Motortrend 1M vs M3

[erio]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

[ChrisK]

Nice review. 1M is a monster and the right direction for BMW... but the M3 is M-perfection.

[///M Ryder]

Interesting perspective..........Phil

[Kurohouou]

Good review and read. The M3 will always be the better car IMO, BMW wouldn't make a lower car beat the M3 anyways

[Crazy Bimmer]

But is it better? Lieberman and I agree: No. This big, heavy, and expensive M3, with its unflappable confidence and lascivious powertrain, is the car we want, the car we'll remember as the best of the naturally aspirated Ms. It's the one we'll tell young gearheads about in a few decades with the same fondness and reverence as given its E30 ancestor. The 1M doesn't measure up to the M3's standard. Few cars do.

[GOLFFRR]

nice write up. both cars have their strengths. I still need to drive the 1m for myself before i make any comparison.

[klammer]

If I haven't said it enough, I love my f'n car!

[LateBraking]

And as soon as 1addicts gets a hold of this article....





However, the praise for the 1M is very high, and it seems like a terrific car. I would certainly not mind a 1M next to the M3 in the garage. However, if I had to pick one....

[ChrisK]

My 2 cents on the 1 series:

I owned a 135i - loved the car! ...but stats are only have the story.

The M3 seats are superior in every way to either the non-sport seats or the sports seats in the 1 series. The interior materials are far better in the M3 (Lots of hard plastic in the 1er). I also hope BMW fixed the dreaded airbag marks that appear after a few months on the 1 series dash.

The M3 really is the jack of all trades and master of almost all! Aggressive when needed, civil when you need it.

[TunedM2C]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

The M3 seats are superior in every way to either the non-sport seats or the sports seats in the 1 series. The interior materials are far better in the M3 (Lots of hard plastic in the 1er). I also hope BMW fixed the dreaded airbag marks that appear after a few months on the 1 series dash.

The M3 really is the jack of all trades and master of almost all! Aggressive when needed, civil when you need it.

Your right about the M3 seats and they have fixed the passenger airbag area on teh 1M. I can also say the 1M is the jack of trades too.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Tuned1

Your right about the M3 seats and they have fixed the passenger airbag area on teh 1M. I can also say the 1M is the jack of trades too.

It's about time they fixed the dash - that was bad for BMW.

[mpm3]

drove both gotta agree m3 is just a better car its really that engine its M azing

[Boost Meister]

USELESS! How are they comparing DCT vs Manual. Just Stupid IMO

[Nine]

Originally Posted by Boost Meister

USELESS! How are they comparing DCT vs Manual. Just Stupid IMO

I'm sure if the 1M came with DCT they would have used it, but again the 1M is supposed to be the affordable M, you can't have it all if you want a 1M - you'll end up in an M3 - thats the point.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Boost Meister

USELESS! How are they comparing DCT vs Manual. Just Stupid IMO

I guess you are inferring the DCT is that much better performance wise than a 6MT when it isn't. Road and Track recorded a 0-60 time of 4.1 and 12.5 @114.8mph pretty darn close to what can be achieved even with a DCT.

Here is the R&T Data panel

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezfl...e4ae092da7.pdf

Also, Tommy Kendall ran a E46 6MT M3 against the SMG version at Laguna Seca a few years back (granted SMG is not DCT but as far as track use very comparable) and he ran identical lap times.

Only thing is the 6MT is going to take skill to run those times while the DCT makes you look like a pro. If you are ham fisted at shifting than your mileage will vary.

dave

[excitebike99]

I can see how the 1M appeals to a definite segment of the M3 market. Performance-wise, really impressive. But it has been said and cannot be understated - that car is empirically ugly. Like multiple, prolonged rounds with the fugly stick.

To each his own, I guess.

[SIIK2NR]

1M is so ugly as is and then to put it next to an M3 in photos just makes it even more uglier....

[RON1X]

Originally Posted by LateBraking

However, the praise for the 1M is very high, and it seems like a terrific car. I would certainly not mind a 1M next to the M3 in the garage. However, if I had to pick one....

I would agree 100%

[Nine]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

I guess you are inferring the DCT is that much better performance wise than a 6MT when it isn't. Road and Track recorded a 0-60 time of 4.1 and 12.5 @114.8mph pretty darn close to what can be achieved even with a DCT.

Here is the R&T Data panel

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezfl...e4ae092da7.pdf

Also, Tommy Kendall ran a E46 6MT M3 against the SMG version at Laguna Seca a few years back (granted SMG is not DCT but as far as track use very comparable) and he ran identical lap times.

Only thing is the 6MT is going to take skill to run those times while the DCT makes you look like a pro. If you are ham fisted at shifting than your mileage will vary.

dave

DCT is much faster than 6MT, it's a fact. Get over it.

[Nine]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Its def faster, but not by a monumentally huge amount. The data ive seen shows its ~1 second faster to 124 mph in straight line and traps speeds havnt been much more, if at all.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e90...al-vs-dct.html

Track data shows it has a very narrow margin as well.

It depends on the track and amount of shifting, but DCT's benefit is not just with launch control and lack of a third pedal, but it also is allowing the car to progress forward as it is shifting.

Over time, with and more data I am confident that DCT will show a significant advantage over the 6MT, all other things being equal.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Its def faster, but not by a monumentally huge amount. The data ive seen shows its ~1 second faster to 124 mph in straight line and traps speeds havnt been much more, if at all.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e90...al-vs-dct.html

Track data shows it has a very narrow margin as well.

Those times don't reflect what DCT can do with the latest software. DCT after that last sw update last year was a game changer.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Nine

DCT is much faster than 6MT, it's a fact. Get over it.

Don't have to get so defensive...I don't agree with you...

Your statement of it being much faster is just totally wrong..maybe a tenth or so that is it.

Dave