Considering a Xdrive35i M-Sport -- thoughts?

[ZIPNBYE]

Anybody with thoughts / experience on the overall feel of the Xdrive35i, especially with the M-sport package?

My wife and I are looking at one to replace / upgrade her 2009 135i M-sport Coupe...a bit more utility since I sold my modded 2006 Volov V70R in exchange for my 2011 1M Coupe, and we actually miss AWD now since winter has dumped 20+cm of snow this past weekend.

One local dealer has a 2013 still on the lot with 715km on it, while the other dealer has the same in a 2014, with less than 15km on it. Am hoping that the 2013 model will be discounted some, but am looking for real-world feedback.

Thanks!

[Red Bread]

My wife made the switch from 135i to X1 35i and has been very satisfied. It drives very similarly and has added utility with few draw backs. You give up a little performance, as the X is heavier and the N55 is less impressive than the N54, but it's a small difference and we've been very happy with the X1.

[ZIPNBYE]

My biggie is being able to lug around four wheels/tires without having to either make two trips or use both cars on the same trip.

The wheels/tires on the 1M are huge.

And while either of our e82s can take rear passengers (and rarely do), it does add some complexity when we go somewhere with my parents or I have to take one / both of them somewhere. There's no getting in the back for them...they're too old. This was where my V70R was perfect, and while my parents have an XC70, then there's car swapping involved.

I know...first-world problems.

[Red Bread]

Ha, similar issues here. My 73 year old dad could get in the back of our 1er, but it was not easy to get in and out, and my 98 year old grandmother hated getting in and out of the front seat. The X1 is perfect for getting her in and out, it's right at the perfect height for her to be able to fall into the seat and be able to get out without much effort.

One neat feature of the X1 is that the rear seats can be locked at 90 degrees, making the rear area squared off, so carrying large objects that are still secured is much easier. On a related note though, I fit my M Coupe wheels in the 1er, but it would certainly have been easier in the X1.

[ZIPNBYE]

Sure, it's possible, but not fun, nor easy, per-se, to fit four wheels/tires in a e82. Certainly not four unmounted wheels and four unmounted tires though...as that's in my future, for by spring I'll have to mount up my race rubber to my second set of 359M wheels.

[Red Bread]

Haha, true. You'd need a roof or trailer rack for that. Just curious, but why not run 18's for the track? Rubber is cheaper, there are more choices and they'll clear the M3 brakes with no issues.

[zznalg]

Hi. I've got the Xdrive35i with the Sportline package (but not the M Sport). I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of the 1600 miles so far. It's a stealthy little beasty! Like a refined and under the radar muscle car. But on top of that, it's incredibly well-rounded. It's comfortable, luxurious and extremely well screwed together! The steering is great (as long as you get one with AWD since they have hydraulic steering). The power and the sound of the motor really are addictive. Sometimes I wonder if I'd prefer the M Sport. But in reality for me, for regular daily driver duties, my setup is great for me. I appreciate the ride quality. For any kind of track use or very aggressive driving, get the M. As is, this is a near perfect vehicle driven up to about 8/10ths.

[ZIPNBYE]

Well, we bought it today. We'll be picking it up on Thursday.

[greyguy]

congrats and enjoy. My wife has a 2010 328i cab and I much prefer the handling and feel of my Xdrive 35i M-sport. fwiw, the X1 dealer demo was in Valencia Orange - did you manage to snag a 2013 demo?

[ZIPNBYE]

Nope...relatively new and unused...just a bit left-over since the 2014s arrived early.

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

Well, we bought it today. We'll be picking it up on Thursday.

Congrats on getting it Especially since the 35is are an endangered species.

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

My biggie is being able to lug around four wheels/tires without having to either make two trips or use both cars on the same trip.

The wheels/tires on the 1M are huge.

Here's me taking in 5 of the 18" and 19" tires that were on my STS-V to be disposed of in the back of the X1. Plenty of room to haul with the seats down. (still had room for one more)

[cwickberg]

Originally Posted by CIWS

Congrats on getting it Especially since the 35is are an endangered species.

Why an endangered species? I like to think of it as unique and extraordinary!

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by cwickberg

Why an endangered species? I like to think of it as unique and extraordinary!

The next X1's (2016 yr mdl) will be built on a different platform, FWD or AWD and the 6 cyl version and RWD is going bye bye.


EDIT - http://www.carscoops.com/2013/09/sco...launts-is.html

[ZIPNBYE]

Originally Posted by CIWS

Congrats on getting it Especially since the 35is are an endangered species.

Here's me taking in 5 of the 18" and 19" tires that were on my STS-V to be disposed of in the back of the X1. Plenty of room to haul with the seats down. (still had room for one more)

Thanks...we know that we're going to like it.

Your shot of the tires is about what my 1M looks like as of today, with four 225-50-R17s stuffed in it.

[ZIPNBYE]

Today's delivery day...woohoo, though my wife's sad to see her 135i go, but I'm sure that she'll love her new X1.

[skylineguv]

You'll both enjoy it. I went from a 2011 E92 335i 6MT to my X1 35i M-Sport and actually prefer the vehicle. The wife still has her 2012 E92 335i 6AT and prefers my X1 too oddly enough.
Then when I lowered the X1 and went to town on the wheel fitment, we both love it even more. I understand lowering an SUV (or SAV) is counterintuitive to a lot of people, but it works for us.

[halfmoonclip]

CIWS, interesting about the next generation; were it available, I'd be interested now. In our part of the world, FWD or AWD is about mandatory; it's been nearly 40 years since I owned a rear wheel drive car.
Can't say a smaller, presumably more fuel efficient, and less expensive Bimmer sounds like a bad idea. Perhaps we'll let the X1 that we have on order become the 'trip' car and acquire one of the new front wheel drives once the teething issues are resolved.
They are to share a platform with the new Mini Cooper, so there are all sorts of interesting possibilities.
Moon

[ZIPNBYE]

BMW's not been able to solve the FWD teething pains on the Minis yet...well, perhaps that's a bit too specific...the Minis overall.

I'm much happier to have hung my hat on tried 'n tested tech that works.