Driving The Brilliant BMW That Almost Never Existed - BMW M1

[@jeremyrawlins9009]

What a wonderful surprise! I was one of the first two owners in 1980 to bring an M1 to UK. The other was Nick Mason. But it was not planned. I had been living in W. Germany in the late 1970s when BMW announced the car would only be available locally. As in those days no deposit was needed to place an order, it seemed a no-brainer so I signed up. Months ran into years while its build was sorted, I forgot and returned to London. Imagine my surprise when the dealer rang to say my car was ready for collection in Munich! So in-spite of owning a Porsche 911, my wife and I immediately caught a train and next day we were flying up the autobahn to Paris in the most expensive and rare car we’d ever owned! In Paris the BMW agent had to check with Munich that our car was entitled to a free service but soon we were home in London where we started receiving multiple invitations to attend races organized by BMW to promote the 323i at Brands Hatch and Silverstone. But this didn’t last long. I received a very attractive offer from a Sheik in the UAE and as the 911 was more suitable for daily use in central London, I reluctantly agreed. A few days later I heard that the car was written off! But I still have my BMW Motorsport Wallet and happy memories. Thank you Jack for giving me such pleasure.

[@robertbcope]

I feel like when you're handed an M1 to drive, you've made it. Congrats, Jack :)

[@skillbopster]

You think not feel. Stop speaking like a woman.

[@marcelhandsome6042]

Beautiful! one of Giorgetto Giugiaro's best works! love his other creations like; Fiat Uno, Lancia Delta, Audi Quattro, DMC DeLorean, Maserati Quattroporte (third generation), Lotus Espirit, Isuzu Piazza etc...

[@jo05dk]

Geez you're absolutely killing it atm. Another rare gem. Kudos Jack. I was 8 years old when BMW launched the M1. It blew my mind, violently. ..but imagine my reaction to BMW throwing this engine in a 5 and 6-series too.. Safe to say i had the hungry eyes back then, when dreaming of owning a BMW 😄 Such a shame they decided to stop being awesome in recent years.

[@mrdainase]

The look on your face in the first few seconds made me laugh. Boy, you were enjoying yourself! Excellent vid as usual Jack.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

You must really love this car. You have a special glow I don’t see with other cars. It is an awesome car.

[@mkadair]

This is the first time I have ever seen a video review of an M1 on a public road. What a car! Thanks Jack

[@johnchurch4705]

Iain Tyrell featured one on his channel.

[@BBFCBBFC-fc2ub]

I remember watching a full grid of these racing at Brands Hatch in about 1980, driven I think by formula 1 drivers; Piquet, Andretti, Jones etc.. Phenomenal cars, phenomenal drivers, phenomenal race!

[@Ricketik65]

Such an icon. Those lines are so clean, an absolute masterpiece!

[@mikev.5845]

Thank you for demystifying the M1. It is nice to know that unlike most exotics, that it's a car one can live with...barring the acquisition costs 💸

[@jefferysmith3930]

My favorite car of all time. If I were to win the lottery I’d have to have one. I just love the looks, the interior…just the whole package. Great video, Jack!

[@e28forever30]

Same here.

[@RobertMekenkamp]

Yeah love it too but not Italian enough. Eg boring trim typical BMW look at Lamborghini and Maserati. You get it, but awesome car just the same. Love that engine. No not a V12 but so what I had the detuned version in my 3.0 si and loved it, smooth as. Definitely the best straight 6 of its time.

[@lunabouch]

Jack your excitement and joy is infectious. Your reviews get better each time. Carry on!

[@pgr3290]

Yeah this is one of the all time greatest BMWs ever made. Nice to see it driven on the road. Direct steering, a classic naturally aspirated in line six. Nice ZF manual gearbox and locking diff. It was a heck of a racing car as well.

[@mattjukes8151]

A fascinating story! I had no idea about the Italian provenance, and manufacture, of the M1! Thank you, Jack👍

[@worldhello1234]

Better eat some herbs of Provence instead and save the 500.000 quid for something else.

[@dwn2634]

Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Italy and Germany need to make more cars together.

[@Marc-oe1hg]

Thanks Jack, this is GREAT!!! To me, the M1 is the ultimate, most true BMW ever built. I saw one once in St Moritz Switzerland ascending over a hill into my view. It had the BMW livery paint. It was so awesome and absolutely breathtaking with its racing heritage, yet wearing with pride all of the day to day BMW trade features. It is the essence of BMW...

