[sho-one]

Awesome article, not so nice things to say about the 1M though. #10 our of 11, however the other cars are world class.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...t_drivers_car/

[Mirko]

These guys really hated on that car ... all other review's thus far have been pretty glowing. Did these guys buy the M3 and figure out the 1M is the same but cheaper? lol

Still prefer the Z4M over the 1M any day.

[sho-one]

lol I wonder how the m3 would of done myself. Damn if only corvette knew how to make interiors...id actually consider one.

[Augenbrauezug]

Interesting placement, I think the Cayman R deserves to be higher ranked, as well as obviously the 1m!

[Pangloss]

Oh look, the winner doesn't have a stick shift. Not even as an option.

Lago also points out that if you get on the throttle at 70 mph in seventh gear, the resulting downshifts are the first three notes of a major chord. Jurnecka might have best summed up the 458. "For the first time ever, perhaps, nitpicking a Ferrari is nigh impossible."

"Never mind all that," I said. "Have you ever driven a better car?"

"No," MacKenzie replied. "Never."

[Superspeed]

A small bimmer is beaten by a Ferrari. What a bomb
The fun is in the bimmer though

[CJ421]

Wow they totally trashed the 1M. That might be due to the fact they put it up against cars totally out of its league (Gt3 RS Porsche, Ferrari, Audi R8) or they needed to put some distance between the cars for the comparo. One way or another I'm surprised at the beating.

I'm taking the article with a bucket of salt. Some of it seems sensationalist. I mean, what is the practical difference between these cars - really? ALL of them are driver oriented.

[Sgt Beavis]

The 2011 Boss 302 is one of my all time favorite cars. If there was a car I wanted to mate with, that would be it. The only reason I didn't buy one is because I absolutely had to have a practical car this time around.

I'm going to give it a couple of years and buy one as my toy.

[Penso di no]

Originally Posted by Pangloss

Oh look, the winner doesn't have a stick shift. Not even as an option.

...and nobody minds.

[jon328i]

"the 1M won't turn!!" i guess they got the wrong driver to do the test!

[Gator328i]

Why wouldn't they test the M3 against those other world-class cars?!!! If you're looking for the "BEST" driver's car then they should've tested BMW's "BEST" offering in that department, namely the M3!

I don't care what anyone says, the 1M is a gimmicky, niche car designed to appeal to people with champagne taste but a beer budget. The M3 is a legend, plain and simple. This test is ultimately flawed and the results invalid. They would've done better by testing a 335is than a 1M.

[Gator328i]

Originally Posted by Mirko

Did these guys buy the M3 and figure out the 1M is the same but cheaper?

No, they're not! Thankfully!

[swaite]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

I don't care what anyone says, the 1M is a gimmicky, niche car designed to appeal to people with champagne taste but a beer budget. The M3 is a legend, plain and simple. This test is ultimately flawed and the results invalid. They would've done better by testing a 335is than a 1M.

If I had to choose a car based on your analogy, I would definitely go for the beer. To that end, I don't think that there are many people buying the 1M who desire an M3. Similar, but two different cars.

Like others have already said, the 1M is pretty unfairly compared to the rest of these cars. They may as well have thrown a Fiat 500 at a 1M and reported back those results. They would have been similar. How would a 335is done any better? That comment is ridiculous.

[sho-one]

Originally Posted by shift@red

The key thing here is that Pobst is a very accomplished race driver rather than some two bit journalist with no racing/motorsports accomplishments or experience. Pobst actual gets to see what the car is made of while journalist tool around on a few windy roads not pushing a car nearly far enough or long enough to get a real reading of what its like and then doing a few drifts and burn outs.
I think you need to drive one to see if its for you, but Ill take what an accomplished racer says over some hack journalist anyday.

And its not about price either, because the cayman R was one of the cheapest cars there but the reviews of it were absolutely stellar (as always).

