The BMW 1 Series M Coupé, popularly known as 1M, is a high-performance full-fat M car of the 1 Series. The upcoming M2 Coupé would be the entry-level ticket to the M world, but in 2011, it was the 1 Series that got all the beefed-up M treatments: excellent performance, sharp handling, and aggressive bodywork. While BMW exceeded its initial plan of making only 2,700 examples, ultimately producing 6,309. Production lasted until June 2012, and the 1 Series M Coupé is considered one of the best value-for-money true-performance M cars. If you miss the car or want to own one, then a low-mileage 1M coupe is up for auction at Bring a Trailer, and it could offer a great value or be a future collectible.
The short-lived but ideal M car ultimately fades into memory
In 2011, the E90 M3 was the only choice for consumers to embark on the thrilling journey of high-performance BMW cars, but it was expensive and sported a powerful V-8. Therefore, it was a risk factor for BMW to decide on making a high-performance 1 Series sportscar. Nevertheless, BMW played the go-big-or-go-home part enthusiastically and deployed a twin-turbo straight-six under the hood of the 1M Coupé. It was a 3.0-liter N54 engine, which was BMW’s first mass-produced turbocharged gas-operated engine since the limited-production M106. This engine could crank 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. However, an extra 37 pound-feet of torque could be extracted in overboost mode.
The E90 M3 was a beast in handling dynamics, and the 1M has most of the components borrowed straight from its elder brother. The result is smooth sailing cornering stability, thanks to the same pivot points, link supports, and axles. The chassis was made of aluminum to reduce weight, and with the peppy performance, the 1M was an excellent car for not only experts but also amateurs. If you are curious about numbers, the 1M Coupé could do naught to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph, which is freakishly fast for a compact car back then.
Take advantage of the fact that one of the 1Ms is looking for a new master
This iteration of the 1M Coupé is painted in Alpine White and has a contrasting interior in black leather with orange stitches. It has all the features of a modern car like power-operated front seats, Alcantara upholstery on the steering wheel, Alcantara on the dashboard, automatic climate control, and a flagship Harman Kardon audio unit. While the beautiful 19-inch M wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sports from 2011, a set of H&R lowered springs were installed to stiffen the suspension. As for the powertrain, the N54 3.0-liter inline-six has a remapped ECU, and the stock exhaust has been removed for an aftermarket mid-pipe system. The odometer reads only 8,000 miles which is quite decent for a sportscar that is over a decade old.