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Totally on impulse I've traded the CRV in for an ex-demo X1 2.0 Xdrive.....Lost £3k on a 26k mile CRV - Deal was good including a leather interior etc etc.. 250 notes for a 5 month servicing deal...
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What is the X1??
I have seen a few on the road, not sure if it is supposed to be a 1 series estate, or a baby X3. Doesn't seem to have the right length for an estate, or the right height to be an "X"
Maybe looks are deceiving but give the impression of being smaller in height and ride that a CRV/RAV type of thing.
What made you buy that?
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I felt the CRV was a bit lumbering really and just wanted something a bit more lithe - had considered an A4....test drove it and found the ride (on runflats) to be quite good - just fancied a bit of change really and the man maths made sense in a way :-0
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>> What is the X1??
Check the Sniffpetrol website. Enter "X1" into the search function, read the article "BMW Explains 4x4 Strategy" and all will become clear. No link posted due to adult language.
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Must have got an impressive trade in for CRV? These certainly seem to hold their value if used forecourt prices are anything to go by.
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I got avery, very good deal on it when I bought it at the height of the credit crunch thing - as I say 3k of 18 months and 26000 is a good deal - it wasn't looking at its best.
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Quite funny really, turned up at the garage, jeans tee shirt (and Salomon Aeros, Grey) car and I slightly unwashed, apart from a rather brusque welcome from one dude in a suit it was all very pleasant and welcoming !
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Come now PU. You know better than to leave it there ! We need colour, trim, auto or manual, have you got it yet etc etc.....
Congratulations BTW ! Odd looking thing but I bet it's nice.
:-)
Grey shoes ! No wonder they managed to sell you one of those then !
:-)
Last edited by: Humph D'bout on Wed 8 Sep 10 at 21:29
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yu'll be needing a bike rack to hang on that hatch of yours....
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My current Thule thing is towbar mounted - The X1 has no towbar ! So I may very well need one !
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I'm probably alone in liking the metallic brown they do the X1 in.
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yes you probably are but it looks well on the skoda with the hearing aid roof colour
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>> I'm probably alone in liking the metallic brown they do the X1 in.
>>
Very probably; I'm not a fan.
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>> >> I'm probably alone in liking the metallic brown they do the X1 in.
Dear oh Dear. The X1 is not the pretiest girl in class, not by a long way, so covering her in poo is not an improvement.
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>> Dear oh Dear. The X1 is not the prettiest girl in class, not by a
>> long way, so covering her in poo is not an improvement.
>>
X1 is not the prettiest car
................but not as ugly as "Betty" my name for my son's X6 - it hit every branch on the ugly tree, "Betty" is also in a light grey metallic colour.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and 3 months since he and his £45K parted company he still thinks it is a great car.,
Earlier in the year he had an appointment at Specsavers but did not go.
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>> Earlier in the year he had an appointment at Specsavers but did not go.
>>
Was that because he couldn't see the door?
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No although mine is in Alpine white. A colour I probably would have chosen if new...
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"yes you probably are but it looks well on the skoda with the hearing aid roof colour"
Indeed. Brown with a 'Tobacco', ie beige, vinyl roof was a popular option on the MkII Capri.
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>> No although mine is in Alpine white. A colour I probably would have chosen if
>> new...
Have you thought of a car Burka?
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The car shares it's underpinnings with another great looking car doesn't it. The new Mini 4x4. I'll get me coat.
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"It’s not a car. It’s rubbish," - according to that clown Clarkson.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article7105825.ece
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Sorry I mistook it for a car.
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I find it unlikely BMW would make something that is 'rubbish'.
But Clarkson's opinion does carry enough weight to make the car undesirable to some.
Looking on the bright side, this means BMW has to try a bit harder to sell them, which means good deals for buyers.
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I'm only surprised PU didn't go for another 5-series like the GT.
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If you want a smallish, lithe capable lifestyle estate/hatch, and you want a BMW, I wouldnt look further than a 3 series touring.
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 9 Sep 10 at 10:49
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>> If you want a smallish, lithe capable lifestyle estate/hatch, and you want a BMW, I
>> wouldnt look further than a 3 series touring.
>>
Err...we have just been discussing the capability, or to be precise "non-capability", of the 3 series touring on another thread.
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>> >> If you want a smallish, lithe capable lifestyle estate/hatch, and you want a BMW,
>> I
>> >> wouldnt look further than a 3 series touring.
>> >>
>> Err...we have just been discussing the capability, or to be precise "non-capability", of the 3
>> series touring on another thread.
which is why I dont have one,
Lets face it, BMW do not just do smaller cars well. They have absolutely no idea about packaging and space utilisation.
