Francois RP SchuttePretoria
Pleasant surprise
Driving a 2 litre Diesel, AWD, X1. I live in Pretoria, South Africa – typical 1st world city with good highways, surrounded by 3rd world rural areas. Has been driving a E46 BMW 323i for many years (300,000km) but the vehicle was too low for secondary gravel and dirt roads, building sites (where I frequently go as engineer), and setting of too game reserves etc. Thus my decision to upgrade the vehicle with something nimble (small), AWD, good on high speed and highway, light on fuel and safe, but capable of dealing with rough secondary roads and ...Read more
3rd world routes. Thought of going for X3, but had an opportunity to buy 1 year old used X1 – took the chance and I am pleasantly surprised. I tried various smaller SUV’s prior to purchasing the X1, including Subaru - but the fuel consumption was horrendous compared to modern diesels, Toyota – higher SUV’s centre of gravity too high for good car-like road holding and accident evasion (buck-test). Driving the X1 most certainly has a go-cart like sport feeling about it. Its steering is very communicative, and its suspension is hard (almost too hard), but sufficiently so to counter the higher ground clearance in cornering. Its engine is well mated with the Auto-6 speed box, and brakes are sharp and consistent. Deals surprising well with rutted dirt roads notwithstanding its hard suspension, and its AWD X-drive adaptable system can be felt working hard during these forays in to bushveld roads with deep sand and rutting. The vehicle has 194 mm ground clearance, but a tall overhang (shallow approach), so it deals with rough roads, but would not be worth much going off-road. Fuel consumption in mixed city use is 12.5 km/l (driving medium to hard), and on rural roads it manages 16.3 km/l averaging 120 km/hour – I am happy with it getting just short off 1000 km range on a full 61 litre tank of diesel. Comfort and space are plenty for a small SUV type vehicle, and my 1.83 meter length finds no problem being seated, as do a friend of 2 meters tall. In retrospect, now having lived with the X1 for a few months, I have grown appreciation and respect for its abilities – I would do it all again, if I had to make the choice in hindsight. Excellent road holding and ability on tar, good ability on rural dirt roads, sufficient ground clearance for rutted and sand roads. Nimble in city driving, but spacious in class. Light on diesel. Very sporty driver’s experience. Hard suspension, short wheelbase can become bumpy on rough roads. Diesel engine more noisy than in sedan vehicle applications. Run-flat tyres, no spare wheel.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
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Questions & Answers
Paul F.asked
I have the F48 X1 / the purchase detail suggest 2015 but did not receive until Apr 2016 - I would like to change the kidney grills but unsure whether the grill was changed in 2016 model - any thoughts on whether the 2016 advertised grill will fit a 2015 model
No answers
dna4asked
Had anyone bought the x1 recently in sydney ? I'm wondering if you can share what the price you got?
No answers
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