BMW X1?

My mom is in the market for a new sporty/practical hatchback and the X1 has caught her eye, anyone on here had the chance to check one out yet?

She had a 2011 A3 TDI and really loved it, but is now looking for something marginally larger.

I had one in Germany. It was a diesel which probably won't come here, but I loved it. Effortless on the Autobahn and typical BMW interior quality. Lots of room for 4, a squeeze for 5.

Hatchback does not = X1.

Crossover SUV = X1.

Which does she really want, as there's better choices in either segment.

I drove an X5 for a week and I wouldn't even call IT "practical" with regards to carrying stuff. Could hardly fit a couple sets of golf clubs in the "cargo area." Can't imagine that the X1 has more room....

If your mom wants practical, tell her to get a Rav4....the V6 one for the "sporty" aspect (it runs mid-14s in the 1/4 from what I hear :) )

Or get a real sportwagon or hatch....Impreza, TSX wagon, etc.

Javelin wrote: Hatchback does not = X1. Crossover SUV = X1. Which does she *really* want, as there's better choices in either segment.

This.

The X1 is a station wagon with a lift kit. If she wants a station wagon, look into a Focus hatchback or Subaru Impreza/Legacy. If she wants a truck, get her a truck.

I hate "crossovers."

She really doesn't need to carry/haul much more than herself and groceries, and sort of has the German car bug (and I can't fault her for that!)

In reply to Storz:

Isn't there a pill or lotion for that wallet draining German Car Bug?

I would rather people drive crossovers than SUVs that they would never use the utlity part of

e30

/discussion.

trunk can fit 18 grocery bags. true story.

Golf R.

Storz wrote: My mom is in the market for a new sporty/practical hatchback and the X1 has caught her eye, anyone on here had the chance to check one out yet? She had a 2011 A3 TDI and really loved it, but is now looking for something marginally larger.

I know it seems fun that there's a debate over if the X1 is an SUV or a hatch, but the bold part is the KEY. Mom is interested in it.

Regardless what you think the class of vehicle it's in.

Who cares if she's mistaken in your eye that it's a hatch? How about opinions on the orignal question- how's the X1?

I love the X1. If the stars align and somehow I win the BMWCCA raffle this year I'll buy one. The X1 with the turbo 4 is quick and rated at 28+ MPG, the 8 speed auto works really well and the X1 35i will stomp those uber-ugly torque steering (even with AWD) RAV4s. X1s handle well, great ergonomics, and if you control your option lust they're even KINDA affordable. Drive a RAV4 (my sister and my friends love that lumpy critter, go figure) and THEN drive an X1: decision made.

Bmw is dead to me

because of the X1? The X3 and X5 are not marketed as SUVs you know... they are soft roaders... not off roaders.

I could get behind the X1. I looked at one in person the other day and it's really a lot more tall hatchback than SUV (much more compact and lower to the ground compared to the X3 or X5). It sounds like it has a fantastic drivetrain, very efficient, priced better than most BMW oferings... I don't think I'd ever buy one, but I probably wouldn't push a friend/family member away.

irish44j wrote: e30 /discussion. trunk can fit 18 grocery bags. true story.

While I certainly love the E30, I think my mom is looking for something a little newer

I have an AWD V6 RAV4, and it's a really good vehicle for what it is. I average 24-25 MPG for my mixed commute (60% backroads/40% highway), which isn't bad for an AWD vehicle with 269 HP and a bunch of space (the rear seat slides back several inches which gives it plenty of rear seat legroom). With that being said, it's not a particularly sporty vehicle, and it's definitely not eye-catching. The transmission is really smooth when driven in commuting mode, but doesn't work particularly well if you're pushing it (the transmission upshifts and downshifts at all the wrong times). I'd love to have a programmer for the transmission and set my own shift points. In addition, as others have mentioned, it has some crazy torque steer between 45 and 55 MPH that's a little scary if you're heavy on the throttle at those speeds. I love the steering (it's actually electric power steering), and the handling is OK. I'd imagine the X1 would be a lot more fun to drive.

The AWD works really well in the snow/ice, and the newer models have a VSC off button (my older model has a crazy dance that involves the brake pedal and parking brake lever to disable VSC). The ABS works very well, and on dry pavement, the VSC isn't intrusive.

It's a great vehicle for eating up miles, I've driven 1,000+ miles a day with it on multiple occasions and had no complaints. I like the slightly higher vantage point for commuting, and it's not a bad place to spend time in.

Overall, it's been a good car for us, and it has served us very well in commuting duties (I have a 70 mile round-trip commute). One note is that the back seat is really only designed for two occupants, as the center and driver's side rear passenger seatbelts overlap (preventing both from being used at the same time).

Went through a similar process last year with the wife. X3 vs GLK vs A4 Avant. The Audi won. If she likes the looks - take a peek at the A4 Allroad?

How about an off-lease X3? The second-gen are pretty nice, and you'd miss the worst of the depreciation. Get the extended warranty.