BMW 1 Series M Coupe Review: She's the 1

What we like:

Superb handling dynamics

looks the business

strong mid-range punch

well-judged controls

there aren’t many around

Class 3A license holders have to look elsewhere

What we dislike:

A used M3 will probably cost similar money

slight turbo lag at low speeds

cramped cabin

hefty clutch

turbo motor not as satisfying to rev as M engines of old

More than just a 135i coupe with pumped up bodywork and quad tailpipes, the 1M also gets the full M-treatment under the skin. So essentially the M3 underpinnings - suspension arms, brakes and rear differential/axle. The ride though is surprisingly pliant which makes it handling prowess around the track like Pasir Gudang where I drove it even more amazing.

Part of it is surely due to the uprated 3-litre 6-cylinder engine that is used in peasant form in the 335iS/Z4 sDrive35iS. Equipped with twin turbos, the Straight-six gives 340bhp and 450Nm. Best of all, the M engineers have mated it to a sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox - the only transmission choice.

On the corners of the tight and twisty Pasir Gudang circuit, the 1 M turns in sharply (thanks, I'm sure to its 100mm shorter wheelbase than a M3) with little roll. Steering feel via the thick-rimed three-spoke wheel is brilliant and there is hardly anything to fault with it dynamics on or off the track.

The only niggle one might have with the 1M is the less than sonorous soundtrack - but with a limited production run that ends in November this year and M3 equaling fun, the 1M looks set to become as iconic as the original E30 M3.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by William Whey, Yang and Raymond Lai