BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read




 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-05-2011, 03:34 PM   #1
as7920
Colonel
as7920's Avatar
United Kingdom
596
Rep
2,374
Posts

Drives: 2023 SG/FR M4 xDrive Competiti
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Automobile Magazine's 1M test mule drive review

http://m.automobilemag.com/reviews/d...ive/index.html

1M test mule drive review by Georg Kacher, so may appear in several mags.

Positive overall.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 03:42 PM   #2
Joer
Lieutenant
Joer's Avatar
United Kingdom
41
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK, Midlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by as7920 View Post
http://m.automobilemag.com/reviews/d...ive/index.html

Review by Georg Kacher so may appear in several mags.

Positive overall.
Nice find Mark. Thanks!
__________________
________________________________

Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 03:54 PM   #3
Dan Parker
Major
United_States
77
Rep
1,421
Posts

Drives: 2012 Golf R
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Georgia

iTrader: (0)

Good stuff! Thanks.
__________________
Dan Parker
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 03:59 PM   #4
elitt13
Lieutenant
elitt13's Avatar
France
156
Rep
475
Posts

Drives: 1///M Coupe & ///M2 CS DKG
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: soutern france

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW M2 CS  [0.00]
2011 BMW 1M coupé  [10.00]
2007 335i  [0.00]
thanks
__________________
- Série 1 ///M BSM -
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 05:32 PM   #5
fastauto
Captain
fastauto's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
672
Posts

Drives: AW 1M Coupe
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

a great friend of mine had a chance to drive one and he said the same exact thing. he said that its extremly twitchy but a blast to drive. he currently drives a nicely modded e90 and said the e90's larger chasis makes it feel a lot more planted in certain situations
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 05:37 PM   #6
Boxercup
Private First Class
Boxercup's Avatar
United Kingdom
1
Rep
155
Posts

Drives: BSM 1M
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I don't see twitchy as a bad thing, Ever driven a S50 Z3M Coupe in the wet?

My most recent everyday cars have been (in order) - E91, E61, E92, E90.

Hell, I dream of twitchy!!

Last edited by Boxercup; 04-05-2011 at 05:40 PM.. Reason: elaboration
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 05:43 PM   #7
fastauto
Captain
fastauto's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
672
Posts

Drives: AW 1M Coupe
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxercup View Post
I don't see twitchy as a bad thing, Ever driven a S50 Z3M Coupe in the wet?

My most recent everyday cars have been (in order) - E91, E61, E92, E90.

Hell, I dream of twitchy!!
agreed. this thing sound more and more like a pure drivers car.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 05:43 PM   #8
///1M
Captain
25
Rep
612
Posts

Drives: On a good day, AW 1M coupe
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: between Indiana and the alley

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxercup View Post
I don't see twitchy as a bad thing, Ever driven a S50 Z3M Coupe in the wet?

My most recent everyday cars have been (in order) - E91, E61, E92, E90.

Hell, I dream of twitchy!!
+1
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 05:51 PM   #9
hwelvaar
Major
Belgium
112
Rep
1,140
Posts

Drives: BMW M135i MT
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

I like this part:

"What the 1-series M coupe does remarkably well is indulge in various octaves of power oversteer. In the wet, the DSC's M Dynamic mode easily induces a tail-happy attitude. With DSC off, you almost wish for side window wipers so you could look more clearly into the shocked eyes of oncoming motorists."

This is for sure one area where an Audi (RS) can't beat the 1M.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 05:57 PM   #10
darkvaderr
Private
Canada
0
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 1M ordered
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (0)

Lol, first mod: wipers for driver and passenger side windows
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 09:44 PM   #11
snowfro
Private First Class
snowfro's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
163
Posts

Drives: 1991 318i
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (0)

What does he mean by twitchy anyways. Like it feels like it wants to let loose when driven at it's limit on a continuous radius (like a carousel on the track)? Sorry that's a new way to describe handling I'm not familiar with!
__________________
------------------------------------------------------------
1984 325e "Lemon" in progress
1991 325i
2004 x3 manual
2011 1m
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 09:48 PM   #12
hajohehe
Private
4
Rep
57
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Oct 2007

iTrader: (0)

I wonder how comfortable this car would be. I read review from Chris Harris saying that this car has really good ride. But this review suggests that it is very harsh. I wonder how mine will be. I can't wait for the delivery.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 10:25 PM   #13
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hajohehe View Post
I wonder how comfortable this car would be. I read review from Chris Harris saying that this car has really good ride. But this review suggests that it is very harsh. I wonder how mine will be. I can't wait for the delivery.

