Anyone else just hate the new X1

[Killerfish2012]

I drove one before buying my '13 E84. Too much power to the front wheels, so it felt like driving my old A6 audi quattro. The dashboard was weird and too busy, the shift knob looks odd, the seats were awful and uncomfortable. They just took a mini cooper, dropped a new body, and rebadged it. Terrible.

[Carlin/14/E84]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Terrible.

My feelings exactly...C'mon! front wheel drive?

[bucketfoot]

I had one of the new X1s as a loaner a little while back and I can see things two ways.

To start my E84 X1 is my first BMW, before that I had been driving FWD cars since around 1995. Having had my X1 for 1 1/2 years now I can absolutely say I strongly prefer it over the new X1. However, had I never owned my current X1 I have no doubt I would have been perfectly happy with the F48, as every other car I was looking at back then was a FWD biased AWD.

[Alfisti]

White women prefer it.

'nuff said.

[FunkyTang]

If you get the xDrive it's good but those front seats have to go. I love my E84 sports seats since they are the same as my old E90 seats.

[KWX1]

Drove one last week. That is not a BMW, or maybe it is the BMW of the future . Definitely not the BMW I know.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by FunkyTang

If you get the xDrive it's good but those front seats have to go..

+1

I didn't mind the F48 that much overall, but the base seats are AWFUL

[12 Handicap]

I have one now as a loaner, no thank you.

[SharpAndCunning]

I had one as a loaner, 2x. Once for 2 days, once for 3.

I don't notice too much power to the front wheels, but I'm also coming from a 35i where at WOT there is torque stear.

I thought the transmission was infinitely better than that on in my 2014, and the car was certainly much more refined. But didn't have the grunt. It was almost enough, but a couple of times at 45-50 when I hit it, it had just a little bit too much lag, and not enough zip. Not for the pricetag.

I'll keep my x135i until I break down and get the Jag suv.

[Gamb1t]

Exterior wise the F48 is more SUV-ish while the E84 has a raised wagon profile. Looks is subjective whether you prefer the SUV look or wagon look. I prefer the latter. However the front end and back end of the F48 is more visually exciting.

Interior wise F48 didn't get me excited at all. That skyscraper of a shifter is just too phallic-like. A real departure from many BMWs. Maybe FWD models sport this tall mast. I must admit that the trunk space is more useful.

Driving. If I want a FWD-based SUV, I'd get a CX5.

That said, the F48 is a highly successful model in BMW's stable. This clearly shows its buyers just don't care about the classic BMW dynamics. You got roundel and kidney grill.... sign me up.

[bucketfoot]

The X1 is an entry level BMW. So buyers of it will not give a rats @$$ that it is FWD based. FWD has been the dominant drivetrain for years now and I would guess that over of 90% of the non-pickup truck driving population of the US have never driven a RWD car. So this really does nothing to impact its popularity.

Bottom line is that this car isn't meant for all of you who have owned BMWs in the past. It's meant to pull new people into buying a BMW and they don't care in the slightest about it being FWD based!

But I still MUCH prefer my E84

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

I drove one before buying my '13 E84. Too much power to the front wheels, so it felt like driving my old A6 audi quattro. The dashboard was weird and too busy, the shift knob looks odd, the seats were awful and uncomfortable. They just took a mini cooper, dropped a new body, and rebadged it. Terrible.

The F48 was on the floor last February when I picked up my 13 M sport used.

I didn't test drive the F48 as I wanted RWD.
I've never been a big fan of AWD and don't live in an area where AWD is needed

The new model looks like it will appeal to more buyers from a looks perspective but I am much more concerned about the driving dynamics.


Thanks for the data points on the new model

[BEM-S4]

It's a piece of crap. Well maybe not compared to most stuff out there but compared to the old one it's absolute shit.

Lucky for me I'm thinking about an X1 for GF's next car and found a dealer with a new leftover 2015 with the big engine.

[nicknaz]

That said, the F48 is a highly successful model in BMW's stable. This clearly shows its buyers just don't care about the classic BMW dynamics. You got roundel and kidney grill.... sign me up.

Haha, same thing with GLA250 and CLA250!

That said, at lease MB stepped up to the plate and gave us the GLA45.

I would be a lot more ok with F48 if there is an X1M version with 375hp, front and rear LSD, crazy exhaust note and hot hatch handling.

or hopefully there will be a powerful all electric BMW SUV also

EDIT: added the quote marks correctly around Gamb1t's text

[Vidgamer]

I test-drove a CLA250 and a C300. They were nice cars, but hard for me to get too excited about them particularly for the prices. I liked the GLA 250 styling, but couldn't find a slightly-used one at a decent price, else I may have pursued that harder.

I don't need 375hp, but want it to be fun to drive with good handling at least.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

That said, the F48 is a highly successful model in BMW's stable. This clearly shows its buyers just don't care about the classic BMW dynamics. You got roundel and kidney grill.... sign me up.

Actually that is the case for most BMW buyers. For the most part it is people on forums like this that care about things like classic BMW dynamics. For the rest it's just a nicer, better performing, more exclusive car than a Honda or Toyota.

Like it or not, that is the reality of the typical BMW buyer and the new X1 fits the bill perfectly.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

Actually that is the case for most BMW buyers. For the most part it is people on forums like this that care about things like classic BMW dynamics. For the rest it's just a nicer, better performing, more exclusive car than a Honda or Toyota.

Like it or not, that is the reality of the typical BMW buyer and the new X1 fits the bill perfectly.

It is too bad, because the brand is going to get diluted in a huge way. Not everyone's first impression of BMW will be in an M car, and pretty soon "ultimate driving machine" will be a joke (just like how cadillac's "standard of the world" became a joke they are still trying to recover from)

[MiniMike20]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

It is too bad, because the brand is going to get diluted in a huge way. Not everyone's first impression of BMW will be in an M car, and pretty soon "ultimate driving machine" will be a joke (just like how cadillac's "standard of the world" became a joke they are still trying to recover from)

The whole front wheel drive concept just seems greedy - They just updated the MINI Countryman which is 90% a BMW these days and its excellent, they even run the same motorplan here.

Why not leave the FWD market to MINI and let the X1 be? I dont hate the new car. I think the ergonomics and interior are a step up but the exterior is decidedly bland.

[Njerts]

I had the new X1 on a few occasions as a loaner.
The front wheel bias x-drive is a non issue for most people. Almost everyone owned a front wheel drive at one point in their lives. You adapt, and move on.

The only issue for me was the awful gear lever and uncomfortable seats. I had the sport seats. It is impossible for me to look past that.

I thought the engine and the new 8 speed transmission was a perfect match, responsive and no lag and sport mode was more than just sticking in a gear longer.

I think they will sell a lot of them. It is definitely better than most small SUV's

[jbE84]

agree with the new shifter, reminds me of an old corolla I had while in college :

weird though the 2017 320i Xdrive still has the fancy electronic shifter, seems the F48 is moving back in time.

Gotta admit those led headlight looks awesome, am getting the LUX for my DRL

[Njerts]

They switched to the Aisin designed transmission for the traverse mounted engines. I thought it was on par with the ZF 8 speed used with the N20 X1.
The LED headlights were really nice, I drove it at night.

[jas_]

had a loaner the other day.
to me it felt like a very nicely appointed rav-4
not a “bad” car in any way, just didn’t feel like a bmw.
tbh, if i hadn’t been in a newer f model before i wouldn’t have even recognized it as a bmw without the badges.