PRIOR Design Body Kit M-powers the BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series M Coupe may have a contrived name, but the way it delivers driving fun is anything but: A high-output twin-turbo straight-six under the hood, E92 M3 suspension and brake bits at each corner, and special bodywork that features bulging fenders and more aggressively sculpted front and rear bumpers. In short, it’s a car that checks all the right boxes, except for one crucial one: Widespread availability. Initially, BMW was going to cap production at 2,700 copies, but has since said that it will continue producing it through the spring, much to the delight of prospective buyers (and much to the displeasure of speculators who snapped one up hoping to flip it for a hefty profit).

Of course, even with the extended production life it’s unlikely that everyone who wants a 1 Series M will be able to get one before the last one. What’s more, there are no doubt plenty of 128i and 135i owners out there who would no doubt love to be able to fit their rides with wider wheels and tires without making them look ready for the Baja 1000. If only there was a way to make the 1M’s fat fendered styling more plentiful. PRIOR Design to the rescue!

The German body kit and restyling experts have concocted this widebody kit – officially named the PDM1 – for the pedestrian 1 Series coupe, which is also known by the chassis code E82. The kit includes new front and rear bumpers, front fenders, rear quarter panels, side skirts and a hood, and all bits except the hood (which has a pair of honeycomb-grilled vents and a “power dome”) are dead ringers for the stock 1M pieces. Even the 1 Series M’s side marker lights fit on these front fenders!

Of course, the kit does not give you the ultimate 1er’s trick suspension or upgraded engine. But considering the stock 135i already makes 300hp and can be ordered with an M Sport Package, is that really such a bad thing? Plus, unlike the 1M, which is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission, a 135i can be had with BMW’s 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox, so your significant other who can’t be arsed to learn to drive stick can share the fun. (Tuner car as relationship saver? Suck on that, Dr. Phil.)

PRIOR Design hasn’t said how much it will ask for the PDM1 kit, but we’re guessing that if you bought it and a new 135i, you’d be in the same cost ballpark as a genuine 1 Series M. Of course the PDM1 kit will likely be sold in far greater quantities than the 1M (the 128i and 135i already are), so there’s no rush to run down to your local BMW dealer and place an order; heck, the order backlog on 1Ms is likely already so fat you’re already S.O.L. anyway. Makes this kit look even better, doesn’t it?

Source: PRIOR Design