2016 X1

[Grovsnus]

Originally Posted by fw_fw

Only plus I see for the next gen X1: M Sport is available in Estoril...........

Um, that's nice for those who live in Estoril, Portugal, I guess?

[Twix]

Originally Posted by Grovsnus

Um, that's nice for those who live in Estoril, Portugal, I guess?

When did you move to France?

[kgolles]

The longitudinal/fwd biased drivetrain is completely apparent in the exterior design. The front axle is unfortunately pushed way rear ward closer to the cabin, losing that stretched rwd platform look and more like an Audi, squished wheelbase on a tall body. There is no way the driving dynamics will match the current sDrive. I love the current exterior of the X1 with its stretched wheelbase and long hood.

[cooombs]

We are all probably going to be a little biased towards the current X1 since most of us own one. However, as someone who just picked up a 2015 two days ago I looked into the new one and could have waited for it if I had liked what I'd seen. From everything I researched the only upgrade for me with the new one is the interior. The seats look much nicer then what is in ours and everything just looks a little more modern although I don't not like the more "classic" looking BMW look in ours.

Thats the only positives of the new one for me though. No 35i, FWD base and Tiguan/Q3 looks are all negatives for me that made me have zero interest in the 2016 model. I can see why they are going in that direction though, lots and lots of people, especially women want them to look more like SUVs then hatchback/wagons like ours do.

[Alfisti]

I dunno, this has sooo many advantages over the current model. Only loss is RWD bias and not crazy about the extra ride height.

[zero-2-sixty]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I dunno, this has sooo many advantages over the current model. Only loss is RWD bias and not crazy about the extra ride height.

You need to look past the lipstick and mascara of the F48. This vehicle in no way has advantages over the E84 speaking from vehicle dynamics and performance perspective. Not even on the same page. If that's not high on the priority list, then by all means go for the new model. However,, I say....why spend more for a Mini Countryman in BMW attire. BMW Excecutives are alleged to have indicated they made a mistake in not bringing 6cyl performance option, but now one is stuck because of the platform that underpins the F48. That said, the bottom line is sales and subcompact market is hot so they are looking to sell to non-performance minded general public. This new vehicle is not aimed at performance enthusiasts - point blank plain and simple. Only thing to hope for is a return to form with an X2 model down the road.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by zero-2-sixty

You need to look past the lipstick and mascara of the F48. This vehicle in no way has advantages over the E84 speaking from vehicle dynamics and performance perspective. Not even on the same page. If that's not high on the priority list

It isn't.

For the target market it just isn't, I never understood people trying to turn a small raised wagon into a performance vehicle, it'd need to be lowered to help with handling for a start.

The X1 is squarely aimed at professional women who need a badge, and the new model ticks all the boxes for them.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I never understood people trying to turn a small raised wagon into a performance vehicle, it'd need to be lowered to help with handling for a start.

Because BMW doesn't sell a 335 wagon (and the 328 wagon is a lot more expensive). Lowering the X1 takes all of $250, so it isn't exactly "hard" to get it reasonably close to the 1/335 hatch we never had. Automatic-only aside of course.

[zero-2-sixty]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

It isn't.

For the target market it just isn't, I never understood people trying to turn a small raised wagon into a performance vehicle, it'd need to be lowered to help with handling for a start.

The X1 is squarely aimed at professional women who need a badge, and the new model ticks all the boxes for them.

I don't agree that the target market is solely professional women who need a badge. The price point on a base model will like be in the neighborhood of $33-35k retail. Purchase price will undoubtedly be lower bringing the vehicle price to a level many can afford. I see it as a small family grocery getter.

As for raised wagon being a performance vehicle, read what Car and Driver said about the sport line 35i. Better yet drive a 35i MSport if you can find one. It's a unique and fun vehicle for those that need slightly more utility than a 3 series and who don't like the 3 series GT and who want some good performance above what the 4cyl will provide. Regardless both 4cyl and 6cyl remind us of BMW of old, not the "New" BMW.

At the end of the day, I am disappointed with the direction BMW execs have taken the vehicle and I certainly won't be purchasing one. I suspect you won't be either. I will probably look to an M235i Xdrive next, unless an X2 AWD 35i comes out.

[zoul]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Because BMW doesn't sell a 335 wagon (and the 328 wagon is a lot more expensive). Lowering the X1 takes all of $250, so it isn't exactly "hard" to get it reasonably close to the 1/335 hatch we never had. Automatic-only aside of course.

I second this My first choice was a 1 series wagon. This is as close as I'll get and It's a great choice.

[Alfisti]

You're talking a very small part of the market, I see a lot of X1's here and it's mostly professional women, BMW clearly agree given the direction they have taken.

They're in the business of selling cars.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You're talking a very small part of the market, I see a lot of X1's here and it's mostly professional women, BMW clearly agree given the direction they have taken.

They're in the business of selling cars.

