Comments on: BMW X1 due here early 2010

By: Mumble Duck

Mumble Duck — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:39:44 +0000

GTR, thats easy. Q5 for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: nobody

nobody — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:39:41 +0000

I actually quite like this for some reason. Would be first on my list if I were looking for a luxury compact SUV. From the early drive impressions I’ve read on this thing, it looks like the most fun handling and comfortable riding SUV Bimmer has come up with. Was really skeptical about this car when it was first announced.

So rumours are X3 will be around X5 size come next generation, so does that mean X5 will be bigger than a LandCruiser? It’s getting scary, I think the X5 is already abit big for what it is.

And yup fingers crossed for the 23d to get the green light!

By: Rym

Rym — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:59:29 +0000

Oh Dear, another ugly offspring from BMW, What an ugly face. The bonnet line meeting the front grill is an ugly carrying over from the Bangle Z3 ilk.

There is no coherent line or shape to be seen all around either.

What a shame, BMW used to produce some of a classiest styled machines that ages well. The Bangle legacy is still prevalent and dare I say will hurt BMW.

It’s ok to be different… just didn’t have to be ugly. It will be an eyesore on the road, just like the previous whale boot 7 series, whale 6 series, ugly child Z3, and the 2007 generation 3 series. Visual pollution. What a shame.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:14:18 +0000

I quite like this. I’m not completely convinced on the styling but it’ll grow on me and it doesn’t have the same awkwardness that the X3 has always had. It’s also nice to see a compact SUV thats actually compact. I liked the X3 for the same reason but the X3 has always been a bit flawed. I think that an automatic 23d would probably tick just about every box for people looking at compact SUVs. Just as long as they come well optioned, but that’s quite likely in Australia.
I still think it’s a bit pointless but I suppose that when the X3 gets bigger this will make more sense. I wish them many sales.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:05:45 +0000

Jimmy James, BMW don’t make a 323d, but I agree that the 320d Touring should be here. I think there is a chance of getting the 23d version of the X1 here. The only car BMW currently offer it in is the 1 Series and if they brought that here, it would cost about $60,000 on the road before options considering the 120d already costs $50,000. So that doesn’t make sense, this one does though.
Don’t guarantee anything, you have no authority to and they might just surprise you yet.

By: Brendon

Brendon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:59:01 +0000

That rear wiper looks cheap, but that’s just my opinion.

By: jimmy james

jimmy james — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:43:45 +0000

I guarantee you that you wont be able to get one on the road for less than 70k.

Also, what do you think the chances are that we will get the best engine offered here – the 23d twin turbo diesel….answer? ZERO!

And while we’re at it, why no 320d Touring in Australia? How about a 323d Sedan and Touring?

I’d much rather pay 70k for a 320d or 323d touring with the M-Sport Kit. I dont need a pseudo 4WD. IMO the 3 series wagon looks better, probably has a bigger cabin and equivalent load space in the rear and sitting lower to the ground would have superior handling. If they added the DCT gearbox to a 323d touring M-Sport it would be a damn nice car! But even standard auto would suit the engine well. Surfboards in the back, winding coastal road…yee har! And good resale to boot…

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:36:49 +0000

I like it ..should give the volvo XC60 and Q5 a run for their money …400L boot size will put it well ahead of Tigiun etc … I read an overseas drive review of the X1 and they loved it ..finally they have sorted out the ‘wood tyres’ [bmw engineer speak for run-flats], ride quality is now superb and hopefully this will follow down the line to next X3 (cica 2011 for Aus) and then future next gen X5 (around 2012).

In terms of pricing its clear what’s happening – they are targeting at XC60 and Q5, current X3 will continue for those that are basically blind until next (bigger and better) X3 comes through in 20111 in the likely $70-80k range. The next X3 I think could be the best SUV on the market when it arrives (powerful, stylish, more politically correct) – big call i Know ..but that’s just my opinion ..I’m holding out for next X3 ….bring it on BMW (oh ..and bring on the 135iM also as I’d buy it tomorrow if it was so!)

By: Bavarain Missile®™

Bavarain Missile®™ — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:03:34 +0000

hahaha , yes Captain ,those NZ waves have finally made the distance to WA shores.

I still love the X6 though :)

By: Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:50:28 +0000

Hey BM, you’re seeing the light. You’re starting to get on my waveband.
Cheers,
Capt.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:41:58 +0000

Some interesting prices, in Germany anyway,

Base starting prices,
Audi q5 – 38000 euro
BMW X3 – 35000
Freelander – 32000
VW Tiguan – 26000
Rav 4 – 23000

And wait for it! BMW X1, 27000 Euro.
Not to bad hey. Prices from Autobild website.
BMW Australia are you listening?

By: Shak

Shak — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:18:20 +0000

we all know BMW’s pricing policy
10 000 for the actual car
20 000 for the options of which you need most
30 000 for the BMW badge.
And this would be a base model 3 series. Imagine this with the BMW policy applied. Although its a wonderful car i doubt that BMW will be able to price it conpetitively.

By: HAL

HAL — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:02:38 +0000

Pete,

Fair enough. You’re probably right with that bracket. But like you say, add on the extras and it’s getting up there.

There’s probably no hope of it happening but I reckon these would sell like hot cakes if you could get them reasonably well-optioned for around $50-55K. I guess we’ll see, but I won’t hold my breath.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:58:15 +0000

Hal,

Oops, sorry mate, I ment 55-60k Starting point. In Europe word is pricing will be close to the 3 series touring.

By: Bavarain Missile®™

Bavarain Missile®™ — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:33:59 +0000

GT-R…….NEITHER .

A V50 T5 AWD Volvo thanks.

Hate all these SUVs we seem to being forced feed,where will it end ?

BMW is starting to lose its identity . The ultimate driving machine seems to becoming the Ultimate Luxury Marketing Machine…………..

By: Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:23:56 +0000

Frugal One, this is a much smaller car than a Tribeca or Murano. It may be in their price bracket (or even higher), but that’s because it’s an overpriced BMW.
Size-wise, its a Forester (hear that Hal) rival, but it won’t compete for Forester customers due to its price. It’s aimed at the badge-snobs, where it will probably do quite well, but so would a rubbish skip full of dead cats if it had a BMW badge on it.

By: HAL

HAL — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:59:55 +0000

^ Pete, a guy at my work just bought a new X3, and he drove it out of the car yard (admittedly with a corporate 10% discount) for around $70-75K, with all the options. It just doesn’t make any sense if the X1 is priced in virtually the same bracket as the X3. Well, I should say that it doesn’t make sense to me anyway, but maybe I’m missing something.

By: Pops

Pops — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:59:06 +0000

OK – I think we’ve talked enough about SKODA of late.

Jake02 does have a valid point though. The X1 looks quite small & size-wise appears to be about Tiguan or even Dualis size, i.e. you shouldn’t be comparing it against the Tribeca as they are almost 2 class sizes apart.

SUVs’ “theoretical” main selling point is their practicality & you will find the boot & cabin space of an X1 pretty meagre when you compare it against the likes of a Tribeca or Murano.

I particulary wanted to like the Tiguan when it was released but deeply disappointed when I opened the boot to find it was almost the same size as my MKIV Golf! Look up user reviews of Tiguans & you will find several buyers who have only worked this one out after their purchases!

By: GTR

GTR — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:58:35 +0000

What would you guys buy?

Q5 or X1?

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:04:37 +0000

Looks good, design will not date in a hurry, performance and handling will most likely be a benchmark. But, low to mid 60k for a base model plus add a couple of those exxy BMW options and whamo!! say goodbye to 80k.