Prices, Specifications & 360° Interactive
BMW M1 (E26) - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive
BMW M1 - 360° Interactive
BMW M1 - Key Specifications
BMW M1 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Mid-Engine Sports Car |
| Released At | 1978 Model Year |
| Built At | Munich, Germany |
| Engine | 3.5L Naturally Aspirated Inline-6 |
| Position | Mid-Engine, Longitudinal |
| Aspiration | Naturally Aspirated |
| Block Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 Valves per Cylinder |
| Fuel Feed | Mechanical Fuel Injection |
| Displacement | 3453 cc / 210.7 in³ |
| Power | 273 hp / 204 kW @ 6500 rpm |
| Specific Output | 79 hp per liter |
| Torque | 330 Nm / 243 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Top Speed | 262 km/h / 163 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | 5.6 seconds |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 5.8 seconds |
| Body / Frame | Steel Space Frame with Fiberglass Body Panels |
| Driven Wheels | RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) |
| Wheel Type | Alloy Wheels |
| Front Tires | 205/55VR16 |
| Rear Tires | 225/50VR16 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs |
| Front Wheels | 16 x 7.0 in |
| Rear Wheels | 16 x 8.0 in |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone with Coil Springs |
| Curb Weight | 1300 kg / 2866 lbs |
| Weight Distribution | Front 44% / Rear 56% |
| Wheelbase | 2560 mm / 100.8 in |
| Length | 4359 mm / 171.6 in |
| Width | 1824 mm / 71.8 in |
| Height | 1140 mm / 44.9 in |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | Varies by Usage |
| Fuel Capacity | 116 liters / 30.6 gallons |
Some Interesting BMW M1 Facts
- BMW’s First and Only Mid-Engine Supercar – The BMW M1 remains the only mid-engine supercar BMW has ever produced, making it one of the most unique cars in the brand’s history.
- Designed by Lamborghini, Built by BMW – The M1 was originally a collaboration with Lamborghini, but due to financial issues, BMW had to finish the project alone, building the car at Baur in Germany instead.
- Powered by the Legendary M88 Inline-6 Engine – The M1 featured a 3.5L DOHC inline-6 (M88 engine), producing 277 hp and 330 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful German sports car of its time.
- 0-100 km/h in Just 5.6 Seconds – The M1’s lightweight construction and mid-engine layout allowed it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 5.6 seconds, with a top speed of 262 km/h (163 mph).
- Built to Compete in Group 4 and Group 5 Racing – BMW designed the M1 for Group 4 and Group 5 racing, leading to the creation of the M1 Procar Championship, a one-make racing series featuring Formula 1 drivers.
- M1 Procar Was One of the Fastest Race Cars of Its Era – The M1 Procar version produced up to 470 hp (Group 4) and over 850 hp (Group 5), making it one of the most dominant racing cars of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
- Extremely Limited Production – Only 453 Units Built – BMW produced only 453 M1s, including 399 road cars and 54 race cars, making it one of BMW’s rarest and most collectible models.
- Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro – The M1’s wedge-shaped design was created by famed Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who also designed iconic cars like the DeLorean DMC-12 and Maserati Bora.
- One of the First BMWs to Wear the “M” Badge – The M1 was the first car officially developed by BMW M (Motorsport Division), laying the foundation for the high-performance M cars we see today.
- Never Got a Direct Successor – Despite its success, the M1 never received a direct replacement, but its spirit lives on in models like the BMW i8 and the BMW M8 Competition.
BMW M1 (E26) Price
The BMW M1 is the brand's only mid-engine supercar, developed with Lamborghini and styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Only 456 road cars were built, making it a seven-figure collector's item.
1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)
By Condition & Provenance
Driver-Quality (Restored, Minor Flaws)
- €800,000 – €1,200,000 (Mechanically sound, some wear)
Concours-Level (Numbers-Matching, Perfect)
- €1,200,000 – €1,800,000+ (Under 20,000 km, full history)
Provenance Cars (Ex-Procar, Celebrity-Owned)
- €2,000,000+ (e.g., ex-Niki Lauda, factory test cars)
2. Key Value Factors
✅ Authenticity
- Matching-Numbers M88/1 Engine (277hp): Non-matching = 50% value loss
- Original "Procar" Bodywork: No aftermarket widebody kits
✅ Provenance
- BMW Classic Certificate: Adds €100k+
- Ex-M1 Procar Championship: Race history = €2M+
✅ Condition
- Fiberglass Body: Check for stress cracks (repairs cost €50k+)
- Tool Kit & Documentation: Missing = €20k deduction
3. Where to Buy?
- High-End Auctions: RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Co.
- BMW Classic Dealers: Official BMW Group Classic
- Private Brokers: DK Engineering, GTO Engineering
4. Market Trends
📈 Steady Appreciation
- Prices 3x since 2015 (€500k → €1.5M+)
- Last Auction Sale: €1.65M (2023, RM Sotheby’s)
⚠️ Red Flags
- Replica M1s (based on 8-series or kit cars)
- Non-Owner Mods (even wheels affect value)
(Fun Fact: The M1’s engine later powered the BMW M5 (E28) and M635CSi!)
Pro Tip:
Verify VIN (WBS59910004301200) and engine stamp ("M88/1") with BMW Classic.
(Bonus: Only 10 M1s were factory-painted black – making them the rarest color!)
(Note: Just 20–30 M1s trade hands globally each year.)
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