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Motoring Discussion > BMW - Tomorrow's the Day	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: tyrednemotional	Replies: 26

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New Thu 28 Jul 16 18:00

BMW - Tomorrow's the Day - tyrednemotional

So, tomorrow is the day I pick up my new BMW X1.

It replaces a Kia Sportage which has been an "interesting" car to run for four years.

It isn't entirely unloved, but neither has it entirely endeared itself. It didn't get off to a good start, with a noticeable steering pull to the left, which the dealer's workshop foreman acknowledged, but was struggling to do anything about until web research indicated that it was a common problem that could be resolved by setting the (electric) steering parameters to "Australia" (Yes, that's correct!) giving an immediate resolution. It has had the accelerator pedal and a door mirror replaced; likewise a front coil spring (which failed whilst parked up at home). It has also had numerous (I've genuinely lost count) replacement diamond-cut alloy wheels, all for corrosion under the lacquer - another common problem. All of this done unquestioningly under warranty. Its fuel consumption has been pretty average for a 2 litre (albeit 4WD) diesel, floating around the 40mpg mark overall, and the exterior paint finish is a bit "soft", rendering it prone to stone-chips and fine scratches.

On the other hand, it is comfortable with, for me, a good driving position, and reasonably well-equipped; the interior has worn well and it has (so far) been cheap to service (though the next one, which I am avoiding in changing, would have been pretty steep). The original tyres on all four corners have quite a bit of wear left, despite having 27,000 miles under their belt. Depreciation has been somewhat better than I might have expected as well.

The replacement requirement was for something similar (certainly no bigger) and research repeatedly brought us back to the BMW X1, despite looking at a plethora of alternatives. It is the correct size and specification, and has considerably more space inside than many of its competitors (it not being a "proper" BMW, being built on the same FWD platform as the Mini - which gives a lot of scope for interior space and is a big improvement over the previous model X1). As a model they are certainly in demand; as we are roughly equidistant between 4 BMW dealers, and every one has managed to sell demonstrators in the short period after we had looked at them but before a test drive!

Anyway, we managed a decent drive in a 20d Automatic (automatic ownership will be a first for me, though I've driven a good few), where (cf recent discussions), the auto start-stop and electronic parking brake were entirely "invisible" in use. The experience was good. I was strongly considering a 20i (petrol) however, (BIK no longer being a consideration), which are as rare as hen's teeth, and the chance of a test-drive very low. So....I took a chance and plumped for the petrol; undriven.

It is (in round terms) Â£1000 cheaper than the equivalent diesel model, (paying for quite a bit of the extra fuel likely to be used at my mileage) and only comes with the (same 8-speed) auto. Power output is equivalent to the diesel, though, of course, max torque is lower (though it does come in at lower revs!). I'm hoping the auto-box will compensate in giving a "lazy" drive.

Factory order times are 10 to 12 weeks, so I set the dealer a challenge of finding me an existing car within certain parameters. I've ended up with one in a very acceptable colour, with the essential options pack that includes cruise control, a spacesaver spare wheel (apparently also as rare as hen's teeth as the boot prep is done at the factory - debarring dealer-fit) and a few extra options that I wouldn't necessarily have specified, but I'm paying very little for. (and none of which I would turn my nose up at). Delivery will have been a smidgin' over 3 weeks from order.

Allowing for a "book" p-ex value for the Sportage (rather than the inflated value used to calculate the price-to-change) the deal indicates the discount is going to be around 6% against a car spec'ed to my original requirement (excluding the additional extras which book at around Â£1100 and are essentially "thrown in") so not a bad deal, looking at Broker discounts.

Overall, not a bad experience; the dealer's coffee is pretty good as well ;-)

The downsides are the usual attempted hard "upsell" of additional insurance policies (including one of GAP insurance at Â£499, followed up by eMail ostensibly from the dealer but, if the headers were followed through, came from "Insureandgo" who offer a similar policy direct for Â£199). They also wanted balance payment 3 days in advance, turning down payment by Debit Card on the day. Like I was going to agree to that!. After some discussion and delay with the business manager, Debit Card on the day it is.

So, excited about tomorrow, and a further review to come.