Seriously, what is with the delay for the X1?

I was in Ireland two weeks ago in the beautiful town of Kinsale, and there amongst all of the other cars near the harbor was an X1. It was just sitting there - anonymous and no big deal to anyone nearby. The new X3 would likely garner just as much inattention.

So why is this car such a big deal to bring over here? Any Google search for it brings up articles written over a year ago (same thing here where I would expect to see much more current news in the forums). I haven't seen anything confirmed over the last few months, other than the X3 will be made in Spartanburg and that is going to hit sometime next year.

Is BMW NA dragging their feet with the X1? Will costs be too high (and too close in price to the X3) without a US Manufacturing site?

Apologies in advance if I missed any late news and the negative tone. It's just that I need a new car and EVERYTHING small from BMW/MINI is in the future (X1/X3/Countryman), old (1/3 series) or ancient (2010 X3).

I'm in the same boat..I can't wait another year and don't want the X3 in January without M sport or diesel...so I have to decide today between a 3 series which will probably end up being too small and an X5 that will end up being a waste of money and not as much fun to drive. I should get the X5 but will probably be getting the 335, considering the order was already placed today and I want to go to Munich, I just have a bad feeling I will need the cargo room in the X5 and I can't keep waiting for the X1

I'm near the point of being so "over it" with regards to news on the X1 in the States. I've been pursuing the dream for 18 months and the lack of any real news is frustrating, and makes me turn an eye towards other OEM's and models. If they fail to bring the diesel over it's a moot point for me regardless.

Originally Posted by georgek

I'm near the point of being so "over it" with regards to news on the X1 in the States. I've been pursuing the dream for 18 months and the lack of any real news is frustrating, and makes me turn an eye towards other OEM's and models. If they fail to bring the diesel over it's a moot point for me regardless.

I suggest going for another brand at this point. The X1 was designed primarily for the European market, while the new X3 is now catering towards the North American market with luxury, convenience features, and a larger footprint. BMW is in no rush to bring the X1 over, as it will not be particularly profitable and I bet many will deride the X1's interior and ride quality. In addition, most Americans scorn at the idea of a 4-cyl in a luxury vehicle.

BMW NA markets only "premium" cars in this market. The X1 can be made luxurious but to price it profitably will be an enormous challenge. Try building an X1 on the UK or German BMW sites and add in features like leather, climate control, moonroof, rain sensing wipers, etc... and the price tag will be north of €36.000 and that's already taking away the 19% VAT in Germany. Would you be willing to pay a $40.000 base price for an X1?

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Try building an X1 on the UK or German BMW sites and add in features like leather, climate control, moonroof, rain sensing wipers, etc... and the price tag will be north of €36.000 and that's already taking away the 19% VAT in Germany. Would you be willing to pay a $40.000 base price for an X1?

Other countries pricing has nothing to do with US pricing. Go on the Norway site, a current X3 comes out to like $180,000 USD...a 335 maybe $150,000 USD.

Originally Posted by lilskel

Other countries pricing has nothing to do with US pricing. Go on the Norway site, a current X3 comes out to like $180,000 USD...a 335 maybe $150,000 USD.

Yes, but there is a certain amount of cost inherent in producing an X1. A lot of the Nordic countries tax heavily, hence the high costs in those areas. Small cars are less profitable, so asking BMW to price an X1 xDrive28i at $25.000 isn't going to happen.

Originally Posted by lilskel

an X5 that will end up being a waste of money and not as much fun to drive. I should get the X5 but will probably be getting the 335, considering the order was already placed today and I want to go to Munich, I just have a bad feeling I will need the cargo room in the X5 and I can't keep waiting for the X1

Consider what a friend of mine just did. He wanted to stay loyal to the brand and got into a BMW Executive CPO X5. This might make sense for you since you can keep it for a year or 2 until the new models come out and won't take a big hit on depreciation when you get out of the X5. Just a thought, unless you're committed to the 335.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Would you be willing to pay a $40.000 base price for an X1?

Small cars are less profitable, so asking BMW to price an X1 xDrive28i at $25.000 isn't going to happen.

I think many of us waiting for the US launch of the X1 are anticipating something higher than $25K but lower than $40K. If they price it above $40K, they will lose out to those considering a Q5. Audi is now offering:
Audi Conquest Bonus Cash ($750)
Available to current owners or lessees of a 2001 or newer BMW, MINI, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz model.

