BMW 1m

[scaramanga]

Hi all... Unfortunately haven't had a chance to post much as work as been v busy but I bought an immaculate CSL in Oct last year. I absolutely loved it and reckon it's easily one of the best + iconic cars on the road. About a month ago, BMW gave me a 1M for 4 days to test drive. I wasn't expecting much as my daily driver at the time was a 135i DCT - and I thought the 1M was going to be some marketing attempt by BMW to clear out some 1-series coupes before the new model is released (and use up some e92 m3 parts inventory in the process!!).

Couldnt have been more wrong. The 1M feels like a different car to the 135i (which admittedly was running the updated N55 engine). Power definitely up but the suspension/chassis setup and wider track, etc put the 1M in a totally different league. Comparison with the CSL was unavoidable for me because we had one in the garage, and I ended up selling the 1M to a friend and putting in an order for the 1M.

Before I get flamed for this crazy decision, let me just say:
1. Work/family life means I don't get time to track the CSL or do trips to the 'ring/ etc. I wish I had the time to do so, but just not possible at the moment. If I was able to enjoy the odd track/ring trip then I most definitely would have been keeping the CSL, but for [fast] road use the 1M is at least as fun to drive
2. SMG vs manual: purely personal view but I've never really enjoyed the SMG as much as a traditional manual box. For me, I'd prefer either to drive a dual-clutch which is lightening fast and has the flexibility of a good 'full-auto' mode, OR have an old school 6spd manual. The 1M's slick manual transmission is one of the best I've driven
3. We were offered a ridiculously good deal to trade in the 135 against the 1M which softened the blow of the 1M's price

If I could have afforded to keep both, I would have. But money + garage space meant I had to make a choice.

Anyway, just some personal views, will go buy some fire-retardant body armour.