It’s time to make up for missing out on buying a brand-new BMW 1M from the factory 12 years ago. Enthusiast Auto Group just put up a 2011 BMW 1M for sale that has only been driven 153 kilometers. There aren’t many things better for a collector than this one, but is $199,990 a fair price? I do, indeed. EAG says that this car has never spent a night outside and has always been in a controlled temperature. The inside has been kept in great shape and is painted in its original Alpine White color. Let’s talk a bit about the BMW 1M before we start. In the one model year it was made, 983 cars went to the North American market. These included cars sold to customers, cars for the press, and special cars made for advertising. Only 739 were sold, and 740 were sent to the United States. The 1M was an improved version of the 135i. The same 3.0-liter inline-six twin-turbo engine was used, but it now has 335 horsepower instead of 300. When the 1M was made, BMW had already given the 2011 model year 135i its newer, single-turbo N55 engine, but it kept the N54, which is generally seen as one of BMW’s most flexible turbocharged motors of the time. Also, the most crucial chassis parts were the same as those on the BMW M3. Everything worked out because of some athletic shots outside. The 1M also got a lot of bad press for BMW. Since it was the first M-car with a turbocharged engine, it put to rest the idea that any car with the M name had to have a high-revving, naturally aspirated engine. Still, the 1M is seen as one of the best current drivers cars from BMW. It was fun to drive because the frame was solid, it turned quickly, and the engine was strong. Even though many of the chassis parts were the same, the car was about 400 pounds lighter than the BMW M3 from the same year. Now, the price is the most obvious thing in the room. Spending $199,990 on a BMW with the letters “1” and “M” in the model name but isn’t an M1 is a lot. It’s a great car, but the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 is also fantastic and costs less. Car fans who watch may also agree. Someone’s comment on Reddit was, “It’s so stupid.” Collectors may purchase more better and more uncommon cars than a one series parts bin for the same price, which is $200,000. When it first came out, the 1M cost $47,010, almost $10,000 more than the 135i. But because this one is such a good case of survival, EAG is now asking more than four times the car’s original MSRP. The most expensive 2011 BMW 1M sold on Bring a Trailer in February 2022 for $116,000 and had only 2,500 miles on it. Even though it had 52,000 kilometers on it, the last one went for $57,000 in February 2023. There are cheaper ways to get the unique features of the 1M for those of us who don’t have $199,990. One choice is the BMW 135i from before 2011, which has the same twin-turbocharged N54 engine. There are some reliability issues, so buying a 128i might be better. This should give go-fast mods more money.
