Buying advice (E84 > F30)

[dxcza]

Hi Guys,

Newbie here. I'm currently driving a dead stock 2014 E84 X1 S20D. Fantastic car, it's given me no hassles, great fuel economy etc etc. There's nothing wrong with it, but the previous owner overlooked the options list entirely. No music over Bluetooth (only phone), no iDrive, no cruise control, no paddles etc etc.

Now, my heart has always longed for an F30. If I had to trade in now, I stand to lose maybe R20k which isn't the end of the world. I've seen some F30 320d's with good mileage in budget. But I've got questions and need your advice.

- When is pre-LCI? <2015? Does it make a big difference? Should I try get post-2015?
- If not, I don't necessarily want an older car than I have now, but how different is a 2013 320d vs a 2014 E84 X1 20D? Dynamically? Are there differences in the engine that would make a 2013 a worse choice than a 2014?
- What is a lot of mileage? Mine is currently on 102k and it's as smooth as the day I got it 3 years ago. Am I lucky or are these motors just that good?

I guess those are my biggest questions. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with the X1, it's just bare and I wouldn't mind cruise control and Bluetooth music etc. It's more just the creature comforts that I'm after.

Any buyers advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

 

[tman]

Unless you going to drive on gravel/off road every other day, just get a 320d.

Chances are you will pay about the same, but you will get a lot more kit included.

I wont fuss too much about pre LCI vs LCI - my focus would be on finding a mint example with FSH.

 

[modocrat]

I stand to be corrected but the F30 20d has a higher kw output than the X1 20d.
You will need to find an F30 with Business Nav as a minimum if you need bluetooth audio. My Buddy has an F30 with the standard Radio which only supports bluetooth for calls. Not sure if this is the case with the LCi.

 

[MR_Y]

The E84 is a strong vehicle and better than the Mini inspired current X1.
Having owned an F30, my main gripes are on its gravel road ability (vs an SUV or CUV) and tight rear space - both of these will not be a concern on your E84.
If you live in the city and have no kids or need for rear passengers, then go for the F30.

On the music point, you can buy a simple air-vent 'phone mount, switch on Android Auto on the 'phone and plug in an Aux cable. Music streaming sorted!

On the paddles point, you have a diesel mated to a brilliant ZF box, so there is no real need for manually changing gears. Also, if you want paddles on an F30, you need to find a model with the Sports Autobox (not the normal Autobox), and noting that M-Sport spec does not mean that the Sports Autobox is standard.

On the cruise control point, again you have a diesel, you don't need to apply much pressure on the peddle to cruise.

One last point - the F30 (mine was a 2017 LCI) is not the best built car in its class. I had slight panel gaps and the interior, while solidly put together, is no match for Audi A4 (both B8 and B8.5) or Merc (facelifted W204) of the same era.

My advice - keep the E84.

 

[Solo Man]

I have a 2016 F30 320d facelift and it is about the basic spec i think one can get. Has rear pdc which i think is standard across the range, bluetooth telephone, usb socket in the centre console, cruise, etc., but no front pdc, no sunroof and no paddles on the s/w. I bought a paddle s/w off one of the forumites and fitted and programmed it to the car and it is working fine on the standard eight speed auto. Did not even have to add wiring as it was prewired already.

 

[dxcza]

The E84 is a strong vehicle and better than the Mini inspired current X1.
Having owned an F30, my main gripes are on its gravel road ability (vs an SUV or CUV) and tight rear space - both of these will not be a concern on your E84.
If you live in the city and have no kids or need for rear passengers, then go for the F30.

On the music point, you can buy a simple air-vent 'phone mount, switch on Android Auto on the 'phone and plug in an Aux cable. Music streaming sorted!

On the paddles point, you have a diesel mated to a brilliant ZF box, so there is no real need for manually changing gears. Also, if you want paddles on an F30, you need to find a model with the Sports Autobox (not the normal Autobox), and noting that M-Sport spec does not mean that the Sports Autobox is standard.

On the cruise control point, again you have a diesel, you don't need to apply much pressure on the peddle to cruise.

One last point - the F30 (mine was a 2017 LCI) is not the best built car in its class. I had slight panel gaps and the interior, while solidly put together, is no match for Audi A4 (both B8 and B8.5) or Merc (facelifted W204) of the same era.

My advice - keep the E84.

Thanks for the information about the gearbox. Definitely didn't know that.
I bought one of those Bluetooth adapters that plugs into the aux port on the car, but would have liked to be able to skip songs from my steering wheel, but again, just a creature comfort.

You mention having kids. I do have one of those. The X1 has decent space and I assumed the 3 would too, but good that you mention it.

As for the paddles, it really is just a nice to have. There's a nice piece of road near my house that I take to work and find myself more often than not driving down it rather exuberantly manually changing gears for more control, but that's about the only time I ever take it out of auto. I think another reason for wanting the 3 is that I assume it's going to be better around these sort of roads.

A lot to think about, I'm probably better off saving up for a G20 😃

 

[dxcza]

Seems quite a bit did actually change with LCI. It would be more worth it going 2015+ then, for anyone lurking