BMW 1M vs M2 - Which is the Better "Baby" M Car?

3 years after the highly lauded BMW 1M was discontinued, a successor debuted in the form of the BMW M2. The recipe is nearly identical - turbo straight 6, manual transmission, and rear wheel drive in a compact 2+2 coupe body. But can the M2 live up to the coveted, almost "instant classic" status of its predecessor? Eric from RevMatchTV and I drove both cars to find out.
RevMatchTV: / revmatchtv
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[@revmatchtv]

Thanks so much for collabing on this with you! It was such a fun comparison and I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.

[@Treycotwright]

RevMatchTV hey is this video taken in California I feel like I know this canyon

[@fohatadri]

I see you have tyre pressure light on because of aftermarket wheels. All BMWs in Europe use ABS for Tyre Pressure monitoring. You can easily program this yourself.

[@itsm3th3b33]

Is collabing a word?

[@touringteg]

I enjoy this video since I am deciding between 1M and M2 right now. Can you provide detailed information on the 1M mods? Does it have N55 OEM mid pipe?

[@GlennsCarCollection]

Cool video, I own both (same colors) and I love my M2 but the 1M is simply one of the best cars I have ever driven and I have owned 100 cars. My 1M and me were in Doug Demuro’s video

[@santiagoa526]

Glenns Car Collection My and I*

[@savingferris9998]

Ay it’s glen himself!

[@ModMINI]

People like you & your content are the reason I went into debt for a 11 year old used car! I don't regret it!

[@CoHuTo]

Just a small correction. This is not the first factory turbocharged six cylinder engine from BMW. They did that back in the 80s with the M106 which was featured in the E23 745i. Alpina followed that up with their own version that in its day was amongst the fastest limousines in the world.

[@revmatchtv]

Elin Alexandrov Excellent catch! I should have qualified it.

[@sirnosbocaj]

You're doing a road test on the M2 in comfort mode?? Come on guys. It should be in sport at a minimum. Ideally sport+ to really get the throttle response and exhaust notes. Before I even buckle the seatbelt in my M2 I've already switched to sport+. Otherwise good video. Both awesome cars!

[@ModMINI]

Are there any tunes that can fully disable the rev match "feature" in all drive modes?

[@HeyHayden917]

@@ModMINI these guys didn’t realize at the time if you hold the traction button for 5 seconds the car is put into dsc off. All the nannies are gone including automatic rev match, therefor you can heal toe. BM3 tune can turn auto rev match off and allow you to customize the burbles as the stock variation is overwhelming.

[@802Garage]

If I had to pick, I'd have to go with the 1M too obviously. I love the bullfrog that works out notion, hah. It does look mean and ready to attack. The hydraulic steering, the more classic and analog driving experience, and the weight advantage all make it a real winner for me. Also have to agree the orange color is great. Crazy how much money the car is going for. Both well out of my price range for now! P.S. I'm ashamed how long it took me to read "doraibu" on your arm. Eric knows how bad my Japanese is from our time at a restaurant where I talked to the waiter.

[@revmatchtv]

802 Garage Your Japanese is a lot better than mine! The hydraulic steering for me is such a big deal. I place a lot of value on steering feel. Probably more than most people.

[@ModMINI]

Nice video. I just got a 1M. You are confirming I got the right car. (I speak Japanese also- immediately noticed the ドライブ 🙂

[@5887MXX]

I came across a 1M the other day and wondered how these two would compare. Good video!

[@saviorstyles9148]

This review is awesome first and foremost, I’d like to see a list of all your favorite cars you’ve reviewed thus far. That’d be some cool insight.

[@Beezy_Builds]

I love these more technical reviews

[@roadreg1820]

I was almost shouting at screen, saying “turn the traction control off” it turns off the Rev marching” 😂 Great video though. I really love the 1m. It’s a dream car for me. I’d have mine in Alpine white 😀

[@dimos15]

Love your videos

[@SendItMediaCo]

Mannnn I always love rare 1M content.

[@touringteg]

Late to the party but can you provide a detailed list of modifications on the 1M? Does it have the OEM N55 mid pipe?

[@davidviner4932]

The 1M is the best, I have one here in the UK and have driven an M2 and won't swap my car, probably ever

[@zexiali6483]

You judge a m2 on its comfort mode.

[@alexandrua4146]

The both cars are future classic , the best bmw cars built in last years. My favorite is M2

[@revmatchtv]

Alexandru A Almost a present classic ☺️

[@akkando]

If they only made 740 M2s in North America it would also be an instant classic.

