X1 expert advice sought

[beancounter]

My mate thinks I know all about BMWs and I don't want to disappoint him but all I know about the new X1 is that it's better than the last model. He likes the X1 and he only buys a new car once a decade so I don't want him to make a mistake. Can you help with any advice about specs and the size of discount available on a new one?

[iSore]

The new X1:

- looks much better (not difficult, granted)

- Has diabolical electric PAS....keeping it in a straight line through contraflow roadworks is a chore

- Very noisy. Road noise is insane and the B47 diesel could be better insulated

- Very, very expensive. Is it really worth 35 grand? Seriously? A good spec Nissan X Trail is 10 grand cheaper and if all you want is a decently built 4x4, Hyundai Tucson.........£19'000.

- Detail finish is decidedly average - the new one I drove had Lego quality plastics and an interior trim strip was coming adrift already.

- Discounts are possible, but the X1 is on Motability so waiting lists are quite long.


The X3 isn't vastly more expensive and is a lot better. Buy a used X3, ex demo with nice spec for the same money.

[DJMC]

Bought one in August for my wife. Our 10th BMW over 28 years.

Better looking than the bigger X cars. Steering takes 10 minutes to get used to then really, it's absolutely fine. Ride, on 18s and non-run flats very good (do NOT go for 19s and RFs). Handling good. Fast for an SAV - 0-60 7.6 in 2 litre diesel auto.

Absolute MUST is sports seats. No, REALLY! The standard ones are rubbish.

Don't be put off by Mini drivetrain and "it's not a real BMW". It's certainly the best of the small SAVs and knocked spots off the F-Pace we tested.

X1 is almost as big as X3 inside with better storage layout in the boot.

After 2 months from new 100% satisfied. I drive a 981 Cayman as my daily btw.

Dealer discount just under £5k off.

[beancounter]

Thanks for the information which has helped point my friend in the right direction. He's gone off the overpriced ex demo X1 the dealer tried to sell him and will see what deal he can get on a new one specced correctly then compare with X3s at that price.

[ninjag]

I had a brand new one just for a day as a courtesy car, it didn't have Xdrive and the first thing I noticed was how quickly the rear end would start to go in the rain even at slow speeds.

[aeropilot]

ninjag said:

I had a brand new one just for a day as a courtesy car, it didn't have Xdrive and the first thing I noticed was how quickly the rear end would start to go in the rain even at slow speeds.

Hmmmmnnnn.......are you sure it was a X1 you were driving

[ninjag]

aeropilot said:

Hmmmmnnnn.......are you sure it was a X1 you were driving

Of course lol Had SDrive badges on it also.

Why the doubt?

[aeropilot]

ninjag said:

aeropilot said:

Hmmmmnnnn.......are you sure it was a X1 you were driving

Of course lol Had SDrive badges on it also.

Why the doubt?

Because its front wheel drive.......so, somewhat surprised you say the rear end would start to go in the wet at slow speeds

[ninjag]

Definitely the rear end which was twitching, crap tyres perhaps? The dealership does tend to mix brands front and rear.

[Smuler]

If the OP's friend is comparing X3 to X1, is it the case that the X3 (assuming it's an X drive) will usually send the power to the rear wheels, only using 4WD when necessary, whereas the X1 sends power to the front wheel usually?

If so, that could be a big vote for a X3, if like me he prefers RWD. I've driven a few minis recently, which are the same platform as the X1, and FWD just didn't feel right to me.

[aeropilot]

There are also really good deals on the X3 at the moment as the new one is due out next year, so he might find that a X3 could be had for not a lot more than a X1 - assuming he's happy with the extra size of the X3.

[Fox-]

ninjag said:

Definitely the rear end which was twitching, crap tyres perhaps? The dealership does tend to mix brands front and rear.

Mixed brand tyres on a brand new car?

[ninjag]

Brand new as in latest 2016 model but being a courtesy car I've no idea on the miles done etc. I just assumed it would be the lack of Xdrive?

[AOK]

Will they be using the boot for a pet / dog etc by any chance?

If so, make sure you explain that they ONLY come with a hatchback style parcel shelf (not a roller blind cover). A client of mine was just about to buy one as it ticked every other box, but is now back to square one as not something she wants to compromise on.

[Steve_W]

As mentioned by other posters, discounts are readily available so no-one's going to pay the full £35,000.

Bought one in September from our local dealer, who had no quibble about matching Coast 2 Coast or Broadspeed's quotes.

My thread's here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Really ought to have come back to add a pic as requested but haven't taken any yet.

Oh, and re the dogs comment; that's one of the things ours is used for. Took the cage out of my 3 series touring and stuck it in the X1; just took the parcel shelf bits out and stuck them in the loft as we won't need them most of the time.

Currently wondering if it's worth paying £475 for the 5 years Service Inclusive package. We keep cars for a fair time so if that's a saving over the period it might be worth it.

[aeropilot]

Steve_W said:

Currently wondering if it's worth paying £475 for the 5 years Service Inclusive package. We keep cars for a fair time so if that's a saving over the period it might be worth it.

It will be a saving. On my experience, the initial SP cost on my 135i worked out about 20% of what it would have cost me in for the services in the first 5 years of ownership.
Its also a nice feeling just walking out the door with the keys each time during 5 years of ownership not paying any bills

[Steve_W]

aeropilot said:

It will be a saving. On my experience, the initial SP cost on my 135i worked out about 20% of what it would have cost me in for the services in the first 5 years of ownership.
Its also a nice feeling just walking out the door with the keys each time during 5 years of ownership not paying any bills

Thanks - might go for it then.

[DJMC]

Re: dogs.

Just take the rearmost load cover out and leave the front one of the two in. Our two haven't tried to get over the "overhang".

And get one of these: http://www.boot-buddy.com/bmw/x1-2015-present/delu...

Velcro's to boot floor carpet. Folds up out of way. Excellent!!