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Not sure about no idea, Z. I suspect they're well aware of the drawbacks of RWD in terms of space but reckon there'll be enough well-off (or at least creditworthy) singles who want a BMW but can't afford a 3 for it not to matter, provided the margins are good.
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>> But Clarkson's opinion does carry enough weight to make the car undesirable to some.
>>
I cannot believe anybody takes Clarkson's opinion of a car seriously. They are entertaining but rarely, if ever, phrased or expressed in a way that merits serious consideration.
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In fairness his tests in the Sunday Times are very poor about 60% talking about anything other than cars and 40% on the car -he can be wrong. Personally not worried about what he says - I'm happy :-) 5GT too big by far for the roads up here - didn't want a 3 touring although a 335 there took my eye rather..
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>> 5GT too big by far for the roads up here
And it's truly, hideously, offensively ugly. :-(
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>> I'm probably alone in liking the metallic brown they do the X1 in.
>>
I like it too. In fact they do the same colour in the new Dacia Duster. Same car, same colour but a third of the price?
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BMW do not just do smaller cars well
er...MINI ?
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No-one buys a Mini for its interior space, PU.
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...er...MINI ?...
That's an interesting one.
I don't think the MINI is now seen as quite the world beater it was when it was launched.
Poor packaging, poor ride, and poor quality are all conspiring against it.
There's also a looming image problem, which is far more serious because the MINI has always been more about style than substance.
It's now seen as a car for estate agents.
Very off-putting. :)
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The X1 underpins the new MINI Crossover.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Thu 9 Sep 10 at 16:58
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>> There's also a looming image problem, which is far more serious because the MINI has
>> always been more about style than substance.
Not sure about that. There are plenty of young girls around here driving them, also the young teenage guys at work look on them favourably. If you're saying they don't appeal to the more mature breed, you're probably right about that :-) The image is right for the kind of people it appeals to.
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>> BMW do not just do smaller cars well
>>
>> er...MINI ?
Exactly. Its not exactly a small car and has very poor interior space for its size.
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Back on thread, I saw an X1 in the flesh on the A404 the other day. It was in Grey Metallic and looked much nicer than in photographs. Quite an attractive car - but this is always a matter of taste of course.
The other nice thing about the X1 is that you can get it in four-wheel drive. With the appropriate tyres, this should be very handy on wintry roads.
I'm almost tempted! (Me - BMW's Number 1 critic! :-) )
Well done on getting one, PU.
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After sitting in the new 5-series I would say I might be tempted by a BMW in 12 months. Not so sure about the 3-series and I don't need 4 wheel drive.
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Well done PU, good to see someone not following the herd, i liked X3 too particularly with 330d under the bonnet.
Hope it gives much pleasure, which is exactly what a vehicle of your own choice (as against necessity such as a van) should do.
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rtj70, the 5 is the opposite to the X1, IMHO. It looks great in photographs, but not so good in the flesh. I had a look around one at the dealers the other day. Lovely interior (in beige), but it looked a tad portly from the outside. I imagine trying to park it at the supermarket and shudder.
Fantastic spec, though. Anything that can match it for fuel consumption, it trounces for pace. Anything that can match it for pace, it trounces in fuel consumption. Seems to have had a mixed reception from magazines, though. I would have thought that it would walk any magazine group test easily.
Last edited by: Londoner on Thu 9 Sep 10 at 19:18
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I imagine BMW will treat PU as a 'conquest customer' in their stats to show how much better they are than Honda. They will no doubt ignore his longterm liking for BMW products.
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I'm a tart - I'll go back to Honda or similar when I'm bored !
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Picked it up this morning with barely 11 miles left in the fuel tank on the Honda - The BMW is the x drive (4WD) 2.0 litre version it has quite a few of the options fitted including 18" run flats (more later) it's in Alpine white and consequently looks quite good (despite everything), leather interior and the "Piano" trim options - it also has the "Comfort Pack" which means improved interior lighting and the all important shiny lighty things on the exterior handles. Firing up the 4 pot diesel is slightly gruff but quieter than the CRV's in reality. Overall, torque is better and the gear ratios are slightly better tuned than the CRV. Gearchange is typical BMW down to the oddly shaped gear knob. Footwell is slightly cramped but driving position isn't slightly ski-wiff as per the E46.
On the road it feels faster than the CRV, the wheel is slightly too thick for my taste and the steering a bit heavy. The run flats don't feel that bad, no road noise and the ride is OK, not as complaint as the CRV but it more than makes up for that in the handling department which is streets ahead of the CRV but the car is lower than the Honda and maybe this contributes.
