dbkiwi

...haha, almost.

I was in the Alpine White 1M ahead of you on Jervois Road. Your car looked mean in the rear-view mirror - but only caught a very quick glimpse!

Jealous!

Hey Don't suppose you have an E30 centre muffler for sale?

Do want. Great looking E28

As above, I'm looking for a centre muffler for my E30 M325i. Must be good condition and last a few years. Thanks for any help!

Here is a new article that supports your rumour (and the one above) of an increased production run. Interesting! http://www.bimmerfile.com/2011/09/01/is-bm...-1m-production/

Someone should send a memo to head of worldwide sales and marketing! Sounds like these NZ dealers know something he doesn't

As I've said all along, there could be cars in 2012 and I'm happy to be wrong on this, but the interview was with the head of WORLDWIDE (not US) Sales & Marketing for M. I'd be inclined to believe what he says over a local BMW dealer.

Never! I have however run out of places to keep them

Jealous. I want one of those

Head of Marketing and Sales for the M Division has confirmed today there is no production planned for 2012. He seems to leave the door open a bit, but suggests nothing has been confirmed yet. Fantastic interview well worth a listen http://www.bimmerfile.com/2011/08/21/bimme...ales-for-bmw-m/

Nice E36 328i with the M Sport kit on Trade Me at the moment: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=399814317

So you keep saying

I'll probably be keen on the next M3 also! Yes I bought a 1M after wanting one since 2007 when the rumors first surfaced - bit of a dream come true. I live in Herne Bay but work on the shore. Would be fun to meet up some time! I want to get up close to an E90!

The N54 is a great engine. I love the torque, the power and the stats speak for themselves. I don't think you can compare the engine to the bespoke unit in the E90, especially in regards to responsiveness. No matter how good these turbo engines are (and they're good) you just can't replicate the responsive nature of a quality NA engine, especially at the top of the rev range. Do you own an E90? I've never driven one. We should meet up some day and compare notes! PS: the next generation M3 will certainly be turbocharged. From what I've read M is weighing up options including the N55 and (wait for it) a tri-turbo. I think the N54 has been ruled out for the reasons already outlined. I agree with you though and hope they come up with something completely new for the next M3. I think they will - the M3 is their bread and butter and critics will be harsh if it has any lag and a (comparatively) dull engine note.

From the research I've done, BMW M had a specific goal in mind with the 1M, and it wasn't high volume. This is evident by the focus - no DCT, limited colors, limited options, high price for a 1 series etc. They could have sold more if they'd softened their stance on these things. In the US for example, there are already wide reports of dealers being all out of cars/allocation and turning customers away. In the UK market, each car comes with a plaque that says "one of 450". Of course I could be wrong and they may extend the production, but I wouldn't put money on it. The goal with the 1M was to build a low price car for enthusiasts. Dr Kay, head of M during the development, is on record saying he wants the car to be a collectors car similar to the MINI GP (also developed under his reign, at MINI). BMW knew they could have priced the car higher, but the goal "wasn't to cream the market" (his words) but rather introduce a new generation of buyers to the M division. It's priced attractively to make it more affordable for younger people. The 1M will also pave the way for a next-generation M car of similar size, which will no doubt be introduced at the beginning of the F20 lifecycle (note: the chassis of the 1M is now the "old model" and won't be produced for much longer anyway) and the favorable reviews of the 1M will help to sell the new car. I also read the N54 engine, which powers the 1M, can no longer be sold in the USA from 2012 due to emissions regulations. Other series cars have moved to the N55. Of course, I could be wrong. But this is what I've read.

BMW say it's a limited run car with production ending this year. There is speculation on the Internet this may be extended but I don't recall reading a credible source.

How many will be sold in total? I heard 12, then 15. What's the final number?

Was great to meet you too - I love what you've done with your E30. I have some photos of you on the track if you want me to send them to you? Also great to meet Graham, Ashkan, Jack and others. Up to 980km now so hope to be able to see what the 1M can really do - soon. Break-in service has been booked in for a couple of weeks from now.

I was pleasantly surprised by 1M pricing in NZ vs 135i and M3, especially considering the standard options BMW NZ has spec'd including navigation, harmon kardon stereo upgrade etc. This wasn't the case in USA and possibly not UK either.

Thanks for the link. If the Wikipedia article is correct, it's still a 9-12 month production window which will still make it a very rare car. Unlike other M cars the 1M is built on the same line as the series car, and can only be built until the new 1 series platform is released in 2012. The new M5 is releasing very early in the production cycle of the new 5 series, perhaps we will see the new generation 1M (rumored to be called the M2) sooner in the lifecycle of the next generation platform. The 1M was a bit of a freak, developed quickly on a low budget right at the end of the E82 lifecycle.

This is the only report on the Internet of production being extended - so we'll see. Even if production is extended 6 months and NZ gets a handful extra, it will be significantly rarer than an E9X M3. To say the car won't be rare is a tad ridiculous tbh. Not rare compared to a Z4M perhaps, but more rare than any M3 it certainly will be.

BMW NZ also sent an email saying NZ allocation was either 14 or 18 (I forget) so what you're saying also suggests BMW NZ is sending out false information.

Really? Good news for those who have missed out if that's the case. However I've not read this anywhere else, and BMW North America issued a media release saying production ends December 2011 and BMW UK has issued plaques on all of their cars saying "one of 450". Not saying what you're saying here isn't true, but it goes against everything else I've heard. Even (then) M boss Dr Kay said it was a limited run car.