First Drive: 2012 BMW X1 xDrive 28i

[kevlar]

how much smaller can a suv/cuv get before we, by law, have to call it a wagon?  resistance is futile. 

[ovr50]

  I went to the Vancouver International car show 2011 to see the BMW X1 and other SAV's.  The BMW X1 is a lot of BLING. I am 6'1" and the X1 is hard to get in and out of.  Also, when I set up the driver and passenger front seats to fit me, the front seats were pushing on the back bench seat. There is more room for me in the front of the Nissan Juke, which was very easy to get in and out of, and with the front seats adjusted to fit my body I could sit in the back seat of the Juke.  Journalists should mention the above facts.  There are a lot of Canadians taller and bigger than I am. Very disappointing. If BMW took 300 kg of BLING off the X1 and the run flat wheels and tires the vehicle would accelerate and perform well.  Less weight. better mileage,cheaper. More profit.

I don't understand the point of a post like this?? The X1 is too small for me as well, but there are other/larger alternatives. So it doesn't work for you, just move on then. 

[mmret]

Personally I am much more intrigued by the powertrain here than the car itself (probably too cramped for my practical side).

But yes, a 2.0T with these power/tq numbers that can get 6.5 on the highway even with AWD is impressive. Maybe the F10 328 will come with a wagon version? (Then again I wouldn't blame BMW for killing the wagon here)

The N52 is an impressive piece of work even today, but it's not competitive with this new motor on paper.

[carcrazed]

I took one for a test drive about three weeks ago and came out pretty impressed with the driving dynamics and features with just premium package added in.  It's not bad for 40k, but I would prefer the more cargo space of X3.  Although the front seats were fine (still not roomy) for my 6'2" 210lb. frame, I wouldn't enjoy sitting in the rear seats.  I'm going to wait for this new engine to hopefully make its way into X3 28i in the near future.

[nlm]

  I went to the Vancouver International car show 2011 to see the BMW X1 and other SAV's.  The BMW X1 is a lot of BLING. I am 6'1" and the X1 is hard to get in and out of.  Also, when I set up the driver and passenger front seats to fit me, the front seats were pushing on the back bench seat. There is more room for me in the front of the Nissan Juke, which was very easy to get in and out of, and with the front seats adjusted to fit my body I could sit in the back seat of the Juke.  Journalists should mention the above facts.  There are a lot of Canadians taller and bigger than I am. Very disappointing. If BMW took 300 kg of BLING off the X1 and the run flat wheels and tires the vehicle would accelerate and perform well.  Less weight. better mileage,cheaper. More profit.

I don't understand the point of a post like this?? The X1 is too small for me as well, but there are other/larger alternatives. So it doesn't work for you, just move on then. 

I am curious how BMW would take off 300kg of "BLING".  Heck, even 300kg of anything and meet the project objective and all of the safety requirements.

[ovr50]

Tell me exactly what comprises your "300 kg of bling". Do you know what the project objective is or was? Are you saying it doesn't presently meet safety objectives now?

Your post is still pointless....

[Shnak]

@Over50, care to share your thoughts on how your new X3 drives compared to your old E91 touring?

I have only had the new X3 35i for 6 days at this point, but initial impressions versus the 328xiT are:
- the engine is much stronger in the X3 (N55 turboed, 300hp/295llbft) vs the 328 (N52 NA, 230/200). That increased hp&torque is very noticable.
- the 328 was a standard tranny; the X3 is 8spd electronic Steptronic. The new tranny shifts very quickly, and shift points can be adjusted in Sport and Sport + settings.
- combo of engine and tranny means the new X3 is much faster than the 328 (I would think at least 2 secs faster 0-60)
- the 328 had the Sports Pkg; the new X3 has Normal/Sport/Sport+ settings. In Normal setting on the X3, the old 328 was more "planted". But at Sport and Sport+. the new X3 feels very secure and handling limits move up substantially. HOWEVER, I have not had the X3 long enough to make a valid comparison here.
- the X3 is quieter and rides better than the wagon. The RFTs on the wagon transmitted some harshness to the cabin, whereas the improved tire tech for RFTs seem to have muted that harshness in the new X3.
- the 328 was a more "bare-bones" car than the new X3 is.