Interior build quality is far ahead of the Honda's with far better materials, switchgear is fine - beautifully wieghted and totally logical - everything just works as it should, beautiful little touches include the nearside mirror that drops when reverse is selected (forgotten about stuff like that). Starting to bond with it....:-)
And above all it has lighty shiny things on the handles...!
Last edited by: Pugugly on Fri 1 Oct 10 at 21:31
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Very good. Hope you enjoy it. Erm, now, ahem............how about a nice bike rack to go with it ?
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Well done on getting the X1, PU. I hope that you stay pleased with it.
I must say that I find it an impressive car - it's about the one car from BMW that would tempt me at the moment. It doesn't seem to be lacking in any department. It's got pace, reasonable running costs, above average practicality, 4 wheel drive (thus avoiding the infamous BMW pitfalls in the snow), good build quality, and it looks mean-but-stylish (and more importantly it does not look like Bangle designed it!).
All it needs now is a bike rack like Humph says.
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I kinda see it like homing a rescue dog.
An X1 is for life, not just for Christmas.
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 1 Oct 10 at 23:10
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My Skoda does the near side mirror drop thing - or at least would if I could be bothered to set it up. Don't see the point, tbh.
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Its very handy to get it kerb tight.
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"or at least would if I could be bothered to set it up. Don't see the point, tbh."
I would have found this useful when I was learning to pass my test 20 years ago. The passenger mirror on our 957cc Fiesta 'Popular Plus' was pointed down at the kerb for reverse parking alignment purposes.
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The CRV does too with the mirror adjuster switch in the left hand position. Leave it in the centre or R position and it does not.
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>>the wheel is slightly too thick for my taste and the steering a bit heavy
I'm not surprised after going from a Honda(sometimes criticised for overlight steering) to a BMW. I find mine a bit heavy at low speeds sometimes.
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Hanging a laden bike rack on the back would transfer the weight distribution more to the rear and would quite possibly help to lighten the steering. Be nice to have the option of impromptu bike rides too. What a marvelous sense of freedom that would create would it not ? Any retired person would be sure to enjoy that option I'm more than sure. Just by way of a suggestion of course.
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>> Hanging a laden bike rack on the back would transfer the weight distribution more to
>> the rear and would quite possibly help to lighten the steering. Be nice to have
>> the option of impromptu bike rides too.
No, I think he prefers dragging a tent in the pouring rain up to Scotland on a 50cc moped :-)
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Well the thing is......I have a towbar mounted bike rack now surplus to requirement...:-0
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Well yes, understood, but what would be the cost of fitting a towbar to the X1, £500 or so perhaps ? For a mere £50 or possibly less one could source an unused but nonetheless second hand clip on rack which would be just the ticket for the job. As for disposing of the towbar mounted one I'm very confident it would sell in a trice by mentioning its availability in the classified section on this very site.
Wouldn't seem to be a thing to hesitate over I'd have thought anyway.
Last edited by: Humph D'bout on Sat 2 Oct 10 at 17:59
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Don't care what the seller says, that reg is X12 OBX !!
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Another 100 mile drive in it today - some further thoughts - comfortable, cosseting to drive, quick in the bits that the Honda couldn't quite manage (joining from slip roads etc) - Properly set up handbrake for RHD. Stop start system hasn't got quite the finesse of the Honda hybrid I used to drive in work. The flipside to that is that unlike the Honda there is no doubt that the engine has been cut out - the Honda was silent to the point of danger. Seems to returning about 42mpg - I feel that this is despite the fact I tend to drive quicker in this than the Honda. Definately handles better than the Honda around roundabouts etc...
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How well does it cope with today's potholed and speed-bump infested roads?
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Ride is marginally harsher than the CRV, which in my opinion was pretty good, but I have to say that despite the run-flats the ride is very compliant and not all harsh, the tyres appear to be a very hard "economy" compound, but tyre roar is well subdued and in punting up and down the A55 is always travelling faster than road/wind noise suggests.
A few pot holes on the lane down to where we live, no issues, may go into town tomorrow and fin some speed humps..
The downlighters on all four handles light up with a harsh LED white, they illuminate the area directly below the doors excellently...I really like them, but what do I know ?
Last edited by: Pugugly on Sun 3 Oct 10 at 20:50
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What tyres have you got on, PU? Contis, I expect. Never got on with them, though. My dealer advised me to go for Bridgestones instead on my (admittedly different model) car.
They are a huge improvement in every way, but especially in terms of ride comfort and longevity.
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Pirelli P7s 225/45 x R18s - I was surprised as well, expected them to be Contis....One little complaint is a slight tendency to tramline - I'll double check the pressures tomorrow.
