BMW X1 Auto Question

[Easternlight]

I'm considering an X1 t drag our caravan about, I know very little about Autos apart from the BMW one is supposed to be one of the best.
Can someone explain the difference between these two shifter pictures one is 2018 the other 2016.
Is it just a style change/model year thing or are there differant boxes?
2018

2016

[beambeam1]

I think the second picture is one the M Performance gear knob options?

[SteBrown91]

I think it was just a model year update - the gearboxes have always been the same in the f48. The gearboxes in the x1 (or anything mini platform) are not the same as the famous ZF8 in the rwd bmws. The front drive based cars have either a 7 speed dual clutch for low powered petrols and an aisin 8 speed auto which is also used by Ford, Peugeot etc. It’s pretty good but not as good as the ZF8.

[LordSvetly]

It’s worth noting that the two styles of gear lever are quite different in operation - the 2016 style being an old school mechanical shift and the newer version electronic.

I had the electronic version in my 5 series and must admit I found it a bit of a faff to adjust to the 2016 style in my wife’s X1 but it’s definitely in the ‘first world problems’ bucket, given the choice though I much prefer the operation of the electronic shifter.

[BFleming]

SteBrown91 said:

I think it was just a model year update - the gearboxes have always been the same in the f48. The gearboxes in the x1 (or anything mini platform) are not the same as the famous ZF8 in the rwd bmws. The front drive based cars have either a 7 speed dual clutch for low powered petrols and an aisin 8 speed auto which is also used by Ford, Peugeot etc. It’s pretty good but not as good as the ZF8.

This 100%. Any reference to any other autobox in a RWD-platform BMW is the ZF8 (like the 5 series mentioned in a previous post); the F48 X1 and X2 don't have it.
OP which engine are you considering? All X1s have a 750Kg unbraked / 1800 (or 2000) Kg braked limit (depending on model). There are 3 different auto boxes depending on year / model (none are the ZF8)

[Easternlight]

BFleming said:

SteBrown91 said:

I think it was just a model year update - the gearboxes have always been the same in the f48. The gearboxes in the x1 (or anything mini platform) are not the same as the famous ZF8 in the rwd bmws. The front drive based cars have either a 7 speed dual clutch for low powered petrols and an aisin 8 speed auto which is also used by Ford, Peugeot etc. It’s pretty good but not as good as the ZF8.

This 100%. Any reference to any other autobox in a RWD-platform BMW is the ZF8 (like the 5 series mentioned in a previous post); the F48 X1 and X2 don't have it.
OP which engine are you considering? All X1s have a 750Kg unbraked / 1800 (or 2000) Kg braked limit (depending on model). There are 3 different auto boxes depending on year / model (none are the ZF8)

Thanks for all the replies.
Glad I asked now as I was hoping for the ZF8 that everone raves about.
I'm a bit out of touch with BMW's as I've not had one for 10 years amd thier range has gone mad.

I was looking for 2.0 petrol to replace my current 2.0D Yeti, The Yeti is fine for the job but is only doing a few thousand miles a year now Mrs Easty has retired so the diesel is a ticking bomb (and I'm using this as an excuse for an upgrade)
Only pulling small 2 berth van around 1200kg.
I think I'll go back to looking aTiguans and T Rocs if the BM's aren't the ZF 8

[RammyMP]

Don’t reject it because of the gearbox, the Aisin in the X1 isn’t bad. Her in doors had a 25d X1 and I found the gearbox a hell of a lot better than the DSG in my Audi, it sets off at junctions so much better.

[Easternlight]

I could have a look a 3 series estates, I've had E36 and 46 and enjoyed those. It's just the Yeti has swayed me to a compact SUV and the length of the rig lets me couple up on the drive, anything longer and I'm going to have to set up on the road.

[BFleming]

X3?

[Lozw86]

I think an X3 might suit. It has the zf8 box and has plenty of torque for towing in 2.0 or 3.0 diesel guise

[Easternlight]

Sorry X3 would be my first choice but too pricey alas. Looking at aroud £20k, need to factor in adding a towbar unless I get really lucky and find something with one fitted.