No one would argue that point...but you said you could't understand why someone would try to turn an X1 into a performance vehicle.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

No one would argue that point...but you said you could't understand why someone would try to turn an X1 into a performance vehicle.

I still don't get it. Just tune the 328 3 series wagon. The current X1 is so damned small it's more hatch than wagon anyway.

Regardless, Americans have made it abundantly clear that hatches and wagons are passe. I disagree, (drive a 9-3 wagon myself) , but it is what it is.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I still don't get it. Just tune the 328 3 series wagon. The current X1 is so damned small it's more hatch than wagon anyway.

Regardless, Americans have made it abundantly clear that hatches and wagons are passe. I disagree, (drive a 9-3 wagon myself) , but it is what it is.

While I think tuning a 328 is a good option, it still is 1. Much more expensive and 2. Nowhere near the power potential of the N55.

As I said above, it's the closest thing to the M135 5 door (a hatch) that we get here.

How is an N55 X1 on a lowered suspension that much different than an M135 to the point that you can understand one but not the other? I'm a wagon lover myself...but I can certainly see the draw of a 400 bhp 1 series hatch, even if it's auto-only. Makes for a great little daily driver, at almost a five-figure discount vs. what a 328 would cost.

It's not ideal, but it's certainly not bad. A $500 tune, a $250 set of springs, and you've got a fun little all-weather, BMW hatch that will surprise a lot of serious performance cars. Not to mention the "small" things, like hydraulic steering, an E90-based chassis that isn't largely lamented, etc.

[improvius]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I still don't get it. Just tune the 328 3 series wagon.

There's about an $8K price difference between X1 and 3 wagon here.

[Red Bread]

And the F31 is much longer than the E84, wider too. Not everyone likes bigger cars.

All that said, the F48 switch to fwd will likely give it much more interior room than even the much bigger F31. Much like the oft mentioned 9-3.

The adjustable rear seat is pretty cool too.

[Alfisti]

They will gain more sales going the way they have than catering to the few hardcore enthusiasts who want performance, it is what it is.

Go buy a 9-3 AERO with the 2.8 litre V6, 400HP fairly easily

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

They will gain more sales going the way they have than catering to the few hardcore enthusiasts who want performance, it is what it is.

Go buy a 9-3 AERO with the 2.8 litre V6, 400HP fairly easily

How long will the Haldex hold up to that? Most tuned R32's tend to go boom pretty quickly.

No doubt BMW sales will go up with this sort of move. It just moves them further from what we want. We've gone from two BMW's (M Coupe and 135i) to one, X1 to likely none. But lots of people that would have hated the E36 or E46 are now big fans.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

They will gain more sales going the way they have than catering to the few hardcore enthusiasts who want performance, it is what it is.

Without a doubt.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Go buy a 9-3 AERO with the 2.8 litre V6, 400HP fairly easily

You're preaching to the wrong guy. I've had an '89 900T, a '99 9-3, a 9-2X (doesn't count, and 3 WRXs btw) , and have been searching craigslist for a decent 9-5 Aero or 9-3 Combi the past few years.

I bought the wife a 6 speed 135i and put a mild suspension/tune on it...she wanted at least one auto in the family after 3 years of commuting in it, preferably with a bit more practicality (we had an E46 M and a 135 as our only cars). She landed on an N55 X1 m sport, she bought the JB4 before she picked it up. Could be worse (admittedly, I enjoy it very much). No ideal...but a pretty neat little car I'd have to say after living with it.

[zero-2-sixty]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

They will gain more sales going the way they have than catering to the few hardcore enthusiasts who want performance, it is what it is.

Go buy a 9-3 AERO with the 2.8 litre V6, 400HP fairly easily

No one is arguing that BMW will have a volume sales vehicle in the F48. I expect to see many on the road given the price, extra room and updated interior (though not as nice as the 2016 Q3 or GLA - both of which I have sat I in). IMO, The point is BMW is shunning performance with the replacement X1 it was once known for (3 series not part of the 10 best list should be a wake up call). If that's the direction then they should just remove the 6cyl option from the X3 and X4 and the 8cyl option from the X5 and X6.

For 80% of the population the new X1 will be fine. It would have been nice to keep a rear drive platform that could support the 6cyl option to throw a 'bone' to we performance folks. It's an old formula, small platform + big engine = fun. I forgot all about the new Golf R. Another option that Looks nice from what I have read.

[Alfisti]

Problem is, RWD and straight 6 means small cabin, the current X1 is a freakin shoe box inside, it can BARELY carry it's own wheels and tyres.

[zero-2-sixty]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Problem is, RWD and straight 6 means small cabin, the current X1 is a freakin shoe box inside, it can BARELY carry it's own wheels and tyres.

it is smallish inside but certainly big enough to fit 4 albeit a little snug. way better than a Nissan juke. try to sit in the back of that compact. BMW could have used a rear drive platform and upsized but not quite to the size of an X3. I hear that an X2 is in the pipeline so there may be some hope.