[@michaelthibault8284]

I need these two cars in my garage. Im 1/2 way there. Just hope by that time I can afford a 1M🤞

[@berg7417]

just love the 1M. Ive had one since 2011, brand new. I cant sell it, what would I replace it with? I don't want to sell it. So Im probably one of the luckiest guys in the world, my daily driver is a 1M and my other car is a GT4. Hey, I studied hard and did my exams. I love cars, Ive got two of the best. I will say this, the 1M is more connected to the road as a driver's car. GT4 is kick ass, the breaking is ridiculous, cornering is crazy fast.... but the 1M is super fun. I love them both

[@oversteer46]

I owned and tracked a 1M for about a year. They really are amazing cars and I loved it, BUT! They ARE harder than an M2 to hold long very fast drifts because of their shorter wheelbase. Yes it really does make a difference. For this reason alone I sold it and am now about to buy an M2. If, however, you want to be ‘cool’ and love over using words like ‘raw’, ‘stance’ and ‘analog’ and don’t plan to drift it hard then by all means go the 1M; they’re amazing. Looks are opinions (personally I think the M2 looks nicer) but the M2 IS the more predictable and a faster car from factory so for me it is the better car.

[@allanlai_]

Prob not apple to apple comparison, but how would you rate these two with 996? Agree on the auto rev match feature. I rarely do it perfectly myself but that’s part of the fun and why I bought a manual 996. Every time I go out for a drive, whether spirited drive or just going to work, I try to drive it a little bit better and smoother than the last time. For me that’s the whole point of buying a manual.

[@Zygrene]

That's a hard one... 996 feels more raw than either of the BMWs. But it also understeers more. From a pure driving pleasure standpoint I think 1M > 996 C2 > M2 but it's very close. All 3 are fantastic to drive.

[@blue4uevo8]

I had a 1M but I found it too ugly, being most of my driving is travel and commuting that final 5% advantage the 1M has (I couldn't agree with anything over that) just isn't worth that first look in the morning when your walking toward the M2. The M2 has a cohesive aesthetic, the 1M just doesn't . I like both but because I had the choice, I picked the M2.

[@ModMINI]

I feel the opposite. I think the 1M looks miles better than the M2. Good thing there are cars that please everyone

[@StirlingMossDrives]

Zygrene is right, m2 is best served as a performance oriented daily while being a complete hooligan when you want it to. The weight transfer of that car makes it so easy to drift.

[@revmatchtv]

Stirling Moss (nice name!) I think it’s the best M car right now, although BMW is transitioning to the M2 Competition for 2019z

[@StirlingMossDrives]

RevMatchTV lol thanks, not sure how I feel about the S55 in the m2. The old engine sounds better to me.

[@tomezhao]

Is that camera in the Nav stock or after market?

[@MaxSpeedMike]

1m always seems to be much more raw compared to the M2. I'd take the 1m because of value as well. You could have gotten a brand new one years ago, put 60k miles on it, and now sell it for the same price. That is nuts!

[@iheartgs400]

MaxSpeed and probably a good bulk of them are gonna end up being garage queens😂#truth

[@802Garage]

Dude you are quick! You might be the only person who watches more KZbin than me. Hahaha.

[@revmatchtv]

Mine is unfortunately a bit of a garage queen but I love taking it out to the canyons every now and then. It actually has a few track miles on it.

[@allanlai_]

I have not driven either. But in terms of looks, I think M2 styling appears to be more cohesive as a package, whereas 1M looks like someone just decided to slap on huge fenders last minute and the proportions seem a bit awkward. But I guess that’s part of its charm!

[@howdoweknow9125]

My girlfriends dad had one and the only way to discribe that car is raw, even from the passenger seat.. such an amazing car!

[@VEDEMRACING99]

Gotta love tunnels!

[@hsahz]

Where is this place exactly?

[@iheartgs400]

For me the 128i with 6 speed would be a better buy, less hassle with turbo issues and you can spend that extra change on tires and suspension then call it a day.

[@Zygrene]

I've always been curious how the 128i performed. I've seen them used for ~10k.

[@iheartgs400]

Zygrene good amount of them on autotrader for under 10K if you don’t mind traveling cross country.

[@revmatchtv]

My friend has a heavily modded one. I think I’ll do a comparison video. It’s quick af and quite the track beast.

[@iheartgs400]

RevMatchTV I’ll be interested to see this 128i’s often get overshadowed by the 135/335i’s monster potential.

