1M vs e30 M3 Driving Impressions w/PICS!

djafactor · 10-24-2011, 02:52 PM

Weather held up this past weekend so a few of us decided to make a run up to Mont-Tremblant for the day. Without proper cell service Chris managed to lead us to some great roads with his copious notes. Crew consisted of a 328i, 128i, C250 along with my 1M and e30 M3. It was the first time we exercised the 1M and M3 back to back in their natural environment. Thanks to the boys for such a great day. We had some great laughs and amazing moments. This is what auto camaraderie is all about. Some impressions on the 1M & e30 M3:

Both cars are just so easy to drive, you get in, feel instantly at home with superman confidence.

The seating position in 1M is just perfection. Everything falls perfectly in hand. I'm 6'2" with daddy-long legs and can heel-toe flawlessly while keeping that nice upright 90 degree elbow sitting position. Everything is the same in the M3 except the steering wheel has a bus-like rake that makes for a bit of a reach. (there is a mod to lower the rake by 2-3 degrees which I'm now most likely going to do).

1M power is just bananas, it just feels like it will never run out and always there on command. The grip is endless, the steering so direct, quick, and perfectly weighted. I've owned a bunch of MINIs and this is the car that feels like a proper grown up RWD R53 MINI.

I ran in MDM mode with the M button off the entire day. M-Sport mode on made the throttle a bit too sharp for the back roads. Lacking clear sightlines on most corners, there was a lot of on and off the power which would make things twitchy with M-Sport on. The endless grip made speeds too high to safely approach any limits. Driving the 1M at 6/10ths is like driving the 128i at 9/10ths.

The e30 is down on power but this makes it a bit more enjoyable on the backroads giving you time to prepare and adjust for the next blind corner. The grip is unbelievable, steering so communicative, full of feel. You get into an off camber corner and feel the rear of the car just sucking itself to the pavement. The e30 lacks power steering, instead having something called power assist which makes for a very heavy wheel. Think of it as power steering at 25%. I'm sure this is why modern BMWs can't quite replicate this magical type of feel. Rubber on my car was on it's last legs but it didn't hamper the experience just causing some wheel shake on heavy braking. The surprising thing was that my buddy and I were constantly flipping coins on who gets to drive the e30 next. My advice? every BMW fan needs to somehow drive an e30 M3 on the backroads once in their life.

Conclusion: The 1M is so special, the power, the brakes, the steering, the appearance. This is a car that I can't wait to lap at a circuit so I can experience the grip and feel at it's high limits. The e30 M3 still turns heads 25 years on with it's purposeful boxy looks. It is still the benchmark for pure drivers cars, you just get intoxicated with the planted feeling in the corners and it's simplistic approach to everything. The engine could use some more legs but in this type of environment it doesn't need it. That's the magic of the e30 M3.

I'm so fortunate to own these two special cars and can't see myself parting with either for quite a long time. BMW M the ultimate nirvana machine.

on to the pics:

cheers

Amit

orb2k · 10-24-2011, 03:01 PM

good times!

LOVEM · 10-24-2011, 03:07 PM

great pics

Elsabor67 · 10-24-2011, 03:12 PM

Gorgeous E30 M3.

M3 Adjuster · 10-24-2011, 03:40 PM

Sweet.... wish I had room for both an E30 M3 and my 1M..... After 17 years of E30M3 in the garage.... it's definitely missed.

eeghie · 10-24-2011, 03:58 PM

Great pics, and I see you're still running your ED plates, cool! Triggering great memories for the ED'ers out there

You have a BIG A$$ IOU outstanding. Visit to Garching was just unbelievable!!!

b33g33 · 10-24-2011, 04:23 PM

Man, great write-up and superb pictures.

Thanks.

M3 Adjuster · 10-24-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeghie

Great pics, and I see you're still running your ED plates, cool! Triggering great memories for the ED'ers out there

You have a BIG A$$ IOU outstanding. Visit to Garching was just unbelievable!!!

