BMW E82 1er M Coupe (Spy pics & Info)

[footie]

Has anyone any concrete info on output figures or weight?

I have been mulling over everything I have heard/read and reckon that BMW won't offer it with more than 350hp, frankly I don't see this car as a straightline rocket but something that needs to excite in the corners, so weight is where this car will win or lose as a concept. If BMW can keep it lean, i.e. below 1525kgs (ideally 1500kgs) then I think it will be the desired choice of people looking a fun car over the likes of the M3, simply because it should feel more darty/willing to change direct and more gutsy because of it's superior low end torque. But if it weighs more than 1550kgs (possibly as high as 1575kgs) then it might struggle to offer the kind of experience that people have come to expect for an M.

Any thoughts.

 

[Mr Robert]

I agree, it doesn't need (and can't have) more than 350 hp. Regarding weight, I think it will be hard to go really low. The car is basically a 3-series and will weigh as one. Anything below 1,500 kgs (in real life) would be splendid, because as you say, weight is the single most important factor when building something that is supposed to be fun to drive.

 

[Centurion]

I agree, it doesn't need (and can't have) more than 350 hp. Regarding weight, I think it will be hard to go really low. The car is basically a 3-series and will weigh as one. Anything below 1,500 kgs (in real life) would be splendid, because as you say, weight is the single most important factor when building something that is supposed to be fun to drive.

Although weight is a stapling factor, stiffer suspension, aggressive throttle programing and better engine response will collectively make the car more fun to drive than the 135i. I wouldn't count on a 50 Cent style diet in weight loss as the car is a 1-series and using fancy materials like aluminum will only push the price further north than it should be. Contrary to what one might assume, the M3 Coupe is actually heavier than the 335i Coupe -- irregardless of that, the fun factor is still higher in the M3. The laws of physics can nowadays be cheated with sophisticated chassi control, diffs and dampers which can make a pig for a car feel light and agaile as a rabbit.

 

[footie]

^ while you are sort of correct, this is only up to a point. But to point for my discussing this is that the yardstick has been set quite high already with the M3 and for the 1M to be the kind of success I believe it should be it has to major on throwability and feel more alert than the M3. You have to remember that it has a direct rival in the TT-RS that is both light and very handy on the track as well, so the 1M needs to walk a very fine line between beating the experience of the TT without proven too quick against the more expensive M3.

 

[Human]

Although weight is a stapling factor, stiffer suspension, aggressive throttle programing and better engine response will collectively make the car more fun to drive than the 135i. I wouldn't count on a 50 Cent style diet in weight loss as the car is a 1-series and using fancy materials like aluminum will only push the price further north than it should be. Contrary to what one might assume, the M3 Coupe is actually heavier than the 335i Coupe -- irregardless of that, the fun factor is still higher in the M3. The laws of physics can nowadays be cheated with sophisticated chassi control, diffs and dampers which can make a pig for a car feel light and agaile as a rabbit.

IMO the body panels that has been changed and of different design i.e. the flared wheel arches/fenders etc. could be made of aluminium or a composite material...and a carbon fibre roof maybe?

Ah yes! In the pics (rear axle) the dampers does not look standard 1er parts bin stock, it could be the adaptive type (EDC)

 

[footie]

Ah yes! In the pics (rear axle) the dampers does not look standard 1er parts bin stock, it could be the adaptive type (EDC)

You also have to consider that these are test mules and the equipment you see may either be one of three things, 1/ standard, 2/ optional or 3/ tested but may never see production.

Regarding what the panels may be made of, I think it's overall price will determine how exotic the materials used. Personally I don't think this version with it's relatively short life cycle will offer anything to extreme with material choices, but that only my opinion with out grounds for proof.

 

[Human]

You also have to consider that these are test mules and the equipment you see may either be one of three things, 1/ standard, 2/ optional or 3/ tested but may never see production.

