RS3 vs 1M Coupe (likes and dislikes)


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Since both design have now fully been aired and the specs are basically revealed, what about discussion the elements of each which we like and dislike.

First the RS3.



Like:
The fact that it's 5dr, means the whole family can take part, including the dog. :D
The front end, it's aggressive and compliments other RS designs.
The seats, especially the Sports Recaros which are beautiful and very supportive.
Quattro means that it's power can be fully used more of the year.
DSG gearbox, ultra quick, ultra smooth and 7 gears.
The engine, it's got something special which isn't there in the N54 unit used in the 1M, it's unique 5 clyinder note makes it unmistakeable and it's got bags of character.
Standard kit is huge.

Dislikes:
The fact that it's 5dr means it won't appeal to everyone and with the same token it means it's not going to be as sporty looking as most other rivals.
Interior design though solid and very clean and uncluttered is starting to show it's age. Plus with the new A3 only a year or so away mean it will feel old from a technology perspective.
No manual option which will put off some.
No single large oval at either side.

Now the 1M Coupe.

7bb201f39c6d525da0c82a3d94e2ee7e.webp


Likes:
Looks are stunning, much more aggressive than any other 1er coupe, plus unique colours to add to the uniqueness.
M3 underpinning, including the M-diff, so the chassis should be very well executed.
FI engine means plenty of tuning options.
RWD, will appeal to the drivers who enjoy hanging the tail.
Coupe design instead of hatch.

Dislikes:
No dual clutch gearbox option.
Engine not as special as previous M cars and offers no more power than the same/similar engine in the iS models.
Limited colour choice.
Looks may be classed by some as boyracer with all these vents etc.
Interior, little to get excited about, apart from the traditional thick rimmed M steering wheel.
 
Well starting with the RS3:
Likes:
-Hot and aggressive looks
-Good and powerful engine
-Gearbox
-Overall a neat and quite roomy package

Dislikes:
-4WD (better than RWD at least)
-Looks just like all the other RS:s, nothing special, exactly the same bodykit as in the other RS:s
-Size, the 3 door version would have been better


1M

Likes:
-RWD
-///M...
-Hot looks
-Well it's a BMW so the engine, ride, transmission et.c. should be fantastic

Dislikes:
-One year too late
-No HQ pictures yet
-Slow and painful unveiling
-Not sure about the headlights eyebrows yet..
 
RS3.

Likes:
- The looks! Look at that front.
- Quattro
- 5dr version
- The seats

Dislikes:
- No RS-style exhaust
- Car is little "old"


Now the 1M Coupe.

Likes:
- Nice front! Loving it

Dislikes:
- It's to "cute" for an M-car
- RWD
- Intrior
 
I see the weight has also been released for the 1M at 1570kg, 5kg less than the RS3, this will mean the two should be pretty even in the acceleration states. I'm guessing this will be a close call between these two cars as to which gains the upper hand.

Also 50,500 euros will translate to roughly similar money to what Audi are charging for the RS3 in the UK so it will all come down to which is giving the most standard kit and as we already know that the RS3 is pretty loaded so no doubt BMW will feel obligated to do the same.
 
RS3:
Plus:
-engine
-attention to details
-seats
Minus:
-no 3 door hatch
-exhaust layout
-front grill

M1:
Plus:
-coupé
-RWD
-M3 chassis
Minus:
-seats
-power
-weight
-no carbon
 
I never liked A3, only intresting with the car is the engine.
Things I dont like about 1M is CF roof and trunk ala CLS, also I wish it was a real M engine. As a 1-serie owner my choice is 1M.
 
Just_me said:
I never liked A3, only intresting with the car is the engine.
Things I dont like about 1M is CF roof and trunk ala CLS, also I wish it was a real M engine. As a 1-serie owner my choice is 1M.
Click to expand...

As a 1-series owner I bet you are seriously considering this car. The 1M probably meets every possible requirement one could want without having to stretch funds to the more expensive M3.

