M3 or 1M??

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by MVF4Rrider

+1. The new 320si is probably the most fun car in the BMW lineup today. Better balanced than anything else and a screamer of a motor. Of course BMW doesn't bring it to the States.

I'm sure it's fun to drive, but I wouldn't want one

And since the OP is considering used and states that space is not an issue, might look at a 997. Plenty of 06 and 07s in that price range.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

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.

Another comment from the misinformed. The 1 series back seat is not small. I've fit 2 large adults comfortably in the back seats of my 135i many times. There's a lot of 135i owners with baby seats in the back as well (my wife was still pregnant when I had mine). Obviously it doesn't have the practicality of the E90, but it's not that far off from the E92 in terms of people carrying.

[Serious]

Originally Posted by zhangzeyuandss

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.

It won't have a limited production cycle. BMW will build as many as they have buyers for.

As for people saying the 1M isn't tried and tested... well LOL. It is essentially all m3 parts underneath with the 335is engine. Oh and don't even try to compare the handling of a 135i to a 1M, unless you would like a similar comparison drawn between a 335 and m3.

[jonasaurus]

At minimum you'll need to drive both to see how they feel and even then will not necessarily be representative of what they are like in 'real life'. Tough choice!

[joelk]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Another comment from the misinformed. The 1 series back seat is not small. I've fit 2 large adults comfortably in the back seats of my 135i many times. There's a lot of 135i owners with baby seats in the back as well (my wife was still pregnant when I had mine). Obviously it doesn't have the practicality of the E90, but it's not that far off from the E92 in terms of people carrying.

I currently haul around my 6 mo. old in my 135i. For sure, there's adequate space in the back seat given it's a small car, but omfg getting a car seat in and out is a giant PITA. Thus me going for 4 doors w/ the m3.

My next 2 door car will be a cayman s....eventually...

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Another comment from the misinformed. The 1 series back seat is not small. I've fit 2 large adults comfortably in the back seats of my 135i many times. There's a lot of 135i owners with baby seats in the back as well (my wife was still pregnant when I had mine). Obviously it doesn't have the practicality of the E90, but it's not that far off from the E92 in terms of people carrying.

I had to move my front seats at least 6-8 inches forward to get two adults in the rear of my 135i.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I had to move my front seats at least 6-8 inches forward to get two adults in the rear of my 135i.

that's pretty atypical ... they must have been nba players or something.

or maybe i just sit upright more than you ...

[03BeastCharmer]

Originally Posted by kmarei

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.

All of that can also be said about the M3. New car coming with a bunch of new tech (but not the V8 )

The intent of the 1M isn't the tech things that could be added in the next version by the driving experience.

The E86 M coupe was the same way. Took the engine, brakes from the E46 M3 and made a great drivers car.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by joelk

that's pretty atypical ... they must have been nba players or something.

or maybe i just sit upright more than you ...

Actually they are both 6".

[B R A N D X®]

I'd have to do an extended test drive of a 1M before I could really give you an answer. You may want to wait until the 1M is released and drive them back to back. It's hard for anyone to answer this question definitively because, while we know what the 1M is on paper and what it looks like, none of us have actually driven one.

I can tell you that while I just purchased a new M3 last week I already have a photo of a Valencia Orange 1M as my wallpaper. I can't wait to see one in person in this color and to actually drive one.

If it's really sweet I can see adding one to my garage.

I have a manual tranny, APR Stage 2 tuned 2010 VW GTI Autobahn Package (the car that Car & Driver says every driving enthusiast should own once in their life) and the 1M looks like a potential, ultimate, replacement for this torque-rich, little, run-about, fun hatch.

If possible, cool your jets and wait until you can drive both.

[TRY...M3]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Is that even a question?!? Seriously, owning one of the best all around cars in the world which offers great performance in all aspects with the best engine the M division has ever put into a production car, or some tuned 135i with M3 suspension components?
A used M3 gets my vote any day of the week.

Second that

[Olagüe]

M3 for sure!!!

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

All of that can also be said about the M3. New car coming with a bunch of new tech (but not the V8 )

The intent of the 1M isn't the tech things that could be added in the next version by the driving experience.

