Autoblog picks 1M over M3

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

1M is really for a different type of person. I don't think M3 will be affected by much...but 135i sales might.

Want facile torque: 1M. Want F1-derived - butterfly throttle high-rev - engine: M3 E9X.

[Silverstone]

Originally Posted by J08M3

+1 on my second e92 m3. could give a damn how well the 1m performs. I don't like the looks of the 1.

Yes 1M is a small beast, But i still don't care...I like the fact that the M3 is a large car, You can take it to dinner and step out from it wearing a suit nicely...i don't see that happening with a 1M. oh Snap !!!

Yes i would like to own a 1M for Jokes, but i wouldnt think twice if i was comparing it with an M3.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by No Turbo

Of course they are full of it. The real M is the M3, period. 1M is a midget BMW on stereoids. 1 series look ugly and unbalanced to begin with. Every time I see a 135 there is a young kid sitting in it with his buddy, they are both sitting like I sit on my couch to watch movies on saturday so you can hardly see their face. The only reason they buy this car is because they cannot afford the 335. Same thing goes for the 1M and the M3. So there is no point of even arguing. 1 series is just ugly M or no M.

Funny I bought a 135i over a 335i because it was a lot more fun to drive. Money had absolutely nothing to do with it.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by J08M3

+1 on my second e92 m3. could give a damn how well the 1m performs.

I surmise you mean could'NT (ie, 'could not') give a damn. "Could" means you care.

But we got the gist

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by Silverstone

Yes 1M is a small beast, But i still don't care...I like the fact that the M3 is a large car, You can take it to dinner and step out from it wearing a suit nicely...i don't see that happening with a 1M. oh Snap !!!

Yes i would like to own a 1M for Jokes, but i wouldnt think twice if i was comparing it with an M3.

Thats a GREAT point, IF you can only have one car. "oh snap !!!" I wont be driving my 1 to dinner, and I wont be driving it when I wear a suit. Its strictly just for fun. Smaller, lighter, and more tossable. Fills a role the M3 cant, simply for the reason you stated "M3 is a large car".

[Silverstone]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Thats a GREAT point, IF you can only have one car. "oh snap !!!" I wont be driving my 1 to dinner, and I wont be driving it when I wear a suit. Its strictly just for fun. Smaller, lighter, and more tossable. Fills a role the M3 cant, simply for the reason you stated "M3 is a large car".

Basically 1M is Fun and M3 is Classy Fun.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Silverstone

Yes 1M is a small beast, But i still don't care...I like the fact that the M3 is a large car, You can take it to dinner and step out from it wearing a suit nicely...i don't see that happening with a 1M. oh Snap !!!

Yes i would like to own a 1M for Jokes, but i wouldnt think twice if i was comparing it with an M3.

The large size (and the weight it brings) it what I hate most about the M3 and I don't even own a suit.

[Silverstone]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

The large size (and the weight it brings) it what I hate most about the M3 and I don't even own a suit.

That the thing, all this talk and it all comes down to lifestyle. Its not about money coz i honestly dont like talking about money and who can afford it and who cant. A BMW product will always be a product i support because i believe in the company. Even if it does not fit my lifestyle.

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by Silverstone

That the thing, all this talk and it all comes down to lifestyle. Its not about money coz i honestly dont like talking about money and who can afford it and who cant. A BMW product will always be a product i support because i believe in the company. Even if it does not fit my lifestyle.

[Advevo]

The ugly comments about the 1M is a big laugh. People who can drive choose certain cars because they handle well and they are a challenge to drive on the limit. The agile feel and the point and shoot cars are far more important than looks.

I have also a GT3. They look like flat beetles. But boy do they deliver. I prefer a GT3 over a nicer looking lambo anyday. But thats all about driving dynamics.

I don t choose a car to pimp up with big rims with stretched tires, carbon front lips and mirror caps etc and show it at cars and coffee. If that s youre thing fine by me but i rather go max attack on track and enjoy lots of sideways actions.

The car has to do deliver in driving dynamics so i can have maximum fun in driving.

[ChrisK]

My 2 cents...

I had an early '08 135i and I like the 1M. I even had my name on a list before the 1M was official announced.

