[alpinewhite3]

Let me preface this by saying that I've been a loyal BMW customer since 2001. I expect a lot from a driving perspective (much more so than the average buyer of a BMW "suv"). I have been driving the previous X1 for a month now so this will be a direct comparison. I also have to preface this and remind myself that this a mass market entry level luxury SUV that starts around $40,000.

I will also mention that this vehicle is NOT equipped with the m sport package or m sport suspension and has 18" non runflat tires with a spare tire in the trunk.
----

I finally took delivery of the vehicle yesterday and have driven it quite a bit and had a chance to play around with the new I-drive 8. I was initially enthusiastic when seeing the vehicle but now that the initial excitement has worn off, I can give a more unbiased opinion.


Interior: Sensatec "leather" is excellent and the seats are very comfortable and supportive. Interior design is very modern and definitely an upgrade from the previous X1. There are plenty of hard touch plastics around the cabin but they are well hidden by modern design elements. I wouldn't say that the materials are better quality; they are just more modern looking which gives them a premium "aura". While I-drive 8 is intuitive, I do really miss the knob. It's a little cumbersome having to use the touch screen for everything.


Exterior: This looks and feels like a proper SUV now while the previous X1 felt more like a lifted wagon. The san remo green is def a chameleon color. I picked up the car in bright sun and it looked totally different from the cloudy day. The car has a presence and looks appealing overall. I do prefer the back angle over the front. Front looks a little generic but back has a nice futuristic look. Overall, it flows pretty well and it’s an improvement from the previous X1. I do notice the A pillars creaking when I go to close the door. I made a video and will upload it. Not very BMW like and strange because the previous X1 felt rock solid. This goes back to the interior as well- While everything is new, modern and shiny, the materials in some places are a little questionable. I guess every manufacturer has to cut costs somewhere.


Driving Dynamics: This is where I was a bit disappointed. Well, the X1 has grown in size and you can definitely feel it. It feels almost like the size of an X3 when getting in and out and while driving. Except it’s not as sharp to drive and ride quality is way too soft for my tastes. It’s very cushy. Steering, is of course, ultra numb and lifeless. It has a very generic feel to it. The previous X1 had its faults and was certainly rough around the edges but boy was it fun to drive and easy to toss around. It was agile and nimble while this one is more like a floaty boat. Brakes are a little mushy and un-BMW like as well. The previous X1's brakes felt like they had more bite but maybe these are new?. Acceleration is brisk and feels as quick as the old one.

But all that being said most buyers of the X1 won’t notice or care and will likely see my criticisms as positive attributes. They will find it comfortable and “easy to drive”. It is a good SUV. It will sell well and satisfy the masses.

As I said, I’m biased here, but it doesn’t feel like a BMW to me driving wise. Somehow, even though the X3 is a few inches larger, it was more fun to drive and felt a bit more athletic. I personally would recommend driving the X3 at this price point before pulling the trigger on the X1. Esp. if you’ want an SUV that’s a bit more sporty even in base form.

[alpinewhite3]

Link to A pillar creaking:

https://www.veed.io/view/a4ea3358-15...ue&panel=share

[harris06]

Congratulations!! The San Remo looks much better in these pics in sunlight!!

[harris06]

Glad to see "Bridgestone" stock tires as well.

[CER]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

Link to A pillar creaking:

https://www.veed.io/view/a4ea3358-15...ue&panel=share

I would request the dealer fix that. It is not acceptable when you spend that kind of money.

[FlashMonkey929]

I'm hoping that since I got the M Sport Package, the suspension will be a bit firmer and responsive than you've described. I've been lowered cars all my life, and the current ride has the Track Handling Package, so this will be a big change for me, but a practical one, I think. But I'd still like it to be fun to drive, if at least a little.

[FlashMonkey929]

Also, that San Remo looks amazing in the sunlight!

