08-17-2013, 10:50 AM | #1 |
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X1 - The last great driver's BMW
With BMWs move to electronic power steering (EPS). How many believe that our X1 with hydraulic steering (with or without) servotronic is the last great BMW driver's vehicle. Rear drive X1 vehicles are excluded due to inclusion of EPS.
BMWs have always been a Car and Driver 10best most notably for connecting the driver to the road due to the superb implemented hydraulic steering that promotes great feedback (i.e. feeling the subtle tugs at the wheel due to minor road imperfections, changes in road surface/texture, etc.) A true driver's car will provide this feedback. I have driven several vehicles with EPS and its just not there. EPS is very numb to me and likely other drivers. I understand that some people probably don't care and/or like to be isolated completely from the road, but not a true driver. What does everyone think? Is the X1 that last of the great BMWs and potential collector's item? |
08-17-2013, 03:29 PM | #3 |
Lucky13
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BMW will figure out the electric steering, the Cadillac ATS kicks the new 3 series ass in steering feel and its electric so it can be done. The new 2014 5 series is supposed to improved so give them a couple years. I'm more concerned with all the BMW's getting so big and heavy which is half the problem.
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08-17-2013, 10:40 PM | #4 |
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I think the last great drivers BMW will have had a manual transmission...
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08-18-2013, 08:02 AM | #5 |
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no manual, small chairs
A manual really is a must for the last great driver's BMW. I drove an X1 xdrive 2.8 two days ago, two of them actually, and found the following:
nice steering and overall good handling and balance decent automatic but annoyingly aggressive downshifts when coming to a stop reasonable rear seat room and good hatch space poor sporting feel to engine in spite of decent power - weak redline rpm and more farts than growls out the tailpipe and last but not least, and the point that killed it for me... the sport seats LOOK like traditional BMW sport seats but are smaller. My ass simply did not fit well between the bolsters and I'm not particularly wide-of-ass. Beware all sport seat aficionados. |
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08-18-2013, 09:30 AM | #6 |
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I had a better feeling in my ex Z4MC than in my M3 or X1. It's annoying not to feel the road especially in sporty drive. I have never been able to feel the limits of the M3 to be honest and that's absolutely not acceptable I think. If EPS is worse that will be a pain to drive near limits of a car. Technology is not always improvement considering what you are expecting .
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08-18-2013, 07:42 PM | #7 |
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We 1er people feel ignored by this. Unless, of course, we have EPS that is just phenomenal.
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08-18-2013, 09:01 PM | #8 |
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I would imagine that the X6 still has hydraulic and possibly the X3 due to their age. 1 series will be replaced very soon in a matter of a few months along with 3 series convertible and coupe. Every manufacturer is going to electric steering and the Porsche Boxster and Cayman already switched so it can be done. The problem is BMW is trying to become Lexus making cars that appeal to the mainstream vs enthusiasts. I'm hoping they figure out the steering by the time the 2 series is launched.
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08-19-2013, 04:03 AM | #9 | |
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I'd say the outgoing E82 or E92 are the closest you can get to the traditional BMWs of the past. The X1 is a nice compromise. |
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