M3 or 1M??

[PKL]

M3, 1M total failure

[ChrisK]

I had a 135i (1M is still the same inside, but with a few tweaks) - no comparison. Get the M3!

[03BeastCharmer]

Since 99% of this forum haven't driven the 1M, I'd take everyone biased opinion with a grain of salt. If you are confused, wait for it to come out, and drive both, and decide which fits best for what you want to do with it (daily driving, long commutes, track days, canyons, etc).

[kmarei]

all i can say is
one car took years to test/improve, with perhaps one of the best racing hetigate of any car bar the Porsche 911.
and the other was a rush job (according to BMW themselves, using as many off the shelf components as possible)

another thing
the 1M by the time it comes out will be an older shape in about a year when the new shape 1 series comes out
now i don't know about you, but i don't want to pay $50k only to have it be replaced a year later. it's not about only knowing you have the latest and gratest, but fact there will be options in the next 1 series (heads up display, better idrive, better phone connecitivy etc) that you will wish you had.

[dpsfm3]

dude with $52K you can certainly afford an M3. Put $5K down and finance the rest for 0.9% and put the rest of the money in the bank - it's a no brainer.

[Psylight]

Test drive both, but get the m3.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

Since 99% of this forum haven't driven the 1M, I'd take everyone biased opinion with a grain of salt. If you are confused, wait for it to come out, and drive both, and decide which fits best for what you want to do with it (daily driving, long commutes, track days, canyons, etc).

True, but many of us have driven the 135i at length. I am referring to the non-handling characteristics of the car. The interior (leg room, seats, steering position, idrive, etc) haven't changed.

Someone currently driving a 3 would be able to offer a rather similar opinion about the M3.

IMHO: Even if the 1M drove/handled exactly like the M3, I would still get the M3.

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by Mthusiast

Can anyone talk me out of a 1M? I am really just not sure what I want. I can only afford about $52k so thats a new 1M or a gently used M3 sedan. I have an x3 and an x5 so space is not a concern, I am looking for the best driving experience.. Can the M3 forum help me?

Perhaps we should return to the original question.

My E90 is a joy, but I purchased it as a compromise to my needs as a husband, father and daily driver. To those purposes the E90 is perfect. It's just not clear what Mthusiast needs his car for.

Mthusiast has a limited budget of $52K which can get him in a low miles CPO 2008 E9X M3 at best. I wouldn't advise going back in time and purchasing an E46. The E9X NA V8 engine is just too good to pass up if you're going with a M3. The only drawback is that he won't have a budget to mod his car anytime soon.

The 1M is the latest fashion as the more "pure" driving experience. It's not faster, but it is simpler. 6MT only, wider than the 135i, ZCP wheels, M3 suspension, lighter, pared down M-button function.

The 1M is more of a getaway car that is nimbler and perhaps more of a symbol of freedom than anything else. It's completely impractical backseat is perfectly uninviting and screams, "Hey honey. I'll be back!" because there sure ain't room for the kids. Perhaps Mthusiast's X3/5 already covers his logistical needs.

Putting all of the competitive specs aside regarding which tracks better, we all know that they're both going to be fun to drive (even if we haven't yet test driven the 1M.) It's just a matter of deciding how it fits in his lifestyle.

[Nautik]

I was asking myself the same question several months ago. One of the main reasons I am leaning towards a lightly used M3 is because the M3 has had more development and refinement. I'm always nervous of the first year of a first gen car... You really don't know what you could be getting into. The M3 is tried and true at this point (imo).

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Nautik

I was asking myself the same question several months ago. One of the main reasons I am leaning towards a lightly used M3 is because the M3 has had more development and refinement. I'm always nervous of the first year of a first gen car... You really don't know what you could be getting into. The M3 is tried and true at this point (imo).

True!

...but the 1M isn't truly a first gen car. The N54 has been out for quite some time, and has been refined (..so to speak). I highly doubt we'll see any new issues with the motor.


Kirk, nice analysis!

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

True!

...but the 1M isn't truly a first gen car. The N54 has been out for quite some time, and has been refined (..so to speak). I highly doubt we'll see any new issues with the motor.


Kirk, nice analysis!

All I can say is HPFP.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

All I can say is HPFP.

It's possible, but it's still not a potential issue exclusive to the 1M. It's something that could be experienced with any of the current N54-powered turbo cars.

[calintexas]

If you are cash constrained, you might want to look at an E46 M3 as a couple of others have suggested. They are great driving cars, there are great deals on the cars available, and you could make lots of repairs over time and never spend $52K total. You could always go the HPF route if you want to be faster than the newer cars.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by calintexas

If you are cash constrained, you might want to look at an E46 M3 as a couple of others have suggested. They are great driving cars, there are great deals on the cars available, and you could make lots of repairs over time and never spend $52K total. You could always go the HPF route if you want to be faster than the newer cars.