[MontyB1]

I'm a little surprised that it appears you want the sportier ride and handling but went for the non sporty model. We haven't driven the car yet but we are going to.

I've got an X3 M40 and the wife a current gen X1 at the moment and the feel and DNA is very much the same across both of the cars. Hers doesn't have the power but it is still lots of fun to drive and has that all important feel that a BMW needs that Audi's as a comparison are terrible for.

I hope the X1 hasn't lost that DNA when we go to give it a test drive I have to say.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

I'm a little surprised that it appears you want the sportier ride and handling but went for the non sporty model. We haven't driven the car yet but we are going to.

I've got an X3 M40 and the wife a current gen X1 at the moment and the feel and DNA is very much the same across both of the cars. Hers doesn't have the power but it is still lots of fun to drive and has that all important feel that a BMW needs that Audi's as a comparison are terrible for.

I hope the X1 hasn't lost that DNA when we go to give it a test drive I have to say.

The car is actually for my mom, hence no sport package. I mainly stick to BMW sedans and coupes. That being said, aside from the X7 and X5, the previous X1, current X3 and X2 have always been class leading in driving dynamics. Even without the m sport package.

I'm actually curious to get your opinion when you drive it. The new X1 is missing that BMW feel and magic. To me, it feels even more muted than an Audi Q3. I think BMW thinks people want that numb, isolated vault like feeling and they're probably not wrong.

Having driven both back to back now, the previous X1 was way more fun to drive. I had an X3 rental for a week and even that was more fun despite it's bigger size. I hope they dont do this to the new x3. BMW is killing their sedans in the same way too. Pretty soon they'll have to change the ultimate driving machine slogan.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

The car is actually for my mom, hence no sport package. I mainly stick to BMW sedans and coupes. That being said, aside from the X7 and X5, the previous X1, current X3 and X2 have always been class leading in driving dynamics. Even without the m sport package.

I'm actually curious to get your opinion when you drive it. The new X1 is missing that BMW feel and magic. To me, it feels even more muted than an Audi Q3. I think BMW thinks people want that numb, isolated vault like feeling and they're probably not wrong.

Having driven both back to back now, the previous X1 was way more fun to drive. I had an X3 rental for a week and even that was more fun despite it's bigger size. I hope they dont do this to the new x3. BMW is killing their sedans in the same way too. Pretty soon they'll have to change the ultimate driving machine slogan.

Not sure if it's related, but I noticed the steering feel has definitely changed between my previous e90 to my current f32 due to moving over to a fully electric steering rack. There's a disconnected feeling because the cabin no longer has a direct connection to the suspension anymore, and while the car still drives great, it's harder to "feel" the road. I do have the Track Handling Package on the car, so with change into Sport mode, it'll tighten up the steering and suspension noticeably, but still isn't quite the same.

[kavatski]

Thanks for the perspective. We have a previous-gen X1 and really like how it feels and handles. It’s not sporty, but it’s competent, fun to drive, and feels just as solid now as it did when it was new.

We’re actually headed down tomorrow to drive the new X1, and I’ve also asked to drive an X3 back-to-back. Pretty sure based on my X1 impressions so far that we’re going to like the X3 more, but want to give the X1 a fair shake given that its size and price point would suit us better.

The X1 our dealer has for test drives is an xLine with the 19” wheels, pretty much the setup we’d choose. Driving dynamics are a big deal for me, so if it turns out to be as soft as you say in terms of handling and steering, I think that, plus the touchscreen-only iDrive 8, will have us ordering an X3. Looking forward to finding out!

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Not sure if it's related, but I noticed the steering feel has definitely changed between my previous e90 to my current f32 due to moving over to a fully electric steering rack. There's a disconnected feeling because the cabin no longer has a direct connection to the suspension anymore, and while the car still drives great, it's harder to "feel" the road. I do have the Track Handling Package on the car, so with change into Sport mode, it'll tighten up the steering and suspension noticeably, but still isn't quite the same.

