00R Not Sold On BMW's 1M -- Tell Him Why He's Wrong

00R may know why the new 2012 BMW 1M is painted that peculiar orange-y color. Probably because it's shaping up to be the red-headed step child of M cars.

Now while I am the first to admit that I was WRONG about the X5/6Ms, I am still going to look at the latest M car, tilt my head and wonder "Why?" Not why they built it, that makes a lot of sense. I want to know why they held back on this car besides the obvious: didn't want to step on big bros toes.

A lot of it has to do with its powerplant, which is an N54 twin-turbo'd unit that can be found in the Z4 sDrive35iS. For an M car I thought that it would have a bit more power or some unique aspect to it. To 00R it just seems like BMW could have done this car up as the Tii we were all hoping for and left the M moniker out of it. Am I holding "M" to unrealistic standards?

A big part of me wants to like this car, I really do. I am sure when I drive it I WILL enjoy the 1M because I thoroughly enjoy the 335iS and Z4 sDrive35iS. But I'd never buy one simply because it too suffers from the same problem of the Porsche Cayman; it too was neglected because the brand didn't want to eclipse the main event.

Essentially, here's what I dislike about the car we've been shown. It could have been lighter, more powerful and quite possibly the best M car ever produced at a competitive price. However, it seems we're being delivered a car that will satisfy image-seekers and those looking for a body kit. I get that BMW wanted to keep its price down and create the "baby M," but it just seems like it could have been more.

It will sell like hot cakes and do great business for BMW but to 00R it seems like the opportunity cost is far too great on this one.

Let's just hope I don't have to eat crow, again.


Nurburgring lap times are in for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and according to Skiddmark, the new M is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3. At 8:12, the 1M is just as fast as the Z4 M Coupe, faster than the E60 M5, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG or the Porsche Cayman S...

[Source: BMWBlog]

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Autoegr525 - 12/13/2010 12:06:49 AM

-4 Boost

I'm sure its a great car but it is butt ugly. That BMW insists on showing it next to the E30 M3 does not help the issue either. It looks like a fat chick in a bikini, curves in all the wrong places.

94geo - 12/13/2010 10:42:18 AM

+5 Boost

This is a great car. Of course its going to look like the current 1 series, I don't know what some of you were expecting....but the M add ons look great. And the chassis/engine upgrades turn the 1m into a true sports car.

MercedesSL - 12/13/2010 2:22:39 PM

+4 Boost

00R must not like cars. Im a benz guy, and I want this car.

WorldofLuxury - 12/13/2010 12:20:10 AM

+1 Boost

The fact that they dealt with the LEDs in the taillights shows me they cared.

Escalade1 - 12/13/2010 1:34:22 AM

-5 Boost

BMW's ugly duckling.

Terry989 - 12/13/2010 2:38:18 AM

+1 Boost

Undoubtedly a fast car. As for ring times, it just depends on which publication you read. Wikipedia has 8:04 for a Porsche Cayman S driven by Walter Röhrl.

LexSucks - 12/13/2010 9:53:04 AM

-2 Boost

Dated interior, Dated exterior. Looks like an "M" coupe that went back to finishing school. But at least it should drive nice. As nice as it is, it doesn't do anything for me. Sorry

JRobUSC - 12/13/2010 10:56:11 AM

+4 Boost

why should you like the 1 M? How about M3 brakes, M3 suspension, M3 differential, and M3 competition package wheels and tires, on a smaller vehicle that weighs 400lb less than an M3? How about all those things plus it costs $13k less (24%) than a base M3, and unlike the M3 there won't be $20k in options -- it'll likely top out under $50k. It'll outhandle and outbrake an M3. It won't be quite as quick but with 74lb-ft more torque than an M3 (and gobs of midrange) it's going to be plenty fast, and likely loads of fun to drive. I happen to think it looks aggressive as hell, too. Everyone has been saying BMW needed to come out with a more focused, "pure" M car, that the M3 is too heavy and luxurious now. Well, here you go.

speed123 - 12/13/2010 1:00:40 PM

-2 Boost

Its fast, but still looks like a clown car.

SoMuchChedda - 12/13/2010 1:06:49 PM

+3 Boost

This looks like an instant classic the wheels go well with the car.

Willis - 12/13/2010 1:33:24 PM

-4 Boost

I find the girl posing next to the car quite "manly-looking" for some reason. I just lost my appetite!

M5twinturbo - 12/13/2010 1:56:17 PM

+4 Boost

The 1M is a true drivers car. I love the red/orange color, it just looks like it will age well.

racerf109 - 12/13/2010 2:08:03 PM

+3 Boost

This car is sick, what are the production numbers? I would definitely buy one of they are not already sold out in america.

AgentOrange - 12/13/2010 3:01:13 PM

+5 Boost

If they had built it a bit lighter or faster it'd beat the current M3 and that would violate the prime directive.

pennfootball - 12/13/2010 5:03:08 PM

+2 Boost

I would rather take the supermodel for a ride...

pennfootball - 12/13/2010 5:04:13 PM

-4 Boost

P.O.S.

thstone - 12/13/2010 5:47:58 PM

-1 Boost

00R is right.

What we all wanted was a real M car, but what we got was a car designed by the product planners (can't outperform the M3 and has to be made from existing parts in the BMW warehouse).

Nothing new here to get excited about.

SSP350 - 12/13/2010 7:35:08 PM

-1 Boost

Because what's underneath all that sheet metal is nothing new! They basically took parts from the M3 and threw it on a 1 series and turned it into an M. I, too, hold a high standards for M cars. The fact that they took the same engine from the 335is, just bores me. Additionally, it's really ugly. If they could just find a way to change the headlights, they just might change my mind.

bmwx5m - 12/13/2010 8:27:21 PM

+3 Boost

thstone and SSP350-News flash, Audi and Mercedes do the same thing. The RS3 and the TTRs have all the same mechanical components. Mercedes practically uses the same engine across its entire AMG lineup.

irishmike - 12/13/2010 8:07:06 PM

+2 Boost

I like it. If it had a real "proper" M motor, it would cost even more. I don't like any of the styling add-ons, except for flares.

They could've made it a bit more stealth and named it "tii".

BondMI6 - 12/13/2010 8:51:34 PM

+1 Boost

OMG!

The best Bimmer EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!