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Great view, I learned a lot. I have always liked BMW 6's M series engines, they do everything so well. My favourite era of supercars, modern ones leave me cold.

[@e28forever30]

Same here, I’ll take this over any modern supercar.

[@blaze1148]

One of my friends had a Z1 back in the late 90's - beautiful thing with those unique doors.

[@dougknight1720]

One of my dream cars. I remember seeing one as a kid…. Beautiful amazing vehicle

[@DiamondHell]

You're an absolute delight to watch in this video, Jack. The look of someone revelling in the experience. Thanks for taking us along for the ride ❤ 👍

[@stephenricketts7764]

One of my all time greats is the BMW M1. This one looks to be a very good example, colour and interior. I remember watching your story of the Lamborghini 'project' so this ties in with that nicely. It may not sound as wild as a V12 but it is still wild I think. Thanks Jack for putting a smile on my face even though I was sat in my armchair! 👍👍

[@bikert]

Stunningly beautiful car this M1, and the engine sound of that 6 in line gives me goosebumps'. And see the smile on the face of Jack...;-)

[@timjohnson67]

Thanks Jack, such an interesting story and a beautiful car. And so good to see your obvious enjoyment!!

[@sebastiend.5335]

I had this car as a nice model as a kid in the 80's. Been one of my all time favourite!!

[@MustahB]

My son's first project car was/is an 850i. If you haven't driven one (or a CSi), it should be on your bucket list. Loads of fun. Even working on it is oddly pleasurable bc it's so beautifully engineered.

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

Well jealous Jack always loved these cars especially in racing trim with a huge wing on the back,very cool.

[@tonytalbot8601]

I see you had the perfect road to test this M1 Jack. From Otley to Blubberhouses in Yorkshire is a dream drive!

[@geoffclarke3796]

Would have one of these in my dream car garage for sure. A great looking car with a brilliant engine and a brilliant ride/handling. Amazing the M1 turned out as well given the strained relationship between BMW & Lamborghini before it went into production.

[@DouweBuruma]

The sound 😍, I love six cylinders, but yeah when the real fun begins the limiter kicks in 😢 Thank you Jack and the owner!

[@michaelwoodbodley8099]

What is this limiter about? Jack mentioned but did not explain.

[@RobertMekenkamp]

Yeah when you've got an engine as developed as this it'll rev past a safe limit so a rev limiter is fitted to stop you getting in to a dangerous revs. I've built engines that would just keep reving way over the safe limit and if you don't watch it they would go way past 8000 revs, not healthy.

[@chesswizard31]

Beautiful and special car, with an interesting history. Love the familiar Esprit and DeLorean design.

[@petergorm]

An absolute masterpiece of a car! Wow. My favourite car has always been the M635 Csi. But I really love this car.

[@MrTaurrean]

What a lovely car,Fair play to you for getting to enjoy and review the wonderful M1,Great stuff 😊

[@e28forever30]

This is epic, Jack! You’re getting to drive some cool cars lately. This is one of my absolute favourites, a piece of art!

[@RobertMekenkamp]

You've done it again Jack, I'm envious of your ability to test so many awesome cars. I think you have developed the best KZbin channel on KZbin, I've shared your channel with all my mate's and they let me know when you've posted a new vid before I get your alert, so amazing job. I owned a 1974 3.0 so as my first BMW and loved it, super pretty, lots of go getrak 4 speed manual. I fitted BBS mags from a 5 series Momo steering wheel of course, no air bag wheel, ( I hate them, too fat too ugly). But basically the same engine but not as developed. I sold it to a man in Hobart Tasmania that read the sport on channel 10 news and saw it on a speed week channel. Anyway love your story on a fabulous car. 👍Thanks.

[@marks-the-spot]

Thanks for this profile, Jack. The first time I saw an M1 in person was on track at Road America in the early 1980's. I've been awed by it ever since. Definitely one of my top 10 fantasy garage cars.