I agree, this guy is not some avg joe off the street or a television persona, this guy know's his stuff. I like the fact that they were brutally honest about a lot of the cars, not just 1M.

[Gator328i]

Originally Posted by swaite

If I had to choose a car based on your analogy, I would definitely go for the beer. To that end, I don't think that there are many people buying the 1M who desire an M3. Similar, but two different cars.

Like others have already said, the 1M is pretty unfairly compared to the rest of these cars. They may as well have thrown a Fiat 500 at a 1M and reported back those results. They would have been similar. How would a 335is done any better? That comment is ridiculous.

That's because the 1M is NOT a world class performance car--M Badge or not. BMW is ruining the mystique of the M-Brand by making an M-version of nearly every model they produce. But regardless, if you like a suped-up go-cart then more power to you.

[Pangloss]

So 1-series buyers are pretenders, but 3-series buyers aren't.

Interesting theory.

[swaite]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

That's because the 1M is NOT a world class performance car--M Badge or not. BMW is ruining the mystique of the M-Brand by making an M-version of nearly every model they produce. But regardless, if you like a suped-up go-cart then more power to you.

In fact, I do. I do agree with you about putting an M badge on everything. An M SUV... Really? I don't care how fast it goes around a track, it's a friggin' SUV.

[Sy546]

GTR? 2nd place. Sorry its not a "drivers" car. Its a Car that just happens to have a driver. It drives for you. Any idiot can go fast in a GTR

[Sy546]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

That's because the 1M is NOT a world class performance car--M Badge or not. BMW is ruining the mystique of the M-Brand by making an M-version of nearly every model they produce. But regardless, if you like a suped-up go-cart then more power to you.

Yeah b.c a 1M that handles just as well as a M3, just as fast around a track, damn near same 1/4 mile times, and at a lighter weight = not being a world class performance car. But im guessing that 328i is?

While i agree the X6M & X5M are a little overboard i think the 1M is just what BMW needed until the new m3

& honestly who cares about MT? There is about 10 other rags and shows that loved it. Randy Pobst complains about too much understeer on every freaking street car. Even the m3. These aren't race cars. Ofcourse the Boss 302 LS is a great track car. Give me R comps and a few cheap suspensions mods and ill outhandle a boss 302 LS.

[johanness]

I think this was the most subjective test I've seen too date (for a car-mag). They didn't candy-coat anything and were diligent in telling you EXACTLY what was wrong with each vehicle. 1M fanboys need to realize it ain't perfect

[Sy546]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

Why wouldn't they test the M3 against those other world-class cars?!!! If you're looking for the "BEST" driver's car then they should've tested BMW's "BEST" offering in that department, namely the M3!

I don't care what anyone says, the 1M is a gimmicky, niche car designed to appeal to people with champagne taste but a beer budget. The M3 is a legend, plain and simple. This test is ultimately flawed and the results invalid. They would've done better by testing a 335is than a 1M.

335is?

Wow dude your really drinking that 3 series coolaid.

Do you even have an m3?

1M gimmicky and niche car? Yeah its designed to appeal to true enthusiasts. Not someone who cares only about the M badge for its name. The M3 is a legend. But not b.c of the e9x. The e30-e46 built that legend. 1M is the closest thing to the older gen. M3s.

the current M3 is more of a GT cruiser esp. with it's cute DCT tranny. That being said an e90 m3 would be the ideal DD for me. To me the m3 feels how a 550 feels to most other people. Comfy, big, and still not a true drivers car.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by S.hasan546

GTR? 2nd place. Sorry its not a "drivers" car. Its a Car that just happens to have a driver. It drives for you. Any idiot can go fast in a GTR

That's just silly. Sort of akin to saying the space shuttle isn't cool because any jerk could take it into space. I agree that it's not the most rewarding thing to drive, but getting the most out of it still takes a huge amount of talent. Driving one faster than a slower car might not be that difficult, but driving one to its limit is still driving a car to its limit.

Of course responding at all to the 328i goober wasn't the smartest thing either.