BMW M Sport

[ham]

I usually pick which car we drive but this time I agreed to let the good lady choose our next car purchase. She picked a 2019 BMW X1 1.5 litre M Sport with auto box and 1500 miles on the clock.

I'm thinking, not too sure about this but, after taking it out for a spin I have to admit, I quite like this car. As anyone else on the forum got one and if so how do you find yours?

[schmalex]

A 1.5 auto that is taller and ungainlier than the car it’s based on. With added crashy suspension.

Sounds delightful.

Please don’t say it’s an S Drive as well...

[Turn7]

Is it not cheaper to buy the bog stock X1 and pick up a ///M from the bay ?

Car will probably drive nicer for it as well.

[g3org3y]

ham said:

I agreed to let the good lady choose our next car purchase.

ham said:

She picked a 2019 BMW X1 1.5 litre M Sport with auto box

[MrGTI6]

A three-cylinder FWD crossover with a dual-clutch auto 'box? Even I'd turn my nose up at that, and that's coming from someone who chooses to drive around in a leggy old Peugeot.

Glad you like the car though. Some people enjoy fishing too, and I can't comprehend that either.

[TheDrBrian]

Turn7 said:

Is it not cheaper to buy the bog stock X1 and pick up a ///M from the bay ?

Car will probably drive nicer for it as well.

Nah this one has the proper enamel M badge.

[sonnenschein3000]

I had a X1 service loaner for a couple of days, it was surprisingly good. I can't remember the engine size exactly now but it was around the 1.6 litre mark if I remember correctly, could have been the 1.5, not sure.

There definitely are better cars out there though.

[RobM77]

schmalex said:

A 1.5 auto that is taller and ungainlier than the car it’s based on. With added crashy suspension.

Sounds delightful.

Please don’t say it’s an S Drive as well...

I can't speak for the X cars, but for the 1, 3 and 5 series, the days of "crashy suspension" from M Sport have now passed. Both SE and M Sport have softened in recent years, to the point where I feel SE is a soggy mess and M Sport is about right. That's not to say M Sport is perfect for our British roads - I prefer Birds for that - but the recent M Sport cars I've tried and owned have not been crashy. If you want it a little softer there's always non-RFTs.

[doc261]

sonnenschein3000 said:

I had a X1 service loaner for a couple of days, it was surprisingly good. I can't remember the engine size exactly now but it was around the 1.6 litre mark if I remember correctly, could have been the 1.5, not sure.

There definitely are better cars out there though.

My wife is quite keen on an x1 what better cars should I be steering her to

[Smuler]

The new 3 series touting ?
Much better drive and still practical.

I did 44k miles in a 20d X1 M Sport , and there’s a lot of positives but the old 3 series (I now have a 340i) is better, new one moves the game on further.

[RobM77]

doc261 said:

sonnenschein3000 said:

I had a X1 service loaner for a couple of days, it was surprisingly good. I can't remember the engine size exactly now but it was around the 1.6 litre mark if I remember correctly, could have been the 1.5, not sure.

There definitely are better cars out there though.

My wife is quite keen on an x1 what better cars should I be steering her to

The usual SUV things apply: the equivalent car (in this case the 1 series), is lower, so will stop, go, ride and handle better. Put mass up high and it becomes harder to control - imagine balancing a broom on your hand head down or head up. If you value those things more than a high driving position and ground clearance, go for the SUV; if not, then go for the car. The issue is further complicated by newer models than the existing X1 being available, such as the new 3 series.

[doc261]

Smuler said:

The new 3 series touting ?
Much better drive and still practical.

I did 44k miles in a 20d X1 M Sport , and there’s a lot of positives but the old 3 series (I now have a 340i) is better, new one moves the game on further.

Thanks will have a look, she’s not really a “keen” driver but I will have to drive it sometimes so that’s food for thought.