Edited by Easternlight on Wednesday 23 December 18:55

[Smuler]

The lower picture looks like my 2017 X1.
A bit agricultural in design.
I thought it was the ZF8. I’d say based on 44k miles , it was as good as any of the similarly engined 3 or 5 loaners I had , so agree with the poster who said don’t write it off for gearbox.
But it was just a workhorse / runabout , useful cos I needed the height and AWD and a bit of clearance useful useful for rural driving.
I wouldn’t pick one over a 3 series touring.
Soon as I was free of the shackles of SUV life , I got a 340i for a daily use.

Edited by Smuler on Wednesday 23 December 22:05

Edited by Smuler on Wednesday 23 December 22:05

[spreadsheet monkey]

Bumping this thread with a separate question about X1 automatic gearboxes.

I recently bought a 2019 X1 20i which has a 7 speed Getrag DCT automatic.

I thought I was getting the 8 speed Aisin transmission, fitted to most automatic X1s, and shared with various Toyota/Lexus models. But the 20i comes with the 7 speed Getrag, which is shared with recent Fords and Renaults, and neither brand is famous for great automatics

I know the conventional automatics (both ZF and Aisin) are considered by BMW to be "sealed for life" but what about the 7 speeed DCT? I thought dual clutch gearboxes needed more frequent oil changes. Does VW/Audi still recommend changing the transmission oil at 4yr/40k intervals on its DSG transmissions?

[BFleming]

spreadsheet monkey said:

Does VW/Audi still recommend changing the transmission oil at 4yr/40k intervals on its DSG transmissions?

Apparently not. It was one of my considerations when buying our GTE, and they said "that's all a thing of the past". Asked my local VW specialist & he said the same thing.

[spreadsheet monkey]

BFleming said:

Apparently not. It was one of my considerations when buying our GTE, and they said "that's all a thing of the past". Asked my local VW specialist & he said the same thing.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Might have to use an independent automatic transmission specialist at some point in the future.

[zedx19]

BFleming said:

Apparently not. It was one of my considerations when buying our GTE, and they said "that's all a thing of the past". Asked my local VW specialist & he said the same thing.

Unsure whether the GTE uses a different box than the GTi, but my 2017 GTi DSG needed and had a DSG service at 40k. Not all DSG's are the same, some might be classed as "sealed for life" but some do absolutely need the 40k service.

[RammyMP]

zedx19 said:

BFleming said:

Apparently not. It was one of my considerations when buying our GTE, and they said "that's all a thing of the past". Asked my local VW specialist & he said the same thing.

Unsure whether the GTE uses a different box than the GTi, but my 2017 GTi DSG needed and had a DSG service at 40k. Not all DSG's are the same, some might be classed as "sealed for life" but some do absolutely need the 40k service.

The DSG box in my Q5 needs a service every 40k miles.

[spreadsheet monkey]

Thanks for the contributions. My X1 is on 53k miles and drives fine, but I’ll be speaking to my local auto transmission specialist in the next few months, to get their advice on whether the 7DCT300 needs oil changes or not.

[BFleming]

zedx19 said:

BFleming said:

Apparently not. It was one of my considerations when buying our GTE, and they said "that's all a thing of the past". Asked my local VW specialist & he said the same thing.

Unsure whether the GTE uses a different box than the GTi, but my 2017 GTi DSG needed and had a DSG service at 40k. Not all DSG's are the same, some might be classed as "sealed for life" but some do absolutely need the 40k service.

It does use a different box (DQ400E), but I am struggling to find any online info to back up what I posted - albeit I'm not going daft & that's what I've been told. But there are plenty of online discussions on the GTE and transmission oil changes. Hmmm.

[zedx19]

BFleming said:

It does use a different box (DQ400E), but I am struggling to find any online info to back up what I posted - albeit I'm not going daft & that's what I've been told. But there are plenty of online discussions on the GTE and transmission oil changes. Hmmm.

I'd probably ring your specialist and get them to double check that the DQ400E definitely doesn't need servicing as the below thread suggests otherwise. Sounds like a normal DSG box with some extra cubbins on for the electric element, so I'd imagine the DSG bits need oil changes like any normal DSG box does. Slight thread derailment, but most DSG problems result from lack of servicing and as I'm sure you're aware, they aren't cheap to fix when they do go wrong!

https://www.speakev.com/threads/diy-gte-dsg-dq400e...