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      05-09-2020, 09:31 PM   #1
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E84 X1 35i or Golf R ?

I currently drive a 2007 Gti and am considering replacing it with either an E84 X1 35i M Sport for around $20K or less or an MK7 Golf R for about low to mid $20's.

Will I miss the nimbleness and sportiness of the VW ? I would also be tuning whichever car I get. A tuned Golf R is sub 4 sec 0-60 and low 12's.

Any thoughts how the X1 would compare to a Golf R ? Both check a lot of boxes. The BMW has some nicer features while the Golf might be a better option if I plan on any track days too.

Thx !
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      05-10-2020, 12:55 AM   #2
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The E84.

- has a higher ground clearance, hence better winter / off-road behavior
- handling is old style, hydraulic steering with lots of road response
- E84 is actually a 3 Series Touring chassis, solid and well built.
- E84 interior quality is way above VW in terms of interior plastics quality, fit and finish and materials overall. The old E84 has a better quality compared with the new X1.
- Nice sound system if you find it with the Harman-Kardon option in it
- RWD biased xDrive system that keeps its RWD behavior on dry pavement
- usually very well equipped with many things that Golf won't offer

There are guys in here that tuned their E84, some to incredible results.
E84 is a wonderful DD and all weather rounder, but if 0-60 and tracking is your thing, maybe a lower COG vehicle like the Golf will suit better.
Depends how much of the time you do that and what is the purpose of the vehicle.
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      05-10-2020, 08:51 AM   #3
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All of what Teutonic said, but just slapping a set of lowering springs on it makes an immense difference (I do track mine).

I don't know if a tuned 35i will get down to the 0-60 & 1/4 mile times you are talking,but it wouldn't be far off.

In my view, for an overall vehicle the X1 is simply a much nicer car.
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      05-10-2020, 02:31 PM   #4
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I'm sure you know that by asking in the X1 forum that your will get praise for the X1. I have no experience with VW but I did switch to the X1 from a sub 4 second 0-60 and 11 second quarter mile car. I actually enjoy driving the X1 more than I did my 2 door 335i. The times posted in my signature are before adding all the parts listed. In the next month or two I will get them updated with what the car can do now. It really comes down to what you want out of each car and if one does it better. You can easily get into the 4's 0-60 with very light tuning but the 3's are going to require better tires than I run (Michelin AS3+) and higher octane.

My goal for my car's straight line performance is very low 4's or high 3's 0-60 and a quarter mile time right around 12.0 or 11.9.
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      05-10-2020, 10:14 PM   #5
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Thanks for the info everyone.

I've been looking into an X1 from Canada. The options include 0Z10 Performance Exhaust. Is this specific to other markets ? Ive never seen this on a US spec car.

Any other options features that were specific to a Canada spec car ? I notice it has the little M badge on the front side fender which looks factory and 19" wheels Ive never seen on a US X1 before (they look like those from an E92 M3)

Any other must have options ? Unfort it doenst have HK Stereo
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      05-11-2020, 01:03 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cabra View Post
Thanks for the info everyone.

I've been looking into an X1 from Canada. The options include 0Z10 Performance Exhaust. Is this specific to other markets ? Ive never seen this on a US spec car.

Any other options features that were specific to a Canada spec car ? I notice it has the little M badge on the front side fender which looks factory and 19" wheels Ive never seen on a US X1 before (they look like those from an E92 M3)

Any other must have options ? Unfort it doenst have HK Stereo
It sounds like the car has the Msport package. That will add a handful of nice things as well as the M badges. 19 inch wheels were optional, mine came with the 225m wheels. I think the lighting package makes the car look more premium than base model so I would opt for that as well.
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      05-11-2020, 01:24 PM   #7
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What does the lighting package include ?
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      05-11-2020, 03:04 PM   #8
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One thing to note. An e84 is pretty much worthless over 120k miles, or at least in my market. R's hold their value much, much better.

I will disagree with the above and say the fit and finish of the R is much better than an e84. Diagnostic software is stupid cheap and easy to work with (vagcom). Tuning capabilities are much more DIY friendly than BMW.

Having owned both, I'd prefer the R all day, much more FUN to drive.
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      05-11-2020, 03:27 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by kiloTHREE View Post
One thing to note. An e84 is pretty much worthless over 120k miles, or at least in my market. R's hold their value much, much better.

I will disagree with the above and say the fit and finish of the R is much better than an e84. Diagnostic software is stupid cheap and easy to work with (vagcom). Tuning capabilities are much more DIY friendly than BMW.

