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Replaced my used Audi A4 Avant with a 2023 BMW X1: Initial impressions

29th January 2024, 18:30 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

It doesn't feel like an entry-level SUV and the driving experience itself is exceptionally smooth but the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) feels a bit hesitant.

BHPian SatishChour recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Embarking on a journey in the UK meant adapting to new roads, and there was no better way to do it than with my pre-worshipped 2011 Audi A4 Avant. You can find my experience of buying the A4 Avant and my UK driving experience in this post.

A year later, armed with a full UK driving license, the search for the perfect successor began.

The diverse UK car market offered a unique set of challenges and choices.

Varied Landscape:

Disclaimer: Prices are presented in INR after roughly converting it from GBP.

The UK car market is completely different from the Indian car market. The cheapest new car in the UK starts from 13 Lakh which is the Kia Picanto (a Hyundai Santro sibling). Note that I am not considering the Citroen Ami (which starts from 7 lahks, and really cannot be considered a full-blown car).

Having previously owned a Hexa in India, I yearned to once again get behind the wheels of an SUV for its spaciousness and commanding view. In the realm of decent-sized SUVs in the UK market, there are choices such as the Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage, and the Skoda Kodiaq that are priced between 28L to 38L. However, with the starting price of 35L, it becomes really hard to ignore the allure of a luxury brand and the prospect of embracing both sophistication and the elevated driving experience that comes with the 2023 BMW X1.

Before the budget was approved by the home ministry, I explored the valuable and best-selling EV of the UK, MG4 EV.

The UK's 2nd best-selling EV, 2nd to Tesla.

My first dealership visit in the UK was to MG, I test-drove MG HS and did not appreciate the bulky feel and bouncy ride quality. Unfortunately, I did not get a test drive of the MG4 EV nor did I get a callback from MG, which they had claimed they would once the test drive car was available. This did leave me rather disappointed.

An EV scheme offered by my company triggered an immense interest in buying a Tesla Model Y through that scheme. After applying for the scheme, I called the nearest Tesla dealer, which was 35 miles away from where I live. The dealers offered me an overnight test drive, i.e., you can pick up the car from the showroom at the end of the day, drive all you want (you can charge it for free at any Tesla charging station), and drop it back when the showroom opens the next day. This was a really special test drive, getting to drive 70 miles to and fro on the Motorway.

Here are some pictures of the Model Y that I drove

The minimalistic design takes a little getting used to.

The missing transmission hump makes loads of legroom.

The Model Y parked on my driveway.

The driving experience was truly unparalleled, surpassing any previous encounters on the road. In all my years of driving various vehicles, none have offered the same level of serene and enjoyable driving pleasure as this one. If it were not for the EV scheme getting disapproved due to my residence status, I would have been writing ownership experience of a Tesla today.

Following the MG and Tesla challenges, I conducted extensive research to discover that most banks refuse to provide car financing to individuals with less than a 2-year residency status. Fortunately, two exceptions were found: VW Group and BMW, both of which offer car finance to such residents. This narrowed down my choices to vehicles within BMW and VW Group, including Bugatti, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche, Audi, VW, and Skoda. I excluded the first four from the VW group, as I was planning to get die-cast models of these brands, so didn't make sense to buy the real ones.

Among the remaining options - Audi, VW, Skoda, and BMW - VW and Skoda fell short in terms of the luxury quotient, presented by Audi and BMW for 5-6L more.

While I came close to finalizing a manufacturer-approved 2020 BMW 5 Series, listed at 20L, the plan was abandoned due to an unsatisfactory exchange price offered for my A4 Avant.

After thorough consideration and discussions with my partner, we opted for a new car rather than a pre-owned one. Considering the Audi Q3 awaited a much-needed facelift, the recently updated 2023 BMW X1 emerged as the obvious and preferable choice.

