Thoughts about trading '15 35i MSport for 2021 X1

[VacMiller]

For what it’s worth I searched for over a year for my relatively low miles (66k) Le Mans Blue on Tan 2015 M Sport XDrive 35i and had to drive 3.5 hours for it. I’m coming from an E36 M3 and an R56 MCS and I love this thing. Such a unique “crossover” I don’t think I’m going to get rid of mine for a long long time.

[mcdanielvzw]

I have a 2014 X1 35i, 2016 550i, and now a 2021 X3 M40i.

Go with an X3 (2020-21)! You still get the I6, AWD, hatch feel, and improved stock performance as if you tuned the X1. Gas mileage is fantastic so far, 23-25 MPG mixed use.

[ziazhp]

I had a '14 E85 35i that I sold for an N55 x5. I drove that for a few months then bought a 2018 x3 m40i which I drove for about one year. I am now back in an E85 35i and I am pleased. For the discerning enthusiast, unless you really need the extra cargo space, kids, etc the x1 is really quite good. Sure the exhaust farts and pops on the m40i but from a pure drivers car I enjoy the x1 much more and don't feel guilty if I'm harder on it.

[mcdanielvzw]

Originally Posted by ziazhp

I had a '14 *E84* 35i that I sold for an N55 x5. I drove that for a few months then bought a 2018 x3 m40i which I drove for about one year. I am now back in an *E84* 35i and I am pleased. For the discerning enthusiast, unless you really need the extra cargo space, kids, etc the x1 is really quite good. Sure the exhaust farts and pops on the m40i but from a pure drivers car I enjoy the x1 much more and don't feel guilty if I'm harder on it.

Not that you're wrong, but the E84 is just aged and getting pricey/harder to find some items to fix some things since it wasn't exactly popular in the first place. The revisions to the 2020-2021 X3 M40i vs 18-19 make it well worth the upgrade from the E84 X1. Think of driving a JB4 tuned X1 35i, but without the tune. I actually disabled the extra farts/burps (which are less anyway in the 2020-21) and disabled the ASD amp piping fake engine noise through the speakers.

There are lots of goodies (to name a few):
Android Auto FINALLY compatible
-Also newer idrive vs 18-19
Great handling
HUD
MPG is still great (20/27)
Paddle shifters are fun in an auto
Power bump vs 18-19 ('20 M40 385/365 vs '18 M40 355/369 vs E84 300/300)
Revised engine system vs 18-19 (timing chain simplification, HPFP fuel pump, others)

I made a graph of the cars I was looking at or have had, lol. See if it shows up correctly - I ended up pulling most of the specs from autoblog.com so I could at least get consistency. * means I own or have owned.

Year Model L W H Wheelbase HP TQ Gal Mpg Lbs Payload
9* 328 178.8 71.5 55.9 108.7 233 200 16.1 18/28 3362 1058
14* X1 35i 176.5 70.8 60.8 108.7 300 300 16.6 18/27 3891 904
16* 550I 193.4 73.2 57.6 116.9 445 480 18.5 17/25 4365 948
19 X3 M40i 186.1 74.7 66 112.8 355 369 17.7 20/27 4277 959
21* X3 M40i 185.4 74.4 66 112.8 385 365 17.7 21/27 4317 915
19 X4 M40i 187.4 76.3 63.8 112.8 355 365 17.2 20/27 4323 882
21 X4 M40i 187.4 76.3 63.8 112.8 382 365 17.2 21/27 4323 882

[cwickberg]

Originally Posted by ziazhp

I had a '14 E85 35i that I sold for an N55 x5. I drove that for a few months then bought a 2018 x3 m40i which I drove for about one year. I am now back in an E85 35i and I am pleased. For the discerning enthusiast, unless you really need the extra cargo space, kids, etc the x1 is really quite good. Sure the exhaust farts and pops on the m40i but from a pure drivers car I enjoy the x1 much more and don't feel guilty if I'm harder on it.

Agree. I have a '13 35iMsport i bought new. Even with 114k miles, wouldn't trade it for modern X3.

I like analog older school drives. Turning it into a track car

[sudermatt]

IMHO, the e84 35 MSport will be a classic.

I will not be getting ride of mine...ever....unless I absolutely have to.

Its the perfect blend of utility and driver for those of us on a bit of a budget.

This past weekend I ripped thru a canyon drive with my three dogs and wife, until the tarmac ended then drove the dirt until I reached my trailhead for a hike.

Just so versatile.

[wheela]

Originally Posted by sudermatt

IMHO, the e84 35 MSport will be a classic.

I will not be getting ride of mine...ever....unless I absolutely have to.

Its the perfect blend of utility and driver for those of us on a bit of a budget.

This past weekend I ripped thru a canyon drive with my three dogs and wife, until the tarmac ended then drove the dirt until I reached my trailhead for a hike.

Just so versatile.

I agree, I'm keeping my 35i m-sport as long as I possibly can. Our other car is a 2019 G01 X3 30i. Granted, the X3 is the luxury model (not m-sport), and less powerful, but I like driving my e84 way more. The X3 does have much smoother and quieter ride quality which is nice with the kids.

I haven't driven the x3 m40i, and I do like those. Plus the b58 is turning out to be a highly capable and well-supported platform for tuning - already better supported than e-chassis n55 I don't think you can go wrong with that choice, but you'll definately pay more than for a 35i e84.

[mcdanielvzw]

Originally Posted by wheela

I agree, I'm keeping my 35i m-sport as long as I possibly can. Our other car is a 2019 G01 X3 30i. Granted, the X3 is the luxury model (not m-sport), and less powerful, but I like driving my e84 way more. The X3 does have much smoother and quieter ride quality which is nice with the kids.

I haven't driven the x3 m40i, and I do like those. Plus the b58 is turning out to be a highly capable and well-supported platform for tuning - already better supported than e-chassis n55 I don't think you can go wrong with that choice, but you'll definately pay more than for a 35i e84.

Pricing is going down still on the M40i's, but there are deals to be had depending on your wants.

2019's can be had for as low as $32k with less than 50k miles
2020's can be for as low as $37k with less than 50k miles

For around $40-41k with negotiating you can find fully loaded 2021's with less than 30k miles (We just got the 2nd like this). Not shabby for a barely used $65k+ car.

[SharpAndCunning]

coming back to this thread.

The X3 M is very impressive. Although costly, sure, it's also a 3.0L which from the factory crank out 470hp. Even though the car is slightly bigger than the X1, it's a marked performance improvement, if you're looking for something similar to the X1 35i.

And you get some of the newer bells and whistles, like android play, etc.

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by ziazhp

I had a '14 E85 35i that I sold for an N55 x5. I drove that for a few months then bought a 2018 x3 m40i which I drove for about one year. I am now back in an E85 35i and I am pleased. For the discerning enthusiast, unless you really need the extra cargo space, kids, etc the x1 is really quite good. Sure the exhaust farts and pops on the m40i but from a pure drivers car I enjoy the x1 much more and don't feel guilty if I'm harder on it.

Why did you feel guilty about romping on the X3 M40i? It's got 75+ horses more than an E84, which I assume is what you meant by e85.