Most people like things that are different from the norm. Anyway, the BMW 1M Coupe (called 1M) is exactly that. It was a great car for the German luxury brand when it was new. Now, nearly ten years since its release, BMW enthusiasts still miss these rare Series 1 models. So much so that you can find the same generation E9x M3 for tens of thousands of dollars less than the 1M.
But let’s make it clear that unlike its big brother E9x M3, the 1M has never lost much value since its introduction. These rare coupes are worth much more today than they were new. But why exactly are people willing to pay more for a 1M experience? Well, let’s find out.
- Beautiful exterior design
- Exclusivity – Less than 800 sold in the US
- Mechanical gearbox
- Excellent handling
- Maximum torque is only 1500 rpm
- 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds
- Engine/engine: N54 3.0 liter straight six engine
- Horsepower: 335 horsepower at 5,900 rpm
- Torque: 332 L LB-FT @ 1500 rpm
- Drive: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- In-line six with turbocharging
- Aggressive exterior design
- It is highly desirable
- The interior is not the best
- Still expensive today
- Hard to find
The performance and capabilities of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe
Although the 1M is one of the best BMW cars of all time, it has an obvious Achilles heel: doesn’t do there is an M engine. The M division decided that installing the S65 V-8 engine from the M3 would be too much work. Why this never happened is a bit more complicated. So basically, the 1M is everything you’d want in a normal M car without actually being one.
2011 was the only year of production of 1M. The vehicle was available in the 2011 and 2012 model years. From the beginning, it was always intended as an exclusive option for enthusiasts. However, the M Division had very little time to implement this. In the same year, the N55 twin-scroll inline-six debuted in E9x 335i models. But this engine did not find its way into 1M.
At the time, BMW wasn’t sure they understood all the features of the new engine. So they decided to stick with a proven option: the N54 inline-six engine with two turbines. It was BMW’s first production turbocharged inline-six engine. By 2011, it had discovered most of its flaws, although it remains quirky in some respects.
However, the N54 found in 1M is the most powerful variant ever offered. In 1M, it produced 335 (designated) horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm.. This variant also had an overboost feature that boosted peak torque to 370 lb-ft in short bursts.
Let’s be clear, the N54 isn’t an M engine, but it’s pretty darn good. If it advertised peak torque at 1500rpm, it is indeed meant it. This engine will smack you in the face hard with torque. While V-8 M3 it’s more of a silky smooth progression, it’s all the beans at once.
It also doesn’t downshift at high revs, and when you shift gears, you’re back in the power band. ​​​​​​​​While over 6,000 rpm is pointless, you never need to go there. There are several options if you think you need more power. Triple digit speed without effort. If you need more power, these engines can get a lot more boost with simple modifications.
Having said that, the 1M is much more of a car than its engine. It is available only with a six-speed manual. It took all the suspension components from the M3 along with the limited slip differential (LSD). With the increased track width due to the extended rack, it has excellent balance. The square chassis is prone to understeer, but is quite capable of oversteer.
Turn off the traction control and hang on for dear life as the 1M shifts the tire into 3rd gear. It’s much less controlled than the M3 at the limit and that’s 100% part of its appeal. When you need to stop, the standard four-piston big brakes are awesome and powerful. The 1M features the latest iteration of BMW’s legendary hydraulic power steering. You can’t ask for more from a raw yet refined German sports coupe.
BMW 1-Series M Coupe specifications
| Engine | N54 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six |
|---|---|
| Horse power | 335 at 5,900 rpm |
| Torque | 332 at 1500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual gearbox |
| Disk layout | Rear drive |
| 0-60 mph | 4.2 seconds |
Exterior design
The exterior design of the BMW 1M is still one of its highlights. Based on the cute proportions and compact size, it’s clearly a smaller car compared to the M3 when viewed from afar. However, it retains the wide hips through the flared fenders that made the M models iconic.
The front bumper styling continues to be one of BMW’s most exciting designs to date. There are replica 1M style bumpers for almost every BMW model you can imagine. People loved how aggressive and distinctive it was. The headlights, being an LCI (face lift) model, feature the iconic BMW Corona rings and are some of the best you can get on 1 series. They also offer distinctive built-in LED “eyebrow” turn signals.
