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      05-23-2013, 04:19 PM   #1
Leo168
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sDrive28i or xDrive28i

Planning to buy X1 but need some insights whether to get sDrive28i or xDrive28i. Which is more fun to drive? Which has a better steering feel (I like the typical BMW hard steering feel)? I read sDrive is electric and xDrive is hydraulic. Snow or mileage definitely not an issue.

Thanks.
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      05-23-2013, 05:06 PM   #2
aramosc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo168
Planning to buy X1 but need some insights whether to get sDrive28i or xDrive28i. Which is more fun to drive? Which has a better steering feel (I like the typical BMW hard steering feel)? I read sDrive is electric and xDrive is hydraulic. Snow or mileage definitely not an issue.

Thanks.
Where do you live?
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      05-23-2013, 05:11 PM   #3
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I think it comes down to whether you value a lighter, simpler car or one with better steering feel?
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      05-23-2013, 05:13 PM   #4
Leo168
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Better steering...x or s?
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      05-23-2013, 05:32 PM   #5
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x - hydraulic steering assist (heavier but better feedback)

s - electric steering rack (light feel and numb compared to hydraulic).
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      05-23-2013, 09:10 PM   #6
Lucky13
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I have to disagree with your assessment. I own a 2007 335i with hydraulic and a 2013 X1 s drive and although it is electric it is not bad by any imagination. Yes it may give slightly less feedback but it doesn't feel light. I had zero need for all wheel drive living in SC and have owned 2 X3's and an X5 and never used the all wheel drive. Unless you plan on going on trails it just adds weight so it will not handle as sharp. Take your pick, slightly more steering feel or heavier with slightly worse handling and braking.
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      05-23-2013, 11:15 PM   #7
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Best of both worlds.

M Sport xDrive

Best steering feel with an 80% to rear wheels bias.
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      05-23-2013, 11:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I have to disagree with your assessment. I own a 2007 335i with hydraulic and a 2013 X1 s drive and although it is electric it is not bad by any imagination. Yes it may give slightly less feedback but it doesn't feel light.
Feedback is more than resistance. It's also whether the wheel fights back, and whether you feel the road conditions through sideways vibrations. This can be both a boon and detrimental. If you drive on cobblestone roads, deep ruts or pass cattle gates, hydraulic assisted or straight rack-and-pinion isn't all that fun, as the steering wheel will have a mind of its own. But if you drive on a diamond ground road or a steel mesh bridge, you likely will appreciate having feedback.

There's also added inertia with the electric system, but unless you jerk the steering wheel rather quickly back and forth, it probably isn't very noticeable.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I had zero need for all wheel drive living in SC and have owned 2 X3's and an X5 and never used the all wheel drive.
Considering that the AWD is always on, unless you modded the car, you most certainly used it. Every time you drove.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
Unless you plan on going on trails it just adds weight so it will not handle as sharp.
Yes, and no. AWD also helps prevent oversteering, and for the M-Sport models, Dynamic Performance Control allows for individual speed control of all four wheels, giving you a slight steering advantage that the RWD doesn't have. But if you are in full control, there's no doubt that RWD gives a snappier steering.
I love RWD, but BMWs AWD in the X1 delivers more power to the rear than the front and makes it feel much more like RWD than your typical front-wheel biased AWD car.
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      05-24-2013, 11:46 AM   #9
Lucky13
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By saying I never used all wheel drive I meant no off roading, no towing, no driving in snow and probably not even on a dirt road unless by accident so again no real need. Apparently BMW agrees that all wheel drive isn't better for handling as they flatly reject adding it to the M3, M4, M5 and M6 due to weight and handling issues.
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      05-25-2013, 04:55 PM   #10
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Thanks for all the input. I went to the dealership and drove both the versions back to back and although the electric steering is softer than the hydraulic, it is not as much as the new 328i. I drove the 328i and thats where my concern started. I decided to go with the sDrive28i and getting the delivery in a week.
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      05-25-2013, 06:16 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo168 View Post
Thanks for all the input. I went to the dealership and drove both the versions back to back and although the electric steering is softer than the hydraulic, it is not as much as the new 328i. I drove the 328i and thats where my concern started. I decided to go with the sDrive28i and getting the delivery in a week.
Congratulations. You're getting a car that's going to be very fun to drive.
With that quick a delivery time, did you get one that was preconfigured, prebuilt and at a dealer's? Normally, it takes 6-12 weeks to get it built and delivered.
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      05-25-2013, 07:13 PM   #12
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I got lucky, the build I wanted was enroute from brunswick to some dealership. My dealership is going to have it shipped to them. Thats why the quick delivery time.

Its a sDrive28 Sport line, black sapphire/coral red/grey piping, ultimate pkg, lighting pkg, heated seats. Not the first choice of ext. color but everything else as I wanted.
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      05-25-2013, 07:28 PM   #13
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Black sapphire is gorgeous! You'll love it.
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      05-26-2013, 08:08 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo168 View Post
I got lucky, the build I wanted was enroute from brunswick to some dealership. My dealership is going to have it shipped to them. Thats why the quick delivery time.

Its a sDrive28 Sport line, black sapphire/coral red/grey piping, ultimate pkg, lighting pkg, heated seats. Not the first choice of ext. color but everything else as I wanted.

Sounds excellent congrats ! Any plans to do performance mods or going to leave stock ?
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      05-26-2013, 12:55 PM   #15
Lucky13
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Can't go wrong with black exterior and red interior. Had that on an M3 and its was stunning, congrats.
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      05-27-2013, 11:44 AM   #16
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S Drive with Servotronic is very nice. That's what I have and I have no complaints. I know it is just a reprogram of the electronic steering, but I think it is very good.
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      05-27-2013, 02:26 PM   #17
Leo168
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CIWS View Post
Sounds excellent congrats ! Any plans to do performance mods or going to leave stock ?
Will leave stock for now. Once I get to know the car, then will think about performance upgrades.
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