Is the X1 really that bad?:t-hands: the only weakness on the aesthetics side is probably the front but still i actually like it, it does look more of a convenient family wagon than a offroader/SAV though.. anyhow i think all the lines and lights look better than the X3, and the interior is well designed as well, despite the poorer quality materials which is inevitable...i mean you can't expect top notch stuff in the cheapest series, but like the E87 it might get better stuff in the facelift?
That Q3/Tiguan is the most boring design by Audi, and that's saying quite a bit. The real premium car please! Not a VW with different sheet metal and interior.
Tiguan -> ugly/horrible Q3 -> well executed but bland X1 -> Bangle is back!! Overall i prefer this over any of the three...
I feel like the mini-ute is an inherently unattractive package, which is why so many of us tend to hate these vehicles. The proportions signal to us a vehicle that is diminutive, encumbered and not what it really wants to be - These are qualities that fly in the face of the image projected by Mercedes, BMW and to a lesser extent, Audi. This personality falls in line quite nicely with brands that take themselves less seriously, like VW and Mini. They can play off these mini-utes as 'quirky, cute, fun.' And for the Tiguan I think it works quite well. I understand why the design brief for the X1 would call for something striking, emotional and full of energy. That's how we ended up here. All of the noise is to compensate for the hideous dimensions that the designers were required to deal with from the get-go. Audi can do 'cool' it wrap it around nearly any package. BMW's 'visceral energy' doesn't behave in the same way - believe me, if they went more conservative with this design the results would have been much worse.
Both are about equally unappealing to me. I Voted Q3 as I'd rather own it over the X1, and I'll give credit to its design simplicity as I don't agree with the X1's approach on bolder design, necessarily.
Martin, I've said the same thing before. Were in not for the badge the X1 is almost Korean in its awkwardness. It's just utterly gumby looking. Only when you really lavish on the options list does it start to look decent. It sells in low spec form because it is a BMW. The Q3 is now revolutionary or stunning design either, but at least it doesn't look odd, save for the hunched back. In terms of interior quality, when I had a 1-series coupe I didn't really critisize it for having a cheap and tinny plastic lower dash. But that was 3 years ago now and things have moved on. The X1 still has this same cheap lower dash finish when Audi has managed to produce the A1 with a proper feeling dash with dense rubbery plastic. Seems like they've learnt from the A4/A5 nonsense and the Q3 will be the same.
The X1 is the ugliest car in the BMW range, it has the face of a startled rodent. The first iteration of the X3 was ugly too, the new X3 is much better, maybe BMW will get it right on the second attempt with the X1
IMO this is an international trend and applies to all premium brands worldwide. Although it's true for the South-African car buyers it applies equally to the international car buyers. Another fact in favor of the X1 - (And IMO it's only REAL problem is the price tag) The X1 outsold the Audi Q5 in EU And the more 'direct' competition :worshbmw:
Human, look around you. This is not Europe. Our car market is grossly skewed. We have the highest percentage of GTI sales vs. the rest of the Golf range in the world. We sell on average twice as many C-Classes and 3 Series in a month as the Aussies do. In a car market exactly half the size. Relative to our incomes we pay some of the highest prices in the world for cars and on top of that we buy more than we can sensibly afford. If the bank approves it - we buy it. So, the BMW X1's sales performance may be good in certain markets but this doesn't necessarily prove that the X1 has its looks to thank for it.
Martin, is it really such a bad thing for people to buy something because it has a label. Take for example a blackberry. In SA Blackberry has one of the fastest growing markets. I don't see the point of Blackberries cos they're crap phones(My opinion). People buy them cos they're Blackberries. Same applies to Apple. I'm ashamed to say it but I would buy a BMW if looked like dog turd cos I'm BMW biased, and the same goes for all the die hard Audi and Merc fans as well. The world consists of very few unbiased people. Just my 2c.
X1 by far, I don't know why here's all the hating, I actually love it. And as always the Audi looks too bland for my taste, I like prefer bolder cars. I would never buy a car in this segment though..
Update: Bmw officially delays u.s. X1 introduction to late 2012 BMW is currently dealing with a problem that most would envy: more demand than they can deal with. Leftlane reported in January that BMW’s original target of an early 2011 U.S. introduction for the X1 was being delayed, but now new information has confirmed an even later date than previously feared. Since it’s European introduction in November 2009, the new X1 small crossover has been in high demand, so high in fact, that when coupled with the high demand for the refreshed X3 BMW cannot produce even cars to fulfill U.S. orders. As a result, the German automaker has now confirmed to Automotive News that it will be delaying the U.S. introduction until late 2012. Jim O’Donnell, head of BMW North America, told the news outlet that supplies of the X1 are tight worldwide due to strong demand, and that when coupled with the strong demand for the redesigned X3, there isn’t enough capacity to cater to the American market. Interestingly, O’Donnell said that BMW only expects to sell a modest 5,000 or fewer units per year in the U.S. As of now, expect the X1 to arrive at the very tail end of 2012 in the U.S., pending further delays. :worshbmw:
What BS. He knows they'll sell more than that. Setting the bar ridiculous low so when that number is a met, they will call it an overwhelming success. M
I deem it unnecessary to start a new thread so posting here. A STORY... Give credit where credit is due Needles to say we use the X1 23d more and on a daily basis. No need to put unnecessary miles on the X6M and fuel is expensive, so is tires I have my reservations on some plastics in the X1's cabin but lets face it, the engine is a pure delight with 400NM and 150KW it maybe a bit noisy and thirsty when pushing on but hold your left foot on the brake and let her rev up to 1500rpm, let go of the brake pedal, punch the gas and she will make mince of most hot hatches! Twin Variable Turbo's (not TwinPower) and lag is absent. Steering is direct (also hydraulic assisted, which I like) and apart from the ride height the suspension mimics the new F30 (as I have proven with technical sketches in the F30 thread) The BMW X1 features aluminium double-joint tie bar axle in the front and multi link rear. So, engine performance, chassis, steering and handling is pure undiluted BMW. In simple words I find driving the X1 a delight, every day the car puts a smile on either me or the wife's face who ever is driving the car. (I mostly use a company pick-up, but due to a recent accident one of the staff had with the other company pick-up I had to lend mine until the other was repaired) So I smiled every morning going around the roundabouts on-route to work and in the afternoons back home. We commuted me and the wife, since I will not let the X6 spend it's days in the sun I just thought I'd share since I saw this Video :t-cheers: It doesn't say much, but you get to experience the...BMW-ness in the drive. Q3 TDI VS X1 Diesel Handling Test
I disliked so much the X1 when I first saw it but now I appreciate it a lot I also love the idea of a RWD BMW SAV
