My new baby hauler. UPDATE: Dinan stage 1, c-c-c-complete.

[SSSnail]

by sssnail, on Flickr


sssnail, on Flickr


sssnail, on Flickr


sssnail, on Flickr


sssnail, on Flickr

So it came down to this, because the X3 similarly equipped would have been more than I'm willing to pay for what essentially a baby hauler. There are plenty to like about this car:

• The only X-car still made in Germany
• Possibly the last BMW I can buy with hydraulic steering
• It's ~400 lbs lighter than the X-3
• ~268 HP/287 TQ (Dinan dyno'd)
  • Next order of business - Dinan stage 1 tune will bring it up to 312 HP/330TQ - good enough
• It's more comfortable than my E46, and roomier, enough for what I need it to do
• It's a familiar feeling with all the new bells and whistles
• Almost forgot about the fantastic 8-speed trans

 

[michal1980]

+1

 

[Raghu]

How do you know your car is made in Germany?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Ha, I just sold mine. Excellent little car.

 

[RichieZ]

why the x1 over the 328i xdrive? I've actually been looking at the 328d xdrive

ok nevermind didn't realize how cheap the x1 is

 

[HitAnyKey]

Nice wheels, love the blue and the car has excellent specs for its size and weight. Looks nice for hauling a baby around but space might be a bit tight for other things. But I can see why you bought it - the lines on your car are pretty nice from any angle. Definitely a very good looking car!

Give us a pic of the cup holders (the most critical aspect of any interior) to complete the picture.

 

[evident]

Can you get this car with the N55?
Looks sharp and surprisingly priced well vs other BMWs

 

[SSSnail]

How do you know your car is made in Germany?

You ask, also visit www.bmwarchive.org

 

[SSSnail]

why the x1 over the 328i xdrive? I've actually been looking at the 328d xdrive

ok nevermind didn't realize how cheap the x1 is

Didn't you read anything I wrote? The X3 similarly equipped will be more than I'm willing to pay. As is, my car has ultimate + m sports + lighting + butt warmers, the only things missing are Harmon Kardon and headlights washers - it's not cheap by any stretch.

The X-3 interior room isn't that much bigger, it's about 400 lbs heavier with the same engine; my wife and I drove it and it felt like it was trying too hard sometimes on acceleration. Also electronic steering, we didn't like how it felt.

Sure I can get an X-3, but it will be with a lot less options, and possibly imitation leather with manually adjusted seats... You probably just wanted to make that comment about the x1 being cheap, it's alright, not everyone is as rich as you are.

 

[SSSnail]

Nice wheels, love the blue and the car has excellent specs for its size and weight. Looks nice for hauling a baby around but space might be a bit tight for other things. But I can see why you bought it - the lines on your car are pretty nice from any angle. Definitely a very good looking car!

Give us a pic of the cup holders (the most critical aspect of any interior) to complete the picture.

Oh I see what you did there, I bought a car, not a cup holder. :thumbsdown:

My wife and I and our baby aren't big people, so unless you're built like football players and pack 5 in there all the time, space is not an issue.

 

[SSSnail]

Can you get this car with the N55?
Looks sharp and surprisingly priced well vs other BMWs

Yes I can, but it's mated to the old 6-speed, and the gears seem tall at times. Test drove that too. Besides, I'm getting stage 1 Dinan, which will remedy the deficiency + I got the new 8-speed. Almost forgot one more important thing, the X1 with the N20 it's more balanced than with the N55as the block sits behind the front axle.

Sorry for the multi quotes, mobile + laziness.

 

[DigDog]

i approve of BMW

 

[sgrinavi]

Nice, congrats! I've had them as loaners and enjoyed it for a change.

 

[desy]

Why are you running over pigeons
Not the nicest bird admittedly but still I'd be worried over paint damage

 

[RichieZ]

Didn't you read anything I wrote? The X3 similarly equipped will be more than I'm willing to pay. As is, my car has ultimate + m sports + lighting + butt warmers, the only things missing are Harmon Kardon and headlights washers - it's not cheap by any stretch.

The X-3 interior room isn't that much bigger, it's about 400 lbs heavier with the same engine; my wife and I drove it and it felt like it was trying too hard sometimes on acceleration. Also electronic steering, we didn't like how it felt.

Sure I can get an X-3, but it will be with a lot less options, and possibly imitation leather with manually adjusted seats... You probably just wanted to make that comment about the x1 being cheap, it's alright, not everyone is as rich as you are.

uh i was talking about the 3 series wagon which imho is overpriced, but i probably should have used the term reasonably priced for the x1. i can see how my comment is brusque and i didn't mean it the way you read it, apologies

 

[HitAnyKey]

Oh I see what you did there, I bought a car, not a cup holder. :thumbsdown:

My wife and I and our baby aren't big people, so unless you're built like football players and pack 5 in there all the time, space is not an issue.

