BMW 1M Coupe | Rise & Drive | PistonHeads

On the face of it, the BMW 1M Coupe shouldn't have been a significant car. It was based on the dowdy 1 Series, it didn't have a 'proper' M engine and it was pretty chubby as well. Yet the thuggish 1M transcended all initial scepticism and earned cult status before it had even gone off sale.
Here Dan Prosser explains the 1M story, what makes it so great, and why it's worth setting your alarm for 4.30am...
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Video by Harry Rudd

[@Mr888rM]

Cant believe these ever got overlooked by collectors. Best looking BMW since the E46 M3. Wouldnt even consider an M2 next to this.

[@owenb1t5014]

focusboy This model is amongst the ugliest BMW has produced, hence the shocking low sales! Night and day in comparison to the E46.

[@Mr888rM]

@@owenb1t5014 They almost tripled production because demand was so high. That means it sold out completely. Its also appreciated in value from day 1. You clearly have terrible tastes and a poor grip on the automotive economics.

[@elspoox498]

@@owenb1t5014 they originally just were planning to make 2000 of them, but the demand was really high, and all those sales are from 1 year(since it was only made for 1 year)

[@owenb1t5014]

focusboy I know they did but still 6000 or so units I’s still quite a low production volume for a company the size of BMW. I wasn’t referring to the 1M coupe being rare I was talking about the 1 series coupe in general, at least it is here in the UK. You will see plenty of the first generation 1 series hatchback but very rarely will you see the coupe version! I can only assume people prefer the look of the hatchback! Taste is subjective I know but I don’t know many car guys that share your view on the coupe being a good looking car!

[@jimjimhuerta]

Owen Beattie you UK buyers are fortunate to have the hatch option:/ if I wanted one, I’d have to go to Mexico and import it in. If ever done so my self, I would engine swap it.

[@Patr1ck2332]

Long may this series continue! It’s absolutely brilliant! Dan has come such a long way from his early evo days.

[@Neklank]

One of the best car journalists around, your command of English and use of adjectives is on a different level compared to most. Love watching your reviews.

[@DriversSide]

Absolutely great video! The 1M is BMWs modern sweet spot and the size of it is where they really nailed it!

[@smilepermile888]

Great video Dan and Pistonheads. Love how detailed you are with your descriptions. I really enjoy videos of revisiting modern classics. Keep up the great work.

[@dalilrafi]

Great thing about the 1 series is that most of said characteristics and qualities apply to the non-M-models as well. You just feed them water, oil and gasolina, drive from A to A, and they will give you back so much...awesome cars! Great concept!

[@stubzzz9308]

Another great video. I think the 997.2 GT3/RS deserves some screen time. A real high water mark in Porsche road cars and certainly worth waking up at 4.30 am for!

[@jamesgreer5145]

You’re welcome to my Z4M coupe for a morning. It’s worth getting up for.

[@iluvbrownies64]

Great review, bought a Valencia Orange one last year and absolutely love it. If you want a car that is a pleasure to drive for a reasonable price, at least six cylinders, rwd and a manual gearbox, you won't find anything better than this.

[@Under_Construction100]

This car is NOW starting to make sense. I guess it needed all these years to do so. Absolutely love it.

[@TheGetawayer]

997.1 GT3 RS and GT4 please👌 Love this format and Dan as a proper roadtester!

[@C6SuperchargedZR1]

a C6 Z06 would be nice as well, people are still sleeping on these things.

[@CYMRU619]

Binge-watched the series this week. They really are beautifully shot and Dan is one of the best in the business.

[@philmountain9290]

This is excellent content, and almost endless cars to cover... it’s nice to see stuff relatively affordable. Be as good seeing a new 40k hot hatch as well as something as cool as this 1M

[@nickb-]

Sorry to "actually" you, but it was the UK alone that only received 450 RHD 1Ms . . . over 1,000 were built worldwide. For example, Australia received 301. I agree with you about the brakes- it's an urban myth that they're no good. They're absolutely fine for road driving, it's only on the track that they start to feel inadequate.

[@IamCredit]

Just found this rise and drives...awesome videos. Dan is seriously good, what is with Britain and churning out great car video journalists? Henry, Jethro, Chris, and Dan are the best of the best.

[@benmpearson1]

Great work Dan, always enjoyed your work in Evo and these reviews are top notch.

[@t1000eg]

Great review, had my 1M from new 2012....best car ive ever owned by a million miles

[@ericvermeulen9853]

Awesome video, now I know I’m not the only one that feels this way about the 1m..........what a car🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@LaudaMaestro]

This is a brilliant idea for a series. Hope to see more of it. Perhaps an Evora 410 even. Awesome work. Keep it up and good luck. Thank you.

