2016 bmw x1

[MikeM.]

I haven't read anything about poor handling with the 2016 X1, do you have a link?

No one said the X1 had poor handling but, relative to the CX-5 (especially the 2.0L version), every indication is that the handling will not be as good.

 

[Buddywh2]

.... Mazda is considered entry-mid level in US (low-cost fun/reliable), BMW premium, as well as finicky and costly to repair.

x2 for that analysis...

Both BMW and Mercedes have quite purposefully branded themselves luxury marques in the US. The dealer network latches onto that coattail and rides it for all it's worth so you'll pay premium for all their services (but expect premium service too... like Starbucks coffee and Godiva chocolates in the waiting room). The models they actually import to the US are representative of that fact too and I'd be very surprised if you can get one without leather upholstery.

And for the money I'd be putting out for a BMW vs a Mazda I will expect a whole lot more than leather upholstery on all trims; I'd expect the BMW driving experience in full measure. So a BMW that's not an I6 and rear-wheel drive? pfft. Go buy a VW if you're that desperate for 'German Engineering'.

Dealers around here will probably refuse to put it on their show-room floor; you'll probably have to ask to see one of their mandatory consignment squirreled at the back of the lot. Assuming they didn't trade them all to a mid-west BMW dealer to get another M6.

 

[xtrailman]

"Go buy a VW if you're that desperate for 'German Engineering'. "

I last test drove a Golf in 1999, it didn't inspire me at all, I went on to buy a Audi A4 Avant Quattro 180 BHP instead, it was great to look at but dull to drive. And that's the ONLY german car I've owned.
So I'm not a fan of German engineering, in fact some of their ideas strike me as odd, simple things like using wheel bolts instead of studs and capped nuts for one.

And I'm not attracted by the reliability record either, or Mazda for that matter.

No what attracts me to the X1 is simply the power available, nothing else, except the UK reputation for being a drivers car.
No Mazda or any other UK Japanese car offers over 200 bhp, not in the SUV size I'm targeting.

It will be a couple of months yet before I can comment on how the X1 strikes me.
Pre judging the car at this stage seems to me odd.

 

[Dr_Watson]

French?

New DS4 Crossback, will have two petrol turbo's, nearly 200bhp. I had a DS3 with the 1.6 turbo when I was back in Scotland, I live in the middle of nowhere, no cars, no police, just roads and sheep, the turbo was a great engine, granted a much smaller car but I think it would give the performance and torque. You would need to buy it cheap, and I don't know about the boot size. My mate has a Citroen Cross..bla bla, can't remember the name, its 8 years old, 80'000 miles, he has never had a single problem with it, drives it to Dresden twice a year, Scotland twice a year, not a squeak.

Citroen interiors were always a let down, I never like the long gear stick, like stirring spaghetti, this one looks much improved (apart from the brown leather though).

 

[MikeM.]

What do you chaps think to the upcoming X1, it only about 4" shorter than the CX-5, with I believe a bigger boot now.

It will be a couple of months yet before I can comment on how the X1 strikes me.
Pre judging the car at this stage seems to me odd.

I'm having difficulty reconciling these two statements. First you start a thread asking us what we think about the upcoming X1, then you berate us for answering your question....(yupnope)

 

[xtrailman]

I'm having difficulty reconciling these two statements. First you start a thread asking us what we think about the upcoming X1, then you berate us for answering your question....(yupnope)

I did, and I've had some good feedback.

But nothing useful from you, just nit picking what I've posted.

 

[xtrailman]

French?

New DS4 Crossback, will have two petrol turbo's, nearly 200bhp. I had a DS3 with the 1.6 turbo when I was back in Scotland, I live in the middle of nowhere, no cars, no police, just roads and sheep, the turbo was a great engine, granted a much smaller car but I think it would give the performance and torque. You would need to buy it cheap, and I don't know about the boot size. My mate has a Citroen Cross..bla bla, can't remember the name, its 8 years old, 80'000 miles, he has never had a single problem with it, drives it to Dresden twice a year, Scotland twice a year, not a squeak.

Citroen interiors were always a let down, I never like the long gear stick, like stirring spaghetti, this one looks much improved (apart from the brown leather though).