I bet it will give people the same dilemma as potential RS owners have had between choosing either a TT-RS or RS5. Especially if like the TT it proves to be as quick as it's big brother.

The odd thing for me is as someone who doesn't like the normal 1er coupe I actually love the 1M. In fact based on what I have seen so far it tick more boxes on looks and aggression than the M3 does. It's only downer is the non-M specced engine, even though I don't doubt it's a good unit.
 
footie said:
The odd thing for me is as someone who doesn't like the normal 1er coupe I actually love the 1M. In fact based on what I have seen so far it tick more boxes on looks and aggression than the M3 does. It's only downer is the non-M specced engine, even though I don't doubt it's a good unit.
Click to expand...


Kind of reminds me how much I hated the C5 A6.. But when the C5 RS6 came out.. I was in love!
 
Interesting how these two achieve their identical output figures.

RS3 : 340ps (5400 ~ 6300rpm) & 450Nm (1600 ~ 5300rpm)

1M : 340ps (5900rpm) & 450Nm (1500 ~ 4500rpm)

Kind of surprised that the small capacity unit would have produced the wider torque and hp range.

A battle royal for sure. :t-cheers:
 
Now that I've seen the official photos of the 1M, it's time to comment:

RS3

Likes:

  • The fact that it is offered as 5dr. It's still a practical super hot hatch.
  • The looks. I quite like it. It's not shouty and the RS treatment is superb. It's very elegant, and I don't mind the lack of the RS exhausts. I even like it the way it is now better.
  • The Quattro system. I always forget how good it is, but indeed is a great feature.

Dislikes:

  • The LED frontlights and the lower lip of the front bumper. Other than that, it looks perfect.
  • The fact that the front tyres are bigger than the rear. It should be the other way around, or be designed with less understeer in mind.
  • The lack of a manual gearbox. No matter how good that 7 speed DSG is, I still want a clutch pedal. For me, this is a very big reason, not to buy an RS3.

1M

Likes:

  • The fact that it is RWD with an M-Differential. It guarantees top handling.
  • I hope that despite the two turbos, being an engine with M touches it will not have a big lag.
  • That it is not named M1.

Dislikes:

  • The looks. I don't like it at all. It looks shouty and aftermarket with all that holes and curves in the bodykit. The orange colour doesn't help it either.
  • The fact that the engine is not a unique, but rather a pumped up N54, or just the same engine as the 335si and Z4 sDrive35si.
  • The interior. I find it quite bland for an M car, even with those alcantara inserts.
  • The weight. For obvious reasons.
 
Giannis said:
[*]The looks. I don't like it at all. It looks shouty and aftermarket with all that holes and curves in the bodykit. The orange colour doesn't help it either.
Click to expand...

You are disliking some of the things that appeal to me.

Just shows how diverse we all are in our opinion and tastes. :t-cheers:
 
footie said:
You are disliking some of the things that appeal to me.

Just shows how diverse we all are in our opinion and tastes. :t-cheers:
Click to expand...

Yeap, that's the point of German Car Forum. Having members that are not focused on one manufacturer, but are interested in all three of Germany's finest.

Also, being a certain brand fan, doesn't mean that you have to like everything from that brand, nor that you can't like cars from other manufacturers.

The key, is to express your opinion in a nice way, and not attack or insult. Every opinion is respected and welcome. After all, that's why we are here, aren't we?

That said, I hope my opinion on the 1M's looks was not badly worded and not appearing as insulting to anyone.
 
Found someting new I dont like about 1M. The seats are not special. Same seats have in my babybimmer. I feel they could have made the 1M more special. A different bodykit isnt enough.

What about the weight, is it less than a standard 135i? I start to feel the car isnt a true M car. Just a 135i with more power, stiffer suspension and a different bodykit. Sigh!
 
I never supported the idea of X5 M and X6 M. When they announced they were making a 1-M, I never believed it would be anything more than a mildly spruced up 135is. And then, there was how Kay Segler tease marketed for 8 months with small part pictures and a camouflage test driver here and there, which was bordering on desperation.