[@r1ch6rd25]

This Rise & Drive series is great! Can you do a s2000 type S/CR just to alternate from German cars.

[@clapham4life]

You're a natural at this Dan...really good content in these rise and drive videos. Focus RS MK1 and MK2 for me next please, 2 seperate videos. Thanks👍🏼

[@volkswizard]

One of the few BMWs I don't dislike, nice video, thanks 👌

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

More of these please. Sorry about your early mornings Dan but you have to suffer on our behalf!

[@daheralexandre]

What a nice video! Totally agree with the “early wake up for driving”! What a great car the 1M is. Greetings from Brazil!

[@autospeed]

Your review was spot on!

[@TheJoeMB]

The new web Chris Harris? Keep at it Dan, excellent video as always. Can't wait to watch more.

[@robburton8462]

Great video, I'd love to see all the 911 generations one after another, and probably the normal Carrera 2/2S as the GT cars already have so much coverage.

[@georgemavraganis762]

Great work!!! You should do a shoot with an E36/E46 M3 or a B5 RS4. Naughtie's hot hatches should be good fun as well (MK1 Focus RS, R26R, EP3 Type-R etc.).

[@paullockwood7219]

Absolutely fabulous review.

[@x8dudtrackdaytoy]

Proper drivers car, seems more like a modern e30 m3 than any of the new M cars

[@stefanogiuliano7678]

Awesome! Love this new series! Maybe a classic nsx next? Or a special edition impreza or evo.

[@audiocosmonaut3883]

A spectacular car, beautifully reviewed. Superb!

[@EugVR6]

One of the very best BMWs made

[@sSW-nu1lb]

Great job Dan! "You're the man!'

[@aaaaachew]

Well done, Dan👍

[@OllyBrand]

Lovely idea and well executed. Perfect car for it. 996 c2 Gen 1 next please :-)

[@andrewpoulton9589]

I've just spotted this one for the first time. A cracking video and a great car. It would be great to see one of these themed videos on the 987 Cayman R.

[@StuartBuckellUK]

I have this engine and a DCT shared with the M3 in my Z4, it's a beast !

[@gobinduppal4429]

Awesome. Such an awesome series.

[@KaZeY54]

I'd like to see an SLK55 R171 and how it holds up to current cars!

[@joslynfowler9415]

Lovely review,bI would love to see a review of the TT RS next

[@PixelVogue]

I had the 130i LE and my brother has a 125i Coupe both great cars and with 1 of the best straight-6 BMW engines they made. The 1M on another level. I upgraded to an E63 M6 V10 as its the best of the last N/As!

[@cupair]

Just did the 0430 morning drive today with Leon Cupra ST - oh the joy. :)

[@neilbenton2759]

also a clio v6 mk2 fantastic looking thing.

[@lifestapestry2968]

Beautiful little machine, I had the 135i with the same N54 engine and had to sell it for financial reasons... No wonder it holds it's price. If I had the money I'd have one in a heartbeat

[@samcourt6228]

I love these. They looked comical (in a good way) when they first came out because of those swollen arches, but it actually looks quite tame today. It’s interesting to hear it’s praises being sung now after sone if the early criticism (rubbish interior, not a real M engine etc). I had one but it’d need to be orange.

[@MotoristCY]

Very nice video and love the car. In my completely biased opinion you should also do a Z4 M Coupe at some point. The last N/A straight six M car.

[@Jay-ww4ru]

Totally agreed. Z4m Coupé deserve some more praise.

[@technique275]

The Bowler Hat albeit in white. Great review & series. How about doing a review on the S50 Z3 M Coupé, a real skunk works project car.

[@Ibizan82]

Very very good review. Congrats. What about reviewing another "down to Earth" car such us Z3 m, Clio V6 -like I've seen in comments below-, Vauxhall Speedster turbo or VW R32? All pre-classic with modern touches...

[@roberteverett7348]

Dear Lord Dan Prosser is bloody gorgeous! Nice car too...

[@itsminas25]

Great film

[@frankay06]

RS3 8P competitor for this at the time, always slated. However a very very capable all round car especially on a B road. Would be good to see an up to date review.

[@MichaelM-zk7lc]

Great vid, put a good exhaust on this car and it is the ultimate fun little car, IMO.

[@restaurantcostambar]

Great video & channel. I suggest a Honda S2000, it would be fantastic to hear one redlined on public roads ;)

[@tompog897]

mark sav Great car! You really don’t have to drive them that fast to redline on a public road though.

[@888mf4]

Thanks for the tip on the tea flask :)

[@_arthouse]

Would be great to see a drive of a 997.2, there's very few video reviews online of the Carrera models, would love to see that or any of the GT cars.

