The Unix Nerd's Domain

The BMW M1

Background

Back in the late 70's BMW was having a hard time in group four touring car racing. The 3.0CSL was getting old and a replacement was needed to show the Porshce 935 who was boss. It was thus decided to build the M1 using styling queues from the 1972 Turbo concept car. The M1 was always a heavy car and was sadly never very competitive, its looks go a long way to making up for this as a road car though.

This rarest of modern BMWs was manufactured from 1979-80 by Baur using an Italian made space frame chassis. The car was intended to be made by Lamborghini but industrial disputes and other problems forced a late change of plan.

Models

Only one road going version of the M1 was produced. Several racing versions exist with power outputs of up to 850bhp.All of the 456 M1's built were left hand drive except two. One RHD model recently turned up at Munich Legends with only 8000 miles.

The rare and desirable M1, you'd better start saving!

The M1 was born to go racing for BMW.

The view other drivers see most.

BMW Turbo, the concept car behind the M1.

Engines

The M1 was powered by a 277bhp version of the M30 straight six 3.5 litre engine. The engine utilised a 24 valve head and developed 239 ft/lb or torque at 5000rpm. The powerplant used mechanical fuel injection.and was later to find its way into the E24 M6, gaining 9bhp along the way.

Model Body styles Engine Weight
(kg)		 Power / Weight
(bhp / 1000kg)		 Final drive ratio Brakes
M1 Coupe S38 1300 213 4.22 Disc/Disc

See the engine details page for power figures and engine pictures.

Known Problems

I believe there is some kind of problem with oil filters on this rare vehicle. As I'd have to sell my house in order to buy one I imagine I'll never find out though.

The other big problem is that I don't have one!