I'd chose a 1M over an E46 M3. Too many improvements have been made to current ///M cars to travel back that far. He has the capital to afford a maintenance free new 1M.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

It's possible, but it's still not a potential issue exclusive to the 1M. It's something that could be experienced with any of the current N54-powered turbo cars.

True

[zhangzeyuandss]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

Since 99% of this forum haven't driven the 1M, I'd take everyone biased opinion with a grain of salt. If you are confused, wait for it to come out, and drive both, and decide which fits best for what you want to do with it (daily driving, long commutes, track days, canyons, etc).

to be honest with you. I don't think you will be getting a better deal with 1M. With limited production cycle. Dealer will most likely willn't let you test drive or knock down too much money for it.

[zhangzeyuandss]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I'd chose a 1M over an E46 M3. Too many improvements have been made to current ///M cars to travel back that far. He has the capital to afford a maintenance free new 1M.

The reason I moved from a N54 335I to an M3 is I am sicking tired of replacing fuel pump. One time the car dead in the middle of no where at 4am.... No signs or anything what so ever. I literally walked about 4 miles to get help...can you imagine that?.. I would never never ever want to go through that again...not until a complete solution has come out and proven to fix the HPFP and injectors, ignition coil problems. 1M share the same engine with N54 335i, so the chances are you are going to see a lot of 1m with bad pumps.

Would you rather have a much reliable cpo used car than having a new car with potential unfixed dangerous problems that could put both your life and your significant other's life in risk... do the math man.. I would take a used cpo m3 anyday

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by PKL

M3, 1M total failure

What are you basing this "total failure" on? Extensive seat time? Of course not.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by zhangzeyuandss

The reason I moved from a N54 335I to an M3 is I am sicking tired of replacing fuel pump. One time the car dead in the middle of no where at 4am.... No signs or anything what so ever. I literally walked about 4 miles to get help...can you imagine that?.. I would never never ever want to go through that again...not until a complete solution has come out and proven to fix the HPFP and injectors, ignition coil problems. 1M share the same engine with N54 335i, so the chances are you are going to see a lot of 1m with bad pumps.

Would you rather have a much reliable cpo used car than having a new car with potential unfixed dangerous problems that could put both your life and your significant other's life in risk... do the math man.. I would take a used cpo m3 anyday

Your situation was unfortunate, and I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully the HPFP issue has been rectified (..2010 335i owners chime in).

[zhangzeyuandss]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Your situation was unfortunate, and I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully the HPFP issue has been rectified (..2010 335i owners chime in).

lol I seriously doubt IT..I went through 4 pumps in about 3 years.Three completely different parts number for the both pumps which means they've tried three times and failed to fix the problem.. When I traded my car in for the m3, the car already had early symptoms of a dying pump extremely long cranks ,that is about 3 month with the newest pump...even though they did extended the warranty of the pumps.. I still would rather place my bet safely.. I am not trying to scare OP away of buying a 1M. that is why I have mix feeling for 1m. on one hand I like the styling of the car and I like the power and torq of the N54, on the other hand, I am just too afraid to go through with the fuel pump experience again.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by zhangzeyuandss

lol I seriously doubt IT..I went through 4 pumps in about 3 years.Three completely different parts number for the both pumps which means they've tried three times and failed to fix the problem.. When I traded my car in for the m3, the car already had early symptoms of a dying pump extremely long cranks ,that is about 3 month with the newest pump...even though they did extended the warranty of the pumps.. I still would rather place my bet safely.. I am not trying to scare OP away of buying a 1M. that is why I have mix feeling for 1m. on one hand I like the styling of the car and I like the power and torq of the N54, on the other hand, I am just too afraid to go through with the fuel pump experience again.

...and rightfully so. It reminds me of the situations in which people had issues with multiple E46 M3's (..i.e...blown motors; my '03 PY M3 motor blew up due to a DME malfunction), and decided never to buy one again.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Your situation was unfortunate, and I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully the HPFP issue has been rectified (..2010 335i owners chime in).

My 2008 135i has had the HPFP issue twice. The first time they did a software mod I believe. The second time they swapped the pump. It involved getting approval from BMWNA after sending in car specific information. This was done in spring 2010. No issues to date with the new pump and I feel confident in it. I was told that Spring 2010 onward the pumps are good. However, I do agree going to a S65 takes a bit of a burden off my mind.