Having owned both, I'd prefer the R all day, much more FUN to drive.
Thanks. Most people who have owned both say the R is much more fun to drive. And that the interior in on par with Audi. What generation R did you have ?
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      05-12-2020, 06:06 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Cabra View Post
Thanks. Most people who have owned both say the R is much more fun to drive. And that the interior in on par with Audi. What generation R did you have ?
MK5, which was kind of a dog performance wise with the 3.2 and DSG. The startup fee to performance road was high on that engine. Get a 2.0T with proper manual if you can swing it, so much potential with software and bolt ons.
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      05-12-2020, 07:00 AM   #11
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I drove a VW Golf TDI before the X1. I don't feel like the X1's interior is much better, but it's fine. The sport seats of the m-sport package are much better, though, and help with the enjoyment of the car for me personally. The Golf line is a lot of fun to drive, even slower models. The X1 gives me a bit more room, both for passengers and cargo, and is still fun to drive. I have no idea what I'd get if trying for max speed, but this X1 is a lot faster than the Golf I had, so that's enough for me. :-D I thought the materials and fitment on the VW were pretty good though.
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      05-12-2020, 09:05 AM   #12
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Im leaning towards the X1 since its about $7K cheaper (a 14-15 X1 vs a 16-17 Golf R)
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      05-12-2020, 11:45 AM   #13
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What are your make or break needs/wants for your car decision?

0-60 & 1/4 mile it seems the Golf R is the clear winner.

For what it is the X1 at 3800 lbs does feel quite nimble, but the Golf R is much lighter.

What sort of tuning / modification are you looking to do? Are you worried about passing emissions or is that something you can easily figure out on your own?
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      05-12-2020, 05:26 PM   #14
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Fun to drive, practical, hatchback, trackable.
I guess I didnt really think about emissions. I know the Golf would pass emissions with a Stage 2 tune. For the X1 I planned on a pure turbo upgrade/JB4/Exhaust
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      05-12-2020, 07:33 PM   #15
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I am sort of playing devil's advocate here. Fun to drive, yes I love to drive the X1 and never drove a Golf R so can't compare, but I would bet the Golf R is also fun to drive. Practical, yes both cars have a hatch and seem quite practical. Is it trackable? Reading paradoxical3's threads on his track/daily build X1 make's the 35i sound very track capable reading about him passing sportier RWD cars on the track (probably more down to his driving skill), but I'd guess the weight advantage of the Golf R will edge the X1 in terms of nimbleness and agility on the track. I couldn't imagine there's more than a handful of people who track their X1's but I could be wrong. Are you looking for an automatic or Manual transmission? Only the Golf R has a manual option and briefly reading online it sounds like the Golf R's automatic transmission is far superior to both the manual and X1's auto transmission. The X1's tranny is nothing to write home about if not viewed negatively because it seems so antiquated.

I'm assuming emissions testing is on the stricter side in Chicago and that you would need to put the stock cat back on for testing, unless you have the means to get around it. Reading the forum some people mentioned being able to do the DP install without dropping or loosening the subframe, but I've also heard otherwise that subframe needs to be dropped or loosened. Labor on the DP install would be considerably a lot more if the subframe needs to be dropped vs not, or if you are comfortable doing it yourself. I'd assume DP could be installed without dropping the subframe by a competent mechanic or individual working on their car at home. I can't comment on the Golf R's DP install.

The X1 35i is a sort of Frankenstein car (which I see it as a positive and a negative). It comes from the same chassis as the E9X 3 series with the N55 3.0 inline 6 and includes a hatch. Ride is quite stiff feeling more like a sedan and you get that hydraulic steering feel. The negative I see is that, while some parts BMW seemed to adopt from the newer F series, almost all the parts seem like leftover parts from the E9X series that was discontinued in 2013, so I would guess the Golf R would be the more modern car. You should definitely test drive both cars to see what you like and I'm sure you'll find a good deal during these times.

Last edited by solidsleeper; 05-12-2020 at 07:38 PM..
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      05-13-2020, 05:50 AM   #16
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[QUOTE=Turbod;26159132]I'm sure you know that by asking in the X1 forum that your will get praise for the X1. I have no experience with VW but I did switch to the X1 from a sub 4 second 0-60 and 11 second quarter mile car. I actually enjoy driving the X1 more than I did my 2 door 335i. The times posted in my signature are before adding all the parts listed. In the next month or two I will get them updated with what the car can do now.


