I can still remember the first time I had the opportunity to drive a BMW 1M. It was 2011 during Monterey Car Week and I was lent one by BMW to drive and review over the course of the week’s events. The minute I first saw the car in the media parking lot, I was hooked. It looked the business: small with huge fender flares and wide tires. Getting behind the wheel for the drive from San Francisco to Monterey sealed the deal. The 1M was one of the most fun-to-drive modern cars I had ever driven.
The engine sounded great, the steering was perfect and, even with traction control engaged, the car would let you hang the rear end out and slide it around corners. It was in many ways a modern take on the old E46 M3, but with modern amenities and much stronger performance. I sadly handed the keys back at the end of the week. A few months later I received a call from BMW offering me the exact car I had driven for a very good price. Not buying that 1M was one of the bigger mistakes I have made in the hobby.
My Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a 2011 BMW 1M offered by a dealer in Milford, Michigan.
The seller describes this 1M as having only 33,000 original miles and points out it is one of 983 cars delivered to North America during the model’s single-year production run. It is powered by the twin-turbocharged BMW N54 3.0-liter inline-six, backed by a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The 1M also uses suspension and braking components sourced from the E9X M3 and features Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with M Dynamic Mode (MDM), as well as Dynamic Brake Control. Stopping power is from M-branded calipers over cross-drilled and ventilated rotors at each corner.
This 1M wears its original Alpine White III paint and has unique features that include model-specific bumper covers, side skirts, flared fenders and quad exhaust outlets. The cabin houses front sport seats and rear bucket seats upholstered in black Boston leather with orange contrast stitching, and Alcantara upholstery accents the shift boot, doors, dashboard, and steering wheel.
Prior to being offered for sale, this 1M had a fluid change, with the seller stating this vehicle is ready to hit the road!
The BMW 1M was collectible from the time it was introduced, and prices have never been as inexpensive as the press car I was offered when it was new. The very definition of a cult car, with an enthusiastic owner’s community, the 1M even overshadows the amazing E9X M3 when seen at car events. The M1’s combination of rarity and sheer driving pleasure keeps it in the limelight, even with younger collectors. While the newest BMW M cars offer much higher performance limits, many consider the 1M to represent the end of the M performance era, which keeps values climbing.
This truly looks like an amazing example, one that I would happily park in my own garage as a forever car—and, with a price of only $64,995, it seems like a good deal in today’s classic BMW M market. It really is a case of buy this 1M now or wait and pay more for the next one. In my opinion, if you love BMW M cars, the 1M will never disappoint.
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