[@timothylanders3189]

Oh wow! I'll never forget my E36 M3 & how it pulled from 4k revs to redline absolutely effortlessly but, this M1 is sensational. That engine sound as you push through the gears. Is that 9k rev limit for real? OMFG :o The straight 6 Beema engines are the best they produced, no doubt. Just wow.... Pls never stop these great clips Jack :)

[@KiwiExpressCream]

I used to drool over this car when I was a wee lad. Half a century later I still am 😍

[@gazzafloss]

Another great review of a really interesting vehicle. Jack, you are becoming a very trusted and reliable commentator for these lovely and in many cases rare cars with interesting "back stories".

[@stonecold2176]

I had this remote controlled car In the 80's. Loved it. Indicators and pop up lights worked, played with it all the time.

[@jeton924s]

Congratulations Jack you’re killing it with the awesome cars that your reviewing I remember like it was yesterday back in San Diego Ca. In 1982 I saw a white example of an M1 and since that day has been my dream car., in the USA the price new was 115 k dlls double the price of a Ferrari 308 I was a kid back then and started my passion for cars thanks again!!

[@thedoguru]

Great story Jack! This is definitely my all time dream car. I would love to see a review of the Maserati Khamsin. I got to drive one in the Eighties and it is a memory I will never forget. The sound of that engine!

[@RzogL]

One of my dream cars, especially in white. What a treat to see this review! This is in a spiritual succession that starts with the Bora and continues with the original NSX and the R8: it's the usable supercar. Would be intrigued to see it next to an i8 in the same colour.

[@johnnysmith863]

Very interesting. I wonder if it could be compared more closely with the Honda NSX than with its Italian contemporaries? Obviously there's more than a decade between the two, but it strikes me that their usability and thoroughness of the engineering is similar, as well as their performance, drivetrain layout and cylinder count. I guess I'll have to drive both back-to-back to find out!

[@cefimar7252]

Really great video, congrats ! So where is my M1 number 296, original factory black, 'cleverly' sold in the UK in 1985 today ? Would love to hear from the current owner and learn about its history since '85. Cheers.

[@richardparkinson9556]

296 was Orange, 292 was one of only 2 black cars, the other being 326. The owner of Mint Classics in Munich has one of them.

[@garneauweld1100]

The complications give me a headache, but the story is absolutely fascinating. More than a few wanted to see this car completed otherwise it would have failed. I've always loved this car, but I've never really known what to make of it. It did have a bit of an identity crisis, and still does. Thank you for the review. I'm still watching...

[@SpiritualStuntman]

Thank you from Nashville Tennessee! I’ve loved, and owned, and sometimes hated, 3 BMWs. This was made when cars had a soul. Thanks again 🙏🏽

[@PB200559]

Superb! Jack's driving face tells the story. . .

[@ryanmccormick2150]

Unbelievable motor's on Number 27 Jack! You're channel is ageing like a lovely Irish whiskey..... Well done buddy 👏👍

[@Number27]

Thanks dude!

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

Maaaan what a sweet car. Thanks for the video!

[@RapideWombaticus]

An amazingly interesting and unique car. Well done Jack

[@canucklehead0]

Wow,...just Wow!!! The M1 has been in the top 5 list since I was a kid, Excellent review, Jack!!!

[@daniellee9015]

Absaloutly brilliant video jack ❤👍what an amazing looking car absaloutly beautiful brilliant

[@dmn23]

We were a military family stationed in West Germany in the early '80s and the BMW dealer in nearby Trier had a new orange M1 in the showroom. I'd stop by every chance I got to drool and ogle and It was there for what seemed like years. Maybe they were difficult to unload back then.

[@michaelsimpson3548]

One of my childhood dream cars.Still to this day.

[@mikewysko2268]

Thanks for taking us for a ride in this rare BMW.

[@Akabei01]

I witnessed one of the very few race wins of a M1 in the early 80s on the airfield race track in Wunstorf. It usually stood no chance in the Division I DRM against the Zakspeed Capris and Porsche 935s but on that day the M1 came in first. The BASF Cassetten/Team GS-Sport colour scheme of it looked a bit psychedelic. 😁

[@nova-oy4qy]

thank you to the owner for sharing your car with the world!! You couldn't have picked a better presenter for this!

[@BMWDriver1992]

One of my most favourite BMW cars. I don't think I've seen a video of this car in such detail. I'm so happy I watched your video, I love that you comment as you drive. I get to experience some of that car and the sounds of the engine. Thank you so much. I'd say it feels German because, surely, BMW engineered it even if they didn't build it and design the body.

