[BEM-S4]

I'd post on the X1 forum but those guys are all going to tell me they love their cars, so wanted to see what some like-minded M235 enthusiasts have to say. I had the smaller engine as a loaner once and remember it being nicer than I would have guessed. Anyone have any experience with the bigger engine model? It's on a very short list of cars I am looking at for my father, he needs something that's easy to get in and out of, AWD and fast. Must have 4 doors and preferably a wagon or hatch. Also looking at the new Golf R, 328 wagon (concerned that it's under powered), among a few other things but those are the main 3 contenders. No SUVs, crossovers etc. as he has been having difficulty with the Macan and that's the nicest thing out there in that body style / segment. Thanks in advance!

[bimmerbuff]

My father had one around for a day or two as a loaner. He said it was okay, but couldn't get over the look of it. He preferred the look of the X3 to the X1; I think the "wagoness" of the X1 turned him off. No other complaints though.

[doberzus]

I don't' have the M235 yet, but have my deposit down for an allocation. Delivery planned for late April, early May.

With that said we will be trading in our AW X1 35 M sport for the 235.

The 28i X1 may "feel" faster because of the lightning fast shifts from the 8 speed. The 35 has the older 6 speed which is reliable, but shifts really slow compared to the 8 speed.

The X1 is a complete sleeper! And we have the 19"s and the red interior and the car gets compliments and looks all the time. It's really fast and launches like a bat out of hell. When we test drove the 235 XDrive it felt a lot quicker, and I think it's because the transmission(along with being 250lbs lighter.) The old hydraulic steering feels super tight and responsive. The interior reminds me of my old 135.

It looks like a mini X5, but is actually quite small and looks more like a hatch other days. We love it though and use it as our "trip" car!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by bimmerbuff

My father had one around for a day or two as a loaner. He said it was okay, but couldn't get over the look of it. He preferred the look of the X3 to the X1; I think the "wagoness" of the X1 turned him off. No other complaints though.

Thanks! My dad has a constant hard-on for wagons so that's actually a plus for him.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by doberzus

I don't' have the M235 yet, but have my deposit down for an allocation. Delivery planned for late April, early May.

With that said we will be trading in our AW X1 35 M sport for the 235.

The 28i X1 may "feel" faster because of the lightning fast shifts from the 8 speed. The 35 has the older 6 speed which is reliable, but shifts really slow compared to the 8 speed.

The X1 is a complete sleeper! And we have the 19"s and the red interior and the car gets compliments and looks all the time. It's really fast and launches like a bat out of hell. When we test drove the 235 XDrive it felt a lot quicker, and I think it's because the transmission(along with being 250lbs lighter.) The old hydraulic steering feels super tight and responsive. The interior reminds me of my old 135.

It looks like a mini X5, but is actually quite small and looks more like a hatch other days. We love it though and use it as our "trip" car!

That's very helpful, thank you. We're going to make a few compromises to get him something livable. Sounds like for the driving he does, mostly around town with a few highway trips, the 35 would be the way to go.

[Cyberdemon]

The X1 is mostly based on the old E90 chassis so IMO it's out of date compared to the 328 Wagon.

I would not consider the 328XI wagon "slow". Especially with the sport auto you'll be doing illegal speeds very quickly. I would test drive both back to back and make sure it's in sport mode not comfort.

[gtfalve]

I've had some seat time in an X1 35i. It's a little rocket, but certainly doesn't feel faster than the 235. Why not consider the 28i though? I feel like the 4 banger provides more than enough power for that car while returning much better fuel economy. Also, the new GolfR looks like a pretty fantastic car. That was the only car I was cross shopping the M with, but I got impatient and ordered the M235

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The X1 is mostly based on the old E90 chassis so IMO it's out of date compared to the 328 Wagon.

I would not consider the 328XI wagon "slow". Especially with the sport auto you'll be doing illegal speeds very quickly. I would test drive both back to back and make sure it's in sport mode not comfort.

