First Drive: The New BMW 1 Series M Coupe
We finally get our hands on BMW's awesome new 1M
Text by Karl Peskett - Teamspeed contributing editor
Photos by - Jan Glovac

What is it?
The smallest M car ever made – but it’s a genuine pocket rocket

Why should I care?
It’s the best-handling BMW on sale and makes the M3 look positively slow

How fast and how much?
Two-door, rear-wheel-drive, twin-turbo straight-six, manual. 340bhp, 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, top speed 155mph.
MSRP: $47,010.00

Checklists can be quite helpful in life. They allow you to consolidate your thoughts. They keep things organized. And of course, they help you to prioritize.

Speaking of which, when it comes to cars, most people have a personal checklist. As far as automotive priorities go, the following criteria usually rate highly:

Rear-wheel-drive: check. Manual gearbox: check. Wide track: check. Short wheelbase: check. More than 300bhp: check.

Okay, the boxes are all ticked. That settles it, then – the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is the best M car ever made. Well, based on a checklist that may be the case, but delve a little further and you can tell that there’s a bit of cost sharing going on; the 1M is actually just a parts bin special.

The engine is from the Z4 sDrive35iS. The M Leather steering wheel with its M-Drive button is shared with the current M3 variants. The door mirrors are shared with the M3. The entire front and rear suspension design has been carried over from the M3 (apart from the front sub frame). The steering has been carried over unchanged from the E92 M3. The ‘M variable locking differential’ is shared with the current E92 M3. The braking system is the same as on the E92 M3. The 19” alloy wheels are shared with the current M3 ‘competition package’. And the gearbox is from BMW 5 Series.



If you’re getting the picture that this is basically an M3 with a six-cylinder in a smaller body, then you’ll understand why it seems like there’s a bit of cynicism. No need to do a whole heap of R&D – all the parts are there for the taking. But there’s a lot more to it than that.

You see, this car truly is more than just a sum of its parts. It takes the best bits of the current BMW range and packages them into a chassis that just begs to be driven. The 135i was a great little car, but this really does turn up the wick a whole heap more. With its wider track and M3 suspension, the 1M is gifted with a level of handling not seen before from a BMW.

It’s able to thread through high speed chicanes at ludicrous velocity, and while it does exhibit some roll (which is to make it bearable over the bumps for passengers and daily driving) its grip is tenacious.



The steering is just sublime – in fact it’s the best steering BMW of all time - and with the thick BMW M wheel, it’s a treat to throw into the corners. The steering weight is just like a juicy, thick steak – it’s so meaty you could sink your teeth into it – while the feedback is almost Lotus-like, with individual tread-blocks having a good old chat with your fingertips. There’s tonnes of grip from the front end, and with judicious throttle input, plenty from the back as well.

The thing is, if you decide not to be so prudent, you can easily snap it sideways. And when I say snap, I do mean it. The 1M has a tendency to come out of a corner with grip and then as soon as the engine hits its boost, the back lets go rather quickly. It telegraphs it perfectly, with a lightening of the steering, so you know when to grab it, but for the uninitiated, you could come unstuck rather easily.

The trick to holding it sideways is to hit the throttle just before mid corner. Do that and the boost comes in exactly at the apex and it slides through the exit with ease. It’s throttle steerable, too, however corrections are needed from the steering to flick it a bit more. The M3, by comparison, is a lot more progressive and easier to control, but the 1M is more rewarding because it’s more hard work.



On really tight switchbacks you can either let it rest on understeer, scrubbing slightly at the front end, or you can flick the back out a bit more by adding a tad more throttle, causing it to rest on its outside rear tire. That’s the beauty of the 1M – the cornering attitude is entirely left to the driver. Switch the stability control off, though, as even though it’s been specifically tuned to account for the extra grip of the 1M, it’s still far too intrusive and doesn’t relinquish control once grip has been re-established.

The twin-turbo straight six has a delicious growl, though it may be a bit muted for some, thanks to forced induction. It has a touch more lag than in its 135i state of tune, but with 340bhp, no-one will be complaining about that. It’s super flexible, too, with a decidedly torquey pull from a tad over 1500rpm in sixth gear. The benchmark 0-62mph sprint takes 4.9 seconds, but don’t let that fool you – it’ll whip an M3 any day of the week around a track.



The six-speed manual offers a slightly rubbery shift (in typical BMW fashion) and the clutch is a little soft, but there’s enough progression to enjoy it. Braking is also spectacular, and, unlike the M3, it’s not too affected when they get hot, although they do start to howl a little.

The 1M is practical, too, with adults who have legs able to sit in the back, even if for short distances, but there’s a decent sized trunk as well.

If you’re getting the picture that I’m a fan of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, then consider yourself observant. It’s a thrilling little machine that is more than worthy of its M badge, and one that is just as capable on a sweeping country road as it is in a tight city street. It’s able to take you to, from and around a racetrack in comfort and with its no-nonsense flared arches, arguably in style, too.

Yes, the 1M is sure to be a classic in enthusiast circles, and not just those who love the blue and white roundel. It has the speed, handling, driftability, steering and braking to satisfy even the most demanding driver. It’s superb value for money, too.

BMW’s M-Division has done it again. Their checklist must be a comprehensive one.

Larger Images:

 

Thanks for posting the great review DJ ! Can't wait till next season to get on the track.

 

Great review !!!

Thanks!


I`m so f`n torn between the Cayman R and this one...the Croco sure handles better,but...hmm

 

The 1M shows BMW's M division can still build light, fun, practical driving machines that enthusiasts love. It's all about getting back to basics with this car. A pure BMW M, even without a bespoke engine.

I hope BMW learns from the 1M project and brings us a second generation 1M coupe and possibly hatchback. Given the low production numbers it's shaping up to be a collectors piece as well.

Really enjoyed the review - well written and nice shots.

 

Great review, really enjoyed reading that one. The 1M coupe is such a sick little car, I do hope they bring up a second generation of it as well. Sounds like it's an absolute blast to drive.

 

Another great review guys!!! The writing made me want to go out and find one of these.

 

Great write up!! Would love to see a limited edition of a limited edition (1M) which would have the M3's V8 engine.

 

The 1M is truly an amazing car. Test drove it a few months back and it certainly left me with a huge smile on my face.

 

Good luck on this...