[@Number27]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching

[@georgebettiol8338]

The German 'feel' is largely due to the dash, interior fittings and plastics which don't rattle, squeak and degrade to a 'mushy' feel - i.e. were a cut above the Italian cars of the period. Unfortunately, BMWs of mid-nouties on have sunk in quality as these are fitted with lots of very poor quality 'breaky-breaky' plastics and rubbers - such a shame.

[@richardhaywoodh]

The M1 looks very modern, inside & out, a design that has hardly dated

[@LeChave]

What a car! Yes, I know the history behind it... but come on, it is beautiful! No silly box arches or ridiculous rear spoiler (and I'm a Countach fan!), just an amazing looking car! Sometimes, less is more! (Yes I know the racing version had wider arches and a big rear spoiler, but that was because it was a race car 😀)

[@MatthewCallier]

One of my favorite BMWs. Love the look and judging by your reaction, it's a nice driver too.

[@Aleiza_49]

It's car's like this that made me fall in love with the sound of straight 6s as a kid, and why I currently own a car with one. Glorious intake and exhaust notes, whew 😩👌

[@pauldavey422]

A friend of mines dad designed the BMW Turbo -- Paul Bracq- -look him up , a true artist / designer..thats his drawing at 1.58 on the video. Btw great history lesson - so the germans broke into the factory - love it!

[@cornishrider]

What an utterly fabulous car! Thanks for the content Jack, not even Harry or Jayemm has managed this! White with black no chrome looks stunning, I always thought the alloys looked like BASF 70's reel to reel tapes!

[@terminus8444]

Absolutely gorgeous machine! It's been in my top five since I first saw it back in the seventies. Very pleased to see that you got to drive and enjoy this legendary auto! You've been scoring some amazing drives lately! Keep on with the fantastic work! 👍

[@EyesWideOpen61]

I used to work at historic BMW dealer in California and we had one of these on the showroom, never got to drive it though

[@miguelangelsimonfernandez5498]

I miss my mother's 80's 3.2l 6cylinder bmw so much. This sound brought some memories

[@daveglover6115]

Another great one Jack! Really enjoy these road test critiques, perhaps you can be offered an 840/50 after this M1?!

[@erics418]

One of my all time favourite. I remember seeing one on the streets of Jeddah, Saudi A as a kid in 1985. Felt like seeing the Martians. Have wanted one ever since. Would be alongside a w198 300sl and a 288 gto.

[@alexhoyle]

I was lucky enough to see Bernard Béguin Rally one of these cars on the Ypres rally around 1983/84, a truly fantastic car when in full flight.

[@kenw1295]

Love it, great memories of watching them race at Brands Hatch in support of the F1 races.

[@archiegoodwinjr]

Thank you! This one just popped up 1 month late but it’s the most informative M1 review I have encountered. Maybe JayEmm will review it and surmise if M1 tweaked these cars to be more Bavarian before sending them to the showrooms. I appreciate learning about its ergonomic compromises for headroom, knee room, and foot width that are absent from contemporaneous Ferraris.

[@MLC...]

Wow! You drive such lovely cars. The M1 must be right on top of my list of favorite cars, the rest being occupied by Alfa Romeos. Thanks Giacomo.

[@arthurdardalis]

Love it, all time classic, absolute icon

[@drumcondraapache521]

Thanks Richard . Remembered seeing one in Dublin as a boy in the early 80s but had a english reg .

[@martinboulden4388]

WHAT A CAR TO DRIVE. AWESOME. ❤

[@russellhammond4373]

I can see that you are enjoying yourself. Congrats on getting your hands on the M1.

[@Mike-rk8px]

If there was ever a car that BMW should’ve kept in limited production for at least 10 years, this is it. Even if it was slow it was so ridiculously beautiful that it wouldn’t matter. I spoke to an M1 owner at a car show at Lime Rock in Connecticut, and he told me that if the body panels get damaged in way, they can’t be replaced. Once the limited production run was finished, the molds that make the fiberglass body panels were purposely destroyed. So all you can do is hope a specialist can fix the damage....good luck with that.

[@martinehrlich3908]

Jack, love your enthusiasm!

