As an owner of a E84, here is my assessment of the F48 before driving it.
Although the F48 base price is up from the E84, the car offers more value and available features (mostly tech like HUD, Park Assis, Driver Assit, touch NAV) over the E84. The weight is also down about 60lbs when comparing the X28i. (But, I bet the driving dynamics aren't as good, especially compared to the S-drive.)
When I configured my car (2013 E84 w/ XLine + all options except the Tech Pkg/screen) with the X2.8 the price is about 1600 more than the comparable F28 AND these additional features are now standard. (Price is very similar to the E84 S-drive.)
Power lift gate
Rear seat HVAC vents
Sliding rear seat availability
More contoured base seat, is this a MINI seat tho?
Nicer steering wheel, IMO
Interior air temperature fine tuning adjustment, like in most other models
Taller tires, but narrower wheels in 18" that look cheaper IMO
NON RUNFLAT tire option
Spare tire availability
Performance tire option
Privacy Glass
Chrome trim all the way around windows, instead of just bottom
Shadowline trim (only on B pillars, not arond rear windows and and mirrors like Chromeline option on non-M Sport models of the E84, I believe M-sport F48 will have full Shadowline like E84 M-Sport)
M-sport suspension (is there such thing as a Base suspension in EU?)
Anthricite Headliner
Trailer Hitch Prewiring
idrive/screen
Selectable drive modes (addition of Sport Mode)
BMW Assist
Sat Radio, 1 Year Free
Dual exhaust with chrome tips, though they look puny.
Performance Control (which I don't like)
More intelligent center differential, but unfortunately biased as a FWD.
PDC is now optional without the Tech Pkg.
Gone is the hydraulic steering from X-drive, Valencia Orange paint, M-Dynamic Drive (Opt on M Spt Pkg), more powerful N20, Sport Automatic Transmission (paddle shifter) option on non-sport models, and of course the 35i engine option.
As far as looks, the E84 looks (and probably is) more athletic. Though the F48 is lighter, being taller wont help. The F48 looks more sedate, looks like the CX-5 from the side. I only like the look of the front grill better than the E84 even the interior layout doesn't look as clean as the E84, especially with the screen sticking up. The F48 definitely looks more upscale than the base E84 prob bec now X-line is standard. The F48 is slightly more roomy on the inside too, but none of these differences makes me want the F48. I'm sticking with my E84, S-drive!
Are free oil changes more often now? I see that it says 10K miles or every year. Is full maintenance no longer included, just oil changes?