[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by allinon72

It's not really controversial to say there are pros and cons to owning each brand, if you disagree with that I question your objectivity. Sounds like you're in the market for an RDX, which is fine but I would bet it's not nearly as fun to drive as an X1, as an example of trading some reliability for some driving character (even with FWD).

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Yes, of course, but removing the subjectivity always shows clear winners.



I'm not in the market at all, I have a 2015 that is objectively better in every significant way than the 2022 X3 I had as a loaner when my M2 was getting fixed. And it certainly wasn't more fun to drive. Trust me, I wanted it to be.

Bought my ex wife a 2013 RDX. It was ok. There was a persistent issue with the rear shock that caused a clunk. It was replaced twice. I did the brake job on the car myself. Nothing remarkable there. The infotainment system left some things to be desired. The iDrive system in my 2013 135i is much better. Driving dynamics were average. Steering was numb.

Big thing with that V6 is the timing belt replacement. That service was if I remember $1300 or so. This was after negotiating it down with the service advisor. I forget which mileage that came up but it was around 100k to 120k miles if I recall correctly.

[NickyC]

My three F8xs have been the most reliable cars I've ever owned.

[Wheelwright]

I have owned M235i since 2014 and based on my personal experience it was very expensive to maintain, a simple clutch replacements was an outrageous ripoff at CDN $4800 (because they recommend replacing a dual-mass flywheel at the same time). And the engine gaskets have started leaking at about 80000km, so I had to throw in another coupe grand to fix those. Overall the car was relatively reliable, but the cost of parts & labour is Ferrari-like.

[________]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

This is not correct. BMW can't out-engineer Honda, or Toyota on their best day, and the reason that they will never match said companies in reliability (over the lifespan of the car, not some idiot JD Power initial quality crap) is because of their tolerances. Germans want every last ounce, and to get it they sacrifice reliability.



Not true either. Unless you're talking about Status. The RDX obliterates the X1 in every way a car like that should, except maybe the aesthetics, which is a subjective matter.

I’m pretty sure the RDX is an X3 competitor, no?

Let me use your phrase here:

“Not true either. Unless you're talking about Status. The Mustang obliterates the M2 in every way a car like that should, except maybe the aesthetics, which is a subjective matter.”

[T12]

Had a good year in my 330e without a single reliability issue. I still took the BMW warranty for peace of mind though. I know what the repair bills can be like!

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Kromans1

I believe the new X1 is sold only as all wheel drive.

It's offered as both in the US. But even if it's an AWD model, it's still FWD based, which is horrible for handling dynamics.
But again, many wouldn't notice the difference anyway.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Onesie

I’m pretty sure the RDX is an X3 competitor, no?

Not real-world MSRP to MSRP.

And don't change my quotes, especially when you're incorrect.

[________]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Not real-world MSRP to MSRP.

And don't change my quotes, especially when you're incorrect.

Good argument, I’m convinced.

[02M3ForMe]

Every new generation of BMW has seemingly yielded a more reliable and robust product than its predecessor. The B48/58 and S58 have been out for a few years now and there don't appear to be many (any?) serious recurring issues.

Frankly, a new BMW offers one of the most stress-free ownership experiences of any car. Under warranty and with maintenance covered, all you have to think about are consumables. If you take care of the car for the first 50k miles, the next 50k miles will likely be similarly quiet and uneventful.

We're a long ways away from E36s popping head gaskets due to cooling systems that last 60k miles or so.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Not real-world MSRP to MSRP.

And don't change my quotes, especially when you're incorrect.

MSRP doesn't matter. RDX spec for spec is an X3 competitor. It's not even debatable. The only thing the RDX has in common with the X1 is FWD architecture.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

MSRP doesn't matter. RDX spec for spec is an X3 competitor. It's not even debatable. The only thing the RDX has in common with the X1 is FWD architecture.

I disagree categorically. It's the same price, nearly the same size, and bests the X1 in just about every way.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

I disagree categorically. It's the same price, nearly the same size, and bests the X1 in just about every way.

Well you are entitled to your opinion no matter how incorrect. The industry disagrees with you as well.

Notice how RDX isn't considered a subcompact SUV. Also crappy X1 ranked pretty high at 2nd.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ubcompact-suv/


There's the RDX. In the same segment as X3. Shame it didn't perform well in 19th spot.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...l-compact-suv/

[M8Bimmer]

Well as a 1st time owner here I can add a few things. As basically a car guy my whole life the reps for BMW were always really pricey to fix. Seems somewhat true from my reading. But the reliability and quality always seem high amongst chat about cars in general.
To me they were always a great car but expensive to own and especially repair. I think this is the general attitude among folks who are NOT BMW enthusiasts or owners. Other folks is what I mean.
Now I can say in 12 thousand KM's on my new BMW car it has been perfect so far. Zero issues or problems.
So that would indicate to me from my own personal experience so far they make reliable cars overall.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Well you are entitled to your opinion no matter how incorrect. The industry disagrees with you as well.

