Based on previous reviews like the one from AutoExpress that we showed a coupe of days ago, everyone seems to agree (the crew from Autocar included), that the BMW 1 Series M is a car that definitely deserves to wear the M badge.  
Some of the characteristics that define the BMW 1 Series M are that it is really fast thanks to its 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo engine producing 340 bhp and 450 Nm of torque, and properly raw in a way the M cars used to be. Accelerating from nought to 62 in the 1 Series M takes 4.9 seconds, while its top speed of limited to 155 mph. The small German coupe also handles very well, and Autocar’s journalist appreciates that you really need to known what you’re doing once you turn all the driver aids off.
Before declaring the BMW 1 Series M a definite winner however, Autocar thinks it needs to prove that it is better overall than the Porsche Cayman R.
We will only mention that the Cayman R costs 12,000 GBP more than the BMW, has a better ride and a sharper response in everything it does, weather it is accelerating, braking, steering or changing gears. The 1 Series M is faster on a straight line and it offers ‘a lot of car’  for 40,000 GBP. Is is better than the Cayman R? What the video below and see for yourself.
 
 
 
BMW 1 Series M vs Porsche Cayman R Video :

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Source: Autocar via YouTube