Although, the curb weight is 1570 KG DIN (includes driver and luggage), I strongly believe final curb test weight in tests will be around 3500 pounds as normally DIN weight and test crub weight difference is no more than 50 KG or so.

Just_me said:
Found someting new I dont like about 1M. The seats are not special. Same seats have in my babybimmer. I feel they could have made the 1M more special. A different bodykit isnt enough.

What about the weight, is it less than a standard 135i? I start to feel the car isnt a true M car. Just a 135i with more power, stiffer suspension and a different bodykit. Sigh!
Click to expand...
 
Giannis said:
Yeap, that's the point of German Car Forum. Having members that are not focused on one manufacturer, but are interested in all three of Germany's finest.

Also, being a certain brand fan, doesn't mean that you have to like everything from that brand, nor that you can't like cars from other manufacturers.

The key, is to express your opinion in a nice way, and not attack or insult. Every opinion is respected and welcome. After all, that's why we are here, aren't we?

That said, I hope my opinion on the 1M's looks was not badly worded and not appearing as insulting to anyone.
Click to expand...

I'm super excited with future M cars, the introduction of turbos appeal to me much more than an N/A engine, unless it's attached to a supercar. The odd thing among true BMW fanboys is they dismiss their switch to FI but the fact is that BMW make truly brilliant FI engines, and no one could ever doubt their ability to produce cars that handle and entertain.

You are also quite right that true enthusiasts admire all brands and may cross shop on a regular basis though might be still most loyal to one. I myself love Audi overall execution but admire the engineering of both BMW and Mercedes, the simple facts are none of these brands make bad cars or even bad handling cars, they just go about it in a different way.

Also manners cost nothing and respecting another opinion, no matter how different than yours leads to a forum that gets along harmoniously. :t-cheers:
 
I am not sure what you are getting at there, but that could not be further from the truth.

Fact of the matter is, I could not even count how many 335 owners I have talked to have had unresolvable HPFP issues, which to this day have no permanent fix. Most of them gave up and ended up lemoning for M3s instead.

If you have ever driven a 335, the turbo lag is very very pronounced and can distinctly be felt when getting off the traffic light. I know I did.

I don't know how 1M holds up lap after lap of heat and stress, but if the N54 in it is anything like that of x35, it will go in limp mode due to overheating issues past the first couple of lap since that is what normally happens. I would think atleast they have made some progress there to prevent it from going into limp mode.

The fact that I don't support cookie-cutter M cars with rehashed parts and powertrain shows that I am NOT a brand loyalist who will buy anything because it has a BMW badge on it. I am easily willing to switch to any brand that offers the uncompromising view of how motorsports should be brought to street legal daily driven cars.

footie said:
I'm super excited with future M cars, the introduction of turbos appeal to me much more than an N/A engine, unless it's attached to a supercar. The odd thing among true BMW fanboys is they dismiss their switch to FI but the fact is that BMW make truly brilliant FI engines, and no one could ever doubt their ability to produce cars that handle and entertain.

You are also quite right that true enthusiasts admire all brands and may cross shop on a regular basis though might be still most loyal to one. I myself love Audi overall execution but admire the engineering of both BMW and Mercedes, the simple facts are none of these brands make bad cars or even bad handling cars, they just go about it in a different way.

Also manners cost nothing and respecting another opinion, no matter how different than yours leads to a forum that gets along harmoniously. :t-cheers:
Click to expand...
 
I've never owned a 335i but from my experience I felt it's engine to be very good indeed, though I have to say that the N55 is a little sweeter. Also the N63 and S63 are exceptional, the turbo design was not only unique but a work of genius.

It's my opinion (rightly or not) that they make some of the finest FI engines, even though they might not be well known for it.
 
Just_me said:
I start to feel the car isnt a true M car. Just a 135i with more power, stiffer suspension and a different bodykit. Sigh!
Click to expand...

Didn't you read the press release or something?? The M1 has some serious M goodies man!! Like the whole frikking M3 rear axle for example...
 

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