A dealer has put up for sale a BMW 1M with 153 miles for a price that could get you one of the best Porsches on the market. or even a Ferrari with little use.
Enthusiast Auto Group, a BMW dealership in Ohio, has listed a 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe for $199,990. The car's impeccable condition and the reading on the odometer support its high price tag: a distance of barely 153 miles.
Since it has lived in a "climate-controlled facility and never spent a night outside," the vehicle has not simply sat in a storage unit. Accordingly, it is supposed to be in "processing plant-new condition," with "graceful cowhide, clean covers, and no apparent wear regions." "Intelligent preservation measures have been performed since new" is also mentioned in the advertisement. This indicates that the tires (and other rubber parts) are not cracked or brittle and that all fluids have been changed frequently.
But is it really so expensive? Yes. And no. Let's look at both sides of the story, knowing full well that, no matter what we do next, someone somewhere will probably pay the astronomically high price.
The so-called "1M" is significantly underpowered by today's standards. Even today's Integra Type S produces 320 horsepower, so this 1M's price is scandalous if you want the most bang for your buck. Its 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged N54 engine only produces 335 horsepower. Additionally, there appear to be no BMW Performance add-ons on this model, and the sunroof is not available as an option.
Then, at that point, there's the issue of what else you could get for similar cash. The G87 BMW M2, which will eventually replace the 1M, is the first vehicle that comes to mind. The car's 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged S58 engine has at least 453 horsepower and starts at $62,200, which is much more affordable (relatively speaking). You really might purchase a M2 and a M4 CSL and just break the $200k spending plan by two thousand. When new, this 1M expense under $55,000.
Additionally, other German sports cars in the six-figure range are arguably even more exciting and engaging if you are not brand-biased.
Similar to the 1M, the Porsche 911 GT3 has a six-cylinder engine that powers the rear wheels. It costs $182,900. Additionally, a manual transmission is available—the only option for the 1 Series M Coupe. In comparison to this particular 1M, the GT3 is quicker, faster, more capable on the track, and carries more prestige. Alternatively, you could purchase a Ferrari Roma for twenty grand more.
Now, the 1M is a modern classic, and if Reuters' analysis of current trends is any indication, the value of rare enthusiast cars will only rise as their number decreases.
The 1M's setup of a straight-six engine in the front, a manual gearbox in the middle, and two big tires in the back is pure driving bliss, especially for people who like to hoon. Additionally, as the owner of an N54-powered 1 Series, this writer spends nearly all of his or her free time pondering whether 1M sellers would accept a kidney as payment. However, even I cannot fully justify this price.
There is no denying that modern automobiles lack the engagement that comes with hydraulic steering, an imperfect gear shift, and little in the way of electronic intervention. Limited-production Bimmers will always command a premium, particularly when they wear the renowned M badge. Compared to the 1M, the new M2's electrically assisted steering is positively numb, and the manual transmission seems like an afterthought because the shorter ratios of the automatic are a better dance partner for the S58.
It could also be argued that the 1M's lower power output makes it easier to handle and more fun to experiment with. But really, are you going to risk anything by drifting and tracking a $200K collector car?
In rundown, this 1 Series M Car is wonderful and would make a fine addition to any assortment. However, its price may be speculative rather than market-based. Several of them have sold for a third of this. The 1M will undoubtedly be worth 200 grand in the future, but for the time being, it only prevents true enthusiasts from driving their dream car.
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