BMW 1 Series M Coupe

I placed an order for one of these today and was just wondering what the rest of the group thought of this car. Has anyone here driven or own one? I plan on making it my 80% daily driver. Thanks!
Vivek

 

Vivek! I didn't know you were still on the boards! I remember asking you about Ross several years ago. I'm almost done basic sciences now.

Back to the 1M - I've heard NOTHING but incredible reviews about this machine. It's truly a driver's car, the last of which was the E46 M3 from BMW. Can't go wrong. What color did you spec?

 

+1, all I have ever heard about it are good things. Did you get it in orange????

 

I will say that Clarkson's review of the 1M had me saying "I'd like to have one of those!" He looked like he was having a blast...

 

I've driven it and it's a blast.

 

Can you elaborate? Can you make any comparisons to some other cars you've driven? Thanks!

 

Orange it is

 

I think it's pretty ugly (lol?) but I really want it after those reviews. Such a stealthy, fun car...

 

Nice! If I could afford one, it would be orange for sure. SMG or Manual?

 

Vivek, I've heard good things as well, one of my buddies drove it, said it was really fun but he preferred the M3.

Hope you still have it when I get back to town, maybe next summer.

 

I don't unfortunately own one but I followed all this year's Mille Miglia on one this year and I drove it for a bit less than 1000 miles.

I was there with 3 other 1M and we all LOVED it.

The engine is absolutely great.
It has an incredible response at any rpm, you have plenty of torque in any moment with no lag. You'll appreciate this if you plan it to be you're daily driver.

Steering was great too, great feeling, very direct.
I can't tell you too much about handling because I was always on open roads with lot of traffic and didn't want to take inappropriate risks but I can tell you for sure that you'll fall in love with it after the first mile.

With safety controls on the car is super easy to drive. It quite neutral, the controls make sure it remains safe even for monkey drivers.


As everyone says it is a blast!


About comfort and other stuff...

The engine noise is silent if you don't rev too much and with that engine you can quietly drive in 4th+ at 2/2500rpm.
Seats are comfortable but the suspensions are quite stiff.

I spent in average about 9 hours a day in the car and at the end I can't say I was too comfortable but considering the way I drove it's totally understandable and more than acceptable.

The car was orange as yours.
If you don't like to catch attention you didn't do the right choice.
It attracts a lot of eyes! I was surrounded by hundreds of vintage cars and modern Ferraris but I could still see a lot of heads turning.

 

Sure, I've driven about a hundred different cars in the last year. Should I compare it to a 458? Or are the Astons a better comparison? How about the electrics?

 

someone (R&T, maybe?) compared it to an Evora and a Cayman R....that would be a good start

I don't generally buy new cars but the 1M is tempting...

 

I've driven the Cayman R, not sure how a mid-engined, two seater would be a sound comparison. Plus, those two are at different price points. S5? Maybe, but they're not even close.

Had a chat with one of the writers from one of the big buff books last week. They're going to call out the 1M for not having a bespoke motor...

 

okay, since you're a fellow 997 fan...


let's just say, hypothetically , that you had a 2006 997 C2 with around 45k miles. would a 1M tempt you out of it?

 

No. It ain't no 911.

 

there is no substitute

 

I have one as my daily. My other cars are a GT3, a Z4M roadster, an X5 and my wifes Mini convertible. The 1M is surprisingly comfortable; the ride is more compliant that the Z4M and nearly as compliant as the X5 with sports suspension. It sticks really well and steers accurately, though feedback is limited - I'd much rather more information. Turbo lag isn't a problem, though throttle response is not as sharp as the GT3 or the Z4M. It feels better in M mode even when driving gently. The seating position feels a bit high, but entirely fine. Inside, it is well equipped (I was happy to discover they dumped the TV and included internet access). The cabin plastics are okay rather than good, but it is a 1-series. Overall, its great value and great fun.

 

It's only offered in manual.

That would be this season's Top Gear.

 

nope.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/comparison/track-trifecta

 

We're both correct . TG did a similar quick comparison on this season's first episode.

 

huh, now that's odd. like b-mak said I wouldn't consider those three cars to be natural rivals, on price or configuration; so it's odd that TWO magazines/shows would do the same thing.

 

I guess both publications know something we don't.

 

I'd love to have a 1M. Read/heard nothing but good things.

 

No... the 997 is the PERFECT daily driver and I mean perfect...