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Went for a drive today - and it has developed the world's most irritating rattle from the interior trim somewhere - after isolating forward somewhere the dash cubby was the prime suspect. Irritating beyond belief. I called at the dealership to drop off the Honda's tool kit but something stopped me actually mentioning it...true to form it rattled all the way along the A55 until I bought the sun visor down - doh, I'd forgotten to hitch it back into its bracket. Properly clipped into place the rattle stopped....could have looked a wally.
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Could have been worse. Might have Mrs PU's ear ring requiring some oil.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEFPldXp_u4
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Three week update, piled the miles on mainly due to an unexpected trip down to Swansea.
Driving Experience.
Position is very sound, no aches and pains, even after a long day behind the wheel - seat is typically BMW with grown up features of extending squab giving proper support below the knees - also adjustable side bolsters - perfect seating position is achievable. Ergonomics are spot on,primary controls never more than a finger length away, secondaries are easily found in the dark. Heating and ventilation are easy to set up to face with fresh cool air available from centre and side vents - brilliant.
4x4 is discrete and unobtrusive, plenty of grip with no shimmy from the driven wheels, front or rear, impeccable road manners however you drive it. The 18" optional run-flats are fine - no bone jarring ride, slight tendency to tramline - need to experiment with tyre pressures when I get round to it.
Performance.
Is just fine, quicker than the Honda and on the A470 northbound proved to be a very capable overtaker in the speed ranges that the Honda wasn't - on duals it cruises happily at silly speeds and typically BMW you feel you're doing a lot less.
Economy
Amazing - heavy performance 4x4 diesel will travel nearly 600 miles on tank, full of widgets (stop/start, regenerative braking etc etc) not brimmed it yet, will do soon.
and er..shiny lighty thingies....
A very good car if rather ugly.
Last edited by: Pugugly on Fri 22 Oct 10 at 21:32
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>> A very good car if rather ugly.
That's a matter of opinion. I don't think that it is ugly at all. In fact, to me it looks very handsome in a rugged sort of way.
It's a great achievement that a four wheel drive vehicle can manage that sort of road performance AND give good economy at the same time.
You didn't mention practicality, but I believe that it's is very good on the X1. I've only examined an X1 in the flesh once, but it seemed as if the load area was very useful both with the seats up or down. (And you get roof rails as well - just in case).
Glad to see that you can get separate cool air to the face. That's a feature that is relatively rare on cars these days. In theory, I should have it on the 320d as well, but given that I drive with my hands at the classic "10-to-2" position, all I get is a cold left hand due to the positioning of the air vent!
I think that you made a good choice with the X1. I'd say that it is strong in every area. It's my favourite BMW by a long way, even though some commentators criticise it.
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...Glad to see that you can get separate cool air to the face. That's a feature that is relatively rare on cars these days...
Certainly is and I wish it wasn't.
The ventilation on the CC3 is arguably inferior to that of a Mk2 Cortina.
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>> The ventilation on the CC3 is arguably inferior to that of a Mk2 Cortina.
>>
That's better..........
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...That's better....
The argument comes from the air conditoning which I wouldn't want to be without.
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Just over a month on and it still delights - The Honda was likened by me to a Wellington boot which shrugged off everything the weather could chuck at it, the X1 is like a well fashioned Gortex lined walking shoe, comfortable, rugged and a delight to wear. Performance on Anglesey B roads today was fine. Beginning to love it despite its eccentric little face.
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>...like a well fashioned Gortex lined walking shoe, comfortable, rugged and a delight to wear...
...but still not really appropriate in refined company - eh, Humph?
};---)
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Which makes it and me very infra dig - I only own two ties now !
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PU is there a button for "offroad abs" or something like that? I've not had a sit inside a 4wd X1 yet to check this one.
I'm not sure how it's engaged but i think the X1 xdrive models are the first BMWs to have the ABS for loose ground / snow where it brakes past wheel locking point to build up a chock of surface material to slow the car down faster in those conditions.
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No there isn't but I'll delve in the handbook later - sounds interesting. Had a play with the Hill Descent Control system in Yorkshire last weekend - I can see that being of use around here when the snows come ! On my old R1200GS the ABS was switchable for the reason you give.
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Careful with that hill descent thingy PU. Pal of mine tried that on the snow last year in his X5. Slid straight into a wall narrowly missing a senior member of the WI in a 206...
Mind you he was on 20" rims and watchstrap tyres as well.
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>> ...but still not really appropriate in refined company - eh, Humph? };---)
Well, one wouldn't actually say anything of course but...
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>> the X1 is like a well fashioned Gortex lined walking shoe, comfortable, rugged and a
>> delight to wear.
