, too?
Gear linkage srvc.
In addition to replacing *all* fluids, it’ll need proper oil and coolant flushes.
Check for seized calipers.
And be prepared for aircon gremlins.
Now, if you had said "I think it looks a far better than the 2 series that replaced it", then I would have absolutely respected that.
It looks ugly in my opinion, the slab sides, the sad looking headlamps, the dumpy rear end, and it's just a blob to my eyes.
Of course, that is MY OPINION, and I wouldn't have typed it as some statement that suggests my 'opinion' is some sort of factually correct statement.
If we are comparing it to a normal 2 series, than it carries 'some' weight, but then you would have to compare a 'normal' 1 series coupe to the 2 series.
Compared to the OG M2, this is very ugly (in MY opinion), it's slower, it doesn't handle as well, it's not as practical, and the prices people are asking are just laughable.
The OG M2 was a much better car in every way factually, and the looks cannot be judged as better or worse because the 'look' of something is a personal opinion.
Yes I own an OG M2, and so you are going to argue I'm a fanboy and thus would naturally say they are better.
The fact is, when I bought my OG M2, I had about 80k to play with, and could easily have bought the very best example of a 1M, but I didn't. I bought a £28k OG M2 because it is a much better car, and in my opinion it looks a LOT better than this dumpy thing.
Now, if you had said "I think it looks a far better than the 2 series that replaced it", then I would have absolutely respected that.
It looks ugly in my opinion, the slab sides, the sad looking headlamps, the dumpy rear end, and it's just a blob to my eyes.
Of course, that is MY OPINION, and I wouldn't have typed it as some statement that suggests my 'opinion' is some sort of factually correct statement.
If we are comparing it to a normal 2 series, than it carries 'some' weight, but then you would have to compare a 'normal' 1 series coupe to the 2 series.
Compared to the OG M2, this is very ugly (in MY opinion), it's slower, it doesn't handle as well, it's not as practical, and the prices people are asking are just laughable.
The OG M2 was a much better car in every way factually, and the looks cannot be judged as better or worse because the 'look' of something is a personal opinion.
Yes I own an OG M2, and so you are going to argue I'm a fanboy and thus would naturally say they are better.
The fact is, when I bought my OG M2, I had about 80k to play with, and could easily have bought the very best example of a 1M, but I didn't. I bought a £28k OG M2 because it is a much better car, and in my opinion it looks a LOT better than this dumpy thing.
I was never a big fan of the way my E90 330d and 330i looked for example, but I did like the way they drove though. Plus when you're sat in challenging looking cars...you can't see them at least!
For what it's worth, I prefer the way the OG M2 looks in comparison to this as well.
On the 1M/M2 looks debate, I'm firmly in team E82 after owning one for 11 years. Not necessarily pretty, but has loads of presence and is definitely distinctive.
I thought the 2 Series and M2 that followed were a bit dull in all honesty.
The PH car will need a thorough recommissioning service:
New hoses, bushes, and gaiters. Possibly top mounts, too?
Gear linkage srvc.
In addition to replacing *all* fluids, it ll need proper oil and coolant flushes.
Check for seized calipers.
And be prepared for aircon gremlins.
To suggest a car sat for a decade is going to merely need fresh fluids and tyres and be 'in fine fettle' for actual use is nonsense. Regardless of what storage it's been in.
It's now either permanently a garage (or more likely, warehouse) queen - or it's going to cost a lot in time and money to actually gently bring it back into useful condition.
Regardless of how clean it looks.
Thinking about it, just taking it for an MOT without any proper prep is mental. I'd want a proper, considered process before even thinking of firing it up to put it on rollers...
and just saw such but with an even wider kit on it, which was used as drift car but road legal, with a M113 swap V8 from a AMG Mercedes
no extra power though, just the 350-360ps NA version, but must make a lovely sound I guess.
I also remember having a budget of £30k for my E92 M3 back in 2013, and there was a 1M for sale for £38k at the time, and I genuinely said to the salesman that I wished that I could've stretched to that. So I've lost out twice it seems now, and I'm an expert at buying cars that lose money I reckon!
From an enthusiast point of view I'm slowly starting to feel that with some of the M cars and the prices they are commanding - it's becoming worthwhile to buy a similar and build it into the car you want for not a lot of money.
I've seen some seriously worked 135 M-sports that I'm sure would rival the 1Ms prominance without giving the full feel. Sort of something I've been pondering with the CSL as of late. When the prices are in the same county, it's a no brainer, but when the costs have risen so much, I can't but help feel like I'd lean the other way..
But that's just me, coming from a 2013 GTR that with a few mods goes as hard (for my use) than a nismo or T-Spec, for around a third of the price.
And it's not even necesarily that the price is unattainable, I suppose my threshold for a car's value becomes a bit analytical at a point "it's cool, but you could get xyz for the same money"
Would I prefer a 50-60k 1M over a 135 M sport + mods + money leftover for an M3 or potentially an elise or something? I'm not so sure.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff