BMW 1-Series M Coupe configurator is live

The 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe configurator opens with a look of the outside of the car, offering the chance to view the new M Coupe from 360 degrees in the three available colors. Alpine White is the only “free” color, with Valencia Orange and Black Sapphire Metallic tacking an extra $550 onto the price tag but after seeing the 1 Series M Coupe in Valencia Orange at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – I would say that this radiant color is worth the money. These three color choices are the only decisions to be made on the exterior page and before moving to interior, my ideal M Coupe carries a price of $47,560 ($46,135 base price, $550 for the paint, $875 destination fee).

When you head to the interior section, you get a nice look across the front passenger area from the driver’s side of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, but there aren’t any other options. The only interior layout available for the high performance 1 Series features Black Boston Leather with orange stitching and that black-and-orange scheme is echoed throughout the interior trim.

The only packages currently available for the 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe are the Premium Package and Convenience Package which add $2,400 and $2,700, respectively, although the Convenience Package lives up to its name and includes everything from the Premium Package (including the $2,400 price increase, so the Convenience Package technically tacks on $5,200 to the price tag).

The Premium Package adds auto dimming mirrors inside and out, power front seats with lumbar support control, BMW Assist and “ambiance lighting” – which are located in the exterior door handles and light up the area around the doors. The Convenience Package adds navigation, rear parking distance control, a factory alarm with remote entry and everything that comes with the Premium Package. Basically, if you are buying the 1 Series M Coupe for a track toy, these are some items that you probably won’t want. However, I would be buying this for an every cruiser so I checked the box to add all of the gadgets and goodies. Once done with this page, I was up to $52,660.

Next, you move into the options screen and there are a few items offered here that are already included if you selected the Convenience Package but here, you can purchase things like the iPod adapter or BMW Assist system. In addition to those items, other options include heated front seats ($500), BMW Apps ($250), Sirius Satellite radio ($350) and a Harman Kardon premium sound system ($875). I would opt for the heated seats, satellite radio and premium stereo, adding on another $1,725 bringing my total price to $54,385.

The final step in the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe configurator is the accessories page, giving you the option of the Maintenance Program Upgrade for $3,295 which brings your BMW service plan coverage up to 6 years/100,000 miles and the BMW Assist Convenience Plan for $199, which offers a sort of concierge service, offering you directions and traffic/weather information. I would definitely opt for the extended service program (BMW’s service program covers brake pads, brakes rotors and drive belts in addition to oil changes and other routine maintenance), and when I added in the extra $3,295, it brought my dream BMW 1 Series M Coupe to a grand total of $57,680 - $1,220 cheaper than the 2011 BMW M3 Coupe.

While the new M3 Coupe offers more power and better performance, the new 1 Series M Coupe could be the bargain Bimmer of the decade. My dream M Coupe may cost $57,680, but if you don’t select any of the options or accessories and you select Alpine White, you can be out the door with a new 1 Series M Coupe for just $47,010, an incredible difference of almost $12,000 compared to the M3 Coupe. The bad news is that BMW intends to make a very limited number of these compact sports cars and less than 1,000 are reportedly headed for the US…so getting ahold of one won’t be easy.

If you have some time to kill, click here to check out the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe configurator to build your own dream Coupe!

Other BMW News:
The 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe hits the scales
BMW teases next M5 in new video
BMW bringing the Alpina B5 BiTurbo Touring to Geneva
Now you have seen it all: an Electric BMW