The Core Attributes of an M Car: A Driver's Perspective

As someone who has had the pleasure of driving several M cars, I believe that there are certain attributes that define what makes an M car truly great. From styling to performance, these features are not just desirable, but essential to the overall driving experience.

Styling is one area where an M car must excel. The first and most obvious attribute is the M logo on the rev counter. It's a subtle touch, but one that instantly tells you that this is no ordinary car. But it's not just about the logo; the entire aesthetic of the car must be discernible from its track width. The wheel arches, wheel relationship, and overall stance all contribute to the unmistakable look of an M car. The Camas, in particular, play a crucial role in this, with their negative angle at the rear giving the car that characteristic aggressive stance.

The exhaust system is another area where an M car must shine. It's not just about size or color; it's about the sound. A proper exhaust system is essential to creating that unique sound that makes an M car feel truly special. And, of course, the exhaust boxes themselves must be M-designed, with their larger diameter pipe and straight design.

Now, when it comes to performance, there are a few key areas where an M car excels. The throttle response, for example, is critical to creating that typical M Car experience. We've all been there – you're driving along, feeling great, when suddenly the engine decides to wake up and deliver a surge of power that's just perfect. It's this kind of responsiveness that makes an M car feel truly alive.

But it's not just about raw power; steering response is also crucial. In recent years, M cars have struggled with feel in the steering, but I believe that's because they've been prioritizing weight over response. A good M car must be accurate and responsive, but not to the point where it feels like a toy. The steering wheel rim, for example, should still offer a bit of resistance – it's this subtle interplay between feedback and assistance that makes an M car truly special.

Of course, no discussion of an M car would be complete without mentioning the engine sound. It's a challenge to create a sound that's both quiet enough not to disturb the passengers but loud enough to make you feel like you're driving a proper M car. I believe that this is one area where the new Series M will excel, with its induction and exhaust system working together in harmony to create a truly unique sound.

Ride quality is another area where an M car must excel. In recent years, some of the sportier 3 Series models have struggled with ride comfort, but I believe that's because they've been prioritizing performance over comfort. A good M car, on the other hand, must balance both – a smooth ride without sacrificing any of the handling or responsiveness that makes an M car so special.

First Impressions: The New Series M

While the new Series M is not yet finished, I had the chance to take it for a spin and I was thoroughly impressed. The steering felt responsive and accurate, with just enough resistance to make you feel like you're driving a proper M car. The damping was firm but comfortable, and the handling through the corners was effortless.

Of course, no M car is perfect – there were a few minor issues with induction noise that didn't bother me too much. But overall, I was thoroughly impressed by the new Series M. It feels like a true return to form for BMW's performance division, and one that will undoubtedly appeal to enthusiasts around the world.

