[Aditya]

The BMW X1 (read the full review here), is offered with two engine options – a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol unit and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel motor. Both come with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic sending power to the front wheels only. The chart below should give you a better idea.



The 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine develops 134 BHP & 230 Nm. Straight off the bat, this engine does not feel like it belongs in a car of this segment. It is not as fast as the turbo-diesel, but it is cheaper. It is also quite fuel efficient and will appeal to the chauffeur-driven or those living in places (such as Delhi-NCR) where diesel cars need to be scrapped much earlier than petrol ones. It is available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbo-petrol comes in the sDrive 18i xLine (base) and sDrive 18i M Sport (top) variants of the X1.



Image source

The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel develops 148 BHP & 360 Nm. This engine is very refined and while it is not as powerful as one would expect it to be, it still delivers adequate performance and good fuel efficiency. This turbo-diesel engine is available only in the sDrive 18d M Sport (top) variant of the X1.



So if you were in the market for the BMW X1, which engine you pick & why?

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[bijims]

In my opinion, the Diesel is surely the better buy (if you are not in Delhi NCR) owing to better power, torque, displacement, and overall fuel efficiency. Moreover its a 4-cylinder, unlike the 3-cylinder petrol motor which just doesn't seem right on a car costing over 50 lakhs.

[vattyboy]

Both the engines are underpowered but still, I can live with the X1 Diesel.

People living in NCR should stay away from X1 Petrol and look for Audi Q3.

I think the Volkswagen 1.0 Tsi cars can give tough competition to the X1 petrol on highway because it has a kerb weight of approx 1500 kgs with just 134 bhp which translates to a lower power-to-weight and torque torque-to-weight ratio.

When a customer is paying close to 60 lakhs then he should get performance also along with badge value and luxury.

[abaliga]

Voted for the Diesel, having said that, I would not buy either! A car that costs almost 60 lakhs (i.e. USD 78K) cannot have a powertrain that screams compromise, I am guessing this is done for the CAFE norms, but BMW having so many EVs in its India portfolio should not be having issues complying with the norms, it would make sense to have these as entry level powertrains, but 18d and 18i are unacceptable when they are the only options available, somehow not able to understand how a company that sells the amazing M340i and x3 M40i is not offerring their best for X1 in India, the same issue is seen on the regular X3 as well, the nice 30i option launched earlier has been discontinued without logic!

[shibujp]

I think the option of the iX powertrain should also be provided as a voting option. Given the pricing of the current X1 I think this is one of the best variants from bang for buck perspective.

Drive on,
Shibu

[mathlesh]

If you are in NCR buy Petrol other Diesel is best. According to Autocar, Diesel pollutes less than petrol in the case of X1.

[vredesbyrd]

Voted for diesel as it still has 4 cylinders
OT: I would go to the used market and get an X3 instead. The X1 is barely a BMW

[Bhodrolok]

Should have been a third option: Neither.

It's pity BMW India decided to go with 2 anemic engines for the car.

[RROD]

What timing
I test drove the BMW X1 petrol yesterday. I planned my TD in such a way that I could pick up my daughter from her school, this way I can drive for about 7~8 KMs and my daughter could also share her opinion.
Since the poll is to choose between Petrol and Diesel. Here is my 2 cents.
The car felt very underwhelming.
While the interiors are top-notch. I never felt like I am driving something special.
I TD'ed the Tiguan a week ago, that car made an immediate impression and put a smile on my face and I was expecting better with a BMW.
Based on the above I don't recommend it.
Diesel could be better though.

My 9 year old daughter's feedback who was seated in the backseat. "It feels just like our S-Cross" . Please take it with a pinch of salt.

[maglev]

Avoid both.

While the Audi Q3 or Mercedes GLA would be directly comparable. I'd suggest exploring the Skoda Kodiaq - a much better package overall if you can forgo the big three German brands.

The Kodiaq is essentially an Audi Q5 with a Skoda Badge - they share the same engine (2.0 TSI) + transmission (7 speed DSG), and if I recall correctly the platform as well.

[Bhargav7]

BMW should have scrapped the petrol variant instead of giving a 3-cylinder 1.5L engine. Kushaq, which sells for around 20 Lacs seems to have a much better engine, at least on paper.

[PerfectDrive]

Among above, it has to be sDrive 18d M Sport based on 10,500 KMs of driving.

[Livnletcarsliv]

Since this poll asks to choose only between 2, I chose diesel over the petrol. Because of better engine specs, mileage and the 4 cylinder engine instead of the 3-pot one.

However, with this kind of budget and requirements, I will not even enter the BMW showroom for this specs. BMW, (at least in India) compared to all other brands, is all about the experience/performance behind the wheels. And by that standards in no way I will get that experience with this X1. I will go with a GLA/Q3 or even a Tiguan/Kodiaq/Tucson but definitely not with the X1.

[Shreyans_Jain]

I’d never consider this X1 in the first place! It’s a car that textbook overpropmises and underdelivers. There is nothing exciting here, it sells purely on the badge value of BMW. I’d much rather get a 330i or A6 or even the Kia EV6 for similar money. Or, accomplished and capable vehicles like Kodiaq or Ioniq5 for less.

BMW pushing these LAME powertrains for such eye watering prices is a cruel joke on Indian customers.