Autoblog picks 1M over M3

[PKL]

Originally Posted by aajami

I got a chance to sit in one at Bimmerfest today. Leading up to the show, I was starting to feel the temptation of the 1M creeping up on me. That feeling is now gone.

The updated panels do a good job of masking the (in my opinion) ugly lines of the E82. I love the air curtains and intakes on the bumpers, and the car's stance is incredibly aggressive, but it still looks like a 1-series -- I have a hard time getting away from that. The interior is much cheaper than I thought it would be. I love the alcantara and the orange stitching, but there's way too much plastic on the inside, and the buttons for the AC and radio are of lower quality than the M3.

I appreciate the smaller size of the 1M and would actually prefer it over the M3's length. It seemed taller than my car, which coupled with the shorter length of the 1M really made it appear boxy and stubby -- again, it's hard for it to not look like a 1-series.

I didn't drive the car, but I'm sure it's more driveable as a DD than the M3 is. That said, there's no way I would give up the screaming S65 for a sputtering turbo. The 1M may be BMW's only true sports car in its lineup, but we drive an everyday supercar.

Really well put. To me the 1 series, M included, is ugly, period.

[rossii]

The responses are as expected on this board............BMW produces an "M" car from the parts bin albeit with great reviews from almost every reviewers and M3 owners come with excuses as to why its not as good as an M3.....I have yet to drive the 1M but going off reviews it seems to be closer to the E30 M3 in terms of driving experience than any of the M3's that have come after it. It comes down to what you are looking for simple as that.

[Edward]

Get over yourselves. They are both great cars but some of the comments sound like they are coming from guys who are daily driving a pagani to the office.

[gthal]

Even if the 1M was a better performer, I couldn't buy one. I'm sure many think it looks OK but to me it is NOT an attractive car. I would take a 335is over a 1M just based on looks alone... that's all personal preference though.

[Edward]

I agree that the 1 is far from pretty but i am glad BMW makes an m car in that price range to shake things up. Yea, an M3 pretty damn affordable in the grand scheme of things, but it's cool that more enthusiasts can get a performer with a proper LSD at such a price point. Good business move. If you can profit off it, make it.

[superfans]

if the turbo 1M can get autoblog to like it more than M3 (NA), wonder how the new F32 M3 can do ....

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by isugoo

One at the bimmerfest didn't have nav so I agree about the interior. The climate control buttons look very cheap. But Nav equipped 1M would be different story. I don't understand why BMW brought 1M w/o nav unit. Maybe wanted to market to track junkies?

The orange 1M at bimmerfest was a preproduction model. Those climate control buttons and set up will not be in the production version.

[M_Time]

I have to disagree. I had a 135i and it's night and day. Especially with all the problems the old N54's had. I would be weary to pay all that money for such a simplistic approach of an entry level M made with left over parts. One more thing, think about the M3 heritage and history and how good they hold their value, when I inquired about trading my 135i there wasn't even a used market then; just imagine what residual value this car will have a few years from now, then we'll talk.

[rossii]

Originally Posted by M_Time

I have to disagree. I had a 135i and it's night and day. Especially with all the problems the old N54's had. I would be weary to pay all that money for such a simplistic approach of an entry level M made with left over parts. One more thing, think about the M3 heritage and history and how good they hold their value, when I inquired about trading my 135i there wasn't even a used market then; just imagine what residual value this car will have a few years from now, then we'll talk.

M3's dont hold anymore value than any current BMW.......why? Your Cooper S held its value better.

[M_Time]

Originally Posted by rossii

M3's dont hold anymore value than any current BMW.......why? Your Cooper S held its value better.

Actually did sold it for over the LEV.

Currently my 08 M3 is spot on book value.

[sensi09]

I was liking the 1M in pics, but after finally seeing one, I was underwhelmed.

Didn't quite agree with those that said they wouldn't buy a 1m over a M3, but now I'm in that camp too.

Oh and there was also an AW 1M at bimmerfest.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by Edward

Get over yourselves. They are both great cars but some of the comments sound like they are coming from guys who are daily driving a pagani to the office.

