UK magazine Car Enthusiast places the new BMW 1M against the Porsche Cayman R. Let’s have a look at some of their findings:
Showroom Appeal:
The BMW, on the other hand, doesn’t so much refine its 1 Series basis as ditch it entirely. It might be called the 1 Series M Coupé, but underneath it’s an M3 and on top basically bespoke, the body stretched to accommodate a track that simply wouldn’t fit under a 120d. Trademark M Division parts – twin stalk mirrors, quad tailpipes, M3 CSL 19-inch wheels – finish off the aesthetic. It’s a glorious, boil washed touring car, but one that happens to fit four comfortably and have a decent boot.
Behind the Wheel:
The BMW is undoubtedly the quicker car in real life, due to its ferocious mid-range, but anyone can jump into the Cayman and quickly start dismissing corners with exorbitant, almost reckless abandon. You simply can’t do that in the BMW.
Problem with the Porsche is that, yes, it’s more fun when you’re driving, but the rest of the time it’s a proper pain in the arse. Wedged into the fixed position carbon buckets, you’ll feel you’ve strapped on a muscle toner belt – good for shrinking those burger wings, but not really that pleasant after a while. It’s also a cacophony of raw engine and tyre noise. Pure indeed, but probably a little too pure to live with all the time.
BMW has restricted UK buyers to just 450 1 M Coupés, and at £40,020 it’s a good £14,000 cheaper than the M3 on which it’s based. That’s probably why a third of the allocation had sold before the car went on sale, and why we think this car represents one of the best investments you can make this side of a supercar.
Showroom Appeal:
The BMW, on the other hand, doesn’t so much refine its 1 Series basis as ditch it entirely. It might be called the 1 Series M Coupé, but underneath it’s an M3 and on top basically bespoke, the body stretched to accommodate a track that simply wouldn’t fit under a 120d. Trademark M Division parts – twin stalk mirrors, quad tailpipes, M3 CSL 19-inch wheels – finish off the aesthetic. It’s a glorious, boil washed touring car, but one that happens to fit four comfortably and have a decent boot.
Behind the Wheel:
The BMW is undoubtedly the quicker car in real life, due to its ferocious mid-range, but anyone can jump into the Cayman and quickly start dismissing corners with exorbitant, almost reckless abandon. You simply can’t do that in the BMW.
Problem with the Porsche is that, yes, it’s more fun when you’re driving, but the rest of the time it’s a proper pain in the arse. Wedged into the fixed position carbon buckets, you’ll feel you’ve strapped on a muscle toner belt – good for shrinking those burger wings, but not really that pleasant after a while. It’s also a cacophony of raw engine and tyre noise. Pure indeed, but probably a little too pure to live with all the time.
BMW has restricted UK buyers to just 450 1 M Coupés, and at £40,020 it’s a good £14,000 cheaper than the M3 on which it’s based. That’s probably why a third of the allocation had sold before the car went on sale, and why we think this car represents one of the best investments you can make this side of a supercar.
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