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      11-26-2012, 03:34 PM   #1
FOACAD
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Any non-bias X1 owners care to chime in?

Ok, so im currently contemplating my (my wife's) next vehicle.

I currently have a fully loaded 135i and my wife and I both like everything we have seen with the X1. She also has a few other vehicles that she really likes.

Need as much of a non-biased opinion as I can get, or expect, from the X1 community, lol.

The choices really are down to:

X1 - Can get a fully loaded xdrive28i for 41k or fully loaded xdrive35i for 44k

Mercedes ML350 - SHOULD be able to get a slightly used 2011, with all the options we want, in the mid to low 40s in March to April when we are planning to buy.

Mercedes GLK350 - Can get a nicely optioned 2013 for mid to low 40s.


We are staying under 45k with this purchase and plan to put 10k down. We love everything about our 1er and that is really pushing us towards the X1, however she absolutely loved the ML that she drove and im pretty sure it moved to the top of her list with the X1 second and the GLK third.

Things I like about the ML are the fact that it comes with a tow package, im not even sure the X1 can have one equipped can it? Also we like that it is bigger than the X1 and like the styling and interior as much as the X1.

Sooo with all that said....
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      11-26-2012, 03:42 PM   #2
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My wife had a 2008 135i and we went to buy an F30 to replace it. It didn't work out, she felt like it was too big and too soft, so we started out looking at the X1 and X3, but of course she also felt the X3 was too big. To be honest, from my perspective, the X1 feels like the 135i in nearly every driving manner, but with the more neutral handling of the E90. No surprise there.

I worked in Frankfurt for too long to think of Mercedes as anything but taxis, even though my dad's driven different ones for the last few decades. We considered "the hat" as my wife refers to the GLK, but it felt even older than the X1 and just didn't feel special. The ML is certainly nice, but the new one is so much better done than the used one you're considering, that would be a hard pill to swallow.

Of course from reading your post, it sounds like you're the opposite of us, looking for something bigger, rather than smaller, and perhaps more luxurious rather than relatively spartan. The X1 fit our needs perfectly, but I think it might not be the same fit for you. Be sure to test drive both the 28i and 35i, we were convinced that the 28i would be better because of the newer transmission and great write ups, but we ended up prefering the 35i for the sound, larger brakes and small price differential.
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      11-26-2012, 04:40 PM   #3
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Not knowing the ML350, I'd say that I'd think the 28i is the most sensible car, with good mileage, decent space yet not sluggish. The 35i is the most fun car, but you pay the price difference twice - once upfront, and again at the pump. The GLK350 seems the most luxurious of the three, but being European myself, Merc = Taxi for me too.
There are other options, including Audi Q3, Mazda CX-7, Infiniti FX and Acura RDX. The Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Evoque are probably going to be slightly more than your budget.

I'd say take the contenders for a test drive. What's a good car for one person won't be for another. I love hard suspension and mostly rear wheel drive, but I am not representative, and I would not recommend an X1 35i M-Sport to most people.
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      11-26-2012, 05:42 PM   #4
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Don't forget about the BMW no-cost maintenance. TCO on Mercedes is higher.

I would choose X3 over X1 in your case.
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      11-26-2012, 05:46 PM   #5
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I'm a little suprised that the X3 wasn't on the list since it more closely competes with the two Mercedes. Your obviously not going to get unbiased suggestions on a BMW site but I don't see those two Mercedes getting the same kind of good reviews I see on the X3 and I get almost all the car magazines. For me the X3 was too big so we went with the X1 but I can't imagine not considering it against the two Mercedes. I see locally good discounts on them so you could hit under $45. Having owned 3 M3's I find the X1 28 plenty powerful enough, it's lighter so it handles better with better fuel economy. I have nothing against Mercedes but they won't handle anywhere near as well as the X1.
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      11-26-2012, 08:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
For me the X3 was too big so we went with the X1
That's funny, because for me, the X3 was too small so I went with the X1.

Too small in the driver area depth, that is - with my long legs and slouching, my knees would hit the bigger dashboard in the X3 even with the seat all the way back, but in the X1 there were no such problems.
It seems more driver oriented, and less passenger/cargo oriented. But it's big enough to transport my coffee mug to work, and my skis or fishing poles for when I don't work. Having no kids makes the choice easier
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      11-26-2012, 08:49 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grovsnus View Post
That's funny, because for me, the X3 was too small so I went with the X1.

Too small in the driver area depth, that is - with my long legs and slouching, my knees would hit the bigger dashboard in the X3 even with the seat all the way back, but in the X1 there were no such problems.
Very interesting, I would have never guessed this.
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      11-26-2012, 09:06 PM   #8
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Hey man,

My wife loves the 1 series but no AWD on it, tried X3, nope, too big.
Tried the new Range Rover Evoque, cute but X1 beats him hands down in everything including handling. Audi, we both don't like.
Bought X1 because she likes the lenght, it's AWD, it's cute and has a beautiful interior. Matched with a full options and we have a dream car.
Now, I can barely drive it, she is nuts about it.
We have a 28i, plenty of power for this car, is fast and good in gas.
Both love the car too much. It is just perfect!
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      11-27-2012, 02:20 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I'm a little suprised that the X3 wasn't on the list since it more closely competes with the two Mercedes. Your obviously not going to get unbiased suggestions on a BMW site but I don't see those two Mercedes getting the same kind of good reviews I see on the X3 and I get almost all the car magazines. For me the X3 was too big so we went with the X1 but I can't imagine not considering it against the two Mercedes. I see locally good discounts on them so you could hit under $45. Having owned 3 M3's I find the X1 28 plenty powerful enough, it's lighter so it handles better with better fuel economy. I have nothing against Mercedes but they won't handle anywhere near as well as the X1.
Main reason the X3 isnt listed is price with options. We cant get an X3 optioned out how we want it for under 45k. If we get a BMW it will be a new order so that we can again take advantage of the overseas military plan like we did with the 1er.

The ML is pretty much the only other option right now, and that is only if we can get the refreshed model (pretty sure thats the 11, but might be the 12) within our price range with the options we want.

As for the Euro people saying Merc = Taxi, I tend to agree after living in Germany for the last 3 years. Although I cant recall ever seeing an ML taxi.


Other vehicles we have looked into:

Ford Escape and Explorer Sport
Acura RDX
Cadillac SRX
RR Evoque

Out of those plus the X1 and ML, the X1 and ML are at the top.

If we get the X1 the big decision will be on the 28 vs the 35. We both really really like the N55 in our 135i, so both of us are actually leaning that direction, but ive also seen a lot of good things about the 28i with the 8 speed auto.


Still havnt been able to find out if the X1 can have a tow kit put on it though. Really would like for this next vehicle to be able to tow if we need it too, nothing big, but a small trailer or a pair of waverunners or something.
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      11-27-2012, 12:21 PM   #10
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They have tow kits in Europe and in fact there was a picture yesterday on one of these threads showing a hitch on an X1. I'd like to be able to get one for some light towing as well. We will probably see some available in the spring when enough X1's have been sold to make it worth developing them for the US.
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