I just stumbled on learning more about the x1 n55. I also have an e92 n55 coupe. There aren’t a ton of reviews out on the interweb. I’m going to dig in to learn more. Love my older coupe and its feel. Time to go down another rabbit hole.
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      05-13-2020, 04:13 PM   #17
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[QUOTE=Duchess22;26170090]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbod View Post
I'm sure you know that by asking in the X1 forum that your will get praise for the X1. I have no experience with VW but I did switch to the X1 from a sub 4 second 0-60 and 11 second quarter mile car. I actually enjoy driving the X1 more than I did my 2 door 335i. The times posted in my signature are before adding all the parts listed. In the next month or two I will get them updated with what the car can do now.


I just stumbled on learning more about the x1 n55. I also have an e92 n55 coupe. There aren’t a ton of reviews out on the interweb. I’m going to dig in to learn more. Love my older coupe and its feel. Time to go down another rabbit hole.
My X1 just feels more solid and planted than my 335i did. They were both lower miles when I bought them so it seems unlikely that the 335i was worn out. Honestly I just want to go fast again so as soon as this is paid off I am picking up an Audi TT RS.
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      05-13-2020, 06:08 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kiloTHREE View Post
One thing to note. An e84 is pretty much worthless over 120k miles, or at least in my market. R's hold their value much, much better.

I will disagree with the above and say the fit and finish of the R is much better than an e84. Diagnostic software is stupid cheap and easy to work with (vagcom). Tuning capabilities are much more DIY friendly than BMW.

Having owned both, I'd prefer the R all day, much more FUN to drive.
I disagree as well.
VW has a certain type of plastic which I know very well. It peels, scratches easier, or loosing its top layer (or gets shinny), etc. BMW has no such issues.
BMW rules over VW plastics in many aspects.
Fit and finish as well, including in here the design cues and flows. VW also uses a different, simpler -wider- approach in order to avoid further friction, crickets or issues. BMW has a better connection, and flow from materials to design.

I am stupidly pretentious about material quality and sorry but VW doesn't stay close to BMW in terms of plastic. The new X1 is cheaper and different, but the E84 is still a 3 series and it has a certain quality that keeps the luxury perception for its level.
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      05-17-2020, 05:57 PM   #19
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[QUOTE=Turbod;26172754]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duchess22 View Post

My X1 just feels more solid and planted than my 335i did. They were both lower miles when I bought them so it seems unlikely that the 335i was worn out. Honestly I just want to go fast again so as soon as this is paid off I am picking up an Audi TT RS.
I fear I’d miss my ‘11 e92 coupe. I love the lines. Is it an M car, no. But she is sitting at almost 77k miles. Just did a Cobb tune with a charge pipe. Looking at a down pipe with a PE exhaust next. The tune livened things up a bit.

The clock it ticking on the ‘15 x1’s. So few M-Sports out there. If I wait much longer, it may have to be an m40i because the new x1s seem neutered. Holding their value also seems like an issue.
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      05-17-2020, 08:44 PM   #20
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Picked up my 2013 X1 end of 2019 (Winter)... I'm really happy with it. I researched cars for a few years before finally pulling the trigger. The tops on my list were the Golfs (GTI) including the R, Hyundai Elantra Sport GT, Veloster turbo, Focus ST, Some stuff from Mazda.


The more I drive the X1, the more I'm happy with my choice. It sort of does everything well. Remember, the X1 is a car/truck, the Golf R is a car. If you want something that is lighter and if you think you will be spending more days @ the track then daily driving, then go for the R. If you want something that does EVERYTHING well, handles deep snow well (I swear these things are MADE for the winter, tracks like a snowmobile), and can also be modded and tracked, then go for the X1.
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      05-17-2020, 09:02 PM   #21
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[QUOTE=Duchess22;26190011]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbod View Post

I fear I’d miss my ‘11 e92 coupe. I love the lines. Is it an M car, no. But she is sitting at almost 77k miles. Just did a Cobb tune with a charge pipe. Looking at a down pipe with a PE exhaust next. The tune livened things up a bit.

The clock it ticking on the ‘15 x1’s. So few M-Sports out there. If I wait much longer, it may have to be an m40i because the new x1s seem neutered. Holding their value also seems like an issue.
If I didn't have the 335i for 5 1/2 years I wouldn't have been able to let it go. It was a great car but after enough time had passed I wanted something better. It was a very pretty car though which I miss. The X1 is a bit odd looking. The X1 isn't better, I plan to get another sports car a little bit later.
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      05-18-2020, 10:39 AM   #22
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I came from an MK6 Golf R to my X1 35i M Sport. I don't regret the decision a bit.

YMMV
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