[@TheChannel1978]

I like your thinking. Never been keen on turbos. Everybody always say 'no lag', then you get into them and guess what, laaaaaaaaag

[@93455Driver]

Looked at a used 135i, everything about it was great but opted for an FR-S in the end. It was the reported (MT) understeer that put me off the 135, but I later read that you could alter the understeer using after market parts.

[@Zygrene]

I'd say most cars (especially RWD) are set up to understeer from the factory for safety reasons. Setup is everything. FRS is an exception though, very neutral factory setting.

[@93455Driver]

Agreed, understeer from a safety perspective. It was a Randy Pobst MT video that made the 135 not sound fun, but then later I was reading on a BMW forum how that understeer could be reduced. There are some nice 1 series out there, occasionally a 135is.

[@ModMINI]

You can fix the understeer with genuine BMW (m3) parts. I did and the car handles great.

[@stevenmaschek7554]

I test drove a an 135 M and was quite disappointed, took for hot run down our local twisty test road and the rear would break traction, instant step out not slide and then traction control snapped in on every corner when full acceleration out. Just felt like their was lack of conection to road at the rear, and not what would have expected from a BMW of any nature. On other hand took out the 2023 M2 several weeks later for test Drive and WOW. even with traction control at max could throw that thing into corner flat out of them with minimal slide no step out and no Traction control interventions. Understand was not at max in either as was on test drives but would have felt totally comfortable pushing the M2 so much harder if was mine but damn would have taken alot of time to work out the 135 M to get too much more as would never feel totally confident what I could have expected next. Have driven many other stock cars down that road in the mild performance territory and although they would roll and move around alot more then the 135, none ever stepped out and broke traction on every corner like that car.

[@tja2k9]

Great vid guys. Please god gimme a 1M asap 🙏🙏

[@tonychu8993]

if m2 was limited, how to compare these two tho

[@Cm-cz9nh]

forest fire smoke gave this an eerie vibe

[@Zygrene]

Actually that was just fog. The fires started a couple weeks later.

[@revmatchtv]

Just a gorgeous foggy day

[@Richard-jo2lr]

These two guys in my opinion should be working with Top Gear very great comparison

[@pascutia]

Awesome comparo. I know it’s pointless at this point to bring it up, but the F10/F12/F13 M models were the last with hydraulic steering. Those were boats, so it doesn’t really matter😂

[@NishantDash]

Depends on what one wants: 1M: Rowdy, alive, and p r i c e y M2: More refined, faster, and more attainable I'd go for the 1M though haha! Loved it from it's launch. Also, some cheeky self promotion: I make car vids too! Check em out if they're worth your time haha!

[@Fee.1]

NDash On Cars I mean if you can’t tell me whether it’s worth my time or not that doesn’t bode well 🤓

[@revmatchtv]

I’ll check out your channel!

[@NishantDash]

@@revmatchtv Ey thanks man!

[@NishantDash]

@@Fee.1 oof, I try lmao

[@revmatchtv]

Not exactly car vids on your channel lol

[@peka9117]

It s that Sting?

[@Gwenalltapowain]

Both nice cars!! But I preferred the 1M!🙏🏻

[@Bikeadelic]

Own a 135i. Same engine, trans etc. Ok 35 less hp but thats only a peak figure. The engine really doesn’t pull that great. Yes compared to a I4 ford st with loads of lag but compared to my fathers tvr v8 it’s totally wet

[@mushy18100]

Hey I just saw you at Chinchikurin Little Tokyo in DTLA

[@Zygrene]

Come say hi lol

[@mushy18100]

I was behind you guys when you were about to go to your table. I did call you but you didn’t look back! Great to see you in person

[@Zygrene]

Oh man my bad! Always great meeting fans

[@andrewcouper770]

I have a 1M but I'm moving to an M2 so I can pile as many miles on it as I want. 1M values plummet if you put high miles on them

[@LuigiRandazzo21]

No way! These two biased guys chose the 1M?!? They put down the M2 every chance they got and drove it in Comfort mode...not a fair comparison IMO

[@TheChannel1978]

No car was put down here. I think the video made that clear that it's a preference if you prefer 1 over 2. Naturally driving with a 1M owner you want to say nice things about it ;) I've driven an M2 on track and was OK with the steering, you'd have to be pretty particular about it to find fault. Both are great cars, period

[@Alby911]

Chris Harris has a very good comparison. He also chose the 1M but would someday love to own the M2.

[@joeracer302]

They’re both great cars. The only reason to get the 1M is collectibility. You’ll still love the drive of the M2 even if there are some differences from the 1M.

