From The Classifieds: BMW 1M Track/Rally Car

Well-known for its hyper-responsive feel, thanks to a grunty engine, short, wide rear-drive chassis and manual transmission, the 2012 BMW 1M is already something of a collector’s item, with only 200 allocated to Australia.

Powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six it produced some 250kW at 5900rpm along with a stout 500Nm from 1500-4500rpm and was coupled to a snap-shifting six-speed manual transmission, driving a locking rear differential. Zero to 100km/h could be achieved in a smidge under 5.0sec; if you didn’t dissolve the rear tyres off the line.

Matching its brawn, the 1M’s appearance was also something outlandish. Flared arches and fat alloys announced this was a baby Beemer not to be messed with.

This particular example is even more unique, but if its sale price of $130,000 sounds like a lot of money for BMW’s rambunctious coupe, there are some deeper elements to consider.

The black beast has been extensively modified to suit the rigours of Targa Tasmania by Performance Parts & Engineering in Hallam, Victoria. Headed by Alan Heaphy, a highly-respected engineer who has a Le Mans pole position and multiple Bathurst-winning vehicles to his credit, this BMW 1M has been given the best of everything.

The advertisement details the BMW 1M’s full welded-in roll cage, Velo competition seats and six-point racing harnesses to ensure safety at competition speeds. Engine-wise, the 1M benefits from a turbo-back exhaust and engine retune along with a larger water radiator, auxiliary radiator and engine oil cooler to aid reliability. An AP Racing endurance front brake package with competition pads front and rear helps slow it all down again.

Spares include the original equipment 19-inch alloys with tyres, as well as three spare rear competition rims (sized at 18 inches to allow wider choice of racing rubber) and a further four front comp wheels.

The current owner has used the BMW 1M to good effect, winning the 2014 Australian Targa Championship in the Showroom Sports category. It was also converted to run a round of the Australian Manufacturers’ Championship, where it came second in Class A at Sandown in 2014.

We’ve seen this particular BMW 1M in action on several Targa stages over the years, and paddock whispers of a comfortable 500-plus horsepower in the old money (373kW) are mooted in tarmac rally specification.  As if the standard BMW 1M wasn’t hardcore enough!

More details on the 2012 BMW 1 Series M E82 LCI Manual MY12