Bmw x1

[Mike Andrew]

Anybody here have experience with this SAV?
Time for her Suby to move on and she has decided an X1 is the car she wants based on reviews, CR and its looks. I would just as soon stick her in a new Forester or Outback and save a few $. It does appear to be a nice ride and well appointed. Will test drive one soon as she wants to wrap by 10/1.

Comments?

[Rick Lee]

Mrs. Lee has had one for four years and I hate the car with the fire of 1000 suns. Yes, it drives nice, and she's only had about, oh, $6k worth of warranty repairs so far. But the car is made of plastic. Everything except the wheels, engine block and body panels is made of plastic. It gets brittle and it breaks. I couldn't even hardwire a radar detector because there is no metal to mount a ground wire anywhere near the fuse panel. Everything, I mean everything, is plastic. The oil pan is plastic (which often cracks and is about a $1500 repair), the oil drain plug is plastic and strips if you try to remove it when it's hot. Even the new oil filter kits come with a new drain plug because they know you'll destroy the old one getting it out. They even have notched on them, so you get a chisel on it when you've stripped out the Allen groove. I could go on and on. Not a fun car to DIY stuff on.

[cairns]

Check out the styrofoam in the trunk. Very high Q.

BMW cut so many corners on this car its laughable.

[NutmegCarrera]

Not to discourage her, but I bought a 3.6R outback last year - and it’s been a great car. Much better infotainment than my wife’s Q7. Comfy, and have taken a couple road trips. Good manners, decent gas mileage (on regular octane) - I get about 26mpg on average. Road trips pull right around 29.
Have driven it for 18k miles so far. Pretty happy. Quite a bit nicer than the previous 4cyl models I have had.

Good luck - we know what it’s like to convince a significant other about what vehicle to drive. At least take a test drive - it’s a night & day difference from her 2009.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

I would absolutely go for the Outback if that's an option - I have a family member that has one and cannot say anything bad about it. Exceptionally comfortable, great mpgs, and all the safety features at a great price point.

[NutmegCarrera]

As it happens, the 6 cal is going away for 2019.
Might be able to get a nice discount as a result. I have bought (4) since 1998 from the same dealer in Mequon WI and have had an easy buying experience every time.
They are the biggest Subaru dealer in the state - and prices reflect volume.
I think I got a 12%+ discount.

[Steve Carlton]

Have her test drive an XC40.

[Mike Andrew]

Mequon dealer name?? Road America for World Challenge so we will be in the area and can make a stop. Easy buying experience sounds good to this old Purchasing guy who spent way too many hours haggling pennies on million $ aerospace buys..
I think if I can get the right deal, I can steer her away from the X1. Just had such good luck with our Subys.

[Noah930]

My parents have an X1. They've had it for a couple years. But now that they're retired I think they only have about 15K miles on it. No reliability issues. But they did have a flat tire, and with run flats the only option is replacement.

I haven't done any maintenance on it, so I can't comment like Rick has from personal experience.

But I have driven it a few times. Pickup and handling is decent. But I didn't like the harshness of the suspension. Too stiff over bumps, which I suppose is the tradeoff for the crispness of the handling. I don't mind a harsh suspension, personally. But I don't think most people who buy a luxury car do. That would block me from recommending one.

[Chocaholic]

My wife has been test driving small SUV’s over the past few weeks. Tired of her (relatively new) Toyota mini van. Top two favs are the Honda Passport (still has a V6 and real transmission) and the Outback, but only available with a CVT. We’re leaning toward the Passport.

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Mrs. Lee has had one for four years and I hate the car with the fire of 1000 suns. Yes, it drives nice, and she's only had about, oh, $6k worth of warranty repairs so far. But the car is made of plastic. Everything except the wheels, engine block and body panels is made of plastic. It gets brittle and it breaks. I couldn't even hardwire a radar detector because there is no metal to mount a ground wire anywhere near the fuse panel. Everything, I mean everything, is plastic. The oil pan is plastic (which often cracks and is about a $1500 repair), the oil drain plug is plastic and strips if you try to remove it when it's hot. Even the new oil filter kits come with a new drain plug because they know you'll destroy the old one getting it out. They even have notched on them, so you get a chisel on it when you've stripped out the Allen groove. I could go on and on. Not a fun car to DIY stuff on.

My 2009 wagon has plastic valve train cover on a Twin turbocharged engine!! Talk about heat. It’s just accepted that they crack and leak. Yay engineering!