[@supercarshunter2450]

Luigi Randazzo have you ever driven both? I have! The 1M is mindblowingly good, the M2 is just a good car but 1M is definitely something else

[@stevenfoleyuk9404]

1M is a collectors car , I would be too afraid to drive it 😂. I love my M2 comp in sunset Orange .

[@ModMINI]

I thought that too. I got a high mileage, modified 1M... I'm backing out a few of the mods but I'm not worried so much about driving it. I think in 10 or 20 years or whenever I sell it, I won't lose too much if I don't daily drive it at least, and might still come out ahead.

[@VinnieNiZero]

how do you shoot videos and have such big arms?

[@Zygrene]

No power steering = gains

[@revmatchtv]

Zygrene LOL!

[@fohatadri]

Well, 1M is low production model so of course its more worth it to buy now, enjoy it and sell it after couple of years for profit. M2 is a great car but its unlimited production so value will never ever increase, not even after 15 years. High performance cars are more affordable and useable these days so only 80s 90s cars seem to gain value slowly but surely.

[@davidviner4932]

1M all day long

[@Mazda6B6]

In terms of reliability, N55 > N54. I've have both.

[@tylerdowd]

why is the m2 in comfort mode......? lol

[@FATmenDRIVEtrucks]

Kinda pissed at myself I wasn't in position to buy a 1M brand new lol

[@revmatchtv]

Chris Smith I was very, very fortunate to be in that position when it was released. I consider myself very lucky.

[@ModMINI]

11 years later, I found a used one for a decent price. More than 11 years ago but have more means to actually get one now

[@jackystuntin]

I’m biased so m2

[@i_read_bad_reviews]

1m all day . I think I’ve created a more raw 1m conversion tho.

[@gabesantos93]

He called it a M1 14:43 :(

[@Fee.1]

The e92 M3 is the faster car, on paper or no, the M1 is the quicker car though. Geez man how hard is it to get every word perfect in a 20 minute live/on the fly recording :ap

[@Zygrene]

For me it's impossible. The power of editing haha

[@revmatchtv]

It’s very hard to do! Thanks for watching!

[@Minhlacey]

For the same price use vs. New. I'll take the m2 cuz Without warranty on a bmw is scary.

[@mdcohen]

Depreciation favors the 1

[@fxxk3664]

I want an M car.

[@Heyystar]

the f12 m6 has hydraulic steering

[@zxgeorger]

Get 135i coupe while you can, put a M3 subframe and diff in the rear, and M3 control arms up front and you have a cheap 1M. You don't have to spend 50 to 60 thousands.

[@mdcohen]

128-192 I mean it’s pretty close

[@ModMINI]

@128-192 I tried building a fake 1m. I gave up about $15k in to the project, not including the cost of the car. Ended up getting a 1M. It just didn't make sense to throw so much money at a car that I will never get most back out. I would have had to spend another 20k at least for the wide body kit, repainting practically the entire car... and maybe get 1/4 or 1/3 back when time to sell. Not to mention the fake 1M handles nothing like a real 1M and is slower somehow even with same engine.

[@peskachina]

1m for me thanks. It's the only bmw with manual transmission in china!!

[@ferramentamela]

haha i just bought one in beijing

[@JanMichaelFranklin]

Mazda has also done a great job with electric steering.

[@Zygrene]

Good point! The Mazda 3 has great steering. Mazda just needs some performance oriented cars in their lineup...

[@JanMichaelFranklin]

@@Zygrene I agree 100%!

[@Razyre]

@@Zygrene You could kind of call the MX5 a performance car hahaha

[@revmatchtv]

It’s quite good, but much too light for my taste.

[@JanMichaelFranklin]

@@revmatchtv I actually prefer light steering. I do more autocross though where light steering is more beneficial opposed to track driving.

[@Wayzor_]

Good luck finding a 1M, which will only go up in value over the years.

[@chgofirefighter]

The 1M definitely turns heads the M2 is nice but it doesn’t have that turn head style…

[@pranavmukesh]

Newer Hondas have good electric power steering. Civic si/type r.

[@Zygrene]

True, the CTR has excellent steering feel

[@revmatchtv]

I agree. The CTR has the best electric rack this side of Porsche. It’s FAR better than any current BMW, but it’s still far from a good hydraulic setup.

[@Nguyen-ey5id]

I love my s2000 EPS and mine is a 2000 AP1 model its a raw driving experience ill never get tired of.

[@peskachina]

Yeah, civic is really fun to drive, a lot of car for the money!

