[DFW1980]

I drove past the BMW dealer earlier and decided to pop in. Have not seen the salesman since I placed the order several months ago. While he went to look up the status of my X1, I walked around and saw the X1 and X3 parked side-by-side in the showroom. Both were white.

I have never seen them together so I was kind of surprised that from certain angles, the X1 actually looked bigger/bulkier than the X3, especially from the front. The X3 is longer, obviously.

The X3's window sticker was only about $1000 more than the X1 that I ordered. Hmmmmm...... no.. I'm not having second thought... or am I?

[MontyB1]

The X3 is larger internally on most measurements, I felt the X1 felt more spacious than my X3 does oddly. It seems to be more efficient on the space being primarily FWD and the engine is transverse mounted the cabin gets more to play with.

Will be interested to see what ours look like side by side when the wife gets hers.

[tex2670]

I snapped this photo in December a few weeks after I picked up my X1.

[kavatski]

We were surprised when we went for a test drive in a new X1 and compared it to our previous-gen X1. Something about the blocky front end and hood of the new one really increases its visual size, no argument there.

We went with an X3 in the end, but pricewise the base X3 with no options started where our loaded X1 config would have ended, so similarly equipped the price difference was a lot more than $1000!

[jejupods]

My wife and I went the opposite way to you Kavatski! Cross shopped a few different manufacturers (Mercedes, Audi, Volvo), landed on the X3, then test drove the X1 on a whim and we enjoyed way more than we thought we would - my wife really liked how much roomier the interior felt. I would have been happy with either, but like you say - a fully optioned X3 was significantly more expensive which is why we ended up with a loaded X1.

[kavatski]

That’s funny! We came in the exact opposite way from you, too — figured we’d replace our X1 with a new one, but we both liked it quite a bit less than expected and the X3 turned out to be much closer to what we had in mind. But I liked the price on the X1 a lot better, that’s for sure. Definitely not much difference in terms of interior room, so you’re not giving anything significant up in that area.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by jejupods

My wife and I went the opposite way to you Kavatski! Cross shopped a few different manufacturers (Mercedes, Audi, Volvo), landed on the X3, then test drove the X1 on a whim and we enjoyed way more than we thought we would - my wife really liked how much roomier the interior felt. I would have been happy with either, but like you say - a fully optioned X3 was significantly more expensive which is why we ended up with a loaded X1.

With the transmission- do you experience the delay all the car reviews say is present?

[jejupods]

Originally Posted by JK479

With the transmission- do you experience the delay all the car reviews say is present?

I haven't received mine yet, but I'll be sure to report back. I was specifically looking for this when I went out and test drove the X1 though. For reference I'm coming from a loaded 2019 Honda Pilot with Start/Stop, and frankly the Honda is awful. So awful that I actually let off the break right before the light changes so the engine has started by the time my light turns green. I did notice a slight delay with the X1 but frankly it wasn't as bad as the Honda... So I suppose it's all relative? In my limited test drives the X1 seemed perhaps a bit worse than the X3 but it wasn't a deal breaker for me nor my wife (which is the important thing).

[JK479]

Originally Posted by jejupods

I haven't received mine yet, but I'll be sure to report back. I was specifically looking for this when I went out and test drove the X1 though. For reference I'm coming from a loaded 2019 Honda Pilot with Start/Stop, and frankly the Honda is awful. So awful that I actually let off the break right before the light changes so the engine has started by the time my light turns green. I did notice a slight delay with the X1 but frankly it wasn't as bad as the Honda... So I suppose it's all relative? In my limited test drives the X1 seemed perhaps a bit worse than the X3 but it wasn't a deal breaker for me nor my wife (which is the important thing).

You’d hope there is a way to update the software to work it out.

Maybe Sport transmission settings will
Help. I was disappointed it’s not more like PDK…

[jefp02]

I own both a new X1 and a 2021 X3, the X3 is smoother with the start-stop and a bit smoother ride in general, the sizes are very similar all the way around, I like the tech on the X1 more, while my wife prefers the X3, works out well for us.

[amilcarnj]

I got mine last week. I love the tech in the x1. I notice very little delay to be honest. Once the light hit green I was ready to go. I am driving in personal mode I should test it in sport mode.I love the infotainment. That big screen is amazing. The HUD is clear and a plus. I got xline premium. I did not get the assistant pro since it was 1700 extra but I was surprise i was able to get it from connect drive for half the price or subscribe for 20 a month.

