Anyone drive an X1?

[SauRoNZA]

Especially the sDrive20d or 20i but the 18i is probably not out of the question either.

What’s the good the bad and the ugly?

How many miles have you put on and what’s been the average and most expensive services at the dealers and/or specialists?

I hear the Diesel is prone to camchain failure on the much earlier models and the odd newer one.

Looking at the 2011-2013 shapes generally not the latest version.

What is meant to be the standard spec? Obviously not navigation but I get a sense they all got rear PDC out of the box.

Is Bluetooth not on all of them? Spotted one with parrot jobbie and often Bluetooth isn’t mentioned on spec sheet, but they all seem to have phone support on the wheel but I guess it’s a dead button?

Also when did it become an 8-speed vs 6-speed auto exactly? Seem to get conflicting info on this. And is there a good reason to aim for one over the other? Or is it more of a Engine specific thing? None of these older models are DCT from what I see, only the brand new shape offers that in a 7-speed on the smaller engines.

 

[HavocXphere]

From memory & not x1 specific so take this with a grain of salt...

Bluetooth - I think basic call answering is standard more advanced functionality is part of the communications extra or business package or whatever it's called? No dead buttons afaik - the packages that changes the tech change the buttons as well. Think there is a separate bluetooth advanced package as well on some models. The biz package should be sufficient though

Gears - they're constantly upping the gears count since it improves efficiency. More gears = in ideal efficiency range of engine more of the time. Given a choice I'd take 8 on the theory that it's probably newer tech but doubt it matters greatly.

PDC - I doubt it's standard. There is also a distinction between audio only (beep beep beep) and a visual display - they're diff options afaik. Don't think either was standard in 2013. The beep version is perfectly fine if you're not a completely hopeless parker.

 

[SauRoNZA]

From memory & not x1 specific so take this with a grain of salt...

Bluetooth - I think basic call answering is standard more advanced functionality is part of the communications extra or business package or whatever it's called? No dead buttons afaik - the packages that changes the tech change the buttons as well. Think there is a separate bluetooth advanced package as well on some models. The biz package should be sufficient though

Gears - they're constantly upping the gears count since it improves efficiency. More gears = in ideal efficiency range of engine more of the time. Given a choice I'd take 8 on the theory that it's probably newer tech but doubt it matters greatly.

PDC - I doubt it's standard. There is also a distinction between audio only (beep beep beep) and a visual display - they're diff options afaik. Don't think either was standard in 2013. The beep version is perfectly fine if you're not a completely hopeless parker.

Yeah for Bluetooth it’s hard to know if nobody care to add it to their descriptions for listings or if it’s actually missing and only on some models. As you say may be a case of different levels of Bluetooth.

I don’t need the navigation, actually probably would prefer to go without but then the car needs to have full Bluetooth to talk to phone properly.

Yeah the gear options on this generation are either 8-speed or 6-speed I’m just finding it hard to determine when it’s which one. Some cars the gear level physically looks different and I guess that’s when it’s the 8-speed as it’s more of a digital button than a physical gated slide action.

PDC at the rear seems to be the only thing that is standard across the range. Not sure which version of it though.

Guess I should just go test drive a few.

 

[HavocXphere]

Yeah for Bluetooth it’s hard to know if nobody care to add it to their descriptions for listings or if it’s actually missing and only on some models. As you say may be a case of different levels of Bluetooth.

I don’t need the navigation, actually probably would prefer to go without but then the car needs to have full Bluetooth to talk to phone properly.

Yeah the gear options on this generation are either 8-speed or 6-speed I’m just finding it hard to determine when it’s which one. Some cars the gear level physically looks different and I guess that’s when it’s the 8-speed as it’s more of a digital button than a physical gated slide action.

PDC at the rear seems to be the only thing that is standard across the range. Not sure which version of it though.

Guess I should just go test drive a few.

I wouldn't worry about the gear thing - it'll be fine either way.

The extra-extra bluetooth stuff is things like voice control...which imo isn't need since I doubt it works well anyway (pre-siri era). So the basics should be fine for taking calls. Their distinction seems to be more on whether you want to play music on it.

Navigation - I'd be more interested in the screen. In the 2013 timeframe I seem to recall that big screen and nav option go hand in hand?

Also...try to get one with the bi-xenon extra. I'd also prioritise runflats - the DSC should be able to keep the car stable in the case of a blowout with runflats so there is real safety benefit there. Don't recall when runflats became standard across the board but it's somewhere in your 2011-2013 range I think.The other extra that was more useful than expected was sunroof - it has a setting where it's slightly ajar that is useful if the car is parked outside on a hot day & the area isn't too sketch.

Happy car hunting

 

[Nicholas Lisse]

We have a 2014 sdrive20d.