Will do both back to back absolutely, either would be fine for him I am sure. He's just coming out of an amazing car in the Macan so want to make sure whatever he ends up with he's happy. Great lease deals on the X1 at the moment, got an email about it which is why it came to mind in the first place.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by gtfalve

I've had some seat time in an X1 35i. It's a little rocket, but certainly doesn't feel faster than the 235. Why not consider the 28i though? I feel like the 4 banger provides more than enough power for that car while returning much better fuel economy. Also, the new GolfR looks like a pretty fantastic car. That was the only car I was cross shopping the M with, but I got impatient and ordered the M235

He drives so little fuel economy isn't a concern. Was afraid the 28 would feel underpowered coming out of the Macan. I know neither will be as nice to drive as the 235, but want the best I can get for what it is.

The Golf R, on the other hand, I think would be perfect. Downsides are Haldex (not crazy about it compared to true Quattro) and the fact that we'd have to wait until Q1 to get it. I guess he could drive my 235 in the mean time and I could drive the Macan.

The X1 seems like it would be a good choice considering what's available right now, that's low to the ground and easy to get in and out of, that you can get a decent deal on.

[Cyberdemon]

Out of curiosity why is he leaving the Macan? My boss just got one it's a sweet ride.

Keep in mind although the 328 is down 100hp on paper the engine is under-rated from the factory, and it's got about 400 fewer pounds to lug around then the Macan. Won't be quite as quick but still should get you to to 60mph under 6 seconds.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Out of curiosity why is he leaving the Macan? My boss just got one it's a sweet ride.

Keep in mind although the 328 is down 100hp on paper the engine is under-rated from the factory, and it's got about 400 fewer pounds to lug around then the Macan. Won't be quite as quick but still should get you to to 60mph under 6 seconds.

Loves the Macan as any sane person would. If I had to pick a single car to drive every day that would be great at literally everything and leave very litle to be desired, that would be my choice.

He's got some hip issues that have flared up and getting in and out of it has become a bit of an issue. But that's a personal issue, nothing wrong with the car. Need something closer to the ground.

[fxie]

I have both a 2014 328i xDrive Wagon (F31), and a M235i, so I'll throw in my 2 cents:

Before having the M235i, I really enjoyed the F31. Small and nimble (relative to a SUV or crossover), good on gas, but had the practicality of extra storage and xDrive. I also opted for the M performance package, which IMO is a must as it really changes the driving dynamics and feel of the car for the better. The F31 is comfortable, practical, and not slow by any means. It certainly won't win any 0-60 runs against the M235i, but it can more than keep up with anything else on the road as a daily driver.

I got a X1 loaner once while the F31 was in the shop, and I DID NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT. Build quality was cheaper, design was ugly (no enhanced instrument cluster, dated design, etc), and in general just felt much, much cheaper.

As for the M235i...well, it makes the F31 feel slow and bloated My wife drives the F31 most of the time now, and I stick to the M235i.

Overall, before I got the F31, I couldn't understand why people liked wagons. Now that I have one, I don't think I could ever get a large SUV unless I needed the extra height. If it was me, I would take the F31 over the X1 (and even a X3) any day.

[BEM-S4]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Dad drove the 328, without M package, and did not like it one bit. I would not have guessed that at all. local dealer has a nicely optioned X1, M package, some ultimate convenience premium something, etc so that's the next stop.

If anyone is interested in a 535 GT they also had a brand new, 2013 leftover that's being offered at a STEEP discount. Feel free to PM me for details. Car was huge though, not for us.

[Cyberdemon]

The base 328 is extremely meh - keep in mind a non Sport (or M sport) will have the softer suspension, the 17" wheels, the non-sport Auto transmission. All of those little bits tend to add up to a big amount of feeling.

I went from my loaded 335i M sport to a 328xi base loaner which was horrible. They gave me a 328i sport a few days later and I actually have to say I liked it more than my car (minus the steering wheel).