Since I have driven a 1M, even on cobblestone roads in Europe, I can tell you the ride is very good. It's never harsh or jarring unless the road is.

The person writing the article didn't say the ride was harsh at grocery getting speeds.

Read again.

"Thus, the fastest 1-series bobs and jiggles more than such a focused driving machine should. While this restlessness is barely notable on smooth surfaces such as a racetrack, it is an issue on patchy back roads tackled at aggressive speeds."

Ok, so the ride will be rough at aggressive speeds on patchy back roads. Well that's probably to be expected from most sports cars but even if the ride is more unsettled than an m3, it's not like he is saying it's like a fox body ford mustang.


On smooth roads or even not so smooth the road handling is excellent . Perhaps not e90 smooth, but then again the 1M will carve corners way more than an E90 can dream of. Want a fast GT, buy an e90/e92. Want an agile sports car, get a 1M.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 10:29 PM   #14
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by snowfro View Post
What does he mean by twitchy anyways. Like it feels like it wants to let loose when driven at it's limit on a continuous radius (like a carousel on the track)? Sorry that's a new way to describe handling I'm not familiar with!
The steering is only 2.2 turns lock to lock. It's REALLY QUICK. Perhaps on a bumpy surface it might feel a bit nervous or twitchy but when I drove it, it tracked straight and true in curves and bends, even traveling at over 180kph in those bends, and even with wet pavement from persistent rain!
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 10:55 PM   #15
snowfro
Private First Class
snowfro's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
163
Posts

Drives: 1991 318i
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (0)

Makes sense! Like the twitchiness of a go-kart. The exact opposite of my 4.0 turn lock to lock e30 steering.

...actually having a hard time wrapping my brain around such a tight ratio on the steering. I feel like the karate kid trying to simulate it...

wax on
wax off
wax on
wax off

It's a serious difference.

Its actually closer to a go kart than my e30 318i rack.

Thanks for the clarification.
__________________
------------------------------------------------------------
1984 325e "Lemon" in progress
1991 325i
2004 x3 manual
2011 1m
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 11:35 PM   #16
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

exactly... the original rack in my E30 M3 was 3.5 turns lock to lock, and even the Z3 1.9 rack installed in my car is about 2.75 turns lock to lock... so you know exactly what I am talking about snow.

See also post #2 in this thread here where an actual owner talks about the steering.
It's phenomenal... it really is..

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511414


I love the Automobile mag final summary...


"... on the smiles-per-mile charts, the 1-series M coupe can't be beat. It is a challenging piece, a triple-X-rated driver's machine for semi-professionals. Its handling balance provides an open invitation to indulge in latent oversteer, and provides an opportunity to separate the men from the boys. It is an absolute hoot on the track and an addictive plaything on your favorite twisty back road. "

Last edited by M3 Adjuster; 04-05-2011 at 11:42 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 11:45 PM   #17
dominoM
Private Low Class
297
Rep
275
Posts

Drives: G87 M2 ZB 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

M3 Adjuster: thanks for the additional comments. The twitchy description had me a little perplexed as well. Good to hear some feedback from somebody else who has driven the car.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2011, 11:48 PM   #18
hajohehe
Private
4
Rep
57
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Oct 2007