[DFW1980]

Originally Posted by amilcarnj

. I did not get the assistant pro since it was 1700 extra but I was surprise i was able to get it from connect drive for half the price or subscribe for 20 a month.

was it the "Pro" or "Plus" that you bought? I thought the Pro version had to be ordered with the car. The "Plus" version is available for purchase after delivery.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by amilcarnj

. I did not get the assistant pro since it was 1700 extra but I was surprise i was able to get it from connect drive for half the price or subscribe for 20 a month.

was it the "Pro" or "Plus" that you bought? I thought the Pro version had to be ordered with the car. The "Plus" version is available for purchase after delivery.

Must’ve been the plus because you can’t add the Pro via Connected Drive or subscription as it needs specific hardware

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by JK479

With the transmission- do you experience the delay all the car reviews say is present?

It's really prominent if you floor it. But if you drive normal, it's not really noticeable.

[Tomduck]

and almost all the Swede/German auto cars in this class use a similar box with similar issues, certainly similar issues on the Q3 and XC40

[Purple]

I would assume that VW uses a similar dual clutch to Audi. The throttle response from a stop in my MK7 GTI was excellent.

It is not an inherent issue with dual clutch transmissions. Porsche’s PDK is rapid at any speed.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by tex2670

It's really prominent if you floor it. But if you drive normal, it's not really noticeable.

Boggles my mind BMW would even have an issue like this. I’m sure it will be addressed in some sort of campaign

[gqbriel]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

The X3 is larger internally on most measurements, I felt the X1 felt more spacious than my X3 does oddly. It seems to be more efficient on the space being primarily FWD and the engine is transverse mounted the cabin gets more to play with.

Will be interested to see what ours look like side by side when the wife gets hers.

Check your measurements again..on paper X1 has more space than X3 inside.

Here is official data

[MontyB1]

Well done for the effort yeah I meant to say X1 not X3, have commented before the X1 is more spacious and thus the rest of my comments say the same, no idea why it says X3... doh.

It's a very well packaged car, the X3 does sit a little higher from the drivers seat but not massively so. It is a little quieter but not sure if that is the acoustic glass mine comes with but not all X3 are fitted with that.

[gqbriel]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Well done for the effort yeah I meant to say X1 not X3, have commented before the X1 is more spacious and thus the rest of my comments say the same, no idea why it says X3... doh.

It's a very well packaged car, the X3 does sit a little higher from the drivers seat but not massively so. It is a little quieter but not sure if that is the acoustic glass mine comes with but not all X3 are fitted with that.

Honestly said - it will never be X3.
X3 is superior car - rear biased,49/51 weight distribution,mutilink rear suspension(x1 is struggling there),more quality materials especially fender covers (x1 are plastic on x3 are cushioned)..
We havent ordered X3 only because i knew the new one is comming in 2 yrs - and i think of switching back to X3.
I really really like the X1,its spacious,its quick,it handles great - honestly watched so many reviews and most are a long way behind how good it its.
I have watched that the steering is not responsive- i will let them drive mine,that thing turns as quick as the g30 lci i had right before the u11.
My old F25 was with sport suspension and settings and the steering wasnt that quick..but the ride is more sophisticated in X3.
Space wise X1 wins,technology wise also but untill the new one

[MontyB1]

Yeah it's a nice motor and in M40 guise it can hussle I quite like it but she wasn't didn't want one, just doesn't want the larger car never has. So she has an X1 now, look at a few others and she didn't gel with them.

Plus and it's a big factor for her she loves the HUD, to the extent that she only shortlisted cars that could have one. So the X1 got the nod especially as BMW gave us one for the day and as there was a problem programming hers after a recall they left it with us overnight giving us even more drive time.

A good deal later and the car should be with us in May / June should complement that X3 well with another X1 to run for a few years and our first PHEV. Seems you are loving yours, she can't wait.

[DFW1980]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Plus and it's a big factor for her she loves the HUD, to the extent that she only shortlisted cars that could have one.

I'm pretty sure that the X3 I drove last year had HUD.(at least in the US)

I'm also the same way. I don't consider a new car or SUV if it does not have factory HUD.