I don't want a VW Tiguan, Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, Acura RDX, Honda CRV, Subaru Forrester, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, etc and I'm willing to pay a premium for the X1 over those...but everyone has their limits unless you're Bill Gates, Warren Buffett or Sir Richard Branson to name a few.

Oh, and I don't plan on giving 1/2 of my wealth to charity either.....

I don't know if this is true or not, but I just got back from a local dealer and the sales manager just said that the X1 will not be making it stateside. I don't know if it was a load of crap to try selling me something today instead of waiting 4-5 months, but that is a pretty bold statement (lie) to make if he did. Kind of hard to believe BMW would delay or cancel an X1 NA launch.

Originally Posted by Mystic1

I don't know if this is true or not, but I just got back from a local dealer and the sales manager just said that the X1 will not be making it stateside. I don't know if it was a load of crap to try selling me something today instead of waiting 4-5 months, but that is a pretty bold statement (lie) to make if he did. Kind of hard to believe BMW would delay or cancel an X1 NA launch.

When was the last time (or first time) that you believed what a car salesman said?

Originally Posted by STE92VE

When was the last time (or first time) that you believed what a car salesman said?

Actually today when I spoke to one at the MINI dealer about the Countryman. Probably the most straightforward salesman I have ever spoken to. Compare that to the BMW salesman that didn't know crap about the 335i I test drove, and referred to the BMW USA website for lease prices!!
That said, I never said I believed the guy about the X1. He was probably sick of fielding questions about it that he snapped. Just surprised to hear it...true or not.

Originally Posted by Mystic1

BMW salesman that didn't know crap about the 335i I test drove, and referred to the BMW USA website for lease prices!!

You should report this guy to his sales manager, unless he's his father-in-law....

Originally Posted by STE92VE

You should report this guy to his sales manager, unless he's his father-in-law....

Yeah, I felt like asking for a different salesman, but I was just there gathering info on the X1 and 335i. He was a newer salesman (3 months), but that is absolutely no excuse. He figured out I knew what I was talking about, and was actually asking me questions about the models. I don't think he even knew the difference between coupe and sedan. I asked, already knowing the answer, if the 335i sedan had the same engine as the coupe, and he said that it was detuned to 260 HP. Come to find out he thought I was asking about the 328i and was confused about the "sedan" comment. Good thing I will not be buying from this dealer since I already have a sales associate at another dealer out of state we have used in the past.

We can all rest easy now:

"BMW also confirmed that the smaller X1 SUV, which is closer in size to the outgoing X3, will come to the U.S. sometime next year."

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...11-bmw-x3.html

I have a hunch when/if the X1 arrives stateside it won't be until July or later.

My 2006 X3 (manual, m-sport, premium, xenons, pdc, premium stereo) ends its CPO warranty in May of 2012. If there's an X1 with a manual transmission in America at that time, it'll be my obvious next car. If it's automatic only, then I'll look elsewhere (perhaps the rumored Porsche cute ute or the Mini Clubman?)
I saw an X1 on the street in Berlin a few weeks ago and it looks great!

Originally Posted by iamthewalrus

My 2006 X3 (manual, m-sport, premium, xenons, pdc, premium stereo) ends its CPO warranty in May of 2012. If there's an X1 with a manual transmission in America at that time, it'll be my obvious next car. If it's automatic only, then I'll look elsewhere (perhaps the rumored Porsche cute ute or the Mini Clubman?)
I saw an X1 on the street in Berlin a few weeks ago and it looks great!

So anyway I spoke to my CA yesterday who told me he was going down to Spartanburg today to drive some new cars. Wonder if the X1 is among them.

I'd be interested in an ED on one in late spring 2011.

Apple does it again. They announced a new line of MacBook "Air" laptops on Tuesday, and my new one will arrive one week later. I know PCs aren't as complex as cars, but come on. One week from announcement to delivery is the bar against which we measure everything else. BMW needs to tighten up their product windows. It's been *years* that we've been hearing about the X1 and the new X3. In the meantime, previous-generation X3 sales falter. That can't be good for BMW, and it's not a great customer experience.

-James
Seattle, WA

2006 X3 3.0i (manual, sport, premium, xenons, premium stereo)
2006 Mini CooperS convertible (manual, sport, premium, xenons, HK stereo)