BMW X1 18d 4x4 with cloth and no sat nav - good idea?

[Suffolk911]

Hi,

My wife is thinking about getting a new X1. The only one the dealer has in stock with a manual gearbox is a 18d model (143bhp, so not too bad) with 4 wheel drive and cloth and no sat-nav. Personally we're fine with this spec, but does anyone have any view on whether it will be difficult to sell? usually I would always get leather and satnav, but this is a pretty basic (and cheaper) model and so I'm thinking that resale should not be a problem. Also what is the reliability of the BMW 2 litre diesels (such as the 18d) like - I know there were some problems a few years ago with plenty of engines literally blowing up ...

Thanks

Suffolk

[rassi]

Have you been in one of these? Absolutely shocking interior quality and very expensive for what it is, IMHO.

Would choose a 1 series or 3 series Touring as much superior cars.

[V8A*ndy]

To be fair these cars seem very well screwed together...... I actually like them.

You should get a good deal on this car. No leather, no nav and in stock. Play them at their own game. Haggle.

Have you tried another dealer. You will be amazed at how much a BMW dealer can reduce the price.

People get all hung up about Sat nav and that you will get hammered at resale. To be honest for me it's not worth the extra.

Cloth seats are fine because the BMW leather these days is crap. If you had leather it would seem you would have to spec heated seats as apparently this is an area you would get knocked down at resale.

[greygoose]

I wouldn't pay extra for the sat nav as I think it is far too expensive.

[Thorny]

You can always get someone to retrim it in leather very easily and which won't be too expensive.

[Gunk]

rassi said:

Have you been in one of these? Absolutely shocking interior quality and very expensive for what it is, IMHO.

Would choose a 1 series or 3 series Touring as much superior cars.

I agree a 320d touring would be a better option

[excel monkey]

Gunk said:

rassi said:

Have you been in one of these? Absolutely shocking interior quality and very expensive for what it is, IMHO.

Would choose a 1 series or 3 series Touring as much superior cars.

I agree a 320d touring would be a better option

Is the interior really so different to a 1 or 3 series?

10-plate X1s start at around £20k at BMW dealers. An equivalent 318d SE touring or 320d SE touring without any options would be £1-2k more expensive.

Despite the chat on some of the forums, plenty of people are happy to drive a BMW without leather or satnav or xenons or massive wheels.

[Gunk]

I am happy to drive a BMW with cloth, 16" wheels and a manual box but my point was that the E91 touring is just a much better car, unless 4WD is essential, I would always pick the 3 series

[excel monkey]

Gunk said:

I am happy to drive a BMW with cloth, 16" wheels and a manual box but my point was that the E91 touring is just a much better car, unless 4WD is essential, I would always pick the 3 series

I don't disagree the E91 is better if you don't need the 4WD or extra ground clearance. But it is more expensive if you compare like with like (age/spec/mileage).

I can see why the X1 appeals as a cheaper alternative.

[CraigVmax]

forget how they drive or what they're like... have you seen them???



and I have a Cayenne, I know ugly!!

[gizlaroc]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Because some people would rather trade gadgets for a more enjoyable drive.

I took a Ford Kuga out as I love the design, and was offered one on a cheap contract hire for 18 months, but it was so boring, I didn't think it would matter on that sort of car but it still does.


I love the X1, it is different, in this sea of boring cars that all look the same nice to see something that doesn't look like every other car out there.

[gizlaroc]

Gunk said:

I am happy to drive a BMW with cloth, 16" wheels and a manual box but my point was that the E91 touring is just a much better car, unless 4WD is essential, I would always pick the 3 series

In what way?

The X1 feels more like an E91 with a raised drive height than it does a 1 series.
I have owned 2 1 series and two E91s and the X1 is a blinder but depends what you want from a car. You could argue that if the X1 is not sporty enough then why go E91? Just go for a 1 series that has it beat hands down on fun factor and is hardly any less practical.

[Zod]

I find the front of the X1 scarily ugly, but it's not a bad car and it is selling very well in Switzerland from observations last weekend.

One thing I just don't get is this country's obsession with leather in all cars. I had a 320d xDrive Toruing as a hire car in Switzerland last weekend. It had a fantastic interior with seats trimmed in a mix of alcantara and attractive birdseye cloth. It looked and felt great.

[Targarama]

gizlaroc said:

Because some people would rather trade gadgets for a more enjoyable drive.

I took a Ford Kuga out as I love the design, and was offered one on a cheap contract hire for 18 months, but it was so boring, I didn't think it would matter on that sort of car but it still does.


I love the X1, it is different, in this sea of boring cars that all look the same nice to see something that doesn't look like every other car out there.

So buy a Nissan Juke then :-)

I'm sure you'll enjoy the X1. I wouldn't care about leather and 'nav either, but remember you're saving £3k by now getting it. If you price your car accordingly at resale (and don't pretend its worth the same as cars with these options) then I can't see why it would be hard to move.

[Gunk]

gizlaroc said:

In what way?

Because its just so fricking ugly

[dick_dastardly71]

Gunk said:

Because its just so fricking ugly

Mrs DD bought herself an X1 xDrive 20d earlier in the year. Having had numerous beemers over recent years, the X1 (on 17" non RFTs) rides FAR better than any of them - including my current X5. It's screwed together better too (or maybe that's just because it has a decent ride and the interior isn't being shaken to death).

It's got as much space as a previous E91 we had, it works in the snow, it rides better, and is therefore proving to be a better daily runaround. The only thing I can fault it on is the overly heavy steering at low speed.

[BOR]

I'm surprised you say that. I tried one and found the ride ok whilst I was driving, but from the rear seats, really really bad.

Apart from that, and it may have been a one off problem, quite desirable. Felt more like an X3, which shocked me somewhat.

[gizlaroc]

Gunk said:

Because its just so fricking ugly

OK, so you just don't like the design, that is a bit different to "...my point was that the E91 touring is just a much better car, unless 4WD is essential, I would always pick the 3 series"

[Zod]

gizlaroc said:

OK, so you just don't like the design, that is a bit different to "...my point was that the E91 touring is just a much better car, unless 4WD is essential, I would always pick the 3 series"

The hire car I had in Switzerland last week was a 320d Touring xDrive, so you can (not in the UK) have the best of both worlds.