I've zeroed down on the X1 S drive as an upgrade from my Jetta(it's a tough car to upgrade from). Test drove it a few days back and here are my observations-
1. Great looks. Can be mistaken for an X3 or even an X5 from good distance. Best looking Compact SUV. Y spoke alloys look smashing.
2. Spacious interior. Enough space that a family will ever need. Good headroom and legroom compared to the competition. Panoramic sunroof makes the interior feel even more airy. The black on black combination looks great in my opinion. I will have to go for the beige option since that's what everyone in my family liked. But on the beige combo, they have gone overboard with beige. Everything from door pads to lower dashboard to roofline is beige, & without sun films there will be a lot of light entering the cabin.
3. i drive felt better compared to mercs command system. Yet to compare it with Q3s MMI. The screen is a tad smaller on lower versions but good resolution and interface makes up for it.
4. Good build quality. Though I felt it lacked the heft of the Mercs.
5. Excellent performance. Enough power and the transmission does its job really smooth. It ain't easy to understand when she's shifting cogs. While in my Jetta a keen observer can feel the shifts in between. The combo felt pretty much alive with power available whenever you need. Paddle shifters & launch control from sdrive versions onwards. Engine too felt refined to me which is contradicting to what some others have mentioned.
6. Interiors look good. But material quality isn't as good as the Mercs. I like the x1s interior design more than the Q3 n GLA. Ambient lights look great too.
7. Seats are smaller compared to others in the segment. And on the S drive versions, thigh support is on the lower side. I'm a bit worried whether this will prove troublesome on longer journeys.
8. Brakes are a bit grabby so one has to get accustomed to its modulation. Sheds speed brilliantly though.
9. Ride comfort is good for a higher riding vehicle. But then if I'm comparing it to my Jetta obviously there's more vertical movement. Again this is something that is lingering in my mind with respect to this purchase. There's a firm side to the suspension but it didn't feel jarring BTW. That up and down bobbing motion typical to high GC cars can be felt in lower amounts.
10. Handles superbly for a C SUV. Steering doesn't feel lifeless and at the same time isn't too hard to handle. High speed stability is also brilliant.
11. Headlamps are led but the smaller lens is a dummy unit. And to my shock x1 doesn't have bending lights which my Jetta has. Bending lights are very helpful in ghat sections so x1 owners please enlighten me on how's the headlamp performance.
12. So many features cut from international versions.
Why BMW? No powered tailgate, CD player, headlamp washers, cruise control, multiple colour combinations for interiors, chrome on the window line (not a fan of chrome but this looks good on the x1), navigation(only on msport) etc..
Now guys please help me on the following facts.
I couldn't hear much road noise as many members have complained here. TD was at noon so AC blower was at good speed is it because of that?
Is it advisable to swap the RFTs to tubeless on delivery itself? I'm more concerned about ride comfort and noise than handling. Will it void warranty? Also I would like to upsize the tyres to 235 section coz 225 on 18 inchers looks a bit under tyred to me.
And those who have test driven this car please pen down your views here. Lack of a team bhp review is clearly a road block during a car purchase. Will we ever get one?
Finally can something be done on the seats to increase its thigh support? Like Stanley leather etc.. What will they do with the side airbags then?
Lots of questions I know but I'm really confused especially because my present Jetta is also a brilliant product.
I don't want to compromise too much for a C SUV & brand upgrade. In the 40 lakh range, X1 is what I felt as the most practical choice and a more complete package. A4 TDi isn't launched yet & it will be more expensive too. GLA and Q3 is too small. C class didn't entice me as much as A4. And considering the non existent roads in many places in Kerala a SAV(as BMW calls it) should be a better choice isn't it. This will be my first C SUV so I'm indeed worried about whether I will hate the ride quality later. Add to that the above concerns too.