I'm still rolling with mine as well... everyone comments on how good they look on the car... I have had a couple of cops look twice.. but no issues thus far..

djafactor · 10-24-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

I'm still rolling with mine as well... everyone comments on how good they look on the car... I have had a couple of cops look twice.. but no issues thus far..

Thanks for the comments. It was a great day. Going to rock the ED plate as long as I can. I feel like a diplomat, a bad ass diplomat...lol

Amit

MAXOM3 · 10-25-2011, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djafactor

Conclusion: The 1M is so special, the power, the brakes, the steering, the appearance. This is a car that I can't wait to lap at a circuit so I can experience the grip and feel at it's high limits. The e30 M3 still turns heads 25 years on with it's purposeful boxy looks. It is still the benchmark for pure drivers cars, you just get intoxicated with the planted feeling in the corners and it's simplistic approach to everything. The engine could use some more legs but in this type of environment it doesn't need it. That's the magic of the e30 M3.

Great review man.
I agree in everything
I'm in the same boat as you and is unbelievable what an e30 M3 could do with 20+ years on his shoulders

. I love both my e30 M3 as my 1M of course..but every time I drive the e30, it is like a magician...always has a card up his sleeve

nachob · 10-25-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXOM3

Great review man.
I agree in everything
I'm in the same boat as you and is unbelievable what an e30 M3 could do with 20+ years on his shoulders

. I love both my e30 M3 as my 1M of course..but every time I drive the e30, it is like a magician...always has a card up his sleeve

Dang! Some guys are lucky enough to own an E30 M3.....some guys are lucky enough to own a 1M......but both?

WOW!

Thanks for sharing beautiful piece.

i128 · 10-25-2011, 09:50 AM

Having done the run with you guys on sunday, I couldn't have summed it up any better! I highly recommend anyone living in the Greater Montreal area to take tour up to Mt. Tremblant through the back roads, you surely won't regret it!

Nice write up and great pics dude!

CDN_135i · 10-25-2011, 11:09 AM

Great write up and the pics. Next time your doing a fun run let me know I would love to join if you wanted to add another BMW to the comparison

djafactor · 10-25-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDN_135i

Great write up and the pics. Next time your doing a fun run let me know I would love to join if you wanted to add another BMW to the comparison

No problem

So looking forward to the next run.

positiveions · 10-26-2011, 02:20 PM

E30 M3: is what an //M should be. Too bad technology took over, and spirited driving is nowhere to be found. Now-a-days, spirited driving consists of T/C, M mode, EDC, etc, etc...

thanks for the write up.