Dealership Experience:

Returning to the dealership after the initial visit for a test drive of the pre-owned BMW 5 Series was admittedly a bit awkward, especially considering I left without making a purchase. Nevertheless, any apprehension was swiftly dispelled by Kyle's warm and welcoming demeanor during my return. His friendly approach and evident enthusiasm to assist me in acquiring a new car made the transition remarkably comfortable.

The entire process of finalizing the deal, sorting out the financing details, and customizing the car was smooth and hassle-free. The overall experience with the dealership, from customer service to the intricacies of the transaction, remained commendable.

Customization options:

In the UK, the BMW X1 offers an array of single customizations and two enticing packages:

Techno Pack (additional 1.6L): This package includes convenient features such as easy access, Adaptive LED headlights, and folding mirrors.
Techno Plus Pack (additional 2.9L): Building upon the Techno Pack, this upgraded option introduces a heads-up display, Live Cockpit, Wireless Charger, and Parking Assistant Plus (Note that parking assistant is included as standard).

While both packages add noteworthy enhancements, I find myself inclined to advocate for the Techno Pack to be a standard inclusion.

In my configuration, I decided against opting for either of these packages, as my customization preferences had already significantly elevated the overall cost. My tailored choices included:

Metallic Paint (60K)
Panoramic Sunroof (1.2L)
Letherette Perforated Oyester Seats (70K)
Larger 18-inch alloys in place of the standard 17-inch (70K)
Sun protection glass (30K)

On top of my personalized selections, the dealership pleasantly surprised me with a goodwill gesture—an offer of Harman/Kardon speakers valued at 66K. This added touch exemplified their commitment to enhancing the overall driving experience.

My 4-year-old was excited to uncover the new X1

With Kyle

First Impressions and Driving Experience:

The SUV manages to live up to its hype of being the previous version X3 for its size, it looks and feels one size up and in no way feels like an entry-level SUV due to the luxurious interiors and top-notch quality touch all over.

Here are some interior pictures

High-quality feel everywhere up front.

The panoramic sunroof makes for a huge sense of space, a must for the UK's gloomy weather.

Missing iDrive controller

The complimentary Harman/Kardon

View of the dual screen from behind the wheel

Massive 500L boot space

The sDrive 20i, unfortunately not available in India, boasts a 1.5L 3-cylinder petrol engine generating a robust 170 bhp (150+20), unlike the 134 bhp of the 18i in India. This sDrive 20i incorporates a mild hybrid technology, featuring an additional battery-powered 20 bhp which helps for quick acceleration when needed and also contributes to fuel efficiency, especially during leisurely city drives.

The driving experience itself is exceptionally smooth, with "Sport Mode" being my current favorite for its sharp throttle and steering response. I am sure it will change to "Efficient Mode" soon when my visits to the petrol station increase.

The ride quality was a bit harsh, and as I suspected, it was the incorrect air pressure. The ride got plush after reducing it to the recommended unit.

Summing up my experience with the new beast

Here's a concise overview:

Positives:

"Luxury" with a capital "L": The opulence of the vehicle is truly unmatched.
A 500L Carnivorous boot space: It effortlessly outpaces my previous Audi A4.
Spacious for an entry-level SUV: Surprising roominess that enhances the overall driving experience.
Refined, powerful, and hopefully efficient 3-cylinder engine: The engine delivers a perfect blend of refinement and power, with an optimistic outlook on efficiency.

Scope for Improvement:

Questionable Parking Assistant: I tried the BMW parking assistant at an empty parking lot, and the X1 abruptly ended the manoeuvre and forgot to apply brakes which led to crashing into the bushes, luckily there was no damage. Here is a short video of this incident.
Hesitant DCT: Navigating busy roundabouts can be a bit challenging due to the hesitant nature of the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).
Comfort access: Making it a standard feature would elevate the overall convenience.
Touchscreen controls: Managing everything via a touchscreen can become tricky while driving, should BMW bring the iDrive back to X1.
Pricey Adaptive Cruise Control option: The cost of it is an additional 4.6L due to the package offer, which is way higher than what it costs in Audi Q3, which is around 80k.

Here are some parting glimpses of this black beauty