Everything the 135i lacked (forget power), the M3 had. Better seats, better suspension, better interior materials, more room, etc. Of course you also pay for this. That being said, I went with the M3.

Both are great cars, but they target different groups.

[Nine]

The problem is the journalism, the article writing - it's misleading and lacks facts. All of these magazines are trying to sell a story, "autoblog picks 1M over M3", "335is competes with M3" - I promise you that these articles are written to get attention. To draw people to read, I'm sure the 1M is a great package, I'm sure it represents the M division well. All of these articles promote debates about who is faster, which is the better package. The journalists want to stir it up, they want people to say Holy **** the 1M is better than the M3. I wouldn't be surprised if some magazines fudge track #s for sales purposes.

If you wanted a dual duty track and commuter car, I'd say that the M3 has a bigger trunk, more space, offers a 4-door option, EDC and DCT. But if you wanted to save 15-20k, the 1M makes a great runner-up.

[Tuned1M]

Originally Posted by Advevo

The ugly comments about the 1M is a big laugh. People who can drive choose certain cars because they handle well and they are a challenge to drive on the limit. The agile feel and the point and shoot cars are far more important than looks.

I have also a GT3. They look like flat beetles. But boy do they deliver. I prefer a GT3 over a nicer looking lambo anyday. But thats all about driving dynamics.

I don t choose a car to pimp up with big rims with stretched tires, carbon front lips and mirror caps etc and show it at cars and coffee. If that s youre thing fine by me but i rather go max attack on track and enjoy lots of sideways actions.

The car has to do deliver in driving dynamics so i can have maximum fun in driving.

Well said.

[Erhan]

I really don't care which market 1M or M3 is for. I also care less about styling. I don't have anything to prove to anyone by buying an M3. I don't care its social status. Even if 1M is the ricer car of bimmers, I would still buy it if it had S65 in it.

The ONLY reason that I won't buy one is the engine. If I was into turbo engines, there are many alternatives.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

Want facile torque: 1M. Want F1-derived - butterfly throttle high-rev - engine: M3 E9X.

F1 engines' idle speed is near the M3's redline. I wouldn't be so easy to compare the M3's engine to that of a F1 car.

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by Nine

The problem is the journalism, the article writing - it's misleading and lacks facts. All of these magazines are trying to sell a story, "autoblog picks 1M over M3", "335is competes with M3" - I promise you that these articles are written to get attention. To draw people to read, I'm sure the 1M is a great package, I'm sure it represents the M division well. All of these articles promote debates about who is faster, which is the better package. The journalists want to stir it up, they want people to say Holy **** the 1M is better than the M3. I wouldn't be surprised if some magazines fudge track #s for sales purposes.

If you wanted a dual duty track and commuter car, I'd say that the M3 has a bigger trunk, more space, offers a 4-door option, EDC and DCT. But if you wanted to save 15-20k, the 1M makes a great runner-up.

Im with you 110% here up to the last line. There are reasons (wheelbase, weight) beyond saving 15-20k to opt for the 1 over the 3, and its no runner up in that case. Also, not wanting any of the aforementioned things is central to my choice. I want a smaller trunk, less space, 2 doors, 6MT, not a dual duty car. I can see looking into an M3 if I wanted all of that though.. and since the RS4 is extinct there really is only one choice.

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by shift@red

So why not buy a Cayman S/R or a Lotus? Those are far better drivers tools that fit exactly what youre looking for (smaller trunk, 2 drs, 6mt, etc).

Im considering a GT3 RS so the Cayman isnt on my radar, definitely wouldnt want or need both).

Lotus is too bare bones for me (I own a raw car already). I will look into some of the new ones they have going around the show circuit this year, but they dont fit into the 1M niche. I was very surprised with the 135.

I want to have a BMW, so if I replace one of my other cars with a BMW then the 1M would fall out of favor. I was hoping to get a new M5 but im not a fan of the styling.

In the end the 1M is more flexible than the P cars and most importantly for me allows me to add a drastically different high dollar car to my garage later this summer. Im trying to fit pieces together to reach that particular goal.

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

1M is really for a different type of person. I don't think M3 will be affected by much...but 135i sales might.