Its been a long time since I drove a French car, a 405 I think it was, a truly awful car, the test drive was cut short.
My T31 Xtrail had a Renault engine which was ok and 100% reliable over the 4.5 years I had the car.

 

[Dr_Watson]

I would hope they have moved on from the 405, I'm sure they have. I was consider a Citroen, but never a Peugeot, not sure why, just one of those things.

 

[MikeM.]

I did, and I've had some good feedback.

But nothing useful from you, just nit picking what I've posted.

LOL! Well, you asked us for our thoughts and then called it "odd" to pre-judge the car before it's available. (uhm)

I'll be sending you a full refund of monies paid! (whistle)

 

[Buddywh2]

...
No what attracts me to the X1 is simply the power available, nothing else, except the UK reputation for being a drivers car.
No Mazda or any other UK Japanese car offers over 200 bhp, not in the SUV size I'm targeting....

Does the UK still levy hefty taxes on autos of over 2l displacement? I truly dislike boosted engines... probably the only way to (usefully) get 2l into that power range.

185 isn't potent but it's comfortable (since I'm not towing) and what made this CX appeal to me: 184/185 with torque on tap at very low turns. But it's a 2.5l.

And if you're looking for BMW driving magic I just don't see how you can get it without one of their incredibly smooth, torquey, I6 power plants with rear wheels pushing it through the twisties.

Doesn't VW put the Tiguan on offer in the UK? You may not have found it appealing before but VW has spent a lot of time improving driver dynamics and for all the reasons to find it 2nd rate now, THIS BMW happens to share. I honestly think it would be a much better value if you want 2l HP. But then, I suppose BMW market placement may be all wonky vs. the US...I just don't know.

 

[xtrailman]

In the UK road tax VED, is chargeable on co2 emissions. The BMW is in the same group as the 175ps CX-5 Auto.

To help meet euro6 most manufactures now fit a turbo, or two as in the CX-5 and X1.

Not a fan off RWD, my first 3 cars were RWD and a total pain in snow, my preference is FWD over RWD, but AWD over them all, but not full time AWD. But that wouldn't stop me buying another full time AWD if I like the car enough.

I've never had a BMW for that reason, but since X drive arrived I have been looking at the range when a new model arrives.

I'm not a VW fan and find the Tiguan a very unappealing car, soon I believe to be replaced, its also got less torque than the CX-5 although a couple of bhp more, I believe the auto is also a DSG box, not ideal for towing from what I read.

The Aisin box is well thought of from what I read, I'm told the Mazda box is Aisin, and the upcoming X1 also, but an 8 speed version to reduce emissions.

 

[Buddywh2]

In the UK road tax VED, is chargeable on co2 emissions. The BMW is in the same group as the 175ps CX-5 Auto.

To help meet euro6 most manufactures now fit a turbo, or two as in the CX-5 and X1.

Not a fan off RWD, my first 3 cars were RWD and a total pain in snow, my preference is FWD over RWD, but AWD over them all, but not full time AWD. But that wouldn't stop me buying another full time AWD if I like the car enough.

I've never had a BMW for that reason, but since X drive arrived I have been looking at the range when a new model arrives.

I'm not a VW fan and find the Tiguan a very unappealing car, soon I believe to be replaced, its also got less torque than the CX-5 although a couple of bhp more, I believe the auto is also a DSG box, not ideal for towing from what I read.

The Aisin box is well thought of from what I read, I'm told the Mazda box is Aisin, and the upcoming X1 also, but an 8 speed version to reduce emissions.

No CX-5's in the US have turbo's (unless someone has an aftermarket solution).

Tiguans in US have 2l turbo.... 200HP/207 torque; if typical of most VW's it's easily 'chipped' to increase boost and get to around 250HP and comparable torque.

I believe CX-5's tranny (SkyActiv) is JATCO but Aisin is a possibility.

It does sound like UK vehicle equipage is...or can be...vastly different from that in the US. As is the market branding of various marques. We aren't regulated on carbon emissions but on corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) across all an MFR's models sold in the US. That metric drives different marketing priorities. The upshot is: don't ask for, or listen to, any opinions from US owner/buyers because we have a totally different perspective. You're sipping at apple juice to find out if you'd like to eat an orange.