Why I LOVE the BMW 1M - and you should too 😳😳😳 the ultimate M Car? 4k

Hey 👋
Welcome to CMD and my review of this very special BMW 1M
As a huge M car fanboy I can’t believe this one...
Can you imagine being the owner of this collectible - appreciating - limited edition M car - and throwing someone the keys!!!
AMAZINGLY I’ve been leant this car for two weeks by the all round legend - before I go any further - PAUL - thank you?!!
Now initially I had planned on filming a comparison between my M2 Comp vs 1m …
However the more I’ve driven this car and spent time with it alongside the M2 / the other day I drove them both back to back to get a good feel for how they differ - I think that’s a relatively useless comparison.
These cars are becoming highly collectible
Originally one of 450 and interestingly is the only M car with the m designation after the number as you may or may not be aware the M1 was the original BMW super car in the 70s - so badge taken!
This particular example is very tastefully modified
It’s running Ohlins suspension and a very splendid after market exhaust along with some trick carbon under the hood.
This car is special in my eyes - even more so for being an engineers project - at the time they didn’t have the resources to develop the car in a conventional manner - and so a “weekend project of a car”
And it does have that special feel about it.
The N54 twin turbo 3 litre straight 6 engine out of the 135i updated some components and slung it into a widened body 1 series coupe. It punches out 335 BHP in a slab of spikes kit that puts a smile on your face no sooner you wave your right foot over the fun pedal.
Diff and rear suspension AND BRAKES lifted for the E92 M3 and whilst no of that and other parts are not as clever as their newer counterparts (so surprises there) it doesn’t detract from the experience AT ALL.
The steering feel on the move is phenomenal!
This car benefits in this area due to its age
A hydraulic assisted rack lends itself to B road blasting and provides amazing feedback throughout the drive - the ratio is tighter than my M2 and so the turn in feels tighter… but that could just be down to the feel / feedback which is just joyous
Add of all these together and you get a tight / compact angry little M car that can and will keep you on your toes.
Originally - worried about it driving this car. It has quite the reputation. This car on Ohlins and running Michelin PS4s has been MOSTLY very predictable once you learn how the car behaves
So let’s summarise
Limited edition
Stealth
Special to those who know
Great feel
Fast
Engaging
Will throw you off the road if you take liberties
WHATS NOT TO LOVE
Cheers All
Enjoy x

[@simongodfrey961]

Agree with all your points, with the possible exception of 1M and M2 being a completely different market. I bought a 1M last year whilst still having an M2, I knew I couldn't afford to keep both so ran them side by side for a few months so I could decide which to keep. The 1M just got under my skin so have sold the M2. As a driving device it is just more engaging although the M2 was certainly more competent and faster everywhere, The only problem I now have is how much I love the 1M, as a result I am more precious about it so children and supermarket carparks are an issue! Having to now turn my clubsport E46 M3 into a sort of daily to navigate this issue, first world problems!

[@CarMadDad]

Love this Simon and completely understand how you arrived at that decision…. Must have been like choosing a favourite child. Love the idea of a daily M3 😂 Enjoy 😉

[@michaelscurr9046]

I’ve had this car for a year. Without traction control on if you get on and of the juice and get your breaking right. The cars a dream you have full control. I had an RS3 couldn’t get rid of it quick enough

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for your view and thoughts Michael. Ta rar RS3 👋

[@dee1251]

“If you get to experience one the car will do the talking” it’s exactly what I thought once I drove it just before I bought it. I heard good things about it and knew it’s going to be good, but once I drove it , it was like , ohhhhhh wow , this is a seriously bad ass car. By the way very good review ! Nicely done , you explained spot on.

[@CarMadDad]

Really appreciate the view and comments chappy. Congrats on the purchase - love these things

[@racelance]

Nicely done video. I purchased a VO 1M about 5 years ago as I’ve got a small garage. Quite honestly I was looking for a cool car that fit in my smaller / tight garage. With this said I decided to buy a 1M. Then I watched my daughter pull her bike out and it was an inch or so away from the front quarter of the car. I decided to put the car in my warehouse with 8k miles on it as I knew it was a special car. I drive it every so often and I’m quickly reminded how great it is. I bought a low mile 135i with many upgrades to store in the garage as it was a lower cost vehicle. I love my little 135i dearly and use it daily. Recently I bought a M2CS and stowed it away as I didn’t want to have an issue with my daughter bumping it. It’s a special car for sure and fun to drive. Personally I’m happy owning my little trio and enjoying them each time I take them out. The M2CS is super fun, but the 1M is entirely different. Both are long term keepers… life is good!

