BMW M1: Which Version Should You Buy?
The catalogue data presents one BMW M1 generation and one version, the M135i, so there is no alternative engine, gearbox, drivetrain, body style, or generation to compare directly. The choice is therefore straightforward: buyers considering this catalogue entry are choosing a Hatchback 5-door with a 306 hp, 1,998 cc Gasoline engine, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and AWD.
The catalogue data presents one BMW M1 generation and one version, the M135i, so there is no alternative engine, gearbox, drivetrain, body style, or generation to compare directly. The choice is therefore straightforward: buyers considering this catalogue entry are choosing a Hatchback 5-door with a 306 hp, 1,998 cc Gasoline engine, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and AWD. Production began in October 2019 and no end date is recorded. Price, equipment, reliability, and sale-listing data are not provided, so they cannot be used to recommend one example over another.
BMW M1 generations: what changed?
The BMW M1 has one generation in the supplied catalogue data. The 1 generation entered production in October 2019 and remains without a recorded stop date. It is listed exclusively as a Hatchback 5-door and contains one version: M135i.
Because no earlier or later generations appear in the data, there is no measured generational change in power, performance, economy, weight, body style, or drivetrain to compare. No restyling is recorded either. Anyone choosing between BMW M1 generations on the basis of this catalogue is therefore choosing the 1 generation by default.
BMW M1 engine and specs comparison
Only one version is available, but its figures still reveal its priorities. The M135i produces 306 hp and 225 kW from 1,998 cc, equal to approximately 153.2 hp per litre. Its 450 Nm output corresponds to approximately 225.2 Nm per litre. Maximum power is delivered from 5,000 to 6,250 rpm, while maximum torque is available from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm.
The engine has 4 cylinders in an Inline layout, with 4 valves per cylinder, Turbo boost, and Direct injection (direct). It is installed Front, transverse and has a compression ratio of 9.5. Bore and stroke are 82 x 94.6 mm, and the specified fuel is 95. Drive reaches all four wheels through an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M135i | 306 hp | 450 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
With no second version in the catalogue, the M135i cannot be ranked against another BMW M1 engine. It is simultaneously the most powerful, least powerful, quickest, most economical, lightest, and heaviest listed choice because it is the only choice.
BMW M1 performance, acceleration, and fuel economy
The M135i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a maximum speed of 250 km/h. A 0–60 mph result is not measured in the supplied data.
Fuel consumption is 7.5 l/100 km in the city, 5.6 l/100 km on the highway, and 6.3 l/100 km combined. The city figure is 1.9 l/100 km higher than the highway result, while combined consumption sits 1.2 l/100 km below the city figure and 0.7 l/100 km above the highway figure. MPG is not measured in the supplied data.
The recorded emissions figure is 146 g/km of CO₂, and the emissions classification is Euro 6. These numbers describe the M135i specifically; there are no other versions against which to calculate a performance or economy advantage.
BMW M1 dimensions, weight, and practical specifications
The M135i has a kerb weight of 1,525 kg and a gross weight of 2,085 kg, leaving a difference of 560 kg between the two recorded values. Its power-to-weight ratio is approximately 200.7 hp per tonne based on kerb weight, while each horsepower corresponds to approximately 4.98 kg of kerb weight.
Ground clearance is 153 mm, and fuel-tank capacity is 50 litres. Overall length, width, height, wheelbase, and weight distribution are not measured in the supplied data. Wheel and tyre sizes are also not measured, so no wheel-size comparison or recommendation can be made.
The chassis specification lists Independent, spring suspension at both the front and rear. Braking is by Ventilated disc brakes at the front and Disc ventilated brakes at the rear.
Which BMW M1 version should you buy?
Choose the M135i if the required specification is the one documented here: 306 hp, 450 Nm, 1,998 cc, Gasoline, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and AWD in a Hatchback 5-door body. Its measurable case rests on 4.8-second acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, a 250 km/h maximum speed, and combined fuel consumption of 6.3 l/100 km.
There is no lower-powered, lighter, more economical, manual, or differently driven BMW M1 version in the supplied catalogue. Consequently, there is no numerical basis for claiming that another version costs less, uses less fuel, offers more performance, or represents better value. There is also no “extra money” comparison because prices are not provided.
For the same reason, reliability and common problems are not measured. Equipment levels, maintenance costs, insurance costs, cargo capacity, and offers for sale are likewise not measured. Those factors would need separate verified data before distinguishing between individual cars.
On the available numbers alone, the buying decision is simple: the M135i is the only documented BMW M1 version and therefore the only evidence-based recommendation. The remaining choice is between individual examples, but their condition, history, price, and equipment cannot be assessed from this dataset.