Bingo. Not sure why anybody would bother with the 2012 135i (with it's huge price increase) when a lightly optioned 1M can be had for not a whole lot more. If performance is your primary concern, that's a no-brainer.

M3 hit's a bit different buyer/demographic

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Speaking from a neutral perspective (dont own either 1er of M3) I have to disagree. Seeing the way each party treats the other on their respective boards I would say the M3 crowd is way more hostile to the 1M crowd. The 1M crowd is excited because, like you said, it compares favorably to the M3 which is the performance benchmark of the brand. But people on here are getting ridiculous saying how ugly the 1M is, how its an entry level car, not a real M car, etc etc. Seems to me like the 1M crowd is sort of paying respect to the M3 by setting it as the benchmark while some M3 owners have nothing but terrible things to say about it for one reason or another. Its amazing how a new M car (which should be a good thing right?) can make some people so angry

It's the "younger, cuter sister" syndrome, even though I disagree that the 1M is "better". The M3 crowd of course has more ego on the line when some new hotshot comes along that's $12k cheaper and nips at it's heels so closely in terms of performance.

[Mr.Metak2you]

Well, I did not include quotes from individuals who said they preferred the looks of the M3 or even said they don't really like the looks of the 1M, because that's reasonable that not everyone is going to like it. But UGLY? Anyone who says that, looses credibility in my book. There are truly ugly cars out there that I reserve that statement for.

To be quite honest I really wasn't crazy about the 1series before the 1M was developed, but the M division did a great job. I have read about a dozen reviews of this car and while all have extremely positive, none have said the 1M is outright better than the M3, but instead some have said they would rather have it as their DD/track. It's just a preference.

Originally Posted by Brucewonder

If money wasn't the issue, anyone saying they would pick a 1M over an M3 is full of it.....

After owning every M3 since the E36, an Mcoupe(Z4) and an M6 money is not really a factor in choosing to buy a 1M. But I guess I am just "full of it" because I went from owning an M3 E90 to 1M....

Originally Posted by TTG

1M is ugly... I don't care how fast it is.....

Originally Posted by eisenb11

.....the 1M is quite ugly....I don't think I could bear looking at it every day......

Originally Posted by ihyln

1M is quite ugly......

Originally Posted by PKL

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

Originally Posted by crackberry

That car is so ugly
....

Originally Posted by eisenb11

.....
While I like performance, I'm not paying that much money for such an ugly car. ....

Originally Posted by No Turbo

The real M is the M3, period. 1M is a midget BMW on stereoids. 1 series look ugly and unbalanced to begin with. Every time I see a 135 there is a young kid sitting in it with his buddy, they are both sitting like I sit on my couch to watch movies on saturday so you can hardly see their face. The only reason they buy this car is because they cannot afford the 335. Same thing goes for the 1M and the M3. So there is no point of even arguing. 1 series is just ugly M or no M.

The M3 is more sleek and sexier IMO, but the 1M has a bit of a retro, meaner(just look at the flared fenders) look about it that I find irresistible. I think a true car enthusiast can appreciate different cars for different reasons, that is what separates them from the fanbois.





For those that like the 1M, I have added link for a new commercial in the UK for it, enjoy:

[devo]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

Last time I checked Porsche also offered plenty of turbo models.

Plenty???

[devo]

Originally Posted by Advevo

The ugly comments about the 1M is a big laugh. People who can drive choose certain cars because they handle well and they are a challenge to drive on the limit. The agile feel and the point and shoot cars are far more important than looks.

I have also a GT3. They look like flat beetles. But boy do they deliver. I prefer a GT3 over a nicer looking lambo anyday. But thats all about driving dynamics.

I don t choose a car to pimp up with big rims with stretched tires, carbon front lips and mirror caps etc and show it at cars and coffee. If that s youre thing fine by me but i rather go max attack on track and enjoy lots of sideways actions.

The car has to do deliver in driving dynamics so i can have maximum fun in driving.

Agreed! I was planning to buy a 1M as my DD but the stealer offered far too little for my 21k mile 335 Xi coupe. The M3 and 1M are just different flavors of M. However I am certain that a 1M would be loads of fun. Faster is not always more fun. The turbo engine does not take away from the brand at all imo.