[@CarMadDad]

Sounds like a quality little collection Lance. Congrats dude. Thank you for the view and comments - love it 😊

[@DontPanicDear]

The one a had a go in, had spent a day at Evolve. Over 400bhp-400lb/ft livened them up a treat 😀 It’s a bonkers little 1er for sure! The sound takes me back to my N54 135i. Miss that to this day.

[@CarMadDad]

Yeah I can imagine chap Cheers for the view and thoughts 👍

[@ModMINI]

I just 'accidentally' got one of these (bid on an auction that didn't go as high as I thought!) - professionally modified - can't wait to take delivery. Upgrading from a 'fake 1m' 'narrobody' 135i. Gonna be like night and day. I've said the same about other cars but I'm not going to be selling this one any time soon, if ever. PS: I'm going to drive the thing, not just stare at it.

[@CarMadDad]

That sounds like a very fortunate “accident” dude 👍 Congrats on the acquisition 👌 Cheers for the view and comments

[@andrewcouper770]

Bought one as my first ever sports car in Valencia orange and had for 2.5 years. Power delivery was probably a bit intense for my first ever fwd and especially because of cost but as an ownership experience it was great. Sold to fund house purchase but ready to get back into M car ownership, looking at either M2 or M2 comp because they are a much better price point.

[@CarMadDad]

Thanks for sharing - lots of M2 content on the channel if you are interested 👀 👌

[@TwistyRoadsSE]

I agree, the best car ive ownd and own. Fantastic drivers car. I dont know witch mode you were in but if you use the MDM mode the car wont interfere as much with the antispinnsystem. So if you try it again try it in the mdm mode, it gets à Lot more playfull 😍

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers chappy. If I’m fortunate enough to have another go I’ll consider that ☝️ 👍

[@TwistyRoadsSE]

@@CarMadDad yes do it, it makes all the difference. You still have traction control on, it just lets the car to be a litle bit more playful, but still in control 😇

[@CarMadDad]

👍

[@DSMcLeod]

Not the only M car with the letters and numbers around the other way. 1 Series M Coupe is the official name. Z3 M Coupe and Z4 M Coupe came before it and then there’s the X5M and X6M from 2009

[@CarMadDad]

Unpopular opinion David… I don’t class them as M cars 😣 Good point though chappy 👍

[@grahamshobbies]

Hi, new subscriber, great channel really enjoying the content and for great causes, looking forward to seeing future videos and the back catalogue, watching from Shifnal Shropshire.

[@CarMadDad]

Hey 👋 A Wes one and thank you Know Shifnal well - cracking golf club ⛳️

[@grahamshobbies]

@@CarMadDad I'm just down the road from the golf club, I'm not a fan though lol.

[@CarMadDad]

Nice area chap 👌 Enjoy and thank you again

[@bobbyshankit]

It's a rare car 👌i tried to buy one 2 year ago but missed it, same mileage car is now 15-20k more, will be a pricey car in another 10 years from now, would buy one in a 2nd if it appeared at the right price, condition and mileage 👌

[@CarMadDad]

Always worth keeping your eyes open chap… You never know 👍

[@peterkirton4580]

Another good one Dale

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers Peter (I enjoyed it) 👌

[@bennoek9]

Ha ha great video Dale, you quite liked it then 😂😂👍🏼

[@CarMadDad]

Absolutely Mike - did that come across on camera??? 😂

[@TG-pd3ft]

Love the look of these, only that privacy glass spoils the side view. Quite lairy on the road

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed 👍

[@arthurtay8788]

How do you compare the 1M with the Yaris GR? Which would you choose if you could only have one?

[@CarMadDad]

Hi Arthur Oh boy… that’s a REALLY tough one to answer! They are night and day on the road. You can extract 100% of the GR Yaris which makes it a great B ROAD blaster with a lot of smiles per miles. HOWEVER the 1M is limited addition and a dying breed. Power to the rear and equally as much as a hooligan. The GR Yaris and 1M are both easy to live with - but for me - just on subjective preference I’d have the 1M as a long term keeper 👍

[@davida8713]

Would you happen to know what aftermarket exhaust is on this car please?

[@CarMadDad]

Eisenmann exhaust 👍

[@davida8713]

@@CarMadDad assuming it’s the race version and not the sports one?

[@bluu4208]

whey that's my dads car

[@CarMadDad]

Hey Blu 👋