Yeah it's been downhill since the transition to EPS racks but there's no going back from here. Despite the EPS, the previous X1's steering wasn't terrible. In fact id go so far to say that it was more fun to drive than the last generation F30 3 series.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by kavatski

Thanks for the perspective. We have a previous-gen X1 and really like how it feels and handles. It’s not sporty, but it’s competent, fun to drive, and feels just as solid now as it did when it was new.

We’re actually headed down tomorrow to drive the new X1, and I’ve also asked to drive an X3 back-to-back. Pretty sure based on my X1 impressions so far that we’re going to like the X3 more, but want to give the X1 a fair shake given that its size and price point would suit us better.

The X1 our dealer has for test drives is an xLine with the 19” wheels, pretty much the setup we’d choose. Driving dynamics are a big deal for me, so if it turns out to be as soft as you say in terms of handling and steering, I think that, plus the touchscreen-only iDrive 8, will have us ordering an X3. Looking forward to finding out!

Also curious to get your opinion after you drive it. I can't be the only one who feels a bit disappointed. Don't let the futuristic exterior/interior/tech cloud your judgment. (Which by the way once the wow factor wears off , the touchscreen has been so incredibly annoying to use in daily driving-i have to click 2 buttons to use seat heating)

Compare it purely to the driving dynamics of the previous one with all the other stuff as an aside. I think you're going to like the x3 more and you'll see what i mean when i say somehow the x3 feels smaller and more agile when driving despite it being bigger. I now have a huge appreciation for the previous X1. What a fun a little, nimble go kart like suv.

[kavatski]

We’ll be getting out of an older X1, into the new X1, and then into an X3. Should be pretty illuminating. My summer car is an old-school R56 Cooper S, manual, no tech, so I’m used to just focusing on the drive and having no screen to play with.

Speaking of screens, we’re on the same page there with the lack of hard buttons, plus the loss of the idrive controller. Obviously it’s not exactly like using an iPad that just so happens to have a car attached to it, but it might still be further in that direction than I’m ready for. Will definitely report back with my impressions.

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by kavatski

We’ll be getting out of an older X1, into the new X1, and then into an X3. Should be pretty illuminating. My summer car is an old-school R56 Cooper S, manual, no tech, so I’m used to just focusing on the drive and having no screen to play with.

Speaking of screens, we’re on the same page there with the lack of hard buttons, plus the loss of the idrive controller. Obviously it’s not exactly like using an iPad that just so happens to have a car attached to it, but it might still be further in that direction than I’m ready for. Will definitely report back with my impressions.

I tried sitting in the X3 and new X1 back and forth. I'm 6'2" and still packing a lot of pandemic-induced weight. I honest thought that the new X1 felt roomier to me. In the X1, I definitely had at least 1 inch of extra headroom, compared to the X3. Headroom is always the most important thing to me, so I always check it.

Also, with the driver's seats adjusted to my comfortable driving position, the top of my right thigh always rubs against the bottom of the steering wheel in the X3 when getting in and out. It does not rub at all in the new X1. Not sure if that's the design of the seat or perhaps the steering wheel sizes are different?

The rear seats in the new X1 also has slightly more knee room than the X3. almost an extra inch. (again, compared with the driver's seat in my driving position)

I felt that the X3's rear seats seem to lean back a little more than the X1, which makes it slightly more comfortable.

My friend has a Mini Clubman or Countryman... can't remember which.. it was the one with the rear hatch that opens left/right like doors. Surprisingly, I was plenty comfortable in the front passenger or driver seat of that car during a 3-hour drive from NYC to Atlantic City just before the pandemic hit and closed down the casinos.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

My friend has a Mini Clubman or Countryman... can't remember which.. it was the one with the rear hatch that opens left/right like doors. Surprisingly, I was plenty comfortable in the front passenger or driver seat of that car during a 3-hour drive from NYC to Atlantic City just before the pandemic hit and closed down the casinos.

