Saturday 8th June 2019

BMW 1M | Rise & Drive

An M car icon, Exmoor and not a soul in sight - get watching!

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For a car that wasn't short of its detractors when new, the BMW 1M has reached near-reverential status nowadays. Its combination of thuggish styling, limited UK production run, dynamic edge and boisterous character ensured that the initial concerns about its M-car status were soon allayed. In fact, it confirmed that its maker still knew how to do cars that didn't need two-dozen drive modes to be brilliant.

What better candidate then for 4.30am alarm call? Dan P chose Exmoor as the backdrop this time around, and we can hardly think of a better car for exploring the skinny roads of the south west at dawn. We'll let him delve into the details, but suffice it to say the values of the 1M have remained so solid that a good one is likely to repay its starting price with interest.

It probably won't spoil the surprise to say Dan's video implies that's money very well spent...

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[anonymous-user]

Nice. Huge soft spot for these

[drpep]

I distinctly remember mine. I'd just sold the 997.1 GT3 and wanted something a little more practical as a daily. I found the experience utterly underwhelming.

The handling character at the limit was very spiky. The traction control was always eager to interject. There was no shortcut to M-Dynamic Mode like in other M cars so it required some fiddling to get it to back off the TC. It was overall a pleasant car to own but didn't come anywhere near the character, handling, pace, or presence of the GT3. And nor should it. It's not an apples to apples comparison by any means. Just know that despite the vid, there are other waaaay more exciting cars for the money. A nicely depreciated E92 M3 for example.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

It’s a lovely thing, but as others have said - for the money, no thanks. An E30 M3 is far more rewarding to drive and more complete as package, as indeed is an M2 Comp.

[Earthdweller]

I’ve been looking at these for a while ..

My impression is that prices for them are softening .. lots have been for sale a very long time and some of the prices being asked are clearly bonkers

[lord trumpton]

Earthdweller said:

I’ve been looking at these for a while ..

My impression is that prices for them are softening .. lots have been for sale a very long time and some of the prices being asked are clearly bonkers

Yes prices have softened. That said so have all the other 'investment' cars from 18 months ago. The bubble has a small leak at the moment.

[jontykint]

drpep said:

I distinctly remember mine. I'd just sold the 997.1 GT3 and wanted something a little more practical as a daily. I found the experience utterly underwhelming.

...There was no shortcut to M-Dynamic Mode like in other M cars so it required some fiddling to get it to back off the TC...

Not sure pressing 1 button for the throttle map and 1 button for ESC off is much of a faff !!

[Timbo_Mint]

I do wish he would stand still when he's talking!

[s m]

Earthdweller said:

I’ve been looking at these for a while ..

My impression is that prices for them are softening .. lots have been for sale a very long time and some of the prices being asked are clearly bonkers

Still look like asking prices are starting at 37k

How much are the softened ones selling for now? Anyone got one for a bargain price recently?

[anonymous-user]

I remember these got luke warm reviews from new. Then almost 10years later the prices rocketed and suddenly they were the best thing since sliced bread.

[cerb4.5lee]

drpep said:

Just know that despite the vid, there are other waaaay more exciting cars for the money. A nicely depreciated E92 M3 for example.

When I was looking to buy a E92 M3 I really wanted one of these but they were out of my budget. I also prefer a turbo to a NA for the torque/power delivery so I know that ultimately I would have preferred the 1M to drive.

To my eyes the 1M has always been ugly, but I bet that it is a great fun thing to drive for sure though.

[s m]

Elatino1 said:

I remember these got luke warm reviews from new. Then almost 10years later the prices rocketed and suddenly they were the best thing since sliced bread.

Did they?

I didn’t think the prices had EVER dropped much below 35k

Prepared to be proven wrong though


Stuff like the E30 M3 EVO Sport certainly went through more of a dip/rise than this
E.g £35k new
Down to 12-15k
Up to over 100k now

[cerb4.5lee]

s m said:

I didn’t think the prices had EVER dropped much below 35k

Prepared to be proven wrong though

Back in late 2012/2013 when I looking at buying my E92 M3 they were still fetching £40k. Agree that they have never really lost much money at all.

Regards reviews I seem to remember that a few moaned that it was a turbo and not a proper M engine, but due to its rarity and slightly bonkers nature I think most were complimentary about it.

[Dr G]

Excellent, will have a watch on the big TV tonight. Last one was really good.

[nismo48]

A nice complete package of a car the 1M.
I've never liked the styling...but that's subjective 😏
The M3 in manual with the V8 around 2008/9
In White is for me the dogs 👍👍

[nismo48]

A nice complete package of a car the 1M.
I've never liked the styling...but that's subjective..
The M3 in manual with the V8 around 2008/9
In White is for me the dogs

[Water Fairy]

E46 M3 for me all day long

[Greavett]

Be good to see the new base model 718 boxster being reviewed

[s m]

cerb4.5lee said:

Back in late 2012/2013 when I looking at buying my E92 M3 they were still fetching £40k. Agree that they have never really lost much money at all.

That's what I thought too Lee

Never remember them falling to even the lowest levels of E46 CSL prices.

I missed the boat if they were down in low 20s at some stage

[J4CKO]

These do seem quite expensive, 40 ish grand gets you quite a lot of F80 M4, can get a manual as well, or is that missing the point ?

Is it rarity or is it that good ? never remember is being that well received at the time ?

[Earthdweller]

s m said:

Earthdweller said:

I’ve been looking at these for a while ..

My impression is that prices for them are softening .. lots have been for sale a very long time and some of the prices being asked are clearly bonkers

Still look like asking prices are starting at 37k

How much are the softened ones selling for now? Anyone got one for a bargain price recently?

Cheapest one is £28k with 100k

Mid 30’s is where they start really ... there’s an approved used ones for £34k and a couple more in the mid 30’s

There’s a 12k mile approved used for £50k whilst an Indy has a similar mileage one for £65k and another Indy has a 9k one for £46k .. you cant tell me there’s nearly £20k difference between the two cars

6 months ago the approved used ones would have been mid 40’s

Prices are all over really

Edited by Earthdweller on Saturday 8th June 11:08