[@Joe-eg7ml]

Next do a S2 Exige 260 cup car. Use to have a 135i. Modified it with power bits and added lsd. Loved that car while I had it. Also wake up at dawn to drive the b roads in my S2 Exige Boe rev400 in the weekends.

[@johnboy065]

I have one of these in, Valencia orange as after years of buying new cars, I was fed up of losing money on each one, so I am hoping after I have had my fun and move on to my next car, I would not have lost much if any money.. it got me thinking as to what I would have next, that is fun to drive, will not depreciate to much and is still a relatively modern car, I was thinking a Mercedes CLK Black, so if you can include one of these in your Rise & Drive series it would be much appreciated.

[@markufoto]

1204 BMW 1Ms were RHD. Had my 1M for a year and can vouch for the chocolate brakes! Everything else was superb.

[@lukemorden6475]

Guessing you never had issues with the valve cover gasket, Wastegates, HPFP or LPFP. Dont get me wrong they are absolutely amazing cars (i own a 135i that was full bolt on, Absolute animal of a car) but the issues never end with them. Would i ever give mine up though? Hell no. Way to much fun when they are working

[@touringteg]

@@lukemorden6475 My 1M has 131kms (81,000 miles) with records from new and has not had any of those issues mentioned.

[@neilbenton2759]

ive the m2 dct ,so that would great to see ,geat reveiw of this 1m though .

[@waveneycroson4785]

I’ve got the M2 Comp with DCT, also love it. But the 1M looks great too, always has. I had E92s so was very interested to hear so much was used on the 1M. Great video.

[@DanLMH]

M C10UPE nice reg @ BMW!

[@wes2473]

Got a 128i sport coupe n/a online 6 lightweight auto but the sports pack comes with paddle shifters and no n54 headaches do want a 135is eventually as well tho n55 with dct 😅

[@n54twinz91]

The n54 is an absolute hero

[@JBOsurf]

Can you please make a video that does not currently exist on youtube; Porsche Boxster Spyder 987.2 vs 981.

[@93455Driver]

Early drive in an NA Miata (MX-5), momentum cornering.

[@slaWterCH]

My favourite type of drives!

[@SquadronLeadr]

Seeing as many 1M parts came from the E9x series, it would be interesting to see you feature one, to compare the "spirit" of these cars. Someone close to me is happy to lend you their "purist spec" E90... Manual, non-EDC, 18" wheels. And a better chassis than the E92. ;-P

[@andyc8404]

If you fancy in a few episodes time to try a heavily modified BMW M135i, let me know. Might be a different perspective to the stock cars so far?

[@Arman-nl6mg]

Carfection and their audience are not into privately modded cars, reach out to LLF instead.

[@zakelwe]

I think it still looks gorky at the front, but the stance and wheel arches do make it look good from side and back. Wheels are great and the interior dials and dash lovely too.

[@touringteg]

I own a 1M and I think the M2 front looks better.

[@Tracertme]

Interesting, given how popular this car is how the Z4 35is is so overlooked..given it's the same engine, with 7 speed dual clutch.... put the same brakes and slip diff on the Z4 and is it nearly as good??... it would be interesting to see a 2016 Z4 35is driven on pistonheads....

[@nvarmy]

Do a 2003 911 Carrera next please. The base car that is so derided for the IMS bearing.

[@paulmichael3844]

My favourite bmw ever I would love to own one

[@jedgreco]

Just replaced my M2 with a 2012 1M with 2900 miles and I’m very exited. I’ll never sell it and keep forever.

[@patrickbateman7122]

Congrats! I've driven an og M2 and whilst it had a great chassis and felt planted, it didn't really excite me at all and the steering was like an arcade machine to me. How do you find the 1M compared? 😛

[@jedgreco]

mac the 1m is much more exclusive, it sounds better, it feels better, and it looks better. The only M2 I would take over the 1M is the CS.

[@jedgreco]

Patrick Bateman The 1M is much better 👍

[@jedgreco]

mac Yes u’re right... but perhaps the M2CS is a good investment... for sure better than the M2 😂

[@agoniavr]

Absolutely love this car, too bad they're stupid expensive(at least here in Italy). I love the looks of it so much, though, that I've even considered getting the 177hp diesel Msport version

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Stunning car the 1M is

[@F430RS1]

2009-2012 Clio 200 next?

[@andrewharlow84]

I'd love to see a Series 1 Lotus Evora or Evora S :)

[@wes2473]

The full manual sport seats r a lil lower but doubt the m comes with them

[@stevesas632]

Hi, considering buying one of these, but heard the engine can give problems, how true?

[@mikegill2625]

Mk2 focus RS!