The rear shows off its M heritage with a powerful quad exhaust system. To match the wider quarter panels of the 1M, it had a unique rear bumper with venting features. The 19-inch wheels came straight from the Competition M3 and are still some of the best OEM M wheels out there ever!! The 1M was only available in three colors: Alpine White, Sapphire Black and Valencia Orange. The third is by far the most distinct and is the debut color for 1M. If it were our choice, our ideal 1M would have to be Valencia Orange. Its compact yet aggressive proportions make the 1M the blueprint for a handsome sports coupe.
Exterior colors
| Standard colors | Alpine white |
|---|---|
| Black sapphire | |
| Valencia Orange |
Dimensions
| Length | 172.2 inches |
|---|---|
| Width | 71.0 inches |
| Height | 55.9 inches |
| Wheel base | 104. Art |
| Track width | 60.7 inches (front) / 60.7 inches (rear) |
| Cargo space | 13.1 cubic feet |
Interior design
If there was one aspect we wish BMW had spent a little more time on the 1M, it would be the interior. What you’ll find in the 1M isn’t much different from what you’ll find in the standard 1 Series. But make no mistake, it’s a quality luxury interior, but not as special as other aspects of the car. The M-sport leather steering wheel is thick and well-weighted with tri-color M stitching. The gear shifter is cut and straight with a red-stitched Alcantara boot. You’ll find this red trim on the dashboard and along the accent pieces, including the seats. Why didn’t they extend the alcantara to the gear lever and the steering wheel units themselves? We still don’t understand.
The gray dials in the instrument cluster are a unique feature of the 1M. The dead pedal is aluminum, but all 3 pedals are rubberized plastic units. This car really deserved aluminum pedals, but never got them. But despite all these aspects, we can’t just forget how livable the 1M is as a sports coupe. The car came standard with navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. You can control all functions with the central control knob (BMW iDrive). It has a good sized boot and usable rear seats. It’s unlikely to be a daily driver, but it’s certainly very capable of being one.
BMW 1 Series M Coupe Price, Availability and Ownership
Price of BMW 1-Series M Coupe
| BMW 1-Series M Coupe | $47,010 (estimate) |
|---|
If you’re going to buy a BMW 1M, you’re buying it for exclusivity. BMW only sold about 740 of these cars in the US World production is about 6309 units. In comparison, BMW sold 25,672 E9X M3s in its four years of existence. So you don’t have to do the math to figure out how rare these cars are.
Except for people I know who own these super rare cars, I’ve only seen a couple of them myself. Even in Southern California, they are rare. The people I know who own 1Ms have owned them since new or for over 8 years. They are loved and driven to this day. I mean, why would you let go? It should be noted that the 1M have preserved their values ​​quite well. People have happily overpaid the price of these cars since they were released. However, in 2022 they cost about a $14,000 premium over the original MSRP of $47,010.
That brings us to an average price of $60,807 for a BMW 1 Series M Coupe over the past five years. Here’s a reality check because the average selling price of the 2011 M3 is $39,725 over the past five years. That’s a staggering difference of over $20,000.
Is the BMW 1M Coupe a better driver’s car than the E9X M3? No. It’s not that special, even if it’s rare. Is the 1M worth the same price as the E9X M3? No, we’ll drive the M3 every day. Is the 1M worth $20,000 more than the E9X M3? no no no What about the M2? It’s just not the same thing.
But does this car hold a special place in your heart and one day you dream of owning it? Now that’s a better reason than all the other reasons I listed above, right? Price per window from 1M. This may not be the deciding factor if you are in the market and looking for one. However, what we can say is if you to do once you own 1 million you will find no reason to sell it. But if you end up selling it, you’ll probably regret it for the rest of your life.
FAQ
Q: How much does the Ducati Superleggera V4 cost?
When announced, the Ducati Superleggera V4 cost over $100,000
Q: How much horsepower does the Ducati Superleggera V4 make?
In the “standard” configuration, the engine produces a claimed 221 horsepower. With a racing ECU and exhaust installed, it makes 231 horsepower.
Q: How many Ducati Superleggera V4s will be produced?
500 were built and all sold out within hours.
Q: How fast is the Ducati Superleggera V4?
Very soon! There is no independent data, but we can expect speeds of up to 200 mph to be dispatched with ease.
https://www.topspeed.com/bmw-1-series-m-coupe-performance-price-and-photos/