10-24-2011, 02:52 PM	#1
djafactor MINI Member 139 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 89 M3, 1M, e30 touring Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	1M vs e30 M3 Driving Impressions w/PICS! Weather held up this past weekend so a few of us decided to make a run up to Mont-Tremblant for the day. Without proper cell service Chris managed to lead us to some great roads with his copious notes. Crew consisted of a 328i, 128i, C250 along with my 1M and e30 M3. It was the first time we exercised the 1M and M3 back to back in their natural environment. Thanks to the boys for such a great day. We had some great laughs and amazing moments. This is what auto camaraderie is all about. Some impressions on the 1M & e30 M3: Both cars are just so easy to drive, you get in, feel instantly at home with superman confidence. The seating position in 1M is just perfection. Everything falls perfectly in hand. I'm 6'2" with daddy-long legs and can heel-toe flawlessly while keeping that nice upright 90 degree elbow sitting position. Everything is the same in the M3 except the steering wheel has a bus-like rake that makes for a bit of a reach. (there is a mod to lower the rake by 2-3 degrees which I'm now most likely going to do). 1M power is just bananas, it just feels like it will never run out and always there on command. The grip is endless, the steering so direct, quick, and perfectly weighted. I've owned a bunch of MINIs and this is the car that feels like a proper grown up RWD R53 MINI. I ran in MDM mode with the M button off the entire day. M-Sport mode on made the throttle a bit too sharp for the back roads. Lacking clear sightlines on most corners, there was a lot of on and off the power which would make things twitchy with M-Sport on. The endless grip made speeds too high to safely approach any limits. Driving the 1M at 6/10ths is like driving the 128i at 9/10ths. The e30 is down on power but this makes it a bit more enjoyable on the backroads giving you time to prepare and adjust for the next blind corner. The grip is unbelievable, steering so communicative, full of feel. You get into an off camber corner and feel the rear of the car just sucking itself to the pavement. The e30 lacks power steering, instead having something called power assist which makes for a very heavy wheel. Think of it as power steering at 25%. I'm sure this is why modern BMWs can't quite replicate this magical type of feel. Rubber on my car was on it's last legs but it didn't hamper the experience just causing some wheel shake on heavy braking. The surprising thing was that my buddy and I were constantly flipping coins on who gets to drive the e30 next. My advice? every BMW fan needs to somehow drive an e30 M3 on the backroads once in their life. Conclusion: The 1M is so special, the power, the brakes, the steering, the appearance. This is a car that I can't wait to lap at a circuit so I can experience the grip and feel at it's high limits. The e30 M3 still turns heads 25 years on with it's purposeful boxy looks. It is still the benchmark for pure drivers cars, you just get intoxicated with the planted feeling in the corners and it's simplistic approach to everything. The engine could use some more legs but in this type of environment it doesn't need it. That's the magic of the e30 M3. I'm so fortunate to own these two special cars and can't see myself parting with either for quite a long time. BMW M the ultimate nirvana machine. on to the pics: cheers Amit __________________ 1M \| e30 M3 \| e30 Touring (M52 swap) \| e36 328i Racecar \| Porsche 911 3.2 \| e91 328xi (N54 swap) Last edited by djafactor; 10-24-2011 at 03:03 PM..
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10-24-2011, 03:01 PM	#2
orb2k Private 2 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 09 328i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto/Montreal iTrader: (0)	good times!
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10-24-2011, 03:07 PM	#3
LOVEM Major 89 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: 2011 1m VO Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	great pics
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10-24-2011, 03:12 PM	#4
Elsabor67 aiming for 450..... 303 Rep 2,910 Posts Drives: Totaled :-( Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (28) Garage List 2009 135i [10.00]	Gorgeous E30 M3. __________________ Quote from Ezeedee regarding car mods: "you're only done when you sell the car "
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10-24-2011, 03:40 PM	#5
M3 Adjuster Banned 7906 Rep 11,785 Posts Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx iTrader: (0)	Sweet.... wish I had room for both an E30 M3 and my 1M..... After 17 years of E30M3 in the garage.... it's definitely missed.
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10-24-2011, 03:58 PM	#6
eeghie Kind of a big deal 300 Rep 1,674 Posts Drives: an 1M not often enough Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: between Unlimited and Hard to Get iTrader: (0)	Great pics, and I see you're still running your ED plates, cool! Triggering great memories for the ED'ers out there You have a BIG A$$ IOU outstanding. Visit to Garching was just unbelievable!!!
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10-24-2011, 04:23 PM	#7
b33g33 Give '///M' Hell! 125 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: Einser Rex Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Man, great write-up and superb pictures. Thanks. __________________ The 1 series M is the most badass, coolest, sickest BMW to debut since the 1988 M3. The E30 M3 finally has a successor. Please welcome the stupidly fast, wickedly tempered, awkwardly named, possibly perfect little son of a benchmark - Automobile Magazine, August 2011
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10-25-2011, 09:50 AM	#12
i128 Lieutenant 316 Rep 546 Posts Drives: 340iX (6MT) - X3///M40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Having done the run with you guys on sunday, I couldn't have summed it up any better! I highly recommend anyone living in the Greater Montreal area to take tour up to Mt. Tremblant through the back roads, you surely won't regret it! Nice write up and great pics dude!
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10-25-2011, 11:09 AM	#13
CDN_135i Private First Class 8 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Great write up and the pics. Next time your doing a fun run let me know I would love to join if you wanted to add another BMW to the comparison
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10-26-2011, 02:20 PM	#15
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	E30 M3: is what an //M should be. Too bad technology took over, and spirited driving is nowhere to be found. Now-a-days, spirited driving consists of T/C, M mode, EDC, etc, etc... thanks for the write up.
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