The E86 M coupe was the same way. Took the engine, brakes from the E46 M3 and made a great drivers car.

i don't know
i just have a bad feeling about paying so much for a 1 series

i remember when i went to the M drive event
the BMW guy was asking how many parts are shared between the M3 ad regular 3 series
i guessed 50%?
answer was 30%!
so you know you are paying for all the research that went into that 70%

now i know the price of the 1M is inflated simply because it has the M logo on the back
the M3 i truely feel i am getting my money's worth
1M not so much
if it were cheaper, i would have been all for it
but to command such a premium over a 135i, which is only 30hp less?
no way jose

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Another comment from the misinformed. The 1 series back seat is not small. I've fit 2 large adults comfortably in the back seats of my 135i many times. There's a lot of 135i owners with baby seats in the back as well (my wife was still pregnant when I had mine). Obviously it doesn't have the practicality of the E90, but it's not that far off from the E92 in terms of people carrying.

would you disgree that it's got a smaller back seat than the E90/92??
i have been in both
i'm not a tall guy (5'10") and i was tight in the back seat of the 1
i sit comfortably in the back seat of the M3

its also smaller in the front
i felt tight in the 135
i don't feel that in the E92

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Another comment from the misinformed. The 1 series back seat is not small. I've fit 2 large adults comfortably in the back seats of my 135i many times. There's a lot of 135i owners with baby seats in the back as well (my wife was still pregnant when I had mine). Obviously it doesn't have the practicality of the E90, but it's not that far off from the E92 in terms of people carrying.

I agree! My g/f's 2011 128i has fit four adults comfortably, and the back seats are no more or less comfortable than the back seats in my M3 coupe.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by kmarei

to command such a premium over a 135i, which is only 30hp less?
no way jose

not sure if you knew but the 135i base price is essentially $40k now so the difference isn't that much... smaller difference than the m3 i believe.

I tell you they are pushing the whole lineup higher to make room for those front-wheel drive cars.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by kmarei

i don't know
i just have a bad feeling about paying so much for a 1 series

i remember when i went to the M drive event
the BMW guy was asking how many parts are shared between the M3 ad regular 3 series
i guessed 50%?
answer was 30%!
so you know you are paying for all the research that went into that 70%

now i know the price of the 1M is inflated simply because it has the M logo on the back
the M3 i truely feel i am getting my money's worth
1M not so much
if it were cheaper, i would have been all for it
but to command such a premium over a 135i, which is only 30hp less?
no way jose

I'm sure that the difference between a 135i and the 1M is probably as similar percentage (..I'd guess 50% because they share the same base motor). The 1M is changed significantly enough to warrant the badge.

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I agree! My g/f's 2011 128i has fit four adults comfortably, and the back seats are no more or less comfortable than the back seats in my M3 coupe.

Right... Sure... The 128i fits 4 people comfortably.
.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by joelk

not sure if you knew but the 135i base price is essentially $40k now so the difference isn't that much... smaller difference than the m3 i believe.

I tell you they are pushing the whole lineup higher to make room for those front-wheel drive cars.

135i is $36,350
1M is $47

that's 10K difference
which is suspiciously close to the difference between a 335i and a 335is

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Right... Sure... The 128i fits 4 people comfortably.
.

Well let's see....

• Driver - 5'5"
• Passenger - 5'7"
• Me - 5'10"
• My best friend - 6'1"

My best friend was seated behind my g/f and I was seated behind her best friend. We all went out to dinner, and it was fine. Again, the TWO rear seats in my E92 M3 don't offer much more room than the 128i. In fact, it seems like there is LESS headroom in my coupe.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by kmarei

135i is $36,350
1M is $47

that's 10K difference
which is suspiciously close to the difference between a 335i and a 335is

from the 1er forum the 135i will now cost $39.9k... not sure when the bump is going into effect.

here's one thread...but there are others with more authoritative sourcing:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=474824

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by joelk

from the 1er forum the 135i will now cost $39.9k... not sure when the bump is going into effect.

i was going on current prices from BMWUSA
i'm banned from any thread which has the 1M so i didn't see what you are reffering to