E84 X135 in for service, got an F48 X128 loaner...

[nicknaz]

Pros of F48

• 8 spd auto
• availability of newer in cabin tech (e.g. HUD)
• more rear leg room
• can't really notice its FWD based (during driving on public roads)
• weight of steering is ok
• comfier ride (18" all season RFT, base suspension in both F48 and my E84)

Pros of E84

• availability of N55 power and sound (note, I liked the N20 sound in the Z428, so this isn't a generic 4cyl bashing comment)
• material quality better in some parts of the interior
• base seats MUCH more comfortable (more support for bottom of thigh)
• old school hydraulic steering (I get this is a con for some, like my wife)

Overall, would I replace my E84 with an F48 when the lease is up? Hard to say. The power and seats are tough for me to accept. If the sports seats in the F48 are more comfortable, that would make it more of a contender.

I'd need to look very closely at the F31 330 wagon, and the GLA45 before re-upping with an X1...

Anyone else have thoughts on the newer X1?

[Alfisti]

The seats really are an issue.

HEre's the thing, for the price of a new F48 you can get a similarly equipped 2013 CPO X3. That's what we went with, made much more sense given the extra room and it's not like the F48 handles like a demon anyway, it's more SUVish.

[nicknaz]

I wonder why the seats were done like that. It's always for a reason, and I wonder who was interesting in less thigh support?

[zeevette]

World's biggest Mini.

[Teutonic]

I personally decided: No for F.
there are so many things that don't like that I need to write the whole day.
The old one is responsive, powerful, balanced and a true biased RWD that has a true personality.

I tried to order a brand new E84 when it was close to end production, no HK offered, not headlamps washers, no adaptive lights offered, so we kept our guy. 5 years and going strong. This one will stay for a while. Is small, nimble, responsive and comfortable.

[mcdanielvzw]

I was given the same type of loaner when I was having some maintenance done. To me at lot of The F48 feels like BMW Americanized a European car.

I'm not complaining about any of it (except the engine/transmission mate.... lol), just my observations.
-Controls are labeled differently/idiot proof (the back and front symbols can leave something to be desired at times)
-Softer ride - the car floats more as opposed to being connected to the road, like a Lexus (not my cup of tea)
-Engine has a lag and significant lack of umph. Turbo or not, there are something that just don't work (for me).
-FWD only, arguable point since the AWD transfer case sounds like it is delicate and RWD vehicles can be easy to lose control in bad weather (again from what others have told me)
-FWD2 - you can't tow anywhere near as much as an AWD vehicle because of traction loss

My opinion - 4 cylinder engines need to be mated to a manual transmission. Just maybe, a manual 28i would work on this CUV... But I have a hard time believing it would for having any kind of weight in the car, or towing. It's a heavy crossover and off the line lag is bad, let alone lag relate to drive by wire electronics.

[fiehlsport]

Well, did the F48 have sport seats? That might make a big difference.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by burnout8488

Well, did the F48 have sport seats? That might make a big difference.

The one I had a loaner had base seats. Agreed it might make a big difference, and I'll try them before making a final call on the F48

F48 is the first BMW where I've really struggled to feel comfortable in the seats. E84, E90, F3X, F10, etc etc have all been ok with base seats

BMW must have been getting a lot of complaints; I noticed the sport seats are a $400 standalone option now in the F48

[Alfisti]

Seats are bad because they are Mini seats, literally straight from mini parts bin.

[bananabun]

I really don't like the looks of the F48. To me, the E84 is a 3 series lifted wagon whereas the F48 is more in line with the traditional SUV look that Americans love buying for some reason. My X1 is the closes I get to a 6 cylinder BMW 'combi'.

I love the hydraulic steering, too, and my gf hates it haha

[Alfisti]

The E84 is not really a lifted 3 series wagon, it's far smaller than the 3 series wagon.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

The E84 is not really a lifted 3 series wagon, it's far smaller than the 3 series wagon.

Then a 3 series hatch, or somewhere therebetween. It's all E90 underneath, so it is really a lifted 3 series, of whatever body style you want to call it. IMHO, it's a small wagon...but fine with large hatch too.

[Alfisti]

it's a small hatch imho. Or a tiny wagon.

[bananabun]

Back to my point...it isn't an SUV, neither does it resemble (or drive like) anything in the crossover segment. My guess is that the F48 does, but I haven't driven one yet.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

it's a small hatch imho. Or a tiny wagon.

Then what is a large hatch?

The E84 is bigger than your regular, standard hatchbacks (Golf/Mazda 3/Impreza/etc.), yet you call it a small hatch?

A small hatch would be, obviously, something like a Fiesta or Polo. A regular hatch would be a Focus or a GTI. And a large hatch, if there was one...seems like that would be the X1's size. If the X1 is a small hatch, a Focus is a tiny hatch, and a Fiesta a...micro hatch? Come on now.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

The E84 is not really a lifted 3 series wagon, it's far smaller than the 3 series wagon.

And "far smaller"?



You keep using these words, I don't think you know what they mean.

[Alfisti]

That's unbelievable, both cars are too damned small then, really that is pathetic from the 3 series wagon.

[themishmosh]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

That's unbelievable, both cars are too damned small then, really that is pathetic from the 3 series wagon.

LOL. Isn't that why they make larger cars? For many of us, it's the perfect size. I would be happy with a 3 wagon or an X1--the 35i made my decision for me.

[Alfisti]

Hang on, hang on.

I just checked the numbers for my 9-3 wagon, officially has 29 cubic feet with the rear seats up.

Now i own/ed both cars and the difference between the 9-3 and E84 X1 is far, far, far larger than 29 vs 25 cubic feet would indicate on paper.

There is absolutely no comparing them, i don't care what the numbers say, the saab swallows our stroller and it's own wheels and tyres and the X1 couldn't carry three of it's own (same sized) wheels.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by themishmosh

LOL. Isn't that why they make larger cars? For many of us, it's the perfect size.

Except they don't, no 5er or A6 wagon.

[d1saster]

The graph above is comparing different generation vehicles E84 vs F31. It should compare E84 and E91 or F48 and F31.

[themishmosh]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Except they don't, no 5er or A6 wagon.

Why limit yourself to BMW or Audi? If interior volume and cargo volume are a big issue, I would certainly not even entertain the thought of buying an X1.