BMW X1 (2009 - 2015) xDrive 18d SE (07/12-) 5d (2013/62) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
Practical and easy-going (we leave Audi drivers to be the inconsiderate class of drivers on today's roads!). Sensible, green, considerate, fun.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Two six-foot nephews sat in the back from London to Brussels without a problem (and the new X1 has EVEN more rear legroom. My late mother (90 years) enjoyed the more practical access to the passenger seat than the previous 118dSE hatchback, into which she had to sit down.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes - and we did; replaced our MY2013 Generation-1 with a brand new Generation Two X1 18dSE on 31st March 2016, exactly 3.5 years on from 30th September 2012. This time (2016) we went for an automatic, because my left knee is suffering after 45 years of playing hockey.
What are you likely to buy next?
Another BMW X1. This car, in Generation 2 (MY2016) form, has grown up. Better-quality cabin materials reward the 40,oo customers who (unexpectedly for BMW's production plans) welcomed the first-generation X1 into their driveways and garages. It deserved its success and a follow-on model - which we are now driving,.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchised
Did you buy this car new?
Yes
What price did you pay?
£26,487
When did you buy the car?
September 2012
Did you get a good deal and why?
We live 300yds away from a BMW dealership in Hampshire, but have now bought four cars from Sytner BMW in Coventry because they are commercially-minded and prepared to deliver sensible deals on new cars.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
We were intending to replace my wife's reliable 06-plade BMW 118dSE hatchback at 83,000 miles, but test-drove the X1 alongside the new 1-Series and were mightily impressed with the X1.
What was the dealer like?
Excellent and knowledgeable. This was our 4th car from Sytner, and we replaced it at 3,5 years with a new X1 on 31st March 2016.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Winchester to Glasgow in one hit (apart from fuel and "coffee-out, coffee-in" stops, Practical around town; poised and secure. Great visibility in all directions (but parking sensors front and rear are a MUST).
What's it like to park?
An absolute doddle, with front and rear parking sensors; tilting nearside mirror makes parallel parking simple.. Good visibility from the mirrors if, like us you choose to reverse into trouble.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Transmissions!. Transfer box was replaced under BMW warranty at 26,000 miles. Thank god for Warranty Direct in year four - new front differential after 58k miles at £2,100 in total! Front tyres wore out their inner edges every 30,000 miles. "heated door mirrors" NEER warmed up on cold days - ant that is the end of the gripes!
What's most practical about your car?
Wide-opening doors; good adjustable seats and controls; rear seats tilt to multiple positions for bulky loads. General joyful grip and handling. Reassuringly poised on the road. Measured average of fuel (diesel) consumption at 42.1PMG over 63k miles.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Electric seats. Illuminated door handles so many of my wife's colleagues have commented admiringly in the car park at night. Hatchback flexibility. Good high driving position in comparison to the 1-series hatchback.
