The X1 35i Is The Last True BMW

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror) 03/20/2015 at 12:53 • Filed to: None

2

35

The BMW X1 may be BMW's entry level station wagon, but it's also the last true BMW.

What is a true BMW ?

That's a good question, but the consensus is that it is a sport oriented RWD compact car with a straight six engine and a proper hydraulic steering.

Guess who checks all these boxes ? the BMW X1.

The X1 is a compact station wagon, it is slightly larger than a Mazda Protege5.

It comes either with the Diesel-impersonator N20 turbo four engine or with the 3.0 Turbo straight six.

If you live in some 3rd world countries like Greece, you can have it with a manual.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Unfortunately, this configuration is not available in North America. Another good thing about the X1 is that it is a station wagon. In true BMW fashion. It's a very versatile car that is fun to drive thanks to the magic feel of the proper hydraulic steering.

BMW mostly lost its way catering to tree huggers, badge worshipers and serial leasers, but purists can still get an X1, the last true BMW.

No news on an M version yet, but that would be awesome.

Flat Six > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:05

2

If the 4 cylinder E30 M3 is not a true BMW, we don't have consensus, buddy! Even the 4 cylinder X1 is a pretty nifty little car.

DrScientist > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:23

0

i dont think "compact" car was ever in the consensus.

the e24 6 was a true bmw, and wasn't compact. i think "sport sedan" or "sport coupe" (coupe read as sedan with 2 doors, not todays coupes that include 2 door sports cars) was the consensus for decades.

also... nothing in your consensus about handling/suspension, nor semi-luxury appointments.

RallyWrench > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:25

2

Have you seen an X1 in person? It's a lot larger than a Protege 5.

duurtlang > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:26

6

Another good thing about the X1 is that it is a station wagon crossover.

There, I fixed it. You're trolling, right?

Margin Of Error > duurtlang 03/20/2015 at 13:29

1

I saw one parked next to a Toyota Matrix, and just a bit longer. What is a crossover exactly ?

Open your eyes, it's a wagon.

Textured Soy Protein > RallyWrench 03/20/2015 at 13:32

2

(Protege5/X1)

Length - 170.5 inches / 176.5

Width - 67.1 / 70.8

Height - 57.8 / 60.8

Bigger yes, but still kinda/sorta in the ballpark.

Margin Of Error > RallyWrench 03/20/2015 at 13:35

0

The X1 is not a big car

Margin Of Error > Flat Six 03/20/2015 at 13:36

0

I think the consensus is that the E30 engine was the worst part of the car.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:37

3

but wagons are lower and more.... um sleek. for example

duurtlang > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:38

2

I've got my eyes open, I live in wagon land. Wagons outsell sedans where I live. The X1 isn't a 'true' wagon. Put it next to Golf or 3-series wagon and you'll see the difference. It's stubby. The 3-series Touring is both considerably longer and considerably less tall than the X1. The X1 might not be as tall as other, usually larger, crossovers but still taller than wagons. Especially taller than compact sporty wagons, and sportyness is something you expect from a BMW.

BMW didn't name it an X for nothing.

If you want a 'real' new compact BMW you get a 1-series or a 2-series. Or a 3-series. Not an X-anything, those are for your neighbor's mom.

Tekamul > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:41

3

Disagree.

While it may not be large, the chubby CUV proportions ruin it, even if the basic W/L/H is within a certain box.

RallyWrench > Textured Soy Protein 03/20/2015 at 13:48

0

Huh. The dimensions do seem surprisingly close. I've seen a couple X1s now, and am well familiar with P5's, but they don't seem anywhere near the same.

RallyWrench > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 13:53

1

Definitely not, it's way smaller than the X3, I'm just surprised at the actual dimensions because it seems more bulky than that.

Margin Of Error > duurtlang 03/20/2015 at 14:02

0

My mom's neighbor used to drive a Monte-Carlo SS ..

I don't think the X1 is CONSIDERABLY taller than a 3-series.

Margin Of Error > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/20/2015 at 14:04

0

That is pretty sleek as well

duurtlang > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:08

2

The lady in the pink bikini, yes. The soccer mom vehicle, no.