Out of the box, they don’t have anything. Not even rear PDC. But most BMW dealers specced them with rear PDC, so more often than not you’ll find them with rear PDC.

We have navigation, front and rear PDC with camera and climate control, that was all bundled as options.

Bluetooth was also an extra option, as was the cruise control. But it’s only for telephony, won’t let you play any music. But the aux jack works.

As for the gearbox, the 8-speed was introduced in 2013 with the facelift, and i’d definitely recommend you get a 2013+ Model. The interior has been reworked and doesn’t feel cheap and crappy as in the previous gen. Plus those 8-Speed ZF’s are bulletproof. Have the oil changed at ~120000km and you’ll be fine.

Service costs have been R0 for us, as the car is still under the 5year/100kkm maintenance plan.

We’ve had to replace the PDC computer so far, as well as a battery, all of which was flown in from Germany and took about 2 weeks to arrive. Apart from that, it’s been fantastic. Fun to drive, heaps of torque and averaging about 6.5l/100km over the last 40000km.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Bluetooth streaming requires a combox device to work on the basic Idrive system the upgraded nav with 8.8 inch has it build it.

As suggested get one 8-speed gearbox, rather than the 6-speed.

Also make sure has newer Idrive system fitted, think all them have 2013+ models have it.

 

[ele33]

Can't say much more than was said above, mine has rear PDC & Bluetooth. You should definitely try 2014 and up as mentioned that is when the 8 speed gear box was introduced. Also have the 2.0d.

Had a 330i before and this 2.0d gives a nice pull, obviously not as fast as the 330 though. Really good mileage too, mine averages about 7l/100kms

Think you should be fine with the sDrive model.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I wouldn't worry about the gear thing - it'll be fine either way.

Yeah as long as it’s Steptronic I don’t care too much. But you know if it’s a case of the difference between two cars it comes into play.

Also the 8-speed should be more economical.

The extra-extra bluetooth stuff is things like voice control...which imo isn't need since I doubt it works well anyway (pre-siri era). So the basics should be fine for taking calls. Their distinction seems to be more on whether you want to play music on it.

Yeah don’t give a damn about voice control or even calls but it would have to play music. And this is kind of a need rather than a want as a change over my current car. Unless there is some kind of USB integration with iPhone that could maybe still work.

Navigation - I'd be more interested in the screen. In the 2013 timeframe I seem to recall that big screen and nav option go hand in hand?

Yes it would as the ones without it have no screen. But the BMW Navigator I have on my bike now is so disappointing and archaic I honestly don’t have it on my list of wants. It would need to be “free”.

Also...try to get one with the bi-xenon extra. I'd also prioritise runflats - the DSC should be able to keep the car stable in the case of a blowout with runflats so there is real safety benefit there. Don't recall when runflats became standard across the board but it's somewhere in your 2011-2013 range I think.The other extra that was more useful than expected was sunroof - it has a setting where it's slightly ajar that is useful if the car is parked outside on a hot day & the area isn't too sketch.

They all have runflats as the boot actually has special storage where the spare should be.

Don’t really like my sunroof now as I’m convinced it adds noise to the car. But with the fully panoramic setup on these it might be a nice airy experience. It would be a bonus but not a necessity.

 

[SauRoNZA]

We have a 2014 sdrive20d.

Out of the box, they don’t have anything. Not even rear PDC. But most BMW dealers specced them with rear PDC, so more often than not you’ll find them with rear PDC.

Yeah I meant the way BMW SA delivers them not exactly from the factory.

We usually get a different stock spec from most. Especially on the bikes which are almost always fully kitted.

We have navigation, front and rear PDC with camera and climate control, that was all bundled as options.

Surely climate control is standard? Or do you mean the front and rear option which is an upgrade?

Bluetooth was also an extra option, as was the cruise control. But it’s only for telephony, won’t let you play any music. But the aux jack works.

And the USB? Does it integrate at all?

As for the gearbox, the 8-speed was introduced in 2013 with the facelift, and i’d definitely recommend you get a 2013+ Model. The interior has been reworked and doesn’t feel cheap and crappy as in the previous gen. Plus those 8-Speed ZF’s are bulletproof. Have the oil changed at ~120000km and you’ll be fine.

Yeah I’ve noted that you can get very late 2012 models that are the newer spec. But a proper 2013 means I might need to park the idea for a while and wait it out as I was hoping to do a trade-in + cash which is out of the question on a 2013 as the price jumps immediately or I have to go higher mileage and I don’t want to go over 100k.

Service costs have been R0 for us, as the car is still under the 5year/100kkm maintenance plan.

Yup that seems to be why they are all being sold at 100k odd. You don’t happen to recall some of the “fake” pricing?

