Impressions of the latest 2019 X1

I was given an almost new 2019 X1 as a courtesy car today, while my F30 was in the workshop.
I was pleasantly surprised how refined and quiet it was for a small SUV. It was also quite nippy for a 3 cylinder 2 litre diesel, although could not be described as fast, by any means. The only small downside was the plasticy nature of the inside trim and dashboard. Size wise, it would be ideal for myself and the wife - we don't need a cavernous giant, and the X1 was sufficiently compact down the Cheshire lanes and was easily parked in the narrow spaces of most car parks.

I didn't get chance to test it's handling characteristics as it was on busy urban roads, but the handling felt good and well balanced. I could quite happily live with one as an every day utility transport. I suspect that it's also very good on fuel consumption.

No plans to change at the moment - it was a pleasure to get back into the 330d and feel the crisp handling and that surge of torque from the 6 cylinder Twin Power turbo diesel.

 

Surely it was a 1.5 litre if it was three cylinder?

Are you being converted to the SUV set?

 

It was an X1 18d, so definitely a diesel. The info was given me by the service assistant, and I was surprised when he said it was 3 cylinders. So it was the four cylinder diesel engine. I also asked him whether they had a G20 340i in the showroom, and he said yes, but it was an estate. When I looked at the only G20 series it was in fact an estate, but not a 340i - it was a 330d. So his grasp on the product range left something to be required.

No, not thinking about an SUV, although I have to say it was easier to get in and out of, compared to my F30. I still like the driving position of my 330d though.

 

Single turbo surely Mike on the 330d?

 

Possibly and 2nd car being purchased @Mieke ?

Kev

 

Ok, Twin Power Turbo, if you want to be pedantic.

That's a definite NO from me.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to be picky.

On a side note I caught the bus in to town today and it's amazing what you notice when you aren't driving. I saw 5 misplaced apostrophes!

 

No apology required, Dave. You were absolutely correct. What is a Twin Power turbo, anyway?

 

They use the term Twin Power when it has a twin scroll turbo

https://bimmertips.com/bmw-twinpower-twin-scroll-turbo-system-explained/

 

Fancy name to make it sound more powerful! Different things to different engines, both for petrol and diesel.

To quote BMW, "BMW TwinPower Turbo: One Term – Three Different Turbo Technologies" That makes it clear.

The three different turbocharging technologies for BMW TwinPower Turbo engines: (1) a turbocharger powered by two exhaust gas streams (twin-scroll design), (2) engine variant with two same-size chargers (parallel design), and (3) models with one small and one large charger (sequential design).

BTW, the 330d doesn't have a TwinPower turbo, (single VGT design), according to BMW's description of the above variations.

Peter

 

The large plastic engine top cover has 'TwinPower Turbo' on it in big letters?

 

Yes they include that in the 330d xDrive spec too

 

How misleading jargon is... For the 330d... from a F30 spec sheet.

"BMW TwinPower Turbo technology: variable-geometry turbocharger (325d: Twin turbo), Common-Rail Direct Injection."

Note how the 325d gets the bracketed "twin turbo" reference, as it is a twin (sequential) turbo setup.

BMW use the TwinPower strapline to mean all sorts of loose combinations. I'm looking for the BMW definition for TwinPower I have on file.

Peter

 

This is what "TwinPower Turbo" means for your diesel engine, according to BMW.

Peter

 

This illustrates the TwinPower Turbo Concept.



Peter

 

More 'gubbins' to go wrong.

 

Anyway......



.... I like the X1 . I think it is a well packaged car. Big enough for a family but not too big. I hear refinement on the diesel (soundproofing) is a poor for long journeys though.

 

I had an X1 218d xDrive for a couple of days, back in the summer, agree it is a well packaged vehicle. Example I had was MT, so a bit thrashy, getting the best out of it. I'd say the auto is the more refined option, having had a 2-series Active Tourer as a loaner.

Peter

 

We changed from the earlier (e84) 18d Auto to the f48 20i Auto and the petrol engine is a much better drive,both were in Xline the earlier being 2 wd the present being 4wd. In both we had sports seats with lumber support. Not as nice as the 6 pot in the Z3 2.2 Sports buy any means, and thats 20 years old.

 

Even though I'm not an SUV fan (mainly because I think they're too big for British roads) I could probably live happily with the X1. It's compact enough, so size is not an issue for narrow lanes or parking. I didn't get much over 40 mph on the urban roads, so have no idea of higher speed cruising. But I thought it seemed relatively quiet. As I said above, it's the plastic trim around the dash that let's it down. There are long plastic inserts along the top of the front doors and dash that have tacky purple ambient lighting along the edges. It would be nice if a better quality trim was available as an option.

What I did like , is the ease of getting in and out of the car due to the higher seats. I have a permanent knee injury (motorcycle accident) so it was a bit easier than the F30. Visibility is also a little better due to the elevated driving position.