Finally saw an X1

After 2 weeks back in Quebec where the X1 has been around longer, I finally saw my first X1! It was black and looked great in the parking lot of the ski resort!

Its definitely a rare bird so far, as I have only seen 3 in my area. I'm sure ppl confuse mine for an X3 as its badgeless in the rear.

Originally Posted by X1-tahoe

After 2 weeks back in Quebec where the X1 has been around longer, I finally saw my first X1! It was black and looked great in the parking lot of the ski resort!

Was it at Sierra?
It is mine.

Nope. It was at Mont Tremblant on the east coast. We are getting some great snow here and the black X1 I saw looked great with a bit of wind blown snow on it. I thought I would see more here given it has been available for over a year. But that was my first one. I thought it would be even more popular in Canadian winters. I am probably biased since I love the look of the car and the handeling.

I'm picking mine up when I return to the Bay area after new years.

Question for you: Did you get snow tires for your trips to Tahoe?

Originally Posted by X1-tahoe

Question for you: Did you get snow tires for your trips to Tahoe?

I live in San Jose, CA and bought a sDrive28i, it never entered my mind to buy the xDrive and get snow tires because we don't get snow here.
So last Saturday I drove up to Tahoe with my wife during the snow storm (had made reservations long time ago) and at some point there was a chain control checkpoint. They asked me if my X1 was AWD or 4WD, and I told them it was RWD. I had to turn around and buy chains for the remaining 40 miles (I'm guessing) of the trip.
I put the chains on my rear tires and used them to drive around the Tahoe area for a couple of days. The 25 mph speed limit with chains was very annoying, took us forever to get anywhere. So I decided to remove the chains and take my chances.
The sDrive28i handled fine without chains on icy roads, I never had a problem.
Yesterday we drove back to San Jose, and when we got home I decided to inspect the tires to see if there was any damage from the stupid chains. The tires are fine, but the chains damaged both my rims . It looks like I parallel parked hitting the curb on both sides. It looks bad. I've only had the car for 1 month. I'm considering buying 2 new Y-spoke rims.
I would recommend anyone that owns a sDrive28i driving around in snow not to put chains on their tires because it will surely damage their rims.

Originally Posted by lobato78

I would recommend anyone that owns a sDrive28i driving around in snow not to put chains on their tires because it will surely damage their rims.

Thanks for the info. It is nice to know that your car handled the conditions well. Sorry to hear about the chain damage. It always scares me when I'm driving up there and big trucks have their chains spinning....always afraid it will come off and hit our car when we pass them.

I did see some info on this board about replacement rims so maybe those can help you as well. Living in San Jose, you will be fine with the sDrive (proof is you were even fine up in the snow).

It's better to get the chains that only cover the rubber to prevent rim scratches. I got winter tires for my AWD so I don't have to mess with chains. In California they often close the roads if it gets to the point that even 4WD need chains. I go to the mountains often in SoCal so I invested in winter tires. They are not run flats so I have noticed the ride is a lot softer.

I haven't seen one here in the Chicago Suburbs yet.....I'm it. I have only seen one other BMW owner even acknowledge my ride, thumbs up. Clearly a BMW enthusiast. I'd love to start a local X1 meet n greet, but not only are there none I've seen, but perhaps not that shared interest that I do see here in this Forum.

I was V.P. of a local Ford Club and now still a member, but I'm not seeing BMW owners here that "acknowledge" one another like Stang owners do. Oh well.....lol

Originally Posted by lobato78

I live in San Jose, CA and bought a sDrive28i, it never entered my mind to buy the xDrive and get snow tires because we don't get snow here.
So last Saturday I drove up to Tahoe with my wife during the snow storm (had made reservations long time ago) and at some point there was a chain control checkpoint. They asked me if my X1 was AWD or 4WD, and I told them it was RWD. I had to turn around and buy chains for the remaining 40 miles (I'm guessing) of the trip.
I put the chains on my rear tires and used them to drive around the Tahoe area for a couple of days. The 25 mph speed limit with chains was very annoying, took us forever to get anywhere. So I decided to remove the chains and take my chances.
The sDrive28i handled fine without chains on icy roads, I never had a problem.
Yesterday we drove back to San Jose, and when we got home I decided to inspect the tires to see if there was any damage from the stupid chains. The tires are fine, but the chains damaged both my rims . It looks like I parallel parked hitting the curb on both sides. It looks bad. I've only had the car for 1 month. I'm considering buying 2 new Y-spoke rims.
I would recommend anyone that owns a sDrive28i driving around in snow not to put chains on their tires because it will surely damage their rims.

I think the rims can be repaired. There are companies that will come to your house with their equipment and repair "curb rash," for around $150-200. We have a spot of curb rash already from cutting the turn into our driveway too sharply. If you find someone, let me know - we're in the Bay Area too.

By the way, I still have yet to see another X1 in the Bay Area. I have been on the lookout since their launch in September. My wife saw a nice blue one a few weeks back though.

My BMW dealer fixes wheels at $150/per.

Originally Posted by nospam

My BMW dealer fixes wheels at $150/per.

nice - that didn't even occur to me! for the same price it's much better than having some stranger come to your house to work on your nice new BMW...

They also offer paintless dent removal, quite convenient. I love their service department but not their sales. I've actually never bought a BMW from them...CREVIER BMW.

Originally Posted by nospam

My BMW dealer fixes wheels at $150/per.

Thx for the info. Will try dealer!

Originally Posted by greyX1

nice - that didn't even occur to me! for the same price it's much better than having some stranger come to your house to work on your nice new BMW...

I would think while they are fixing the rims, you have to think about weight distribution. IDK, they should know what they are doing. My X1 is only a month old also,, I'm trying to baby it,,, hmmmm, it's just so hard in this Idaho weather. But, of course we purchased the XDrive. I don't even think they would sell the sDrive around here. But, I'm just driving it with the original tires. Cold package all season The AWD is doing the job,,, well... So far anyway. Good luck with those rims.