That's about all I can tell at this point, need more seat time in the new one.

Great, thanks for the comparison - much appreciated  Sounds like you'll have many enjoyable miles in your X3.

Knowing ovr, he'll probably enjoy his X3 for about 15,000km then trade it in for the new hot BMW offering. 

[ovr50]

Shnak - "Knowing ovr, he'll probably enjoy his X3 for about 15,000km then trade it in for the new hot BMW offering"

Maybe I'll keep this one? Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do? Too many variables, and life's too short. 

[que]

Good job BMW Canada for bring the X1 to Canada before the US.  Now bring the 2L diesel on this with the 8speed auto and you will have a home run!

[Shnak]

Shnak - "Knowing ovr, he'll probably enjoy his X3 for about 15,000km then trade it in for the new hot BMW offering"

Maybe I'll keep this one? Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do? Too many variables, and life's too short. 

Maybe. I doubt it, but maybe. 

[lebowski]

Good job BMW Canada for bring the X1 to Canada before the US.  Now bring the 2L diesel on this with the DCT and you will have a home run!

Fixed 

[ovr50]

Good job BMW Canada for bring the X1 to Canada before the US.  Now bring the 2L diesel on this with the DCT and you will have a home run!

Fixed 

The DCT is good, but the new 8 speed auto is an amazing tranny. Better fuel economy, quicker shifts, and totally seamless in operation. I think it's a winner, as long as it's durable, and it is too early to know that. EDIT for speelin eroors.

[lebowski]

The DCT is good, but the new 8 speed auto is an amazing tranny. Better fuel economy, quicker shifts, and totally seamless in operation. I thing it's a winner, as lonag as it's durable, and it is too early to know that.

Is the 8-speed's sport/manual mode as quick and responsive as that of the DCT?

[ovr50]

The DCT is good, but the new 8 speed auto is an amazing tranny. Better fuel economy, quicker shifts, and totally seamless in operation. I thing it's a winner, as lonag as it's durable, and it is too early to know that.

Is the 8-speed's sport/manual mode as quick and responsive as that of the DCT?

Yes, if not, it's very, very close. I haven't really ratted on the new 8 spd yet as it's still too new; but it sure feels responsive so far.

[dirtyjeffer]

maybe its just me, but i really like the X1...it is exactly the size i would like...i assume this engine requires premium fuel??...i know a couple of people who own BMWs and they love them, but they sure seem expensive to upkeep after about 5 years...they almost seem like money pits.

[tazcubed]

The X1 doesn't have much company in the market?! Not the Acura RDX, Mazda CX-7, Audi Q5 or Subaru Forester XT (all 4-turbos driving a CUV)? Give me a break! Sorry, but I disagree with the suggestion that BMW is a segment buster. Let's see how this turbocharged engine survives after the fiasco that surrounds the N54 engine...

[JSCC]

The X1 doesn't have much company in the market?! Not the Acura RDX, Mazda CX-7, Audi Q5 or Subaru Forester XT (all 4-turbos driving a CUV)? Give me a break! Sorry, but I disagree with the suggestion that BMW is a segment buster. Let's see how this turbocharged engine survives after the fiasco that surrounds the N54 engine...

All the vehicles that you mentioned are more X3 competition, at least ""physical size"" wise.

The X1's main competitors would be VW Tiguan Highline, upcoming Audi Q3, upcoming MB MLK/BLK , and upcoming Lexus IX .
So currently, only the Tiguan is direct competition, some may not even consider it to be case as VW is not a luxury brand in their eyes.

[Blueprint]

Add a 6-speed manual, remove 2k$, and I'm sold on a base model.  I did try it on at the Montreal Auto Show last January, and to me it seemed Infiniti EX35-ish in profile and low CUV style.

I'm 6' even and fit great in front and "behind myself".

You should read the comments on the American forums ... they really don't get this vehicle (and they won't get it 'till 2012 anyway).  For some reason, they can't associate "premium" and "compact".