http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/2...iew-road-test/

Anyone else think this is going to be a great car? I think my hope would be to pick up a used on in the next 5 years or so. I think it's the perfect size, and if it keeps the weight under 3500lbs, and maintains a tii-like body, I'll be an admirer.

 

yes, of course it will be a great car, b/c it's what the m3 USED to be.........................

 

Its been a highly anticipated car, and there are many folks who have shown high-praise for this 1M Coupe. So I take it that it will be a pretty hot item for enthusiasts who are willing and able to buy.

Despite my lack of research and knowledge, I've heard that the price is supposedly going to start around $45k'ish?

There is a good power bump, but the most important aspect is how it handles like an M should handle and feel.

 

Yep, but still a ton heavier than the e36 which was a great size and a great car.

 

Buddy of mine has an E36 that I probably put almost 1000 miles on. Brother has the E46. I definitely prefer the E36, what with the overall balance and relatively light weight. Shame the US model never came with the Euro-spec motor...

 

The engine still has a lot of potential. Swapping in the 95 intake mani on a 96 or newer makes tons of difference in power and power band. There is a lot to be had out of the US spec engine, it gets expensive though.

On that note, my buddy's e36 has no problems hanging with 993 and 996 carrera's at the track.

 

Even though they mentioned that the M3 has better performance, the 1M sounds a lot more along the lines of a car I would want. I'm not really a huge fan of the newer M3. I definitely wonder what it would take to put the 1M on par with an M3... as far as power goes, it seems like the 1M might see some significant gains with relative ease.

 

i like the e46 m3. i like the 135 and I am sure I will like the new 1m

 

A used BMW is the worst to buy.

They fall apart fast and are expensive to repair.

 

...and rotary motors need rebuilds every 65k miles or so and flood extremely easily. Surely some BMWs fall apart, like some Renesis motors fail for people on the board. However, my brother's '02 M3 is holding up just fine, as is my buddy's '02 that he tracks.

Definitely not arguing with you on the expensive to repair point, however...

 

I'd say a lot of it comes down to who owned it before. My dad got my mom a new car a couple years back to replace her BMW 5 series. He sold the BMW to my uncle for my cousin's first car and it's held up rather well. Shortly after he sold it to them, a $1k repair was needed and he decided to split the cost with them, but nothing else has come up since then.

The idea that it being used is what makes it a poor buy is kind of silly. You need to define what you're calling a "used BMW". A used BMW with 1000 miles is obviously going to have less issues than one with 60,000+ miles, regardless of whether it's used or not.

 

I know first hand because everything started to break on the 545i I owned just as my warranty ended. I spent $3500 in about 6 mos fixing stuff before I got fed up and traded the piece of crap for my R3. Two of my friends who also bought used BMWs had several issues as well. What makes it even worse is we all had different models...545i, 335i (certified) and X5 (certified). I thought is was just my car but I guess not. I should have listened to my friend who is a Service Advisor at the local BMW dealership when he told me to buy something other than a BMW.

 

that's telling. eish. what went wrong with your 545?

 

idiotic comments like this irk me. so let's see, you've seen 3 bmw's that have had problems..........................WOW THEY MUST ALL SUCK!!

i know 3 rx-8's that have needed new engines, can i go around saying all mazda's suck??!!

by the way, i have a used x3, no problems...i guess your score is 3 to 1 now

 

i alluded to this idea earlier. on the other hand, if i knew three people with rx8s and at least two of them had motor failures, i'd be leery of buying one new or used. all a matter of perspective i suppose.

 

Exactly... I know of at least 3 people who have had BMW's for quite a while that held up rather well.

 

145k miles and 7 years worth of track abuse and my buddy's e36 m3 has held up fine.

 

^ sweet car! that's a lot of miles for any car really. nice to hear.

 

Yeah, he's been really happy with it. It has mostly suspension and handling mods save for a cat back and the m50 intake swap. Really good car, and fast at the track. He's getting rid of it for a 996 GT3 over the winter though. Time to get faster.

 

Anyway, to get back on topic a bit.

The car looks like it has a lot of potential as long as they keep the weight down.

I kinda like the swirlies in the paint for camouflage. I wonder if it's caused any gawkers to get sick.