[@marioasmrsvlogvideos3821]

That’s the best bmw, really nice car

[@coffeerun7684]

This is the best modern M car.

[@nessuno5403]

Best classic M. Best modern is now M2 Competition.

[@Thelittleone412]

My god do I love this car

[@iconicon5642]

I saw one in canterbury 8 years ago and it was brill in metallic bronze orange whatever they call it.

[@jtaylor2563]

I have a 1 series it's the best steering feel for sure for handling similar to a manual rack steering when driving it! Not like that new electric steering "no feel" nonsense most manufactures are using now!

[@rob175kks]

TVR Cerbera next please!

[@stally7921]

Manual Cayman gts (981c)

[@mickwrinkles2318]

Please review a lhd Peugeot 206 RC, not a rhd UK built one.

[@bflanners4412]

Owned a 1m and may buy another - how about Mini GP - next rise and drive

[@frombauer]

Genuine question here: I get why electric steering is in most cars now - efficiency etc - but why not keep hydraulic in those 5% performance cars, or at least in super and hypercars?

[@ghepardogts]

frombauer Because additional speed, efficiency, accuracy and lighter weight are more attractive metrics for marketing than sacrificing all those for feel. Nowadays cars are so fast and heavy it is actually better to fit a really powerful accurate EPS rack than an old school hydraulic one.

[@AmyTheShepherd]

It would be interesting how the regular e92 335i is compared to the 1m, since they've both got the same engine, and are considered sport coupes.

[@JerainJezza]

I own an E92 335i 6MT with LSD and M sport suspension, I've driven both and it's almost the same for a lot less money. With a Stage 2+ you can get 450 crank hp and it's a killer car for 15k... The hp numbers aren't that high but it's the torque that brings you the massive acceleration from the twin turbo's. I made it lightweight and it kills everything I come across in the streets en almost anything at the 'Ring. :D

[@colinwatt00]

Please stop making videos on the 1M; it’s my realistic dream car and you’re keeping values high. thank you.

[@gareth_ross]

What do you think of the 1M n54 manual against the 135i Coupe n55 with dct?

[@GgSyUm]

I have recently purchased a 2010 M135I DCT and it's almost too much fun, I didn't want a manual as I have other cars with manual gearboxes. Having never driven a DCT before I wasn't sure what to expect, all I can say is WOW!!! there's no way I could change gears as fast as this thing does.

[@nessuno5403]

135i is an ordinary model in comparison

[@harry-io9fz]

Wouldn’t mind seeing old vs new, get an M2:comp I’ve just order mine in long beach blue

[@PatrickWDwyer]

harry congratulations, the m2 is the best Bmw I have driven. I think the only things I have preferred more may have been the cayman gt4 or maybe the gallardo

[@harry-io9fz]

patrick dwyer Thanks Patrick I did consider a 981 cayman s. But BMW did me such a good deal I couldn’t turn it down 👍

[@simonbrown2131]

How about a classic mini?

[@v3n0x]

Dream car

[@MotorsportbyMario]

Brilliant! What about an Exige V6 for the next video? ;)

[@morrybyte]

I’ve often been tempted by the 135i, since this glorious machine is completely unaffordable. Maybe even the hatch version. Thoughts?

[@ivorproblem1332]

The 135i with the N54 is the same engine as the 1M. Get it mapped and enjoy 400hp all day

[@kevinkeelan354]

These have come down in price a lot. Cooler than a m2.

[@kamallasenby2515]

Only 450 made, they’ll be going up so better get hold of one quick

[@yetidh9]

@Zombie Head And they produced almost 86000 E46 M3s. The 1M is collectable already but will be more collectable in maybe 10-15 years. I have a 1M but it's so good to drive I can't help putting lots of kms on it. Mine will never be a collectors car but I don't care, I'm having fun.

[@yetidh9]

@Zombie Head You're not wrong, but 1M prices have never dropped as much as the E46 or even the E46 CSL, which means there are a lot more good examples out there for sale. This makes it a buyers market and keeps prices down. Lots of E46s were bought and modified/crashed etc. so if you can find an original one with low mileage, you can ask for a lot of money. Like I said, the 1M isn't a classic yet. The E46 is 10+ years older.

[@kevinkeelan354]

Zombie Head only immaculate e46 is worth crazy money. Or a CSL. They were/are a common site in the uk.

[@touringteg]

Over in North America where there was 220 for Canada and 760 for USA prices have cooled like much of the collector car market. I bought a driver 1M for 48k CAD/36k USD with 131kms/81k miles in Canada. It is not a collector either but it is a lot of fun to drive. I like cars with mileage so I don't worry about adding more.

[@fiean4146]

Please do a z3 m coupe