That's a Clubman, which is much lower than a Countryman - height is about the same as my 3-Series with less headroom, rather than the height of a crossover.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by kavatski

We’ll be getting out of an older X1, into the new X1, and then into an X3. Should be pretty illuminating. My summer car is an old-school R56 Cooper S, manual, no tech, so I’m used to just focusing on the drive and having no screen to play with.

Speaking of screens, we’re on the same page there with the lack of hard buttons, plus the loss of the idrive controller. Obviously it’s not exactly like using an iPad that just so happens to have a car attached to it, but it might still be further in that direction than I’m ready for. Will definitely report back with my impressions.

While it is a distant cousin, i can almost guarantee you're not going to like it, esp coming from an old school Cooper S. It's going to feel like a mini school bus.

[kavatski]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

While it is a distant cousin, i can almost guarantee you're not going to like it, esp coming from an old school Cooper S. It's going to feel like a mini school bus.

Well, that’s not saying much since even our older X1 feels like a bus compared to an R56 S! You and I are in agreement on our impressions of the X1 vs X3. The new X1 has a nicer, quieter ride than ours (which has runflats), but steering and handling is soft (xLine, 19” wheels). Not much fun there. The lengthy amount of time the DCT took to kick down even at moderate speeds in Sport mode was surprising, but it pulls well when it does. Both my wife and I drove while the other tried to figure out the iDrive (it would take more time than we had). The new X1 feels bigger from behind the wheel than ours, too, thanks in part to that big hood bulge.

X3 was more our style. Didn’t really feel any bigger when driving than the X1, even though it is. Steering has some actual feel and sportiness to it. Transmission much happier to kick down and pull, even though you can tell it’s heavier and down on torque compared to the new X1. A more traditional BMW dash with iDrive wheel and memory buttons like we’re used to.

At the end, we both agreed the X1 was OK, and the tech is certainly there, but we preferred the drive and interior layout of the X3. Sales guy wasn’t thrilled to hear it but said he’s already taken 20 orders for the X1, mostly from existing X1 owners, so lots of people were willing to make the leap sight unseen. It does have a lot going for it and it’ll be a big seller, but in our case I’m glad we held off until we could try one.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by kavatski

Well, that’s not saying much since even our older X1 feels like a bus compared to an R56 S! You and I are in agreement on our impressions of the X1 vs X3. The new X1 has a nicer, quieter ride than ours (which has runflats), but steering and handling is soft (xLine, 19” wheels). Not much fun there. The lengthy amount of time the DCT took to kick down even at moderate speeds in Sport mode was surprising, but it pulls well when it does. Both my wife and I drove while the other tried to figure out the iDrive (it would take more time than we had). The new X1 feels bigger from behind the wheel than ours, too, thanks in part to that big hood bulge.

X3 was more our style. Didn’t really feel any bigger when driving than the X1, even though it is. Steering has some actual feel and sportiness to it. Transmission much happier to kick down and pull, even though you can tell it’s heavier and down on torque compared to the new X1. A more traditional BMW dash with iDrive wheel and memory buttons like we’re used to.

At the end, we both agreed the X1 was OK, and the tech is certainly there, but we preferred the drive and interior layout of the X3. Sales guy wasn’t thrilled to hear it but said he’s already taken 20 orders for the X1, mostly from existing X1 owners, so lots of people were willing to make the leap sight unseen. It does have a lot going for it and it’ll be a big seller, but in our case I’m glad we held off until we could try one.

I was beginning to think i was the only one but good to know others feel the same way. I suspect as the road tests and reviews come in, more criticism will certainly follow. All i can recommend is to drive one before committing to it, esp if youre a current BMW customer looking for something a bit more fun than the competition.