Notice how RDX isn't considered a subcompact SUV. Also crappy X1 ranked pretty high at 2nd.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ubcompact-suv/


There's the RDX. In the same segment as X3. Shame it didn't perform well in 19th spot.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...l-compact-suv/

Car and Driver, now that's funny. They haven't been a thing since 1988. Porsche Macan in the top spot? Hmmmm. A Merc in 2nd, a BMW in 3rd? A junk Jag in 16th? You can keep that sir.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Kromans1

What do you think about the 2023 X1? That's the one we're waiting for.

As others have said, the X1/X2 is basically a Mini Countryman with updated interior and exterior. The reliability should be pretty decent and low maintenance. The technology has trickled down from above already. The simpler the car is, the more reliable it is.

Look at your ownership duration. Generally under 100k miles, you should be fine with just about any car. The German cars are ok for 100k-200k miles with proper maintenance and some repairs.

After that, I'd say the Japanese equivalents are better for 10+ years of ownership. My parents love their Honda and Toyotas as they never do anything other than pump gas and drive. They run forever.

[Kromans1]

Originally Posted by Z K

As others have said, the X1/X2 is basically a Mini Countryman with updated interior and exterior. The reliability should be pretty decent and low maintenance. The technology has trickled down from above already.

The simpler the car is, the more reliable it is. Look at your ownership duration. Generally under 100k miles, you should be fine with just about any car. The German cars are ok for 100k-200k miles with proper maintenance and some repairs. After that, I'd say the Japanese equivalents are better for 10+ years of ownership.

Than you. This is the car we're planning to keep for at least the next 7-8 years, if not hand down to our son, who's now almost six. We work from home so our miles are wicked low (our 2019 Equinox has 19,500 miles on it right now). We want reliable but sporty and fun, with some road presence and prestige. If I can't have my all-time dream car (a 1955 baby blue Porsche 550 Spyder) the new X1 might be my attainable dream car.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Kromans1

Than you. This is the car we're planning to keep for at least the next 7-8 years, if not hand down to our son, who's now almost six. We work from home so our miles are wicked low (our 2019 Equinox has 19,500 miles on it right now). We want reliable but sporty and fun, with some road presence and prestige. If I can't have my all-time dream car (a 1955 baby blue Porsche 550 Spyder) the new X1 might be my attainable dream car.

That sounds like a good plan! Just know that very low mileage cars also suffer from their own issues... short trips don't allow the engine to warm up and with current direct injection engines, it can get carbon build up. This isn't a BMW issue, all cars have this issue.

But it should be ok if you take it on the highway every now and then and do a 30+ minute drive or road trip to let it all warm up and run at operating temps.

[tturedraider]

Just to be clear, the X1 is at its core a fwd car. It will not be truly comparable to an X3, which at its core is a rwd design. The X1 also has a transverse mounted motor, not a longitudinally mounted motor and it has an Aisin eight speed transaxle, not the ZF eight speed transmission. The X1 is sold as an awd vehicle, but it is not the same as an awd X3. The X1 is 100% fwd, except when the traction system detects front wheel slippage and then it sends torque to the rear wheels. The X3 is rwd biased with a standard 60% rwd/40% fwd split and the torque distribution is infinitely variable from back to front.

That’s not to turn you off from the X1. It is quite good for what it is, but you should understand the differences between it and a traditional BMW with a longitudinally mounted motor and rwd drive system.

You should also be aware that because the X1 is basically fwd, its turning radius may be similar to the turning radius of your Equinox.

[Kromans1]

Originally Posted by Z K

That sounds like a good plan! Just know that very low mileage cars also suffer from their own issues... short trips don't allow the engine to warm up and with current direct injection engines, it can get carbon build up. This isn't a BMW issue, all cars have this issue.

But it should be ok if you take it on the highway every now and then and do a 30+ minute drive or road trip to let it all warm up and run at operating temps.

Thank you! I didn't realize only short trips can backfire. I have a feeling I'll just take the family for random, leisurely drives more often with the X1. 😁

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Kromans1

Thank you! I didn't realize only short trips can backfire. I have a feeling I'll just take the family for random, leisurely drives more often with the X1. 😁

Have you considered the X2? Not quite as much hatch space, but very sporty.

[chris82]

When you're paying $145-$175/hr which is what the two shops I have gone to charge, anything is expensive to repair unfortunately

[Kromans1]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Have you considered the X2? Not quite as much hatch space, but very sporty.

I've built an X2, but the cargo is a little problem. We're also in love with San Remo green and it comes only with black interior. We're dead-set against that and are going with the mocha in the X1. I know it's just cosmetic, but that's where we are, haha!