BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Best BMW M cars

There was something of a ‘back to basics’ feel about the 1 Series M Coupe from 2011, with its compact dimensions, straight-six engine and manual-only gearbox. It was even relatively affordable, and with a widened-track, aggressive body kit and plenty of race-track inspired styling cues, the car looked every inch the M car enthusiasts were pining for.

It drove the way an M car should, too, in spite of prior fears that a twin turbo-fed six would in some way diminish the pleasure.

BMW originally planned to build fewer than 3,000 examples of the 1 Series M Coupe, but rave reviews in the media and enthusiastic would-be owners resulted in that figure more than doubling before production ceased in 2012.