Autoblog
Pressing the start/stop button immediately spins the 1M's engine to life. In stock form, the 1M arrived with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six (internal code N54B30T0) tuned to deliver 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque (an "overboost" function increased turbo pressure to allow 369 pound-feet for brief periods of time). Dinan chose to fit larger turbochargers, a high-capacity oil cooler, bigger air-to-air intercooler, free-flow exhaust and increased boost to generate 444 horsepower and 450 pounds-feet of torque.
Even at idle, the sound emanating from the S3-R's slightly larger quad pipes hung below the real valance is aggressive, but it never crosses into the realm of annoyance. Dinan is justifiably proud that its stainless-steel exhaust systems are all but free of the irritating drone and resonation common in the aftermarket world. The system's mellow demeanor under light throttle means you can sneak out of the driveway for an early-morning canyon run without waking the neighbors, or your significant other – ask me how I know.
. . . As I directed the black BMW slowly across town, I came upon a Toyota Prius, whose pace demonstrated that the driver was not in any hurry (as if they ever are), so I settled in a safe hundred feet behind its Kamm tail. In this mild-mannered state, the smooth six-cylinder engine proved completely docile – it's all but impossible to tell it's a tuned engine – and it purrs without a hiccup or stutter. It is . . . as pleasant as a typical BMW 1 Series.
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Slamming the throttle down hard from a slow, in-gear roll immediately rips the tires from the pavement. Once they hook up, shifting into second again breaks them free anew. Even third gear is prone to shredding 1M's wide tail-end rubber. Throttle response is near-instant and almost completely free of turbo lag (a known N54 strength). The resulting acceleration makes the 1M feel quicker than a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray or a Porsche 911 Carrera S.
The stock 1 Series M Coupe will crack the 60 mph benchmark in about 4.5 seconds, a very quick sprint in today's automotive world. Nobody reputable has hooked the Dinan S3-R 1M to accurate test gear yet, but based on my drive, I wouldn't be surprised to see it shave nearly a second off the stock car's time. And, while the standard 1M is capped at 155 mph, this coupe's (engine) is not restricted. "Top speed should be around 180 mph," Steve reports. "I have personally driven it that fast," he adds, proudly. (edited for clarity)
