Anyone changing from 3 series to x1? (Primarily company car drivers)

Jackrack · 03-02-2023, 08:30 AM

I guess they aren't really comparable in terms of car however just thought I would see if anyone has looked into it in terms of an alternative from a 3 series.

My 70 330e is up for renewal Sept 23, had a 3 series the past 9 years now! As I also get a fuel card, the savings back to me add up to just under £4k on an X1 vs 330e so it's hard to ignore!

X1 is a new model as well, which is slightly bigger than the old one putting it close to an X3. Managed to get pretty much every option on the X1 selected as well (vs most on the 3 series) in budget.

Really don't want to change from a 3 series, but £4k in my back pocket is quite hard to ignore! What are peoples thoughts?

LimavadyG21 · 03-04-2023, 01:19 AM

the new X1 is a great looking thing, that's for sure. Someone in my town has bought one, an M Sport , and it looks incredible in Storm Bay, with the 20" wheels.

I haven't been inside one yet, to get a feel for the ergonomics / comfort, but plan to do so when I'm next at my dealer.

Only drawback for me would be the complete loss of the iDrive controller.

**EDIT

Actually , here's a video of an identical X1 ...

gavinwong · 03-04-2023, 01:47 AM

Recently started thinking / looking to what I’d get next, and whether to wait another year with my 2020 330e. I have decided on an X for the first time, but not quite sure yet which one. 100% electric for sure, but not landed on ix1, ix3 or the ix. I get a company car allowance vs a company car.
Quite like the newly designed X1. Far better than previous versions. Haven’t test drove one yet though.
Sounds like you’re up for a decent saving to consider the switch.

Mason Hatcher · 03-04-2023, 07:14 AM

If I moved to a X from my M340i it would be an X4. I prefer the fastback style. Isn't the x1 fwd biased?

Burrcold · 03-04-2023, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

If I moved to a X from my M340i it would be an X4. I prefer the fastback style. Isn't the x1 fwd biased?

Yes, it's essentially a Mini Countryman underneath.

I like the look of this new gen, however I keep hearing bad reviews about the dual clutch transmission that they fitted to it.

ramparts · 03-05-2023, 12:59 AM

The asin transmission is not good.

And no idrive controller - Test drive one first please !

Jackrack · 03-06-2023, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

If I moved to a X from my M340i it would be an X4. I prefer the fastback style. Isn't the x1 fwd biased?

AWD (X drive) I believe? Haven't test drove one yet, will do shortly and will report back.

Hard to ignore the £4k savings in cc tax vs a 3 series so I think I have already made my mind up! Nice to experience a change vs a 3 series I think as well...

Third world problems I guess as well!

srbs73 · 03-06-2023, 05:34 AM

My wife has got an iX1 on order so will be able to compare in a couple of months

Charlie (Wessex) · 03-07-2023, 04:15 AM

Maybe it's just me, given that I started driving with a RWD and then had RWD BMW's for over 20 years, but I do prefer a RWD and/or RWD biased AWD. The X1 is, if I am correct, FWD biased AWD.

But I get it that the driving dynamics of a car isn't hugely important to many people, hence why there are so many SUVs on the road in the first place.

Geoff G20 · 03-08-2023, 08:55 AM

And from what I've seen in youtube reviews, the X1 centre console seems to be the wrong way round - ie for left hand drive. Gear shilfter is on the left (where it would fall under thumb and forefinger for LHD) and the storage thing opens the wrong way. Seems the same way round on LHD and RHD models.

03-02-2023, 08:30 AM	#1
Jackrack Private 17 Rep 56 Posts Drives: BMW 330e Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Leicester iTrader: (0)	Anyone changing from 3 series to x1? (Primarily company car drivers) I guess they aren't really comparable in terms of car however just thought I would see if anyone has looked into it in terms of an alternative from a 3 series. My 70 330e is up for renewal Sept 23, had a 3 series the past 9 years now! As I also get a fuel card, the savings back to me add up to just under £4k on an X1 vs 330e so it's hard to ignore! X1 is a new model as well, which is slightly bigger than the old one putting it close to an X3. Managed to get pretty much every option on the X1 selected as well (vs most on the 3 series) in budget. Really don't want to change from a 3 series, but £4k in my back pocket is quite hard to ignore! What are peoples thoughts?
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03-04-2023, 01:19 AM	#2
LimavadyG21 Private First Class 64 Rep 103 Posts Drives: G21 320i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	the new X1 is a great looking thing, that's for sure. Someone in my town has bought one, an M Sport , and it looks incredible in Storm Bay, with the 20" wheels. I haven't been inside one yet, to get a feel for the ergonomics / comfort, but plan to do so when I'm next at my dealer. Only drawback for me would be the complete loss of the iDrive controller. **EDIT Actually , here's a video of an identical X1 ...
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03-04-2023, 01:47 AM	#3
gavinwong Second Lieutenant 155 Rep 276 Posts Drives: BMW G20 330e M Sport Join Date: May 2021 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 G20 330e [9.00]	Recently started thinking / looking to what I’d get next, and whether to wait another year with my 2020 330e. I have decided on an X for the first time, but not quite sure yet which one. 100% electric for sure, but not landed on ix1, ix3 or the ix. I get a company car allowance vs a company car. Quite like the newly designed X1. Far better than previous versions. Haven’t test drove one yet though. Sounds like you’re up for a decent saving to consider the switch.
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03-04-2023, 07:14 AM	#4
Mason Hatcher Captain 1041 Rep 654 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: FW-TX iTrader: (0)	If I moved to a X from my M340i it would be an X4. I prefer the fastback style. Isn't the x1 fwd biased?
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03-05-2023, 12:59 AM	#6
ramparts Colonel 1120 Rep 2,244 Posts Drives: M40i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The asin transmission is not good. And no idrive controller - Test drive one first please !
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03-06-2023, 05:34 AM	#8
srbs73 Major 551 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: BMW i4 M50 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	My wife has got an iX1 on order so will be able to compare in a couple of months
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03-07-2023, 04:15 AM	#9
Charlie (Wessex) Captain 289 Rep 922 Posts Drives: G21 M340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: New Forest, UK iTrader: (0)	Maybe it's just me, given that I started driving with a RWD and then had RWD BMW's for over 20 years, but I do prefer a RWD and/or RWD biased AWD. The X1 is, if I am correct, FWD biased AWD. But I get it that the driving dynamics of a car isn't hugely important to many people, hence why there are so many SUVs on the road in the first place. __________________ e36 325tds (1996-2001), e39 530d Touring (2001-2011), e61 535d (2011-2018), Golf 7.5R Estate (2018-2021), g21 M340i (2021- )
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03-08-2023, 08:55 AM	#10
Geoff G20 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 35 Posts Drives: BMW M340i G20 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Lincs iTrader: (0)	And from what I've seen in youtube reviews, the X1 centre console seems to be the wrong way round - ie for left hand drive. Gear shilfter is on the left (where it would fall under thumb and forefinger for LHD) and the storage thing opens the wrong way. Seems the same way round on LHD and RHD models.
	Appreciate 0 Quote