Not to say you are wrong, but I have had people of all size, race and color do everything from pulling me aside to comment on the car to nodding at me with a sense of approval while next to me at a light, and I have had the car less than a week. Why? Because our cars and along with their engines ARE SPECIAL. Its not about the numbers.....its so much more. The ///M5 & ///M3 has always been about more than the numbers.....its not just about achieving the performance but how you achieve it.

At the end of the day, the S65 & S85 ARE super car engines, and will maintain this cars as legendary decades from now when the cars are putting down more power and twice the mpg.

Not taking anything away from the 1M, its a sick car, and opens ///M to a whole new audience. But a 911 is a 911, and an //M3 is an ///M3.

Just my .02.

Cheers,
e46e92

[crackberry]

That car is so ugly

That review is garbage. The review said that they couldn't tell which car was faster. Duh, use a stop watch.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by gblansten

This is no different than the 911/Cayman debate.

Except that in your example, the cayman is the better driving car

[ihyln]

1M is quite ugly. After seeing one in person I don't think I could live with it. The E90 M3 is the most practical and best looking sports sedan currently out right now. Above all this BMW simply made the 1M to fill a slot. They could have done better but the current M3 held them back.

[Mr.Metak2you]

Well, some of you might remember I sold my M3 sedan in order to move up to an M6. My sister and her husband grew tired of their M6 after two years and only 7k miles on the clock. I thought what a great opportunity to take over the lease for 10mos and have the option to buy for about the same price as a new loaded 1M. Let's just say the keys to the M6 are going back to BMW in a month.

EDIT: I think I better elaborate before everyone goes bazzerk. The M6 is a 'better' car in many ways and you pay for that. I just think I have fallen prey to the constant every increasing girth of M cars. Coincidently, I myself have grown in size with every M car I've owned. It's time for me and my ///M car to go on a diet!!! I'm excited about my spec'd 1M on order. Now I just have to get back into the gym.

[Poppin Fresh]

I've seen it on the road and I have grown to like it. Give it a nice stance with a nice set of wheels and it might change a few people's mind....just a few.

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Not to say you are wrong, but I have had people of all size, race and color do everything from pulling me aside to comment on the car to nodding at me with a sense of approval while next to me at a light, and I have had the car less than a week. Why? Because our cars and along with their engines ARE SPECIAL. Its not about the numbers.....its so much more. The ///M5 & ///M3 has always been about more than the numbers.....its not just about achieving the performance but how you achieve it.

At the end of the day, the S65 & S85 ARE super car engines, and will maintain this cars as legendary decades from now when the cars are putting down more power and twice the mpg.

Not taking anything away from the 1M, its a sick car, and opens ///M to a whole new audience. But a 911 is a 911, and an //M3 is an ///M3.

Just my .02.

Cheers,
e46e92

Im sure people in 1Ms will have the same experience with the nods, thumbs ups, and compliments. The general public doesnt know anything about cars anyways, I have had people ask me how I like my M3 when I get out of the 135 (on more than one occasion). Ive been asked if my Viper is Italian, and been asked who makes it, all the while there are letters across my bumper that say DODGE.

Youre putting M3 in the same sentence as a 911? Its a nice car, ya, but its nowhere near a 911. Lets not get carried away, the M3 is no super car (Ive seen that word tossed around twice in this thread already), nice yes, sporty yes, but nowhere near supercar status (I wouldnt even classify a 911 as supercar). Im not hating on the car, I like it, although I would never buy one. M3 owners come off as delusional.

[sameh]

[quote=Papethova;9603489][quote=e46e92love;9603018]Not to say you are wrong, but I have had people of all size, race and color do everything from pulling me aside to comment on the car to nodding at me with a sense of approval while next to me at a light, and I have had the car less than a week. Why? Because our cars and along with their engines ARE SPECIAL. Its not about the numbers.....its so much more. The ///M5

[sameh]

Sorry for the incomplete post. iPhone app.
I was saying holly guacamole!! To that comment saying "M3 is NOWHERE" near a 911. Not the GT, not the turbo but just plain 911. You need to read more. I'd take M3 any day over 911

[spyderco10]

I just don't like the looks of the 1M. A car for me has to perform well AND look good.

[eisenb11]

Realistically we don't usually get to drive cars all out. With that said, the 1M is quite ugly. It looks like a badass version of the 1 series, which is also ugly. I don't think I could bear looking at it every day. My desire for the M3 hasn't decreased because of it.