>>
Do they light up as you walk in the dark PU ? :-)
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No - didn't think of that - HUMPH ?
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Slight design issue here I'm afraid PU. No doors on shoes. It's more than possible, indeed common practice to put little lights in the soles though but generally this doesn't usually appeal much above the age of 8....
It can be done mind.
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I had to laugh. Parked the car outside a village pub, there were a couple of drinkers/smokers. I had left the car to write up census returns, came back to get something I'd left behind and overheard on say to the other "It's got a hard sort of smile" the other said "it looks as it it's saying "GET OUT OF MY WAY" " at least they were vaguely complimentary...!
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There was a famous (at the time) advert for BMW in the early 70's which typified this -ahem- attitude.
i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy190/aott97/ad_bmw_2002_coupe_bw_moveover_1974.jpg
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>> Slight design issue here I'm afraid PU. No doors on shoes. It's more than possible,
>> indeed common practice to put little lights in the soles though but generally this doesn't
>> usually appeal much above the age of 8....
>>
>> It can be done mind.
>>
Where do Clarks et al get the ever lasting batteries from?
The kids could walk 58000 miles flashing heels all the way the for the next two years whenever you moved anything the shoe cupboard was like a disco ...
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Well off for its service tomorrow - very minor issues being flagged to the dealer. A driver's door that doesn't always catch properly when shut and the flipping radio that comes on when you open any door....get that programmed out.
It's on a service package for the next 4 and bit years - which means no open wallet surgery tomorrow, reckon its going to need a set of tyres soon though.
Inspired to give it a proper clean yesterday and today after BMW offered me the oppertunity to have it cleaned to showroom condition for 45 quid. I almost fell over.
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But don't they clean it inside and out for free anyway? My car gets cleaned when serviced. Is that just a lease company thing?
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They certainly used to - I think if you're on the cheapskate deal they won't. Mind you there's a part of me that won't let a dirty car anywhere near a dealer, they can be sort of judgmental...and the car was filthy, having moved house and done 7 weeks on the Census haven't had time/inclination to clean it.
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>> they can be sort of judgmental
My old Merc dealer employers used to shove everything through a wash&dry auto car wash after the service had been completed, then get the valeters to give it a lightning-quick vacuum and dust inside. It could improve some cars' appearance tenfold in about 3 minutes. The mechanics couldn't give a hoot what state the car was in, they just concentrated on doing as many 0.6hour £400 services as they could fit in the day.
A couple of somewhat more expensive vehicles used to be dropped off by their owners' drivers with a sheet of A4 taped to the steering wheel bearing instructions that it must not be put through the mechanical carwash.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Wed 15 Jun 11 at 22:50
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Hi PU - can i ask what kind of mpg you are getting from the X1? It's short-listed to replace our X3 3-litre diesel. The X1 will be down on BHP, but over 200Kg lighter than the X3 and I guess you crack 45mpg easily? (Averaging 34mpg in the X3). Cheers!
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around 45 Mpg - range is what I work on, usually manage at least 600 miles per tank, depends on road use. I like it enough to consider buying another when the time comes !
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Cool - your response assists me in my man-maths :-)
Have convinced SWMBO to take a test drive on Friday :-) BMW are running a 0% finance offer on unregistered X1 stocks until Xmas. Just hoping that it doesn't feel too much smaller/less spacious inside than the X3 and that their trade-in offer is not derisory...
Do you have proper leather inside, or that synthetic Sensatec stuff which sounds a bit cheap..?
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No it has the proper leather and the sports seat combo - very comfortable over a long distance.
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It was only after being home from holiday and then picking up my car on the same day I read a copy of Auto Express.... Nappa leather might go up due to demand. I hadn't realised that 'nappa' leather was deemed so good. It was standard on my car so thought it meant it was lower quality.
Seats are lovely in leather :-) And the heating in the base/back is nice too. And mine are climate too. Sorry I like the car.
Back to the X1... nice looking cars. Nicer than an X3 to my eyes anyway. Not as nice as the new twin turbo M5 though!
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You're right - I am friendly with a couple from Cambridge by the way !
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I know some people in Wisbech. Best of luck to them if they are in the 15-20 friends/family group. You too :-) !
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Well, I really want to like the X1 but don't think it's for me. Can't help thinking that it's just a bit too small after the X3.
And of course, the attractive 0% finance deal only applies to a handful of models in stock, all of which have several $$ of extras pre-installed which I don't really want, and Hey Presto the car costs 2 grand more than you expected it to...
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BMW X1 E84 - Goodbye CRV hello BMW (Again) - BobbyG