But either way, that would most likely require the car to be custom ordered since dealers rarely carry wagons, let alone M sport wagons in stock and if he doesn't like the base then it'll be a hard sell on the options.

The X1 loaner I've had just felt like someone took all the E90 parts leftover and built a cheap car with it...not very good IMO.

Is the MB E-class wagon in the price range?

[beenthere1]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Thanks for all the input everyone. Dad drove the 328, without M package, and did not like it one bit. I would not have guessed that at all. local dealer has a nicely optioned X1, M package, some ultimate convenience premium something, etc so that's the next stop.

I think that the M-sport package for ALL xdrive cars is completely cosmetic. In order to get a handling upgrade, one needs to opt for DHP. Having driven a 335 xdrive with the DHP and a 328i xdrive without DHP, I noticed *some* difference but not an extreme amount.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The base 328 is extremely meh - keep in mind a non Sport (or M sport) will have the softer suspension, the 17" wheels, the non-sport Auto transmission. All of those little bits tend to add up to a big amount of feeling.

I went from my loaded 335i M sport to a 328xi base loaner which was horrible. They gave me a 328i sport a few days later and I actually have to say I liked it more than my car (minus the steering wheel).

But either way, that would most likely require the car to be custom ordered since dealers rarely carry wagons, let alone M sport wagons in stock and if he doesn't like the base then it'll be a hard sell on the options.

The X1 loaner I've had just felt like someone took all the E90 parts leftover and built a cheap car with it...not very good IMO.

Is the MB E-class wagon in the price range?

Not into the MB. Did just leave the Audi dealer the Allroad was surprisingly nice. Think that's the front runner at the moment.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Not into the MB. Did just leave the Audi dealer the Allroad was surprisingly nice. Think that's the front runner at the moment.

Did he drive it? The Allroad is down on power compared to the 328 but I've never driven one so it may feel better handling wise.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Did he drive it? The Allroad is down on power compared to the 328 but I've never driven one so it may feel better handling wise.

We did he liked it quite a bit better for whatever reason it was nice with the sport package. Thought it was fast enough, easy to get in and out of, and liked the styling quite a bit. We'll end up getting whichever ends up being a better deal between that and the BMW.

[fxie]

Originally Posted by beenthere1

I think that the M-sport package for ALL xdrive cars is completely cosmetic. In order to get a handling upgrade, one needs to opt for DHP. Having driven a 335 xdrive with the DHP and a 328i xdrive without DHP, I noticed *some* difference but not an extreme amount.

I have the M-Sport package for my 328xi Wagon, and there was a very significant difference when I drove the 328xi sedan Sport line (F30) back to back against the 328xi Wagon (F31) with M-Sport package. The M-sport adaptive suspension, M performance brakes, larger wheels, sport steering wheel, etc, all add up to a noticeable different feel.

It was the same feeling when I was shopping for my M235i. I had test drove the 428i with and without M-Sport, and there was a noticeable difference. Ultimately I ended up with the M235i though, because even against the 435i, the M235i was much more fun

[BEM-S4]

Hey guys - thanks for all the input. All valid points unfortunately we're most focused on ease of entry/egress and his ability to live comfortably with the car on a daily basis. We ended up between the Allroad and 328 after driving those two and the X1 along with a 535GT and GLA 250. All of them are nice cars. I'd keep the Macan for him if mobility weren't an issue. We actually both really like the Allroad and are ordering one tomorrow. Classic styling, fast enough, and he's going to "get a little wild" and get red with black leather. Will post pics for sure once it's in. Will make a nice stable mate for my M235 (or M2 if I change up) when I buy it out in 3 yrs after his lease is up

[BEM-S4]

Quick update - ordering a Scuba Blue Allroad later today. Chatted w the folks over at APR for $599 they'll get us stage 1 which is 270 HP and 329 torques, gains of 43 and 77 over stock respectively. That should be close enough to Macan quick to keep the old man happy.

[bimmerbuff]

Congrats to your dad. What made him switch from red to blue?