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
On smooth roads or even not so smooth the road handling is excellent . Perhaps not e90 smooth, but then again the 1M will carve corners way more than an E90 can dream of. Want a fast GT, buy an e90/e92. Want an agile sports car, get a 1M.
Thanks for your reply. I currently drive S2000. I am sure that it will not be harsh as S2K. I have never driven any M3 yet. I only driven 335IS, 328I, and 535I(F10). I can't wait to drive 1 Series M! And my car is finally in production.
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2011, 12:24 AM   #19
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hajohehe View Post
Thanks for your reply. I currently drive S2000. I am sure that it will not be harsh as S2K. I have never driven any M3 yet. I only driven 335IS, 328I, and 535I(F10). I can't wait to drive 1 Series M! And my car is finally in production.
Wow. Well.. to be absolutely honest... I would *definitely* describe the S2000 as twitchy at the limit. It doesn't seem that way in normal driving or even in track driving, but put an S2000 in a slalom in an autocross, perhaps throw in some uneven spacing and the rear definitely acts like it has an invitation to swap ends. It's not HORRIBLE.. and you can catch it... (or else I would then say it is Horrible!) but it is a little surprising, particularly when compared with say... a Mazda Miata, which doesn't feel the least bit twitchy. Actually.. now that I think of it... the Z3M is very similar, and I don't think this was completely exorcised in the Z4M... Perhaps it's just a function of short wheel base vehicles, and the further from 50/50 front/rear weight distribution .. the worse it is. I got a chance to run the 1M through a slalom several times, but it was wet, so ultimate grip was not there. From my experiences thus far, I agree.. The 1M is more composed than the S2K or the Z3/Z4M.

I'm definitely curious to hear your thoughts after you get your 1M.

Last edited by M3 Adjuster; 04-06-2011 at 12:33 AM..
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2011, 04:59 AM   #20
M3Power79
Lieutenant
Belgium
31
Rep
515
Posts

Drives: 1M sold - M4 MW DKG ordered
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

Great review and so curious to exeperience all this on my own!
__________________
"... on the smiles-per-mile charts, the 1-series M coupe can't be beat. It is a challenging piece, a triple-X-rated driver's machine for semi-professionals. Its handling balance provides an open invitation to indulge in latent oversteer, and provides an opportunity to separate the men from the boys. It is an absolute hoot on the track and an addictive plaything on your favorite twisty back road. "
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2011, 08:08 AM   #21
theblackangus
Second Lieutenant
14
Rep
249
Posts

Drives: 2011 1M
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Iowa

iTrader: (0)

After reading that review, I wonder what the same reviewer would say of an exige S.

I can imagine anything more "Twitchy" (influenced by the road) than that.

But glad to hear the steering is so lively. I love it!

Also I wanted to ask a question that he brought up.

He mentioned that the steering was very smooth, but the feedback had some kick and twist (not his words, but close).

Every "Lively" car I have driven that had (to me) good road feel has some kick and twist. So do really nice "Lively" cars not have that same go-kart feeling?

I mean when I drove the M3 (various times) I could only think how aweful the feedback from steering was I couldn't really feel the road at all. To me it was like there was a pillow between the steering and the road.

How do others feel about this? I mean honestly I like my 135's road/steering feel alot more than the M3. Sure the M3 is calm and controlled, but its too much so for me to really be happy with (Go karting is awesome!).

Road Feel:
Mustang GT = good but lesser than the 135. (Steering ratio too large?)
135i = good
Cayman S = better (But he torque leaves me wanting)
Exige S = best I have ever driven (But I can't get myself to buy one of these little death traps)

To me I don't want sitting in the front seat to feel like I'm sitting on my couch at home.

Thanks for the thoughts!
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2011, 12:00 PM   #22
TMR013
Opus Angelus
TMR013's Avatar
United_States
422
Rep
1,264
Posts

Drives: 2018 LBB M2 Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Chandler, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
Wow. Well.. to be absolutely honest... I would *definitely* describe the S2000 as twitchy at the limit. It doesn't seem that way in normal driving or even in track driving, but put an S2000 in a slalom in an autocross, perhaps throw in some uneven spacing and the rear definitely acts like it has an invitation to swap ends. It's not HORRIBLE.. and you can catch it... (or else I would then say it is Horrible!) but it is a little surprising, particularly when compared with say... a Mazda Miata, which doesn't feel the least bit twitchy. Actually.. now that I think of it... the Z3M is very similar, and I don't think this was completely exorcised in the Z4M... Perhaps it's just a function of short wheel base vehicles, and the further from 50/50 front/rear weight distribution .. the worse it is. I got a chance to run the 1M through a slalom several times, but it was wet, so ultimate grip was not there. From my experiences thus far, I agree.. The 1M is more composed than the S2K or the Z3/Z4M.

I'm definitely curious to hear your thoughts after you get your 1M.
That's interesting becuase I used to have an S2000 and I would never use the word 'twitchy' to describe it. Even at the limit. That car was always rock solid, even on an uneven surface. It always amazed me. That was one of the reasons it was so fun to drive
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:17 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST