Anyone driving one of these? Thinking of getting one, have driven back to back with an equivalent 3 series and prefer the slightly roomier interior and less 'old school' feel to the X1 over the 3 series touring. Looking at around a 16/17 2.0 diesel.
The X1 has less load space, lower tier interior and will be less pleasant to drive than the 3.
My G/F bought the 1 Hatch over the X1 for similar reasons.
I guess if you prefer the look of the X1 that might justify it, but otherwise the Touring will be a much better bet (as any ‘normal’ car is over an SUV equivalent).
That’s an interesting view. My MIL has a ‘18 plate 1.8D Msport X1, whilst I drive a ‘17 plate 320d touring. Having used both I find mine more accommodating for practicality, and also better looking inside with the sportier seats and less “old” looking gear stick arrangement.
There are a few interior specs though so we may not be talking about the same thing.
The X1 has less load space, lower tier interior and will be less pleasant to drive than the 3.<br /><br />
Balderdash - I had a 2015 3 series estate and wife had a 2019 x1 2.0 petrol (pre change)
The x1 was the nicer car in many ways. Easier to get in and out of, more space inside than the 3 series and the load space was more useable. The interior was the same quality as 3 series, in fact ours was better built than the 3 series. The x1 is based on the 3 series platform not the 1 series
Driving wise the x1 gives much more visibility. The ride is slight more choppy (ours was an M-sport) and had torque steer if you wellied it but it went round pretty same well. Not a sports car, but ten a 3 series isn’t either
I would take a x1 any day.
the only drawback of both is that you do t get as much technology as you think you would.
Is that the one you can kill by driving through a puddle?
Is that the one you can kill by driving through a puddle?
yep it is 🙂 but the same puddle would have killed a 3 series and water got inside it
The X1 is based on the same platform as the Mini Countryman, not the 3 Series. But it is twice the car that the Mini is. Much roomier and more grown up in terms of styling and spec.
We have had a number of X1s and love them. They are definitely a lower build quality than the equivalent 3 Series. The giveaways are the screen size, the carpet quality and the greater coverage of lower quality ‘scratchy’ plastics whereas the 3 Series has more ‘squidgy’ stuff. The leather quality and driver displays are also not quite as nice.
Nevertheless, they are hardly poverty spec. The auto box is great. The X Drive versions are well worth the extra and do feel appreciably more confident on the road. We have had various engine sizes and the 2.0 and above are definitely worth the extra over the 1.6 and 1.8. The diesels are particularly efficient and run forever. The 2.0 BMW diesel of that era is really sweet.
The seating position is obviously higher than the 3 Series, but not full grown SUV high, but it is still quite a nice drive. The 3 Series cabin surrounds you more whereas the driving position in the X1 is a bit more van like but it feels spacious as a result.
The X1 is taller inside than the 3 Series Touring but the boot space is much smaller front to back and the whole car is narrower.
We have had X Line and M Sport and the X Line is appreciably more comfortable. The M Sport is typical BMW hard suspension and low profile tyres which make for a harsh ride whereas the X Line is nicer as a daily drive and generally available for slightly less because everybody seems to want an M Sport. Depending on how you intend to use it, the X Line also has more hardy exterior with lower level plastics instead of painted panels.
In terms of quality and maintenance, we have never had any issues and whilst it is subjective I think that the X1 is ageing better than the 3 Series.
We also had a 3 Series Touring and I would take the X1 over that, despite the fact that the 3 Series is probably objectively a better car that handles better through the bends.
The X1 is our ‘second car’, but since we got an EV it has been our go-to for longer journeys. We recently completed an 1800 mile round trip to the Alps fully loaded with skis on the roof and it was brilliant. Comfortable, quiet, fast, well equipped.
The only drawback of any X1 of the 2016/17 era these days is that whilst the I-Drive is excellent, it does lack Car Play and Android Auto compatibility and the Sat Nav is just not as good as Waze or one of the phone based systems. Depending on your perspective, another difference is that 3 Series generally have run flats and X1s don’t. We see this as a drawback but it’s a no choice thing.
I test drove an X1 and nearly bought one. The towball weight wasn’t really high enough for our needs. On reflection they are quite boring.
I've used the previous E84 model off-road, surprisingly competent in spring-summer quarry conditions and only popped a couple of fasteners out of the bumper because of the front overhang/low ride height on a slope transition, otherwise fine. It will ford water within limits too. The front overhang and ride height appear similar to the F48
The F48 went transverse engine, more biased to FWD than the previous model and uses a Haldex system, see if you can talk someone into an off-road demo 🙂
On paper the X1 has 10L more boot space than the 3 series touring and because its taller the interior feels bigger, the 3 series touring felt cramped to me by comparison on the test drive.
Slight hijack, but what's the consensus on the 2 series Grand Tourer (the bigger one, not the Active). Looking to change in a year, and it's something you can chuck a load in, and possibly sleep in overnight. Favourite is Peugeot Traveller, followed by a Rifter, but a Grand Tourer. Pretty cheap as no-one wants then but lots of nice spec, and good room for chucking in bikes, camping kit, SUP, swimming gear. Mainly just the two of us. Thinking the 2.0 diesels either M Sport or Luxury trim
2 series GT has a 'better' boot than an x1 SUV because it's an MPV, meaning a much lower (and I think larger) flat entry so you don't have to lift things up high / over a lip to get them in. Beware the SUV 'flat entry load bay' hype - it just means they've put a false floor on it and taken up a load of useable boot space to achieve the 'flat entry', which is also ~1ft higher than a normal car / MPV which is terrible UX if putting heavy things in!
X1 is a nice small suv, my dad has one and I'd say it's broadly comparable to a 3 series - a Bosche of a car if that makes sense. "Boring as hell and good enough" (like most competent cars these days). I'm not a fan of the tramlining of run flats (it's dire), but I get the peace of mind appeal for long distance european driving etc and I imagine like anything else: When one gets used to it, one stops noticing it. X1/2GT driving positions / road visibility (being able to 'see down the road') vs the 3 series - unless you're 'dynamic driver' that likes to lie down while driving - is nicer for all the obvious height / sitting upright reasons.
Edit actually I recall one still sitting quite low down in the X1, which imo is undesirable - half the point of an SUV is to be sat more upright / 'van like' for comfort. Go and test it vs an X3 or the 2GT.
I've just traded my 2018 BMW 20d X1 XLine XDrive in for a new 23d M Sport.
Had to change due to company car allowance rules otherwise I would still have it. Bought ex-demo with 5k miles & ran it to 115k miles. Was mint when I traded it. Absolutely loved it & miss it in many ways over the new one.
Averaged 44mpg, fast (never used Sport mode - didnt need too), very comfy, leather interior was like new, faultless really. 8 speed auto was slick & engine always ran low in the revs with loads of grunt.
I've a 3 series with the 2.0d engine - even with the xDrive, auto and me driving (someone who never worries about fuel economy), has averaged nearly 50mpg over the +60k miles I've done in it so far.
Dickie, did you have the standard leather seats or sports seats? One i drove had standard seats and they felt ok but have read its worth getting one with the sports seats as they are apparently significantly more comfortable.
Always get the sport seats, they have more adjustments and are more comfortable. Only reason to avoid the would be if you have slightly larger than average behind.