I just completed a 500 mile trip to drop off the car and my negative opinion is even more solidified. The touch screen is unbearably awful. Smudges and fingerprints everywhere, so many sub menus and everything needs multiple clicks. If they just added an i-drive knob/dial, it potentially could be tolerable. I missed the simplicity of i-drive 7 with the knob and shortcut buttons so much.

The brakes are absolutely terrible. It really feels unsafe trying to get this thing to stop from highway speeds and even around town. I've never driven a BMW with brakes like this. The seats arent particularly comfortable either and my right knee constantly bangs against the hard plastic on the right bottom dash area.

And of course, it is not fun to drive in the least. Feels unbelievably large and just feels sloppy all around. You're right-that big bulging hood doesn't help at all. A VW taos i test drive a few months back was even much more fun. What good is all the tech and nice, new modern premium interior if the car is a hassle to navigate around town.

Even my older parents weren't impressed with it. The only redeeming factor was i managed 36mpg during the entire trip. If this is the direction BMW is going in, it may be time to look elsewhere. I'm glad to be done with it.

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

I was beginning to think i was the only one but good to know others feel the same way. I suspect as the road tests and reviews come in, more criticism will certainly follow. All i can recommend is to drive one before committing to it, esp if youre a current BMW customer looking for something a bit more fun than the competition.

I just completed a 500 mile trip to drop off the car and my negative opinion is even more solidified. The touch screen is unbearably awful. Smudges and fingerprints everywhere, so many sub menus and everything needs multiple clicks. If they just added an i-drive knob/dial, it potentially could be tolerable. I missed the simplicity of i-drive 7 with the knob and shortcut buttons so much.

The brakes are absolutely terrible. It really feels unsafe trying to get this thing to stop from highway speeds and even around town. I've never driven a BMW with brakes like this. The seats arent particularly comfortable either and my right knee constantly bangs against the hard plastic on the right bottom dash area.

And of course, it is not fun to drive in the least. Feels unbelievably large and just feels sloppy all around. You're right-that big bulging hood doesn't help at all. A VW taos i test drive a few months back was even much more fun. What good is all the tech and nice, new modern premium interior if the car is a hassle to navigate around town.

Even my older parents weren't impressed with it. The only redeeming factor was i managed 36mpg during the entire trip. If this is the direction BMW is going in, it may be time to look elsewhere. I'm glad to be done with it.

I suspect most manufacturers are moving towards touchscreen-only for most cars/suvs sooner or later. My mother has always driven Lexus and even she was completely annoying by the touchscreen on the current NX(which resembles the upcoming RX). She got so frustrated, she abandoned Lexus and started looking at BMW X1 and Mercedes GLB. She was perfectly happy with the X1's touchscreen for some reason. It took me weeks to teach her how to use her iPhone 12 Pro when she switched from the Android camp(Galaxy Note 20 Ultra). However, when she got into the X1, she somehow managed to figure everything out like she had been driving it for months.

I do agree on the seats. The one we test drove had sport seats and it was very uncomfortable. I'm 6'2" and my mother is 5'5". We didn't find any driving position to our liking after sitting there adjusting every which way. We also tried to sit in the X1 with regular seats and she thought it was just fine.(but lacking the lumbar support she always likes in her Lexus)

Wish I had tested the brakes more. Only took the X1 on the interstate for about 10 to 20 miles, so no sudden stops. I did notice a ridiculous amount of brake dust on the wheels of the demo X1. I knelt next to the wheels to see the tire brand/model and thought to myself "better get more brake cleaners"... Very odd for a vehicle that only had around 70 miles on the odometer.

[saws]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

. It’s very cushy.

You had me at "cushy"

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by saws

You had me at "cushy"

does that mean you like the ride to be cushy?

I'm not getting any younger. Back in my semi-wild youth days, all of my cars are dropped to as long as possible(i.e. barely clearing most speed bumps) and the shocks actually shocked my bones. But, oh boy, did all of my rides feel like they were on rails. These days, I just want to make sure my old bones stay intact for another few decades.