[@eze8970]

Thanks Jack, the wedge shapes being rounded off & finally transforming. Glad you liked it. Sort of a German 'Pantera'?🙏🙏

[@jakubtomaszewski5137]

Jack, you lucky boy. Great vid :) I guess the car feels more German due to the engine and gearbox, and maybe the suspension setup. Bigger (more cylinders) engines are a bit more lazy in reaction to the throttle. Those individual throttle bodies are the way :D

[@ElectricUAM]

The only BMW I ever wanted. Great recap.I didn't know many things about it.

[@preppen78]

The Maserati Bora would be awesome

[@benmarshall787]

Watched this out of chronological order, lovely car , sounds fantastic. I know Iain (tyrell)also did a film on it and he was a big fan. Now memory lane... Dad always wanted a Mk1 3 series , a friend at work on motor patrol had a white ,323i with the de rigeur M stripes. So we used to visit Sandal Bayern in Wakefield to check them out. At the time they were very expensive , didnt have a radio even as standard and some but not all were very snooty , rude and eager to extracate you asap from the showroom! At Sandal believe it or not they had an M1 in the showroom (locked) but right in the window. I kiked it and knew what it was as i had my own "matchbox" version! In 89, 9Oish in their new (now a gym) Almondbury BMW sldo had a supercar in their large showroom window too, A Ferrari F40 which we travelled to look at one summer night, what a view. Further to this , i think the then Robert Bowett (honda and saab dealer) had a red NSX to look at which i was quite mad on too, on recollection i think a dealer in Grimsby also had an NSX in black as i took dad to buy a Civic VTi there , with the great experience of driving dads beloved RS2000 4x4 there, and then to thrash its successor round the lanes of North Thoresby being careful not to press on too much as dad was recovering from surgery!! Soz for the memory lane stuff. Have yiu dome an nsx review? Ben

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

Jacks face as he drives this car ❤

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice one jack, yet again you have come up trumps keep these lovely golden oldies coming 😁👍

[@jeandibb4111]

Thanks Jack for demystifying this so long underestimated and undervalued stunner

[@jad.george]

A truly mythical car ... My favorite during my teenage years ... Apart the dashboard, the whole car compares very well to modern ones

[@Retro_Rich]

The M635 CSI used an M88/3 engine. It had different rods, pistons, injection, and ignition compared to the M88 in the M1. The M1 also had dry sump lubrication.

[@TygonBC]

Great stuff Jack. Love the kinda segue between the LM002 video and this 🙂

[@MarcosCodas]

Doing this right after the Lambo LM002 is a brilliant segue. Bravo.

[@william-131]

Personally I love the shape of the Procar M1. The wheelarch extensions of the race version really turn this car into something brutal. There was a tuning firm called AHG who transferred the stock M1 to the Procar shape and even the iconic Procar livery if you dared. For street use! Lovely video like always and that’s not a given. Compliments!

[@tomlanigan4308]

Love the reference to the BMW Turbo as an influence. I remember the Turbo from my pack of Prototypes Top Trumps as a boy.

[@BoilMe]

Well done......... Jack......... once again! Surely........ the bmw M1......... is a true super car!............

[@Klarkash-Ton]

These have dimensions similar to the DeTomaso Pantera, along with a very similar ZF transmission, and both have suspension by Dallara. I've never driven an M1 but I'd love to see one compared back to back with a Pantera some day -- they're so much alike on paper.

[@Number27]

This is a better handler than a Pantera..

[@NLBassist]

Great vid! No comment, but just trying to be helpfull: Jochen Neerpasch: The sch sound is more like lash, cash, mesh, and the A sound like the British way of the A in path. So combine the a of path with the sh in lash and you've got it. I love all your vds. Great work!

[@grahamsmith2022]

I had a black Scalextrix M1 complete with a detachable rear spoiler in the early '80's when I was a kid,I always thought it was a great looking car,especially for a BMW but this explains everything, it's Italian.

[@joeclark2104]

a real pleasure to listen to, that 6.

[@benzinapaul7416]

Great video and kudos to get an M1 on your channel. My 6 year old son is currently playing with his Bburago 1:43 BASF liveried M1 toy car as we speak.

[@villiamo3861]

Nice one, Jack. Lovely, enthusiastic, vid on a truly (ahem) super car.