BMW 1M Buyers Guide

  Feb 4, 2016     1-series M, 1M, BMW, M Division, M Power, RWD

The 1M is the closest BMW have got to remaking the original E30 M3, it is purposeful yet with compact dimensions. The aggressive styling still looks fresh and will age very well. The twin turbo engine is extremely potent, offering huge amounts of torque. Limited production run keeps demand high and many were coveted by collectors from new, currently there are just 395 examples registered in the UK. Prices for used 1Ms have held around the original price since first released.

The 1M is equipped with a very free-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology and 335bhp. Its maximum torque of 369ft lb (500nm) on overboost ensures extreme pulling power at all speeds and acceleration from 0-62mph in under 4.9 seconds.

The 1M looks like a 1 series on steroids, every panel is pumped up and ready for battle. The body has been melted over the mechanicals, taught and purposeful

Under the impressive wings is a track width extended by 60mm at the front and 40mm at the rear. The front air dam supplies the racing-grade cooling system with sufficient air and the rear skirt plus spoiler increases the downforce on the rear axle.

Second gear is the most savage of the lot, the torque on overboost when you nail your foot to the floor is more than the E92 M3

The M differential lock on the rear axle also ensures full transfer of engine power to the road – you can almost steer with the accelerator pedal. The 1M has specially developed M suspension with double-wishbone front suspension, sub-frame, track control arms, spring struts and front axle tie-rod in aluminium.

BMW nailed what enthusiasts are looking for in a high performance car

The BMW 1M is as close to a modern day E30 M3 as we will get. It even has clear links to the first ever European production turbo charged car, the 2002tii. The only thing it lacks is the motorsport heritage. So why didn’t the hot rod BMW get called the M1? The name “BMW 1 Series M” was used to avoid confusion with the original BMW M1 supercar. It is a shame really, the 1M deserves to take over the iconic name. Upon release the 1M was an instant hit, originally BMW planned to produce 2,700 cars, but deposits came in thick and fast and soon the production number was increased. In the end 6,432 cars were made. It was the cheapest M car available at the time yet could run toe to toe with the M3, the twin turbo 3.0 litre straight six provided mountains of torque from 1,500 rpm. In everyday overtaking situations the 1M is peerless for the price and size. BMW collectors cottoned on to the specialness of the car and many were bought and coveted from new, this has helped sustain values ever since.

“And then there’s the bad boy, the powder maker, the torso taker, the Puff the Magic Dragon of the 1-Series family. I am, of course, talking about the turbocharged, 340-horsepower 1 Series M Coupe, which got saddled with a ridiculous name because of BMW’s devotion to the M1 supercar from the 1970s. This thing should have been called the M1, because it had the performance to back it up.”
Jalopnik, 2013

The 1M came with leather sports seats, multi function steering wheel, climate control and cruise control. The options that are most desired are the Professional Navigation (£2,010), Metallic paint (£515), Electric Front Seats ( £1,155), Harmon Kardon (£915), Bluetooth Telephone Preparation (£545) and USB Audio Interface (£210). Performance Recaro Seats were a £3,700 option, but they weren’t factory fitted, instead they were supplied to the dealer.

The exterior could be painted in one of the following three colours:
Alpine White
Black Sapphire Metallic
Valencia Orange Metallic

The seats were finished in Boston Black leather with orange contrast stitching. The handbrake, gearknob, dashboard and door cards are trimmed in Alcantara with orange contrast stitching.