2014 BMW X1 M Sport: the tall E90?

[414bhp]

Hi all!

My sister recently bought a 2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i with the M Sport package. I wrote a blog post on it here, but it reminded me so much of my E90 M3, that I was compelled to post here, too!

I got to borrow the X1 for a few hours and it was uncanny how similar the interior was to my old E90 M3's. It helps that the climate and radio controls are shared with the E90, and the design language for the dashboard, gauges and doors is nearly the same.

Thanks to the M Sport package, the M-inspired steering wheel and sports seats were especially nice. I love how comfortable and supportive BMW sports seats from this era are! Like an M3, the suspension tuning is firm, and could be annoying if you have choppy highways in your area.

It turns out that the first-gen X1 also has hydraulic steering. While it's not the most communicative ever (sportier tires might improve the feel), it's much nicer than most the modern EPAS.

I'd say the X1's best feature is its big practicality for its small size. From the driver's seat, it doesn't feel much larger than an E90. But the rear seats get a bit more legroom, and the trunk is gigantic. I felt like I was driving a lifted wagon, but I had SUV levels of storage.

Cheers!

[Shrike360]

The E84 gen was basically a lightly modified E90 chassis, so it should feel familiar. Though it did get some of the F3x power plants, at least the 28i did. Wish the N55 got the ZF8 instead of sticking with the ZF6, would be a fun combo in what is effectively an E90.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

The E84 gen was basically a lightly modified E90 chassis, so it should feel familiar. Though it did get some of the F3x power plants, at least the 28i did. Wish the N55 got the ZF8 instead of sticking with the ZF6, would be a fun combo in what is effectively an E90.

So I drove a 2014 xDrive28i with the 2.0L turbo engine from the F3x. I'm about 90% sure that the 2014 had 8 gears and was using the ZF8. I thought the engine and transmission were pretty good in this application, but felt less peppy than in the 3-series, presumably because of the X1's added weight.