Wisdom Requested

[DOrtiz]

Greetings!!

I'm new to this forum and new BMW owner. The purpose of this post is to seek advice, tips, and general experience as it relates to the BMW X1 brand.

I purchased my very first BMW X1 28i xDrive. It's a 2014 and just turned 29k miles. It was a single owner (retired couple) who barely drove 6k a year. They're seasonal folks who remain in Florida 5-6 months a year then go back home during the summer months. Commonly known in Florida as "Snow Birds."

I traded my 2016 MINI Countryman for it. I also purchased an extended warranty (bumper-to-bumper) for 5 years and an additional 75k miles, so I'm covered till 105k. I did this because I've read horror stories relative to costly repairs (if they happen).

Any advice, tips, personal experience regarding reliability, maintenance, etc., will be most humbly appreciated. Like, how many miles do you have, and has it generally been trouble free?

Also, I welcome a pic of your "ultimate driving machine" to go with it.

I'll start ...

2014 X1 28i xDrive purchased used w/29k miles. Thus far she's been a pleasure to drive. Here she is. She's a base/entry model, but she's my first and I love her just the same.

Best,
David

[BeEmVe]

Make sure all of the recalled air bag(s) have been replaced and the extended warranty items like the thermostat have been replaced. Otherwise enjoy the ride.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by BeEmVe

Make sure all of the recalled air bag(s) have been replaced and the extended warranty items like the thermostat have been replaced. Otherwise enjoy the ride.

I believe they "may" have been. According to the dealer, the 30k mile maintenance was done. I also visually inspected the brake pads and they appear relatively new. The computer reads 26k until brake maintenance for the front and 20k rear.

I checked the serial number online and it came back negative for current recalls. However, the dealer gave me a print out of work done resulting from recalls. I'll certainly look into this further. Thank you.

I plan on bringing her in at 30k miles anyway to be checked and serviced (if needed), just as a precautionary measure.

Thank you for your time and response. If you have any other tips, advice and/or suggestions, I welcome your comments.

Best,
David

[mreric]

wow this is an interesting trade. 2016 for 2014? you had high miles i assume?

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by mreric

wow this is an interesting trade. 2016 for 2014? you had high miles i assume?

I was wonderng the same thing, maybe it was a base Countryman which only has 135 hp?

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

I was wonderng the same thing, maybe it was a base Countryman which only has 135 hp?

It was an S Countryman (seen far left). It was a manual shift which was giving me problems when I had foot therapy. Wife couldn't handle a manual very well.

Same mileage, perfect condition and has both extended warranty and maintenance which went with it.

Guess one could say I downgraded.

[Lucky13]

Well experienced with a manual in a Mini, blew out the clutch on our 2010 Clubman S at 24,000 and it was a real hassle to get it replaced under warranty but they did. We traded it for a 2014 X1 sdrive M Sport which we love. Were at about 48k and absolutely 100% trouble free, still on original brakes. There was also a recall for vacume hose back in 2013-15 so check on that. Only disapointment really is city driving mileage isn’t great maybe 20-21 with hwy about 29-30, the engine has a lot of power at 240hp so thats a nice upgrade.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Well experienced with a manual in a Mini, blew out the clutch on our 2010 Clubman S at 24,000 and it was a real hassle to get it replaced under warranty but they did. We traded it for a 2014 X1 sdrive M Sport which we love. Were at about 48k and absolutely 100% trouble free, still on original brakes. There was also a recall for vacume hose back in 2013-15 so check on that. Only disapointment really is city driving mileage isn't great maybe 20-21 with hwy about 29-30, the engine has a lot of power at 240hp so thats a nice upgrade.

Hi Lucky13-

Thank you much for the informative post and words of encouragement. It's nice to hear it first hand from someone in a similar situation to mine.

The MINI was fun, but the ride on this X1 is night and day compared to the MINI. I concur with you on the pep. I had to overtake two dump trucks and couldn't believe how this thing growled at the road. I honestly think she performed better than my former Countryman S.

Tires do hit a bit hard, but I suppose that's expected of run-flats. When I bring her in at 30k, I'll make certain they check her thoroughly.

Thanks again.

[Lucky13]

Still have run flats on mine because my wife drives it but when I change out again going with Michelin AS3 or Continental DWS 06 non run flat because the ride is so stiff. Run flats suck, wife hit a pot hole a mile from dealer and barely made it to the dealer because the sidewall blew out so why bother. I bought a slime kit with compressor like my M235 has.

[Gamb1t]

Congrats.

Maintenance items to do in no particular order....
- Oil. Well duh!
- Brake fluid
- drivetrain fluid
- Coolantt
- Plugs
- It's hip to be square
- Revel in the fact that you bought the last model from the great e-series BMW.

Apart from that, the e84 X1 is quite the reliable car.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Congrats.

Maintenance items to do in no particular order....
- Oil. Well duh!
- Brake fluid
- drivetrain fluid
- Coolantt
- Plugs
- It's hip to be square
- Revel in the fact that you bought the last model from the great e-series BMW.

Apart from that, the e84 X1 is quite the reliable car.

Hi Gamb1t

Thanks for the information and valuable tips. The "hip to be square" one went over my head. Sorry, not sure what this means.

Also, you mention the last model? Again, my ignorance precedes me as I see newer X1 models still being produced, so I'm at a loss here my friend. Again, sorry if I sound like a complete ignoramus, but this is my very first bimmer so I'm not versed with the lingo and/or letters I see frequently referenced.

Nonetheless, I'm grateful for your post and feedback.

PS: I found this when I searched for "e-series BMW" Pretty interesting read.

https://www.driveit.co.za/news/gener...mes-explained/

David

[KWX1]

FYI: The 2010-2015 E84 X1 is based on a 3 series E90 touring chassis, which is rear wheel bias/rear wheel drive. The 2016- present X1 is based on a Mini Countryman chassis, transverse-mounted engine, front wheel bias/ front wheel drive. 2010 was the last year for the E90 3 series. There you go.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

Hi Gamb1t

Thanks for the information and valuable tips. The "hip to be square" one went over my head. Sorry, not sure what this means.

Don't stagger your wheels and tires.

It's generally acknowledged that the f-series Bimmers are somewhat inferior in the "Ultimate Driving Machine" ethos. That leaves the e-series being the most latest and classic of BMWs. The e84 X1 that you have is the last model that BMW rolled out under the e-platform.
Per KWX1, the Mini UKeLele platform that the F48 X1 is even less driver focused.

Sorry for the a geek history here.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Don't stagger your wheels and tires.

It's generally acknowledged that the f-series Bimmers are somewhat inferior in the "Ultimate Driving Machine" ethos. That leaves the e-series being the most latest and classic of BMWs. The e84 X1 that you have is the last model that BMW rolled out under the e-platform.
Per KWX1, the Mini UKeLele platform that the F48 X1 is even less driver focused.

Sorry for the a geek history here.

Gamb1t-

When you say, "Don't stagger your wheels and tires." Do you mean put different brands/threads on?

I ask because it appears the previous owner had the front tires changed. The front tires are Goodyear and the rear I believe are something else. Same size just different manufacturers.

Should I be concerned about this?

[Chicone]

Some X1s came staggered from the factory. Mine came square but I want to go staggered. I don’t have to replace all 4 wheels if I do this, and I can put the wider 18x9 version of my same wheel M Double spoke 355 on the back. Why not?

-Steve
2015 X1 35i MSport// BMS Intake

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Sorry for the a geek history here.

Actually the post is most informative. I was unaware of this.

I'd be lying if I said I not feeling like I'm driving on eggshells. I say this because I've read horror stories relative to repairs. I'm 59 and remember back in my days I'd see German cars running forever. In fact (I'm originally from NY), I recall seeing cars where the body was rusted all over the place, but you just couldn't kill them ... they ran forever. Or so it seemed.

As a young adult I always loved the BMW brand. Something about that grill, the curves and overall look intrigued me. However, I could never afford one. Today, I can't afford a brand new one, or the "M" class massive machines, but I got a great deal on this one.

Being old school I quickly looked at the engine. No dip-stick. Then I peaked underneath and the engine compartment is practically sealed. And so, I'm at the dealer's mercy.

I purchased an extended warranty (Bumper-to-Bumper /exclusionary) for an additional 5 years or 75k miles. This covers me to 105k (my mileage will undoubtedly come first).

In SW Florida everything is flat. I drive 86 miles a day (round trip) x 3 weeks. It's about 80% highway driving. Even though she can move, I don't drive her aggressively.

Anyway, sorry for the winded response my friend. I'm sure I'll eventually let go of the worry so I can start enjoying my bimmer.

[KWX1]

Originally Posted by Chicone

Some X1s came staggered from the factory. Mine came square but I want to go staggered. I don’t have to replace all 4 wheels if I do this, and I can put the wider 18x9 version of my same wheel M Double spoke 355 on the back. Why not?

-Steve
2015 X1 35i MSport// BMS Intake

There are some parameters you need to follow with your Xdrive when changing tire size. There should be no more than a 1% difference in tire diameter between any tire. The tires should be no more than -/+ 3% of the original size tire diameter. Different widths are not a problem as long as they follow the above. Go for it!

[Lucky13]

Most of us old time owners know that job 1 if you keep a BMW past 4 years is find a good independent auto repair shop you trust. My dealer charges $135 an hour vs $85 for my independent, dealer is 23 miles away and indy is 1.5 and I definitely trust the indy much more than the dealer. No loaner car but hey that’s pretty low on my list of needs.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Most of us old time owners know that job 1 if you keep a BMW past 4 years is find a good independent auto repair shop you trust. My dealer charges $135 an hour vs $85 for my independent, dealer is 23 miles away and indy is 1.5 and I definitely trust the indy much more than the dealer. No loaner car but hey that's pretty low on my list of needs.

Thank you Lucky13.

Do they have the same capabilities to show a maintenance history? I'd need this to satisfy my extended warranty insurance.

[Lucky13]

With extended warranty you have to go to the BMW dealer, but for maintenance you can go wherever you want if you didn’t buy extended maintenance.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

With extended warranty you have to go to the BMW dealer, but for maintenance you can go wherever you want if you didn't buy extended maintenance.

Thank you Lucky13. Appreciate the info.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by Chicone

Some X1s came staggered from the factory. Mine came square but I want to go staggered. I don’t have to replace all 4 wheels if I do this, and I can put the wider 18x9 version of my same wheel M Double spoke 355 on the back. Why not?

-Steve
2015 X1 35i MSport// BMS Intake

Putting wider wheels/tires at the rear increases traction for the rear. It's an old muscle car drag racing solution to combat the overwhelming power laid on the rear tires. Your X1 will have more of an understeer tendency than it already has. And increase unsprung weight. Not to mention what it might do to the active sensors. I leave stagger on RWD cars. For our cars, it's cosmetic and placebos. But whatever rocks your boat.