'16 X1 F48 to '19 Macan S to '71 X1 F48
Discussion
My wife bought her first X1 F48 xLine xDrive 2.0d new in 2016, ran it for 7 yrs/102k miles until the warranty couldn't be extended any more, and then fancied a Macan S after a test drive. 7 months with the approved used Macan S and she didn't like it. The numerous issues we had with it put us off, meaning my wife no longer had confidence in it, but it was also the driving and living with it we came to dislike.
Of course the Macan is bigger than the X1, well on the outside anyway, but it's a heavy old thing and a bit of an effort to get it moving in a well mannered way. I've had my 981 Cayman for 8+ years and the Macan, though it has similar acceleration, just isn't a sure footed nimble Porsche. There's no real point to it other than the badge and it's luxury SUV credentials. It handles well enough but we were always conscious of it's width, 6" wider than the X1, and it's mass when driving spiritedly. The 3.0 354bhp V6 was rough and uncivilised and made me wince at 2,000 to 2,600 rpm as it vibrated on acceleration. So, bye bye to the Macan, and £12,000.
Looking for another X1, as we know we liked the last one, we happened on a 13k miles 2 1/2 year old xLine xDrive 2.0i with the all important leather sports seats specced. A facelift model, it has a few extras over her 2016 model: better tech; digital speedo; folding mirrors; LED lights, but what impresses over the Porsche is the larger cabin, the refined engine and gearbox (which even has a coasting function), vanity mirror lights, a tailgate you can close remotely, and of course... iDrive.
How wonderful is iDrive! We did look at the new X1 last year but ruled it out as iDrive had gone and it was all touch screen and daft.
Similar with the Macan, nav by touch screen only is not a good idea, especially when I'm driving and she's trying to tap in the nav info.
This is an issue though, for all ICE enthusiasts. You have to buy used to go back to a time when design was sensible, i.e. buttons, knobs, and not all touch screen nonsense. Added to that, we wanted to be able to extend the manufacturer's warranty (albeit insurance backed) for a good while, hence Porsche, BMW, Audi are the only choice.
And the X1 is so easy to drive, way nicer than the Macan's V6, the BMW's 2.0i petrol choice giving a smoother experience than our old diesel, at the expense of some mpg of course. That's another plus over the Macan though, 10mpg more.
We did try an MSport X1 this time too, but as suspected even on 18's and non-runflats the ride is unacceptably firm and bobbly.
As well as a more compliant ride the xLine version is 25% cheaper to insure than the Sport or Sport versions as it doesn't include the word "Sport" - a nice surprise too.
So, after 28 years and 10 BMWs in a row we regret straying away to the Macan and we're back with BMW number 11. Nice to feel at home again. Sensible SAV and sensible Porsche (the Cayman).
Of course the Macan is bigger than the X1, well on the outside anyway, but it's a heavy old thing and a bit of an effort to get it moving in a well mannered way. I've had my 981 Cayman for 8+ years and the Macan, though it has similar acceleration, just isn't a sure footed nimble Porsche. There's no real point to it other than the badge and it's luxury SUV credentials. It handles well enough but we were always conscious of it's width, 6" wider than the X1, and it's mass when driving spiritedly. The 3.0 354bhp V6 was rough and uncivilised and made me wince at 2,000 to 2,600 rpm as it vibrated on acceleration. So, bye bye to the Macan, and £12,000.
Looking for another X1, as we know we liked the last one, we happened on a 13k miles 2 1/2 year old xLine xDrive 2.0i with the all important leather sports seats specced. A facelift model, it has a few extras over her 2016 model: better tech; digital speedo; folding mirrors; LED lights, but what impresses over the Porsche is the larger cabin, the refined engine and gearbox (which even has a coasting function), vanity mirror lights, a tailgate you can close remotely, and of course... iDrive.
How wonderful is iDrive! We did look at the new X1 last year but ruled it out as iDrive had gone and it was all touch screen and daft.
Similar with the Macan, nav by touch screen only is not a good idea, especially when I'm driving and she's trying to tap in the nav info.
This is an issue though, for all ICE enthusiasts. You have to buy used to go back to a time when design was sensible, i.e. buttons, knobs, and not all touch screen nonsense. Added to that, we wanted to be able to extend the manufacturer's warranty (albeit insurance backed) for a good while, hence Porsche, BMW, Audi are the only choice.
And the X1 is so easy to drive, way nicer than the Macan's V6, the BMW's 2.0i petrol choice giving a smoother experience than our old diesel, at the expense of some mpg of course. That's another plus over the Macan though, 10mpg more.
We did try an MSport X1 this time too, but as suspected even on 18's and non-runflats the ride is unacceptably firm and bobbly.
As well as a more compliant ride the xLine version is 25% cheaper to insure than the Sport or Sport versions as it doesn't include the word "Sport" - a nice surprise too.
So, after 28 years and 10 BMWs in a row we regret straying away to the Macan and we're back with BMW number 11. Nice to feel at home again. Sensible SAV and sensible Porsche (the Cayman).
Edited by DJMC on Sunday 16th June 21:42
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