BMW X1 - Warning! Beige content...
Discussion
You get to a time in your life, getting on a bit, don't understand modern culture or why people spend their money on large flat telephones, so you have to settle into something comfy, dependable and off-cream in colour;
Something that matches the wardrobe full of 'leisure slacks' and elbow patches on a favourite cardigan;
Rear seat passengers - possible an aged spinster getting a lift to the bowls club - get more of the same;
From one's command position one can effortlessly select Classic FM and set the nav-thingy to find a local tea room -
For those who take an interest, it's a 23d with standard Xdrive, slush box (6 speed), SE trim but with sports seats (plus the pinstripe - very important that feature is...) and the 'performance pack' which you cannot see, cannot feel, but costs £100 to make it go better (?).
It also has the pro SatNav, sunroof, metallic bronze (JRG in dark tone) - about £6k in extras. Original cost £37,500.00 on the road in 2010.
Having looked at a few, the grey/black interiors really didn't light my fire, and externally most cars are now White, Black, Silver or Blue, so a browny beige confection is different. It also hides road dirt very well.
So far - 4 weeks in - it's done one tank at 42mpg+, another at 40mpg (lots of school runs) and when on a decent A road lacks nothing compared to the CX7 that preceded it (except the Bose sound system - that was v. nice). It has a smaller turning circle too, which allows me to swing into the drive in one turn. Bonus!
Still learning the SatNav system. Radio is good - the HDD nice to have. Bluetooth phone connection very handy. Not sure about voice commands - seems easier to dial it up (old school). Good ride and handling - I'm not looking to track it but the tyres (RF) seem to be round enough to cope.
Not looking forward to servicing due in June, but having joined the modern beemer bandwagon there has to be a price to pay...
Something that matches the wardrobe full of 'leisure slacks' and elbow patches on a favourite cardigan;
Rear seat passengers - possible an aged spinster getting a lift to the bowls club - get more of the same;
From one's command position one can effortlessly select Classic FM and set the nav-thingy to find a local tea room -
For those who take an interest, it's a 23d with standard Xdrive, slush box (6 speed), SE trim but with sports seats (plus the pinstripe - very important that feature is...) and the 'performance pack' which you cannot see, cannot feel, but costs £100 to make it go better (?).
It also has the pro SatNav, sunroof, metallic bronze (JRG in dark tone) - about £6k in extras. Original cost £37,500.00 on the road in 2010.
Having looked at a few, the grey/black interiors really didn't light my fire, and externally most cars are now White, Black, Silver or Blue, so a browny beige confection is different. It also hides road dirt very well.
So far - 4 weeks in - it's done one tank at 42mpg+, another at 40mpg (lots of school runs) and when on a decent A road lacks nothing compared to the CX7 that preceded it (except the Bose sound system - that was v. nice). It has a smaller turning circle too, which allows me to swing into the drive in one turn. Bonus!
Still learning the SatNav system. Radio is good - the HDD nice to have. Bluetooth phone connection very handy. Not sure about voice commands - seems easier to dial it up (old school). Good ride and handling - I'm not looking to track it but the tyres (RF) seem to be round enough to cope.
Not looking forward to servicing due in June, but having joined the modern beemer bandwagon there has to be a price to pay...
CypherP said:
I feel it is lacking in something. Tow bar and caravan perhaps?? 
Tartan blanket?I actually quite like the X1 and almost bought a very clean one for my wife a couple of months ago. I decided against it purely as it wasn't as quick as her current Octy vRS oil-burner wagon.
I did have a little chortle at your reference to "JRG". It's not really....
Rangeroverover said:
Sadly lacking the twin overhead kleenex boxes on the parcel shelf also missing the national trust sticker
That'll be for the dash cam so videos of maniacs on the road can be sent in to the Daily Mail...Best engine to have in an X1 though, as much as I don't like them. The brown and beige combo is also one I would choose.
Might have spoiled the party - just bought a bike carrier off t'Bay. X1 specific and £75 (possibly a bargain once I've sorted some leccy supply underneath).
Perhaps I can fit a wheelchair onto it (just to show willing)?
The cable for the camera has been a feature for the last 12 months of motoring - surprisingly I hardly notice it now. In the MR2 it has proved it's worth (after being reversed into) but here it merely captures the delights of everyday motoring in Britain.
Apparently this model is one of the last to have hydraulic steering, and harks back to my experience of the E39 with the cruise on a stalk, not the steering wheel. And there's the RWD thing - it does that too whereas the newer X1, X3 and X5 have become AWD only (according to the press).
But the best bit? On the heater (showing my age here) the a/c button has that cool icon - snowflake? - whereas the new model follows everybody else with 'a/c' on it. Clearly the beginning of the end...
Perhaps I can fit a wheelchair onto it (just to show willing)?
The cable for the camera has been a feature for the last 12 months of motoring - surprisingly I hardly notice it now. In the MR2 it has proved it's worth (after being reversed into) but here it merely captures the delights of everyday motoring in Britain.
Apparently this model is one of the last to have hydraulic steering, and harks back to my experience of the E39 with the cruise on a stalk, not the steering wheel. And there's the RWD thing - it does that too whereas the newer X1, X3 and X5 have become AWD only (according to the press).
But the best bit? On the heater (showing my age here) the a/c button has that cool icon - snowflake? - whereas the new model follows everybody else with 'a/c' on it. Clearly the beginning of the end...
Update.
Servicing - BMW menu for older cars, oil change and brake fluid plus general check £195 and the book stamped / computer interrogated.
Dozy plums forgot to reset the OBC and as soon as I started it, it 'donged' and told me the service was overdue. Technician summoned from the shop and he did that 'hold in one button for three secs' while perusing the menu (I could have done that and saved £195).
