speedracerf4i
10-16-2012, 04:13 PM
I have just spent 500 miles driving our X1 in Germany and are now anxiously awaiting its redelivery.
Here is what I noticed during my drive:
Pros:
1. The car is very nimble and handles really well.
2. Brakes are excellent.
3. The Terra interior is darker and looks richer than the picture. Also, dark bronze trims looks really good too.
4. Economical, 28.7 mpg mostly highway and it will get better after break-in period.
5. The i-drive is very visible. From picture, I was afraid of the panel being tilted wrongly or something. Also, it is lightyears better than my E60's generation 1 i-drive.
6. The ride is compliant and not too firm.
7. Accerelation is great when pushing it, but tepid if going normally as the transmission will upship often and early. The down shifting is really fast though.
8. Steering....I find the effort of EPS appropriate. On-centerness is OK and driving on the Autobahn feels the same as hydraulic steering. However, it will feel a bit "wooden" because the steering rarely twitches back to reflect road surfaces.
9. Regular sound system is good enough if you don't compare it with other high-end system side-by-side. I am not an audiophile FYI.
10. Parking is a breeze with the parking aids and rear-view camera.
Cons:
1. The X-line seats are the worst BMW seat I have ever sat on. My 1998 318ti's sports seat feels better. The seat lacks side support, and the leather is loosely fit. Especially the back seat, the leather is gathered unevenly and feels low grade. My butt are sore after 1 hour of driving.
2. The new transmissiong lever is very cool looking, but awkward to engage to "P".
3. Wind and road noise may be a tad loud (subjective).
4. All season tires lacks grip. But you do get more life out of them as compensation.
5. ASS (automatic start/stop) is not very refined eventhough it restarts the car really quickly, it's the jerking that bothers me. I will have it recoded so it doesn't always come on.
Conclusion: Although the car has some shortcomings, we love this car very much and know that there are competing cars that do some part better than the X1. However, from the whole car's perspective, including the buying experience, this car is hard to beat. I mean, those pretzels at VIP lounge are expensive (for Bmw), but you get them for free the whole day.
Here is what I noticed during my drive:
Pros:
1. The car is very nimble and handles really well.
2. Brakes are excellent.
3. The Terra interior is darker and looks richer than the picture. Also, dark bronze trims looks really good too.
4. Economical, 28.7 mpg mostly highway and it will get better after break-in period.
5. The i-drive is very visible. From picture, I was afraid of the panel being tilted wrongly or something. Also, it is lightyears better than my E60's generation 1 i-drive.
6. The ride is compliant and not too firm.
7. Accerelation is great when pushing it, but tepid if going normally as the transmission will upship often and early. The down shifting is really fast though.
8. Steering....I find the effort of EPS appropriate. On-centerness is OK and driving on the Autobahn feels the same as hydraulic steering. However, it will feel a bit "wooden" because the steering rarely twitches back to reflect road surfaces.
9. Regular sound system is good enough if you don't compare it with other high-end system side-by-side. I am not an audiophile FYI.
10. Parking is a breeze with the parking aids and rear-view camera.
Cons:
1. The X-line seats are the worst BMW seat I have ever sat on. My 1998 318ti's sports seat feels better. The seat lacks side support, and the leather is loosely fit. Especially the back seat, the leather is gathered unevenly and feels low grade. My butt are sore after 1 hour of driving.
2. The new transmissiong lever is very cool looking, but awkward to engage to "P".
3. Wind and road noise may be a tad loud (subjective).
4. All season tires lacks grip. But you do get more life out of them as compensation.
5. ASS (automatic start/stop) is not very refined eventhough it restarts the car really quickly, it's the jerking that bothers me. I will have it recoded so it doesn't always come on.
Conclusion: Although the car has some shortcomings, we love this car very much and know that there are competing cars that do some part better than the X1. However, from the whole car's perspective, including the buying experience, this car is hard to beat. I mean, those pretzels at VIP lounge are expensive (for Bmw), but you get them for free the whole day.