The BMW 1M market still makes no sense to me

BMW 1M values remain sky high, but there are better options to choose from now, so I find an M2 CS that may end up being cheaper.

In a lopsided battle, 95% of you choose the high-mileage E39 M5. I’m not sure how EAG remains in business, but let’s keep the theme going with another M car. More rare. More precious. More…average? Yes, I said it, and BMW 1M values are still high.

Why would you pay that much for a worse M2?

The 2011 BMW 1M vs the 2022 BMW M2 CS

See the 1M listing here

See the M2 listing here

I know – I just did a CS not too long ago. And I pit it against an ordinary M2 that was far cheaper but much less special.

bmw-1m-profile
Look up 1 Series Pig Line. Photo: BMW

But hey, you have about 100 grand in your pocket and you want a special modern M car. Not a big boy like an M5 CS – too much to toss around. An M4 CSL? Those are depreciation nightmares, and I’d stay away until they get closer to $80k or so. That leaves the F87 M2 CS – it’s everything you want it to be.

But the 1M’s reputation sticks to it like glue. It’s ugly, but no one cares. It has the wrong engine, but no one cares about that either. And though the E9X bits are good, if it’s ultimate handling you’re after, there are newer, better M cars to work off of.

Still, it’s a great car, and they only cranked out 740 of them in the US. Maybe it’s me?

The 2011 BMW 1M

1m
The 1M. Photo: Cars & Bids

Here comes my favorite – EAG. This 1M has just 10,000 miles on it, yet needed a “rejuvenation” by them? What’s that, a car wash?

April 2017 (9,959 miles): EAG comprehensive inspection, exterior body treatment, interior treatment, Full Spa Service, Final Delivery Preparation, and Extra Mile Services performed, tires replaced, engine oil and filter changed, DME software updated

Fine, but if that’s the case:

  • Some scuffs on the bottom of the front bumper
  • Curb rash on the passenger-side front wheel, 2016 date codes on the tires
  • Some creases on the front seats

Did they fix the car or not? Whatever, let’s continue

  • The best color of the three, Valencia Orange, over black leather with orange stitching
  • Six-speed manual, the only way they came
  • No real options on the 1M, aside from paint
  • Bid to $56k so far
1m-interior
The 1M interior is based of the E9X. Photo: BMW

There are good things about the 1M, such as its old-school steering feedback and famous inline-six, but with just 335 horsepower it’s not as fast as more modern examples. However, the price is the issue. Check this one that just sold last week. $86,500?!

No no no. To be fair, there are cheaper examples, but even ones with high mileage are selling for more than their original MSRP. That’s crazy when there’s another option.

2022 BMW M2 CS

m2-cs
The M2 CS. Photo: Bring a Trailer

Our example is perhaps just not the right color:

  • Alpine White over Black leather
  • 6,000 miles
  • Good mods – Eventuri Intake, Akrapovic Exhaust. Don’t like the yellow headlights though.
  • Clean title and CarFax
  • Six-speed manual
  • There’s just a lot more “special” here, like the CS-only carbon roof, Alcantara and carbon trim everywhere inside.
  • 444 horsepower means over 100 more than the 1M.
BMW M2 CS
Misano Blue examples are worth the most, but that could work in your favor.

Some of these are still expensive, but then again, here’s one for $77,000 with just 4,700 miles and a six-speed manual. I’ve never been in a 1M, but I doubt it’s more raw than the M2 CS – that is becoming a car Porsche guys come back to.

So, what would it be for you? The 1M, or the M2 CS?

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