I'm assuming he really did change the fluids.
Later I changed the all important microfilter - four bolts and less than £20 for a large filter. Plenty of leaves under the old unit, but not inside. I say all important as the receptionist at the BMW emporium seemed very keen it should be done (for £45+).
Still have ample tread on the runflats, several 000 miles on the brake pads, and a general check (?) due in 2019.
The cycle carrier has been used once - a bit of a faff but very secure. Also fitted a child + bike in the back with 2/3 seat down. Win/win.
The sunroof is used on every journey.
Now up to 4000 miles of ownership and it's settled around 41mpg in general use, and with a motorway cruise it's over 50mpg.
The auto box and me have been learning each other - not tried the DS mode too much, but the paddles are good for engine braking. Overall the performance is very acceptable.
Servicing - BMW menu for older cars, oil change and brake fluid plus general check £195 and the book stamped / computer interrogated.
Dozy plums forgot to reset the OBC and as soon as I started it, it 'donged' and told me the service was overdue. Technician summoned from the shop and he did that 'hold in one button for three secs' while perusing the menu (I could have done that and saved £195).
I'm assuming he really did change the fluids.
Later I changed the all important microfilter - four bolts and less than £20 for a large filter. Plenty of leaves under the old unit, but not inside. I say all important as the receptionist at the BMW emporium seemed very keen it should be done (for £45+).
Still have ample tread on the runflats, several 000 miles on the brake pads, and a general check (?) due in 2019.
The cycle carrier has been used once - a bit of a faff but very secure. Also fitted a child + bike in the back with 2/3 seat down. Win/win.
The sunroof is used on every journey.
Now up to 4000 miles of ownership and it's settled around 41mpg in general use, and with a motorway cruise it's over 50mpg.
The auto box and me have been learning each other - not tried the DS mode too much, but the paddles are good for engine braking. Overall the performance is very acceptable.
Some of the comments in this thread are amazing!
Comedy of a very high degree.
OP: Nice colour choices IMHO, I like it.
Servicing can get hefty on these if you use BM stealerships. A mate has an '07 1-Series 120D........ replacement battery and PCD unit inc fitting, upwards of £400... ouch
Comedy of a very high degree.
OP: Nice colour choices IMHO, I like it.
Servicing can get hefty on these if you use BM stealerships. A mate has an '07 1-Series 120D........ replacement battery and PCD unit inc fitting, upwards of £400... ouch
barnstormer86 said:
Servicing can get hefty on these if you use BM stealerships. A mate has an '07 1-Series 120D........ replacement battery and PCD unit inc fitting, upwards of £400... ouch
Blame the start/stop mechanism, which necessitates an Absorbed Glass Mat battery. They're not cheap - around £150. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery#AGM_....
Nice car OP. Like the colour. Good choice getting the 23d engine!
Thanks for the kind words. I'm liking the colour scheme muchly.
No stop start on this - apparently not offered with the auto?
I've also taken out a BMW insured warranty - top tier care (apparently) with a £100 contribution and a cost of £58 per month. Seems reasonable given the complexity of the beast.
No stop start on this - apparently not offered with the auto?
I've also taken out a BMW insured warranty - top tier care (apparently) with a £100 contribution and a cost of £58 per month. Seems reasonable given the complexity of the beast.
Now tried the car properly - self catering holiday in South Of France.
610 miles going down via Rouen, the SatNav is very handy (although bereft of speed camera info as is BMW's wont on this) and it's a comfy enough ship (with four occupants).
Still hovering around 42mpg - even on the day-long autoroute cruise at 80. The aircon is operating as expected, everything works, it's a nice secondhand motor.
Got back to Blighty and there's canvass showing on the inside shoulder of the o/s tyre! Rest of tyre has a good 3mm+.
A quick google and 4 x Pirelli P7 runflat all season tyres coming over from Germany at £127 a pop. Tracking to follow.
I think 'hill hold' might be one of the things I like the most. Trouble is, I forget it's fitted as my regular commute doesn't need holding on hills. That and the sun roof.
610 miles going down via Rouen, the SatNav is very handy (although bereft of speed camera info as is BMW's wont on this) and it's a comfy enough ship (with four occupants).
Still hovering around 42mpg - even on the day-long autoroute cruise at 80. The aircon is operating as expected, everything works, it's a nice secondhand motor.
Got back to Blighty and there's canvass showing on the inside shoulder of the o/s tyre! Rest of tyre has a good 3mm+.
A quick google and 4 x Pirelli P7 runflat all season tyres coming over from Germany at £127 a pop. Tracking to follow.
I think 'hill hold' might be one of the things I like the most. Trouble is, I forget it's fitted as my regular commute doesn't need holding on hills. That and the sun roof.
The Don of Croy said:
Got back to Blighty and there's canvass showing on the inside shoulder of the o/s tyre! Rest of tyre has a good 3mm+.
A quick google and 4 x Pirelli P7 runflat all season tyres coming over from Germany at £127 a pop. Tracking to follow.
Why would you buy 4 x tyres to replace 1 ?A quick google and 4 x Pirelli P7 runflat all season tyres coming over from Germany at £127 a pop. Tracking to follow.
8000 miles probably left on 3mm tread
_Nathan_ said:
Why would you buy 4 x tyres to replace 1 ?
8000 miles probably left on 3mm tread
Well the 'book' tells me I need to swap all four, as do some blokes on the internet (there's another post on PH from some chap who got to southern France on 2 x new tyres with his awd kicking in at odd times).8000 miles probably left on 3mm tread
The flat tyre monitor will - by all accounts - throw a wobbly if you use different treads across an axle, either pattern or wear, leading to transmission issues and much 'bingery' from the obc.
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