Top 10 Reasons to not get caught up in the 1M Coupe Hype:
1. The 1M brings the M brand downscale. It essentially completes the dilution of the brand. There was a time where BMW was apprehensive of putting the M badge on just anything and did not want to be like AMG in this respect. M stood for something and was special, it was not a badge you would often see.
2. Rumors are it is manual only. Why? What is with this inconsistency from BMW? They have been shoving paddle shifters down our throats since the dawn of SMG and now all of a sudden they want to show that the manual is "pure?" Well what message is this sending for the M5/M6 which will be DCT only just like the the E60 M5 was SMG only for the rest of the world? Is it truly manual only to keep it "pure" or to keep it from encroaching on M3 territory as well as keeping the cost down? So the next generation M5/M6 will not be pure? Huh?
3. It is coming at the end of the E82 lifespan. Market reach will be very limited which potentially limits aftermarket engine development due to the small base as well as coming with BMW's new anti-tuning measures.
4. Outdated before it hits. The next generation 1 series is already testing, this model was done with before this car even came out.
5. Performance will be kept in check on purpose to not step on the toes of the M3. This car will not be as good as it can be out of the gate.
6. You can exceed the performance today with a 135i with an aftermarket LSD, coil-overs, and a JB3 tune from BMS, exceeding the performance significantly for less money. Not to mention you can get a DCT.
7. Marks the end of naturally aspirated motors for M cars, namely the inline-6's that BMW M made their name with. No matter what they do to the motor, it will never be as impressive or respond as well as an S54, stock or modified.
8. This model represents BMW abandoning its principles for profit and volume. This is no longer the company that made every M model special and was the small guy taking on the big names. Now BMW can just take any base motor, up the boost, stiffen the suspension, change the bumper, and call it an M. This is the beginning of a giant whose goal is simply to destroy everything in its path. They sacrificed their soul for monetary gain and M ideals for marketing.
9. Just will not be a true M, no matter how hard they try to convince us it is. The younger audience won't care, but the hardcore M fans will. A real M car has a naturally aspirated motor that screams with instant response begging to be revved. A real M has a motor not available in base models. A real M does not take shortcuts. We don't care how BMW tries to spin this, they know it is the truth and what was just stated is exactly what they used to once state.
10. This car will be superb, but it marks the end of an era. It marks the end of an era where M's were rare and special. Cars that had motors that won endless awards due to their engineering prowess in squeezing out every last naturally aspirated horse. Cars that did not take shortcuts. BMW will now be able to get away with simply taking base motors and adding more boost, calling them M's. It will no doubt handle well, look good, and be fun to drive. To those of you who don't truly care about history or tradition, it will bring you joy. For us though, this car is bittersweet.
Photo from Bimmerfile
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