New York Auto Show-BMW section+M1

[snowman9711]

Hey guys im curious who went to the New York auto show at the javits center. I was there yesterday and of course went over to the BMW section. There I saw the usual car, but one appeance I was surpised about was the M1. I checked it out, sat in it, and talked to the woman who was watching the booth. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on the m1 because though it was nice, if a person was to be spending 47-49 grand on that wip, save up for one more year and just grab an m3.

[Seattle S65B40]

If you want a real M car, save up and get the M3. BTW, it's 1M. The M1 is a TOTALLY different car...

[motortrend]

M1:

1M:

Don't call it an M1

[MonteCarloM3]

depends on what you want to use the car for. the 1m will be tons of fun on the track, lighter, handling will be superb and less expensive. m3 is a great car too if you're looking for more of a DD to do lots of other things with it like take the kids shopping and loading up at costco
if you like the 1M, then buy it.

[CarbonAlpine]

M3 for me! Totally biased of course, but I wouldn't mind getting one of them for my gf.

[lcrain]

Don't know that I quite understand the "real M" argument. I think the 1m is a really good platform for a performance car, arguably more than the m3 (not trying to start a flame war, just stating an unbiased observation). The stigma associated with the m3 is a big draw for a lot of people, as it has a history for being a performance animal.

Sure the M3 gets a NA v8 which is badass, but the n54 has proven to be a very potent engine. The 1m has many of the same suspension components as the m3, on a smaller platform. For some, a fully loaded 1m makes sense more than an m3 with no options. Personally I like the 1m, and am seriously considering it as an option for my next vehicle. NA would be sweet, but a smaller platform with a twin turbo engine, m3 suspension components, LSD, bulging fenders etc. would be a very fun car.

I do have my problems with the 1m, none about the drivetrain though. Don't like the colors available. Wish I could get a grey. Also, have serious issues with the orange stitching on the interior and would have to see that in person to make a legitimate judgement call. The proportions of the 1 series looks odd at times, again I would have to see the 1m in person to really judge it.

I just don't understand the argument that it is not a real M car. True, all of the past M3s have been NA, but vehicles in general are moving in a different direction and all m cars in the future will most likely use forced induction.

[KGB7]

I almost like everything about the car except for Turbos. Slap a SC or make it NA and i will find it more interesting.

[Seattle S65B40]

Originally Posted by lcrain

Don't know that I quite understand the "real M" argument. I think the 1m is a really good platform for a performance car, arguably more than the m3 (not trying to start a flame war, just stating an unbiased observation). The stigma associated with the m3 is a big draw for a lot of people, as it has a history for being a performance animal.

Sure the M3 gets a NA v8 which is badass, but the n54 has proven to be a very potent engine. The 1m has many of the same suspension components as the m3, on a smaller platform. For some, a fully loaded 1m makes sense more than an m3 with no options. Personally I like the 1m, and am seriously considering it as an option for my next vehicle. NA would be sweet, but a smaller platform with a twin turbo engine, m3 suspension components, LSD, bulging fenders etc. would be a very fun car.

I do have my problems with the 1m, none about the drivetrain though. Don't like the colors available. Wish I could get a grey. Also, have serious issues with the orange stitching on the interior and would have to see that in person to make a legitimate judgement call. The proportions of the 1 series looks odd at times, again I would have to see the 1m in person to really judge it.

I just don't understand the argument that it is not a real M car. True, all of the past M3s have been NA, but vehicles in general are moving in a different direction and all m cars in the future will most likely use forced induction.

I just don't like these newer cars with no heritage or history being classified as M cars. M3 has been around for a long as time and has every accolade you can imagine to back it up. 1 series is new and was made to expand lower into the the market. There is no history to this car. No heritage and no respect as of now - at least from me.

One day, i may respect the 1M, whatever generation that will be, but as of now, I just see it as marketing gimmick. As i have stated before, should have been the 135iS...

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

I just don't like these newer cars with no heritage or history being classified as M cars. M3 has been around for a long as time and has every accolade you can imagine to back it up. 1 series is new and was made to expand lower into the the market. There is no history to this car. No heritage and no respect as of now - at least from me.

One day, i may respect the 1M, whatever generation that will be, but as of now, I just see it as marketing gimmick. As i have stated before, should have been the 135iS...

agreed. not to mention, the N54 is potent for a street engine (aside from the inexcusably systemic fuel pump failures), but that doesn't make it suitable for motorsport. there's more to an engine than what can be gleaned from a dyno sheet.

[jeffnnj]

Come visit me on Sunday. I will be working in the BMW area from 10-3. Please make sure to say hello.


Jeff

[lcrain]

Originally Posted by Brosef

agreed. not to mention, the N54 is potent for a street engine (aside from the inexcusably systemic fuel pump failures), but that doesn't make it suitable for motorsport. there's more to an engine than what can be gleaned from a dyno sheet.

I can totally agree that the M3 has tons of heritage, it has been a dream car of mine ever since I got into cars. But some people need to stop being so closed minded about NA vs. FI. Not trying to say the M3 isn't an amazing car but there are plenty of FI cars with plenty of heritage too (Ferrari F40, Porsche GT2). Look at the GTR, rapes just about everything NA out there with more weight and 2 turbos. Saying that a turbo charged car isn't suitable for motorsport is a pretty biased thing to say, and in my opinion any car that is setup properly, regardless of engine characteristics, can be a great motorsport car.

[CrazyJoe]

looks good

[Edward]

Every M car was a new idea at some point. Even the M3. And someone who owned an E30 M3 would probably joke about how even an E92 M3 is watered down it compared to its predecessors.
I have many more problems with an X6 being designated an M model than I do about a lighter car with a shorter wheel base such as the 1M being called an M car.
that being said, I wouldn't buy one. I'd get an M3. It's way better looking.

[ryem3]

Originally Posted by jeffnnj

Come visit me on Sunday. I will be working in the BMW area from 10-3. Please make sure to say hello.


Jeff

Going tomorrow night. Anyone going to be around?

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by lcrain

Don't know that I quite understand the "real M" argument. I think the 1m is a really good platform for a performance car, arguably more than the m3 (not trying to start a flame war, just stating an unbiased observation). The stigma associated with the m3 is a big draw for a lot of people, as it has a history for being a performance animal.

Sure the M3 gets a NA v8 which is badass, but the n54 has proven to be a very potent engine. The 1m has many of the same suspension components as the m3, on a smaller platform. For some, a fully loaded 1m makes sense more than an m3 with no options. Personally I like the 1m, and am seriously considering it as an option for my next vehicle. NA would be sweet, but a smaller platform with a twin turbo engine, m3 suspension components, LSD, bulging fenders etc. would be a very fun car.

I do have my problems with the 1m, none about the drivetrain though. Don't like the colors available. Wish I could get a grey. Also, have serious issues with the orange stitching on the interior and would have to see that in person to make a legitimate judgement call. The proportions of the 1 series looks odd at times, again I would have to see the 1m in person to really judge it.

I just don't understand the argument that it is not a real M car. True, all of the past M3s have been NA, but vehicles in general are moving in a different direction and all m cars in the future will most likely use forced induction.

I think part of it is because many consider the 1M coupe a "parts bin" creation.... 135 chassis, M3 parts (suspension, diff, wheels, brakes, etc), 335is engine, etc.

It is a great car for what it is, but methinks part of the "not a true M" label may stem from this viewpoint.