E84 shopper questions

[jhm5]

Have I got this right?
The 35 has the older tech 6 speed automatic and the 28 has the more current 8 speed?
The 35 has servotronic, which is the electric boost power steering, not the traditional hydraulic boost?
If I have this right, I may stick to my search for the E91 6 speed manual sport.

Thanks.

[Gamb1t]

I thought servotronic is an option in all X1s.

Good luck finding a 6MT E91 in good nick and low mileage. If you don't mind the older (& slower reacting)6AT of the 35i, it is certainly worth it. More reliable than the N54 found in some e90s.

[Scratchboat]

If I'm not mistaken, ALL of the xDrive variants of the E84 X1 sold in North America have hydraulic power steering, not electric driven power assist; something about the newer, electric system not "fitting" in the older E84 chassis when equipped with all-wheel drive.

BMW uses the "Servotronic" label to characterize power steering that changes effort level based on the speed of the vehicle - hoping to provide more steering "feel" at speed, and reduced steering effort at very low speeds for ease of parking. This feature has been offered on both hydraulic and electric assisted steering racks - most of the complaints are related to the electric-assisted variant.

BMW offered - or maybe even made standard - the hydraulic-based Servotronic steering on the 2013-2015 E84 X1 in the US, and yet it is still considered one of the last "old school" BMWs available here. Read this Car and Driver review for more detail.

I'm thrilled with steering feel of 2015 x1 xDrive35i - wouldn't change a thing ... except I do wish BMW offered steering wheel heating on the M Sport wheel!

PS - The only transmission offered on the xDrive35i variant in the US was indeed the 6-speed ZF 6HP19TU (aka 6HP21) automatic. It's actually a good transmission as far as automatics go, albeit maybe not as nice as the 8-speed 8HP offered on the xDrive28i. That said, there is a side benefit - no Start/Stop shenanigans with 6-speed! And there are "free" flash options (I use the Alpina transmission flash) as well as the pay-for-it xHP flash tool that support the 6HP in the xDrive35i to tailor it to your preferred driving style.

[bassrebel]

I love the power steering feel on my 3.5... I think that the electronic PS just doesn't feel real... it doesn't give you any type of connection to the road

[jhm5]

Thanks for the comments, particularly the flash suggestion. I suspected the steering was hydraulic - servotronic confused me. I had an E92 335is so am familiar with the E90 platform, but of course that car had tons more power and sportiness than the X1, but I'm looking now to replace my aged, but still very nice, E46 sport wagon. E91 manuals are going wild on BAT. They're very rare, so a Bimmer mechanic friend suggested I expand my search to the X1 1st gen.

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by jhm5

Have I got this right?
The 35 has the older tech 6 speed automatic and the 28 has the more current 8 speed?
The 35 has servotronic, which is the electric boost power steering, not the traditional hydraulic boost?
If I have this right, I may stick to my search for the E91 6 speed manual sport.

Thanks.

Yes, the 35i has the older 6 speed trans.

All E84s have hydraulic power steering to my knowledge.

[cwickberg]

I cross shopped used E91 wagon and found the X1 35i was far superior in every way. I had a JB4 tune and alpina flash for transmission.

slightly higher but still handled like a pocket rocket... Lightly tracked and autocrossed it with my daughter and gave it to her several years ago. I have the M Sport ultimate package, and car has been very good, albeit several known issues like charge pipe and oil filter housing gasket leaks... at over 90K miles, I asked my daughter if she wanted to upgrade to something newer, more modern... She declines,,, said the car was still tight and sharp...

E91,, even with manual and M Sport too uunderpowered for me (and my daughter!)

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by cwickberg

I cross shopped used E91 wagon and found the X1 35i was far superior in every way. I had a JB4 tune and alpina flash for transmission.

slightly higher but still handled like a pocket rocket... Lightly tracked and autocrossed it with my daughter and gave it to her several years ago. I have the M Sport ultimate package, and car has been very good, albeit several known issues like charge pipe and oil filter housing gasket leaks... at over 90K miles, I asked my daughter if she wanted to upgrade to something newer, more modern... She declines,,, said the car was still tight and sharp...

E91,, even with manual and M Sport too uunderpowered for me (and my daughter!)

I will admit the X2 M35i has tempted me on more than one occasion, though.

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

I will admit the X2 M35i has tempted me on more than one occasion, though.

Have you driven one? I personally hated the feel of the x2 when I had one a few times as a loaner.

[cwickberg]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

I will admit the X2 M35i has tempted me on more than one occasion, though.

Youu realize this is the E84 forum... X2 is entirely different vehicle and if you want a vehicle with no road or steering feel, by all means, cross shop X2 or even the new F X1's

IMO the X1 35i was the last BMW to really have a driver's appeal with reasonable package. Smooth I6 Good transmission and hydraulic steering.

Newer X1's are video games on wheels for folks that try to be wannabe drivers while zipping in and out of traffic on the freeways

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by cwickberg

Youu realize this is the E84 forum... X2 is entirely different vehicle and if you want a vehicle with no road or steering feel, by all means, cross shop X2 or even the new F X1's

IMO the X1 35i was the last BMW to really have a driver's appeal with reasonable package. Smooth I6 Good transmission and hydraulic steering.

Newer X1's are video games on wheels for folks that try to be wannabe drivers while zipping in and out of traffic on the freeways

Yes, I'm well aware of what forum this is, professor - I own an E84.

I have no problems with the driving feel of the wife's 2018 430, so the drivetrain isn't an issue for me, the chassis might be a different story, I don't know. If that somehow makes me a "wannabe driver" (whatever that even means), cool.

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by darkrom

Have you driven one? I personally hated the feel of the x2 when I had one a few times as a loaner.

I have not, no. I'm not really in the market for something else, just a fan of how they look.

[Gamb1t]

I got an X2 sport as a courtesy car when I brought my 330i for service. It drives nicer than the f48 X1. It's quick and responsive enough to have me forget about it's FWD Mini underpinnings. Interior is nicer and more modern.
My wife likes it. It's a chic urban runabout.
IIRC BMW has decided to discontinue this model.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by cwickberg

if you want a vehicle with no road or steering feel, by all means, cross shop X2 or even the new F X1's

Sorry, but this is pretty much the case for any current BMW and is part of the reason I've ruled out replacing my X1 with an M240.