LVSteve
Member
Took our 328d to the dealer to get the EGR cooler inspected as part of a BMW worldwide recall. Turned out ours was good.
Dealer gave me an X1 as a loaner. It's a small crossover that shares its platform with the Mini. In basic form it is front wheel drive, but this one was all wheel drive carrying Xdrive28i badges.
Brief specs:
Dimensions: 175″ L x 72″ W x 64″ H
Engine: Transverse 2.0 L 4-cylinder
Drivetrain: AWD, 8-speed automatic
Horsepower: 228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm
Kerb weight: 3,660 lbs
EPA mpg: 22 city / 32 highway
Styling:
Like every other BMW SUV. I parked it next to an X5 my coworker got recently. The X1 looks like an X5 that was accidentally washed hot. My example was white with a beige interior, just the ticket for Vegas.
Powertrain:
Much as it pains me to say so, this transverse installation is much more refined than the last RWD 2.0 BMW I drove, a 430i. The X1 also had minimal turbo lag, unlike the 430i. The transmission is seamless and downshifted fairly readily, unlike most GMs that cling to the highest gears beyond what is sensible. Power is plenty adequate around town and on the freeway.
Can't speak to the gas mileage, I only had it a day.
Handling and ride:
Didn't really get any chances to push the handling. The ride is superb, soaking up road repairs that leave my Xterra shuddering. This is despite 18" rims and 50 profile tires. Rumor control says the M Sport package totally trashes the ride.
There is some road rumble, but I think it is more noticeable in this car because there is minimal engine and wind noise. Generally, it's very quiet and refined. Twice I felt a little fore and aft rocking typical of short wheelbase SUVs and crossovers in my experience.
Interior:
The interior layout is very familiar to anyone who has been in a BMW this decade. However, being the "budget" model, there are places where there is plastic that would be wood in a an X3. Even so, most of the touch surfaces and soft rather than hard.
The seats were the standard items and are somewhat flat, although a big improvement on the seats in the 2016 X1. Sports seats are available that look better and have more adjustment, but given the size of the vehicle they might be tight for those with, ahem, broader backs.
The front area is very accommodating with massive amounts of headroom, legroom and seat/wheel adjustment fore and aft. Do you want to sit up like a bus driver or lower like you are in a sports car? This SUV gives you choice. However, your butt does generally go downhill to get in. This isn't one of those crossovers where you slide in sideways or climb up. To be honest, it's more of a tall hatchback.
Speaking of the hatch, there is 27 cu ft back there with the rear seats up. With them folded it roughly doubles. The hatch is power, BTW.
It was 90° when I took it back and the A/C cooled it down in no time.
Conclusion:
I could live with one of these if fitted with the sports seats.
Dealer gave me an X1 as a loaner. It's a small crossover that shares its platform with the Mini. In basic form it is front wheel drive, but this one was all wheel drive carrying Xdrive28i badges.
Brief specs:
Dimensions: 175″ L x 72″ W x 64″ H
Engine: Transverse 2.0 L 4-cylinder
Drivetrain: AWD, 8-speed automatic
Horsepower: 228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm
Kerb weight: 3,660 lbs
EPA mpg: 22 city / 32 highway
Styling:
Like every other BMW SUV. I parked it next to an X5 my coworker got recently. The X1 looks like an X5 that was accidentally washed hot. My example was white with a beige interior, just the ticket for Vegas.
Powertrain:
Much as it pains me to say so, this transverse installation is much more refined than the last RWD 2.0 BMW I drove, a 430i. The X1 also had minimal turbo lag, unlike the 430i. The transmission is seamless and downshifted fairly readily, unlike most GMs that cling to the highest gears beyond what is sensible. Power is plenty adequate around town and on the freeway.
Can't speak to the gas mileage, I only had it a day.
Handling and ride:
Didn't really get any chances to push the handling. The ride is superb, soaking up road repairs that leave my Xterra shuddering. This is despite 18" rims and 50 profile tires. Rumor control says the M Sport package totally trashes the ride.
There is some road rumble, but I think it is more noticeable in this car because there is minimal engine and wind noise. Generally, it's very quiet and refined. Twice I felt a little fore and aft rocking typical of short wheelbase SUVs and crossovers in my experience.
Interior:
The interior layout is very familiar to anyone who has been in a BMW this decade. However, being the "budget" model, there are places where there is plastic that would be wood in a an X3. Even so, most of the touch surfaces and soft rather than hard.
The seats were the standard items and are somewhat flat, although a big improvement on the seats in the 2016 X1. Sports seats are available that look better and have more adjustment, but given the size of the vehicle they might be tight for those with, ahem, broader backs.
The front area is very accommodating with massive amounts of headroom, legroom and seat/wheel adjustment fore and aft. Do you want to sit up like a bus driver or lower like you are in a sports car? This SUV gives you choice. However, your butt does generally go downhill to get in. This isn't one of those crossovers where you slide in sideways or climb up. To be honest, it's more of a tall hatchback.
Speaking of the hatch, there is 27 cu ft back there with the rear seats up. With them folded it roughly doubles. The hatch is power, BTW.
It was 90° when I took it back and the A/C cooled it down in no time.
Conclusion:
I could live with one of these if fitted with the sports seats.
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