[@_baller]

Neither they're both too small and for ppl shorter than 5'7

[@ModMINI]

I six feet tall and plenty of room in my 1M even with helmet.

[@hellokin8]

14:42 owner calls it an M1 *facepalm*

[@michaelhanson2848]

Great video as always sir!! I have a stock 135i and love it at 1/5th the price. Would love to see you do a video of a tastefully tuned 135 as a bargain version of the 1M? This is my favorite tuned 135i. This guy Alex killed this build. Maybe hit him up and see if you can do a review? instagram.com/bernooo/?hl=en

[@Zygrene]

Actually someone with a modified 135i DCT reached out to me, I'll try to film it soon!

[@michaelhanson2848]

Nice! Looking forward to it. Happy holidays!

[@Bmw_1M]

1M is better ! thanks Good that i have one 🤘🏻

[@robiulahmed]

1m looks a lot nicer.

[@arihallami9537]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npbagHaehJuGqLM The moment he thinks it's the car (not the speakers)... I always wonder how people are not getting it that the engine/exhaust sound is coming from the speakers. It's so obvious!

[@friguy4444]

Manual always! I'm puzzled. You guys talk about raw driving yet when the M2 needs the nannies turned off to rev match (as an older Say Alfa would be normally) you complain. If you want it to be more of a pure drivers car then you should want all the power and no nanny messing with your controls. Unless your driving your child with you or something. So makes no sense to me why you'd complain about this. Dare I say the word "posers"? No I won't say that. Oops.

[@mdcohen]

Greg Wayne driving a wet canyon road, yeah I want stability control call me a poseur if you want.

[@ModMINI]

@@mdcohen There really should be a way to turn off rev match independently from traction control. Give it its own button.

[@robertlevasseur6843]

The reviewers appeared biased right from the start. 1Ms are great but there are not many out there and the appeal of its rarity seems to have clouded their judgment While they both admit the two cars are about the same they need to get past the "M1 is a legend" bias and look at the M2 as closely a they did the M1 instead of just dismissing it as a knock off. The 1M may be better than its successor but there is nothing in this video that makes a strong case for its superiority other than it is rare.

[@ModMINI]

The two cars are not the same when one tries to rev match for you, cannot be turned off without disabling all traction control and one has less steering feedback. While the M2 is technically a quicker car, that's not always a primary goal.

[@CaptainChemtrails]

My biggest complaint about the M2 is the fact that BMW made a lot of them. However with them rushing out the Competition the LCI (only produced 2018) seems like something somewhat special for purists.

[@MrTerig]

are you serious? why would you do a review on a comfort mode on M2??? The comfort mode and sport mode feel sooo different when it comes to steering feel and throttle response.

[@DjNikGnashers]

1M is fugly, and imo not a real M car. M2 is just perfect.

[@christianjoseph7367]

I love how they nitpick every little thing with the M2 and how the 1M is better...how about this: The M2 is faster than the 1M in every possible format. It's faster in a drag race, a road course, on the lunar surface.. doesnt matter where you run these cars. Two drivers of equal talent both operating these cars and the M2 wins everytime. I'll take that car, thank you.

[@ModMINI]

Sure, but which is more rewarding to drive? (Answer after driving a 1M)

[@TheKillWizard]

1M is special the M2 is not. 1M hands down the better car, better collector car and more fun. Good review.

[@coffeerun7684]

BMW 1M is absolutely better than the M2 or the M2 Competition. It is a true "Driver's Car"

[@luxsasha]

yawn, the 1M is the most overrated M ever. I dont know ANYONE that likes the frontend of the 1M, its legit hideous.

[@ModMINI]

I do.

[@992turbos8]

The 1M and M2 will never be regarded as a true M-Car. Way way to small these cars were designed your small women and little dudes. These are BMW RESPONSE to people that can’t afford a true M-Car there bottom line first level and only attract kids. Yes I’ve owned 2-M3’s and 2-M5’s Now 991.2 Turbo

[@samiawda]

Lool you have no idea what your talking about😂😂

[@mdcohen]

The 1 is the same size as the E46 M3.

[@oversteer46]

I owned an E90 M3. It was a gay slow bucket of shit compared to the far punchier 1M that I also owned. If it’s an actual M it’s an actual M. That’s it.

[@ModMINI]

An e90 m3 is cheaper than a 1M. I got the 1M because I don't want a big heavy car. Have you driven a 1M? It's sort of indescribable. You have to wrestle with the car a little. It's exhilarating. The car has its reputation for a reason.