The price point is still unknown at this stage, but if it's competitive with other high-performance cars in its class, then I have no doubt that the new Series M will be a huge hit. It's a car that every enthusiast should want – it's a true driver's car that checks all the right boxes. And as for me? Well, let's just say I'll be keeping a close eye on this one.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe trip to Heath R just gives you a window into the slightly zany world of the car industry BMW is a car company obsessed with telling the world that it's all about efficiency at the moment Joy they call it the joy of God knows what and yet it's flying me to Munich to drive the one Series M development car for wait for it 20 minutes so there you go commun come back a day out a few quids worth of AB Gas and I drive the car 20 minutes okay just arrived at the BMW press car test center near Munich which is where we're going to get fery to go and drive the 1 Series M on the plane in an effort to be vaguely professional and not just sit and scoff free case I thought I'd write down what I thought was some core M attributes that I'd want to see even in a baby M car so here we go my computer's in front of me starting with the styling stuff cuz I think if anyone's ever owned an M car there are certain aspects of an M car that they're boxes that have to be ticked aren't they they just have to be there so let's start with the m rev counter got to be there a different rev counter with an m in the middle illuminated M gear knov that's all got to be there it's got to have a different more supportive seat a different steering wheel um but not too thick please cuz it's got a bit over the last few years I think from the outside the car's got to be discernable from its track width You Know M cars just sort of have that look don't they the wheel Arch wheel relationship got to be perfect I think the e92 M3 isn't perfect in that respect the Camas are key to this I think it's got to have that extra neg at the rear hasn't it so the front wheels sorry the rear wheels are just a bit further in at the top and further out at the bottom a bit of negative at the back gives it that stance the exhaust boxes they've got to be M exhaust boxes don't care if they're two or four but they've got to have that larger diameter pipe it's got to be straight it's got to be black just got to be that way it's the Driving Experience throttle response I think M cars are defined by throttle response and that's the big challenge with this car cuz we know it's got a turbo motor so I think throttle response is really important just St po now got click on it we're doing like 17 180k and you can drive it up on the top of the red you've got that response feels pretty much normally aspirated up at the top end that is impressive steering well M cars over the last 15 years haven't had an awful lot of feel in the steering and I think we can forgive them doing that again but it's still got to be very much M Car steering by that I mean a power steering pump that gives you massive assistance if you happen to be on opposite lock that's the great thing about M cars is that the steering weight doesn't seem to increase stupidly when you're right at the at the edge of Lock and I think that does work um I think the steering's got to be accurate but I'm not so desperate for sort of E30 style fill that's a long time ago I'd like it but I don't think it's going to happen steering wheel Rim is still just a bit don't know why these steing are M there's more to this steering than there is in an e92 M3 definitely although it's a little bit remote but then engine sound this is a real challenge for them cuz I think induction and exhaust MERS of an M car are two of the defining aspects of the vehicle quiet for an M car but they have got some proper induction noise which is so difficult to get with a turbo mode the ride okay M cars tend to be firmer intend of their damping but oddly a bit more comfortable than certainly in recent years because they just think they've been more compliant they've not had run flat tires so they've managed to make the suspension work harder rather than the tire sidewalk deflecting the across the road spe that feels like an M car again it's got that firmness of damping that I really like it's why I find these M cars more comfortable than I do some of the sported 3 Series like a 330 IM score on run Flats don't like the way that rides at all but M3s have always had that ride comfort and so does this car so some First Impressions on this new one Series M okay they're not finished cars but the one I was driving felt pretty near damn finished it didn't feel turbocharged at the top end I could whack the throttle it felt like an M car from its steering to its damping to the way the differential seem to dominate things through the corners um struggling with a bit of induction noise doesn't worry me so much do you know what it feels like a really good package to me it feels like bmwm is making a car that I feel it should be making and that all enthusiasts should feel it should be making I return to form can't wait to drive the finished object um hopefully before the end of the year but doesn't need much finishing and if the price point is right this is going to be a car that everyone wants it's a real Enthusiast car I'm excited really really excitedthe trip to Heath R just gives you a window into the slightly zany world of the car industry BMW is a car company obsessed with telling the world that it's all about efficiency at the moment Joy they call it the joy of God knows what and yet it's flying me to Munich to drive the one Series M development car for wait for it 20 minutes so there you go commun come back a day out a few quids worth of AB Gas and I drive the car 20 minutes okay just arrived at the BMW press car test center near Munich which is where we're going to get fery to go and drive the 1 Series M on the plane in an effort to be vaguely professional and not just sit and scoff free case I thought I'd write down what I thought was some core M attributes that I'd want to see even in a baby M car so here we go my computer's in front of me starting with the styling stuff cuz I think if anyone's ever owned an M car there are certain aspects of an M car that they're boxes that have to be ticked aren't they they just have to be there so let's start with the m rev counter got to be there a different rev counter with an m in the middle illuminated M gear knov that's all got to be there it's got to have a different more supportive seat a different steering wheel um but not too thick please cuz it's got a bit over the last few years I think from the outside the car's got to be discernable from its track width You Know M cars just sort of have that look don't they the wheel Arch wheel relationship got to be perfect I think the e92 M3 isn't perfect in that respect the Camas are key to this I think it's got to have that extra neg at the rear hasn't it so the front wheels sorry the rear wheels are just a bit further in at the top and further out at the bottom a bit of negative at the back gives it that stance the exhaust boxes they've got to be M exhaust boxes don't care if they're two or four but they've got to have that larger diameter pipe it's got to be straight it's got to be black just got to be that way it's the Driving Experience throttle response I think M cars are defined by throttle response and that's the big challenge with this car cuz we know it's got a turbo motor so I think throttle response is really important just St po now got click on it we're doing like 17 180k and you can drive it up on the top of the red you've got that response feels pretty much normally aspirated up at the top end that is impressive steering well M cars over the last 15 years haven't had an awful lot of feel in the steering and I think we can forgive them doing that again but it's still got to be very much M Car steering by that I mean a power steering pump that gives you massive assistance if you happen to be on opposite lock that's the great thing about M cars is that the steering weight doesn't seem to increase stupidly when you're right at the at the edge of Lock and I think that does work um I think the steering's got to be accurate but I'm not so desperate for sort of E30 style fill that's a long time ago I'd like it but I don't think it's going to happen steering wheel Rim is still just a bit don't know why these steing are M there's more to this steering than there is in an e92 M3 definitely although it's a little bit remote but then engine sound this is a real challenge for them cuz I think induction and exhaust MERS of an M car are two of the defining aspects of the vehicle quiet for an M car but they have got some proper induction noise which is so difficult to get with a turbo mode the ride okay M cars tend to be firmer intend of their damping but oddly a bit more comfortable than certainly in recent years because they just think they've been more compliant they've not had run flat tires so they've managed to make the suspension work harder rather than the tire sidewalk deflecting the across the road spe that feels like an M car again it's got that firmness of damping that I really like it's why I find these M cars more comfortable than I do some of the sported 3 Series like a 330 IM score on run Flats don't like the way that rides at all but M3s have always had that ride comfort and so does this car so some First Impressions on this new one Series M okay they're not finished cars but the one I was driving felt pretty near damn finished it didn't feel turbocharged at the top end I could whack the throttle it felt like an M car from its steering to its damping to the way the differential seem to dominate things through the corners um struggling with a bit of induction noise doesn't worry me so much do you know what it feels like a really good package to me it feels like bmwm is making a car that I feel it should be making and that all enthusiasts should feel it should be making I return to form can't wait to drive the finished object um hopefully before the end of the year but doesn't need much finishing and if the price point is right this is going to be a car that everyone wants it's a real Enthusiast car I'm excited really really excited\n"