BMW 1M Coupe: The Driver’s Car

By Daud Gonzalez - February 20, 2020

BMW’s last effort at an analog driver-focused coupe will never die. Find out why.

Petrolicious on YouTube makes stunningly well-made short features about unique cars. Sometimes, special cars have just as special stories. This is the story of Adrian Miles and his beautiful BMW 1M Coupe. The legendary 1M is the last of its kind. A different breed of BMW that couldn’t exist in today’s modern automotive market.

Since the 1M’s release in 2011, the German brand modernized its vehicles, making them more tech-first. However, in the search of modernization, the soul of the vehicle can be lost in the process. How do we keep up with modern vehicles, but still retain the spirit of a driver’s car?

According to Miles, BMW reached the end of its analog philosophy with the 1M. It was a time period in which “form, fashion, and functionality all came together in a cool way.” Was the 1M the best car ever made by BMW? It definitely wasn’t the fastest of its competition at the time. However, Miles was attracted to this time period of BMW’s engineering because “it just felt right.”

After the E8x 1-series production ended along with the E9x chassis 3-series, the F-chassis model years came into prominence. However, enthusiasts felt an immediate disconnection to the newer models due to their electronic steering and lack of sensitivity. The difference in the driving dynamics between these two generations couldn’t have been more polarizing.

This is why Miles states that “now there is a lot of electric nannies that help you do things or whatever.” However, these cars “from that era were simpler.” He believes BMW realized then that they were losing a connection to the enjoyable and engaging machines they once made. That is why they created the 1M, to “get back to the essence of what makes [BMW] special.”

The first time Miles saw a 1M Coupe was at a showroom in a dealership on the east coast. Understandably, he instantly fell in love with the car. His wife was not impressed. Thus, he told her “if I drive this car home and we don’t get ten thumbs up, I will bring it back.” Considering Miles has owed this Alpine White example for almost a decade now, you can guess how many thumbs up he got.

According to Miles, he doesn’t believe the car needs any performance modifications. He says “you can make it like an old-school E30 M3” or low-key daily depending on how you drive it. That’s what makes cars like this special. Aesthetically, Miles has added a couple of carbon fiber pieces just as accents. The BMW M-Power colorway vinyls are to pay homage to the iconic 2002 Turbo. The 1M is such a good looking car, it’s hard to mess up. That’s why Miles says he was “working with an already amazing canvas, but I like to make it my own”.

For the lucky few that purchased 1M’s when they were new, these limited-production cars are appreciating. For some, this is a reason to not drive these cars as they are essentially investments now. Miles disagrees with this way of thinking. He loves to drive the car and uses it for everything. This means picking the kids up from school, road trips, you name it. Miles says the car is a “living icon and the living part is the most important to me.”

Enjoy your 1-series Miles, we hope it lasts forever.