Let's divide length by weight. the higher the number, the sleeker the car. The lower the number, the stubbier it is.

BMW X1: 2.9

BMW X3: 2.8

BMW X5: 2.8

BMW 3 Touring: 3.2
VW Golf wagon (mk7): 3.1
Skoda Octavia Combi: 3.2

Do you see where I'm going with this?

DrScientist > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:08

1

its not a wagon.

a crossover, at least i'm fairly certain, is a "TALLER" vehicle, with "MORE GROUND CLEARANCE" built on a standard car frame.

those two differentiators make it not a wagon.

for most (but not all) intents and purposes it is a wagon, and that is the current marketing push behind them.

but it is not a wagon.

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:09

1

It is a wagon, yes thank you. It is just named it X so they can sell more of them

Margin Of Error > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 03/20/2015 at 14:11

2

Marketing

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > duurtlang 03/20/2015 at 14:13

4

BMW didn't name it an X for nothing, they named it an X because crossovers are cool, people buy them and at bigger prices. (kinda like the Mercedes GLA, witch is just a hatchback)

Margin Of Error > Tekamul 03/20/2015 at 14:13

0

Have you seen one in real ?

duurtlang > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 03/20/2015 at 14:27

2

This is true (in the US). People buy crossovers, and the X1 is a crossover.

The GLA is a (somewhat) taller Merc A-Class, just like the CLA is a sedan version of the A-Class. I don't really understand the point of the GLA, as it's almost the same as an A-Class, both in looks as in dimensions. It's what the Volvo XC70 is to the V70, without added offroad capabilities but with a (mildly) different body.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 03/20/2015 at 14:28

1

That looks really good. They should sell it like that - kind of like MB and their A/GLA classes.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:31

0

Ive driven a few different X1's. Theyre ok but they're no wagon. They feel exactly like its supposed to, as it's an entry level. Yeah its a little sporty, and you can hear the turbo's a bit more than say my '09 535, but I was left wishing it was more.

I do have to say though that the 35 is much better than the 28, especially with the sport package.

But how bad-ass would a 5er Wagon be, even in the new F10 guise.

Margin Of Error > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 03/20/2015 at 14:33

1

The EPAS is killing the F10, though

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:33

1

The high belt lines and the way the sheet metal swoops upwards at the back makes it seem shorter, and chubbier. That and the slightly higher ride is why it's hard to call it a wagon, even if it meets the dimension criteria.

You could try to call this a wagon, but for any wagon enthusiast, its not really a wagon.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/20/2015 at 14:33

0

I love those wagons!

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 03/20/2015 at 14:35

0

If I recall correctly the X1 has a lower ride height outside of the US.

I'd be willing to guess that your picture represents a UK spec car or one that was lowered with an aero kit.

The US Spec X1 is not quite a wagon, not enough at least.

jjhats > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 03/20/2015 at 14:36

1

im embarrassed to admit how much time I spend building 5 wagons on bmw.uk

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:36

1

I've driven two and they are not wagon enough.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:37

0

I know, but I wish we had an A6 Avant or 5er Wagon. Is that too much to ask? The E Series Wagon isn't enough sport for me and the E63 wagon is beyond my means.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > jjhats 03/20/2015 at 14:38

0

There is no reason to be embarrassed by that. Indeed, I'm proud of you!

Tekamul > Margin Of Error 03/20/2015 at 14:43

0

Yup, all the time. All of last summer, there was one parked on the same street I parked on. I walked by it every morning.

At first, I was surprised because it was smaller than I expected an 'X' to be. But it still looked funky. I eventually spent some time looking at it to figure out what rubbed me the wrong way. It's the proportions. Fender gap, hood height, excessive sheet metal around the D pillar.

It's small, but porky. Like a chubby toddler.

jjhats > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 03/20/2015 at 14:53

1

hold the phone Mercedes uk lets you build a cla shooting brake amg diesel 6 speed wagon....IN PURPLE

PS9 > Margin Of Error 03/23/2015 at 13:10

0

It has a giant face...