Best Coupe 2011
The only downside is the car's weight; the M Coupe is a heavy 3,362 pounds. You don't really feel the weight when accelerating or driving normally, but start changing directions quickly and you'll realize you're carrying the extra pounds. Some view this a positive, as extra weight provides extra impact protection. Maybe it's better to be safe, but I do think the latest model is a bit fat.
So, is it fast? I didn't think so at first.
I pulled out of the lot in first gear and floored it. My first thought was, "Yeah it's quick, but what's all the fuss about?" Then I grabbed second gear in a nearly full throttle upshift and the car exploded forward.
I started giggling. The car surges forward unlike any BMW I've ever driven. The torque comes on and stays on through the whole gear. There's not even a suggestion that you're running out of power. It just pulls and pulls.
Grabbing third, I started to get concerned, as the car seemed to pull even harder. I then slowed down and repeated the second and third gear pull, over and over again. It was that much fun. I haven't accelerated a car over and over again like that since high school when I was handed the key to a modified Grand National GNX, another turbocharged monster. The difference with the BMW is that it turns and brakes extremely well. I'm sure there's some statistic on the car's lateral grip somewhere, but the car is so hooked up, it's almost irrelevant.
I was having so much fun that I'd been ignoring this constantly flashing light on the dash. The thing was flashing so much, I thought I'd left a turn signal on. I finally looked down and realized it was the traction control light. The car has so much power that even with the full-size tires, it needs traction control to keep it civilized.
Hmmm. Maybe I should turn that off. The first press of the button engages "MDM." I never looked up what it stands for, but I decided it means "Mediocre Driver Management." It allows you to rip and chirp the tires between upshifts and whistle the tires while accelerating, but it keeps you in check, preventing you from doing very stupid things. But I really wanted to know what stupid feels like. So I held the button down for a few seconds, causing all the nannyware to turn completely off.
At this point, "Beware of Massive Tire Burnouts" should be displayed on the dash. The car became raw, almost angry. Dr. Jekyll was long gone, replaced by this angry beast. But I also really liked Dr. Jekyll. When you first turn the key, the car starts in the standard, civilized mode. I would have no problem handing the keys to my mom and asking her to drive it around town – even on wet, slippery streets.
But my favorite is Mr Hyde. That beast is my friend.
There is also an "M" button on the steering wheel that I entirely forgot about until a friend asked me if I liked it. Oh yeah. "Sport" mode. I pressed it and it opened up the exhaust and made the throttles snap open much faster. Remember: there is no cable connecting the gas pedal to the engine – it's all managed by electronics. So when you turn the car on, it drives like a normal car, smooth and easy. But Sport Mode is fun. The throttle cracks open super-fast and the surge of power comes on much quicker. I loved it. It didn't really change the car's acceleration times, but man did it make it more fun to drive. Sport mode engaged!
Source: https://www.wired.com/2011/12/bmw-1-series-m-coupe/
