The powerful and driver-oriented BMW 1M Coupe enjoys the status of a true icon. It is also very rare and expensive, while this replica is every bit as good and still affordable.
The British tuner who built it used a regular 1-Series as the starting point. He swapped the stock engine out for an S65 4.0-liter V8 rated at 420 PS (414 hp / 309 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). The genuine 1M uses a turbocharged three-liter six-banger rated at 340 PS (335 hp / 250 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), and you can boost the torque to 500 Nm (370 lb-ft) over a short period. Having said that, it is also susceptible to turbo lag, while the replica is naturally aspirated and therefore easier to handle.
According to the host of the video, the combination of a short wheelbase and wide track results in some serious track performance. When you rotate the steering wheel, it almost feels like the world around you rotates while your seat remains static. That certainly sounds like good news for track day enthusiasts.
More good news is that you can order one starting as low as £30,000. Throwing in some nice extras, such as an Akrapovič performance exhaust system, performance brakes or Recaro bucket seats, still won’t ramp the price up to £60,000 or higher, which is what the real BMW 1M could be obtained for.