Cup holder was a reference to staying up all night with the little one which tends to lead to the need for more caffeine.

Space was a reference to carrying a stroller and stuff which can get a bit tight when you got the Car seat in the middle and trunk is a bit full.

Thats all I meant.

 

[soulcougher73]

Ha. I was more intrigued by where the pics were taken cause its my old home. Now i miss it. I hate you Great Highway, right?

 

[SSSnail]

uh i was talking about the 3 series wagon which imho is overpriced, but i probably should have used the term reasonably priced for the x1. i can see how my comment is brusque and i didn't mean it the way you read it, apologies

No worries. The new 3 series wagon has indeed grown too large and overpriced, good thing is this x1 it's built on top of the last generation E9x chassis, hence the made in Germany and hydraulic steering, but upgraded trans and engine.

If you're going to test drive the X3, do yourself a favor and check out the X1. Notice all the things I mentioned in this thread with regards to the different models. There is a slight hesitation upon accelerating from a dead stop, but as with turbo cars, this is expected. You should use the sssnail launch control method, basically put the car in sport mode, heel-toe to about 3000rpm and let 'er rip. Notice how much smoother the trans is on the x28I vs the x35i. Also the slight heavier nose feeling when coming in or out of corners.

IMO, x28i + stage 1 Dinan + 8-speed > x35i, all else being equal. As an auto enthusiast, I think you'll appreciate the x1's driving dynamics over the x3.

 

[SSSnail]

Cup holder was a reference to staying up all night with the little one which tends to lead to the need for more caffeine.

Space was a reference to carrying a stroller and stuff which can get a bit tight when you got the Car seat in the middle and trunk is a bit full.

Thats all I meant.

LOL, the cup holder is actually a knock on this car from many sources, and it got tiring. I think it's an afterthought, and I rather that they didn't put one extra in at all. My wife sits in the back with the kid when I'm driving so she got the middle tray all to herself as I put the rear-facing seat on the right rear. We actually tried to live with my E46 coupe for 7 months before I bought this, so it's a very much welcome change.

There are only three of us here, so I either put the car seat on the right rear, or if I need more space then I just move it to the middle. If the car seat is in the middle, then I can take 4 other normal sized adults just fine. It's quite utilitarian without being too large, which lends to its driving characteristic of being car like.

 

[SSSnail]

Ha. I was more intrigued by where the pics were taken cause its my old home. Now i miss it. I hate you Great Highway, right?

Yup, Ocean Beach. Best kept secret of SF, though not anymore lately...

 

[tracerbullet]

Nice, congrats. I've got a 135i and an old Saturn Vue as well. I am lucky that way but always thought if I had to have a single, do-all vehicle it'd be an X1.

 

[Nebor]

I checked them out when I was cross shopping X1\X3\SQ5s. I didn't feel like the interior was up to typical BMW standards (in particular the design & construction of the back seat is terrible.) They do feel sportier than the X3 though, and there are so many sitting on lots that you can get killer deals on them.

Congrats on the new ride, it sounds like it's a good match for you.

 

[SSSnail]

I checked them out when I was cross shopping X1\X3\SQ5s. I didn't feel like the interior was up to typical BMW standards (in particular the design & construction of the back seat is terrible.) They do feel sportier than the X3 though, and there are so many sitting on lots that you can get killer deals on them.

Congrats on the new ride, it sounds like it's a good match for you.

Here's my other car

... and its rear seating situation
330-3
... with the middle armrest down
330-2

Here's the X1 rear seats
x1-int-1
With the armrest down (+ cup holders!!!)
x1-int-2

The way some people described it, I thought it was weaved with barbwire and thorns. But no, with all around Nevada leather, it isn't so bad. Admittedly it isn't padded much, but at least it reclines. Besides, the front sport seats have 3 adjustable airbags each just to pleasure my lumbar!

I figured a loaded X1 is just what we need right now, and it can do a bit of light off-roading around these parts what with all the potholes and crevices on the roads. Placing the child seats and removing it from a coupe gets tired after a while...

I'm going to bring some of you negotiating experts with me when I inevitably will replace my 330Ci with the next M2 so I can get a great deal. Because I walked out of three dealerships and none of them budged an inch on the price that the internet told me I can get it at.

 

[Nebor]

You'll never get a deal on an ///M. Haha.

 

[SSSnail]

You'll never get a deal on an ///M. Haha.

BS! The guy that sold me the X1 says he can get me one for maybe only $10K above MSRP (for European Delivery). If that's not a deal, I don't know what is.