IF it's used, being a BMW it would almost certainly be OPTIONAL

 

[Mr Robert]

You have to remember that it has a direct rival in the TT-RS that is both light and very handy on the track as well, so the 1M needs to walk a very fine line between beating the experience of the TT without proven too quick against the more expensive M3.

I think that is the way to go for the 1M - be more fun than, but not as fast as the M3. That would, in a way, make it spot-on with traditional M values.

 

[footie]

I think that is the way to go for the 1M - be more fun than, but not as fast as the M3. That would, in a way, make it spot-on with traditional M values.

I suppose only Scott could enlighten us with regards to that question.

One thing is for sure, the white 1M look like I saw the other day have definitely changed my opinion of the 1er coupe and if they (meaning BMW) get it right I might even consider returning to a BMW in the not to distant future. But of course it would have to will over my affections from the TT-RS.

 

[Mr Robert]

Its the small things that does it! I really like the E82, but it has to be the M-sport version and the 18" wheels. Very strange, if you tjink about it.

 

[footie]

Its the small things that does it! I really like the E82, but it has to be the M-sport version and the 18" wheels. Very strange, if you tjink about it.

Not at all. For me it has to be white.

Does that make me a racist? (j/k)

 

[Zwiep]

That's been slightly bugging me ever since they presented the 1er. They give it that happy puppy face that's a bit too cute for a car this serious. Well, it's a small imperfection if the car otherwise delivers. Would have loved a NA engine, though... That would have made it perfect.

At the presentation of the 1 series i had the same feeling about the headlights.

And now they had the chance to change them but they didn't.
Even the new (white) angel eyes are not present.

 

[klier]

People who were expecting different headlights and things like LED angel eyes were seriously in dreamland. The E92 M3 didn't even get LED angel eyes.
M1 isn't about lipstick, it's about driving involvement. M1 has it's highlights below the sheetmetal

 

[Sayyaaf]

lol like a Car Movie character.

 

[klier]

Looks fantastic!

 

[rollo]

I have to agree with klier here. Very nice indeed. This 1M could be a very special automobile.

 

[DocM]

spring 11 is not so far away, alpine white, CF roof, dark grey 19" rims, 6 speed man...The first bmw I would buy, without "parental support"

 

[NarutoRamen]

spring 11 is not so far away, alpine white, CF roof, dark grey 19" rims, 6 speed man...The first bmw I would buy, without "parental support"

I wouldn't mind an Estoril Blue one.

 

[PanterroR]

 

[Betty Swollocks]

More info on Bimmerfile

Yesterday we got a close look at the new 1M. Yes most of it was covered. However we managed to not only get a glimpse of the color and design but also quite a few more details. Here are a few:
That is Valencia Metallic Orange (not Inka Orange). I am not a fan of metallic paint and especially metallic orange paint. Yet I have to say I love the look of this color both under the sun and at night.
The 1M will be manual transmission only – the costs were too high to engineer a DCT into such a limited run car
Yes those are M3 Competition package wheels
The front air intake is much like the M3’s but even more pronounced on this car (don’t ask how we know this)
The side skirts are also much like the M3’s in shape (again don’t how we know this!)
The side vents will be outrageous compared to what we’re used to. You can clearly see the outline (and a sneak pique of it) poking out from under the cover
There is one subtle change that will be coming (worldwide) to what you see i the revealed area. I can’t tell you what it is but if you think hard I’m sure the “lights” will go on and you’ll figure it out.
The rear valance will have vents above the exhaust that protrude out and are angled slightly inward.
There’s an oil-cooler in-front of the front left wheel
The rear-view mirrors will look very familiar to E9X M3 owners.
As many of you know Pyrat is the internal code-name. What you may not know is why this came about. The reason is that the team that worked on the 1M loved the name of a certain premium Rum and thought it was perfect for a car considered a rebel.
The car has presence. Undeniable presence that so many people reacted to when they first saw even a glimpse of it. The color, the fender flares and the large wheels combined with the compact nature of the 1 Series coupe give it a look that is flat out menacing. So far it’s lived up to all the hype. Now we just have to drive it.