We’ve had to replace the PDC computer so far, as well as a battery, all of which was flown in from Germany and took about 2 weeks to arrive. Apart from that, it’s been fantastic. Fun to drive, heaps of torque and averaging about 6.5l/100km over the last 40000km.

6.5l/100 in the real world is what I like to hear.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Bluetooth streaming requires a combox device to work on the basic Idrive system the upgraded nav with 8.8 inch has it build it.

As suggested get one 8-speed gearbox, rather than the 6-speed.

Also make sure has newer Idrive system fitted, think all them have 2013+ models have it.

Okay so basically it means get one with the navigation as it automatically includes other features.

Dammit guess I’ll go do some test driving and looking around, and then start the slow process of keeping my ear on the ground.

As usual it seems buying a car up north is always a better deal but then trading in becomes a bigger drama.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Okay seems the absolute simplest way to check for a face-lifted model is in fact the 8-speed shifter which looks a bit different.

 

[Sumen]

Surely climate control is standard? Or do you mean the front and rear option which is an upgrade?

No they don't have climate control as standard, it's manual AC. Climate Control is only standard from 3 series and X3

 

[SauRoNZA]

No they don't have climate control as standard, it's manual AC. Climate Control is only standard from 3 series and X3

Jeez that’s actually quite ridiculous.

But is it a case of actually finding any in SA with normal AC only?

 

[kab123]

I'd try to find a second hand /demo "exclusive" or whatever model that has all the bells and whistles. Preferably from a BMW dealer. BMW Finance always give good "prime minus" deals.

The 2.0d is a beaut. I'd say one of BMW's best. Powerful, torquey and very fuel efficient. I could drive all the way to the south coast and back (1400km) on a tank. Although I'll admit to driving like an old man with fuel consumption in mind.

As with any german car, service at the dealer is expensive.

 

[Sumen]

Jeez that’s actually quite ridiculous.

But is it a case of actually finding any in SA with normal AC only?

Yes, I had a look and almost every X1 and 1 series has a normal AC.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

I'd try to find a second hand /demo "exclusive" or whatever model that has all the bells and whistles. Preferably from a BMW dealer. BMW Finance always give good "prime minus" deals.

The 2.0d is a beaut. I'd say one of BMW's best. Powerful, torquey and very fuel efficient. I could drive all the way to the south coast and back (1400km) on a tank. Although I'll admit to driving like an old man with fuel consumption in mind.

As with any german car, service at the dealer is expensive.

Can get costly if you replace aircon micro filter each time, honestly does not know what it do, but my AC runs fines without replacing it at every service. You can easily do it yourself also. They want R1200 for replacing this. The part is R400 for original one on Ebay.

The Oil Service should be R1600, fuel filter around R900, break fluid flush R500. This is dealership prices.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I'd try to find a second hand /demo "exclusive" or whatever model that has all the bells and whistles. Preferably from a BMW dealer. BMW Finance always give good "prime minus" deals.

The 2.0d is a beaut. I'd say one of BMW's best. Powerful, torquey and very fuel efficient. I could drive all the way to the south coast and back (1400km) on a tank. Although I'll admit to driving like an old man with fuel consumption in mind.

As with any german car, service at the dealer is expensive.

Won’t be a finance deal but would like to buy from a BMW dealer as they often include motorplan extensions and such to sweeten it, but they also pump the price.

Had good experience with SMG buying my current car.

I’ve heard that service with the dealer is actually not that crazy as long as it’s pure service work. Which has been my experience with the bike which is why I asked about the car.

Otherwise it will just go to my mechanic I use and trust now.

 

[The_Traveller]

Why looking to buy such a fugly looking car ? Please man , X5 or nothing.

 

[SauRoNZA]

The Oil Service should be R1600, fuel filter around R900, break fluid flush R500. This is dealership prices.

Yeah that sounds about right.

I have a mate who has had a couple of BMW’s and always gone to dealer and says it’s alway between R2000-R3500.

He has had nothing catastrophic go wrong ever though.

 

[Nicholas Lisse]

Yeah I meant the way BMW SA delivers them not exactly from the factory.

We usually get a different stock spec from most. Especially on the bikes which are almost always fully kitted.



Surely climate control is standard? Or do you mean the front and rear option which is an upgrade?

And the USB? Does it integrate at all?

6.5l/100 in the real world is what I like to hear.

Nope. Normal Aircon is standard, but climate control was optional. We ordered a rear camera, and that bundled in front and rear PDC, Navigation (the smaller system) and the climate control. Cost about R40k plus another R10k I think for the other options we have.

The USB doesn’t integrate. We bought an updated cable, but it never worked as promised so we got that refunded.

It’s a fantastic vehicle, I’d sit it out and wait for the facelift model to hit your price point.

My only gripe is the ride, which is unnecessarily harsh, but going at speed, 140+ it is solid as a rock. (And uses 5l/100km at 140km)