01 · Überblick
The X that also worked without all-wheel drive
The X1 is the attempt to scale the X principle down far enough to fit into the compact class. Market launch on 24 October 2009, main plant Leipzig. 4,454 mm long, wheelbase 2,760 mm — the same wheelbase as the E90 3 Series.
The real innovation is on the badge: sDrive. For the first time there was a BMW with X in its name without all-wheel drive. And BMW advertised precisely that — the sDrive18d with pure rear-wheel drive was, at 5.2 litres and 136 grams CO₂, the most efficient variant in the model line. A rear-driven car as the most economical X: that is the punchline of the E84.
Where the car technically originates from is still not cleanly established. The English Wikipedia states the E90 platform, the German one says “from the 1 Series and 3 Series”, and BMW’s own media information from 2009 refers to the technology of the 1 Series. Only the wheelbase is verifiable, and it is identical to the E90.
02 · Historie
From Leipzig to Brazil
Six years of production, three continents.
- 2009 Market launch on 24 October with xDrive28i, xDrive23d, xDrive20d, sDrive20d and xDrive18d. The sDrive18d follows in December.
- 2010 In March the sDrive18i and xDrive25i are added, the six-speed automatic is approved for further models.
- 2011 In autumn, turbocharged four-cylinder engines with TwinPower Turbo replace the previous engines. Also added: start-stop, electromechanical steering and the eight-speed automatic.
- 2012 Facelift in July. The X1 grows to 4,477 mm, gains LED daytime running light rings and, as the first X model, the xLine and Sport Line trims. Production start in Tiexi, China.
- 2014 Minor revision in spring; from autumn the X1 is also built in Araquari, Brazil.
- 2015 End of production. The successor F48 switches to a front-wheel-drive architecture — making the E84 the only X1 with a longitudinally mounted engine.
03 · Modellübersicht
The models at a glance
The model line splits into two engine generations. Before autumn 2011 naturally aspirated engines and older diesels, after that consistently turbocharged four-cylinders.
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sDrive18i | N46B20 | 1.995 cm³ | 150 PS (110 kW) | ab 03/2010 |
| sDrive20i / xDrive20i | N20 | 1.997 cm³ | 184 PS (135 kW) | from autumn 2011 |
| xDrive25i | N52B30U1 | 2.996 cm³ | 218 PS (160 kW) | ab 03/2010 |
| xDrive28i (six-cylinder) | N52B30O1 | 2.996 cm³ | 258 PS (190 kW) | ab 10/2009 |
| xDrive28i (four-cylinder) | N20 | 1.997 cm³ | 245 PS (180 kW) | ab 07/2012 |
| sDrive16d | N47 | 1.995 cm³ | 116 PS (85 kW) | ab 07/2012 |
| sDrive18d / xDrive18d | N47D20U0 | 1.995 cm³ | 143 PS (105 kW) | ab 10/2009 |
| sDrive20d / xDrive20d | N47D20O0 | 1.995 cm³ | 177 PS (130 kW), ab 07/2012 184 PS (135 kW) | ab 10/2009 |
| sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition | N47 | 1.995 cm³ | 163 PS (120 kW) | from autumn 2011 |
| xDrive23d | N47D20T0 | 1.995 cm³ | 204 PS (150 kW) | 10/2009 until facelift |
| xDrive25d | N47 | 1.995 cm³ | 218 PS (160 kW) | ab 07/2012 |
| xDrive35i (US only) | N55 | 2.979 cm³ | 300 hp (225 kW) | ab 2012 |
04 · Karosserievarianten
Karosserievarianten
Five-door SAV, five-seater
The only body style. Before the facelift 4,454 mm long, afterwards 4,477 mm. Width 1,798 mm, height 1,545 mm, wheelbase 2,760 mm. The rear bench is split 40:20:40 and adjustable in ten stages of recline.
05 · Motoren
The engines in detail
Four units that the model line hangs on.
N52B30O1 · 2,996 cm³ · 258 PS — xDrive28i until 2012 geprüft
The only naturally aspirated straight-six in the X1 and the flagship of the early years. 258 PS at 6,600 rpm, 310 Nm from 2,600. Anyone wanting an X1 with six cylinders has to buy a car built before July 2012 — after that the same badge carried a four-cylinder.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.996 cm³ |
| Leistung | 258 PS (190 kW) at 6,600/min |
| Drehmoment | 310 Nm at 2,600–3,000/min |
| Getriebe | Six-speed automatic as standard |
| Fahrleistung | 205 km/h, 0–100 in 6,8 s |
BMW media information 9/2009
N20 · 1,997 cm³ · 245 PS — xDrive28i from 2012 geprüft
The successor under the same badge: one litre less displacement, two fewer cylinders, 13 PS less — but 7.7 instead of 9.4 litres consumption. When buying used, the difference is easy to overlook, since both cars are called xDrive28i. BMW USA quotes the same engine at 240 hp, BMW Europe at 245 PS.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 1.997 cm³ |
| Leistung | 245 PS (180 kW) at 5,000–6,500/min |
| Drehmoment | 350 Nm at 1,250–4,800/min |
| Getriebe | Achtgang-Automatik |
| Fahrleistung | 240 km/h, 0–100 in 6,1 s |
BMW media information 05/2012
N47D20U0 · 1,995 cm³ · 143 PS — sDrive18d geprüft
The efficiency model and the real punchline of the X1. With pure rear-wheel drive, the sDrive18d achieved 5.2 litres and 136 grams CO₂ in 2009 and was thus the most efficient variant in the model line — BMW explicitly highlighted this in the press kit. Drag coefficient 0.32.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 1.995 cm³ |
| Leistung | 143 PS (105 kW) at 4,000/min |
| Drehmoment | 320 Nm at 1,750–2,500/min |
| Verbrauch | 5,2 l/100 km, 136 g/km CO₂ |
| Fahrleistung | 200 km/h, 0–100 in 9,6 s |
BMW media information 9/2009
N47 · 1,995 cm³ · 218 PS — xDrive25d from 2012 geprüft
The strongest diesel model after the facelift. 450 Nm from 1,500 rpm out of two litres of displacement, achieved via two-stage sequential turbocharging. 0 to 100 in 6.8 seconds — faster than the six-cylinder petrol engine of the early years.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 1.995 cm³ |
| Leistung | 218 PS (160 kW) at 4,000/min |
| Drehmoment | 450 Nm at 1,500–2,500/min |
| Aufladung | two-stage sequential turbocharging |
| Fahrleistung | 230 km/h, 0–100 in 6,8 s |
BMW media information 05/2012
06 · Schwachstellen
Known weak points
- Timing chain of the N47 diesels. The X1 used almost exclusively N47 diesels throughout its entire production run. Most affected is engine production between March 2007 and January 2009, but reports of chain damage extend to 2015. BMW set up a goodwill programme for some vehicles and later discontinued it. There is no reliable failure rate. In practice this means: demand proof of a chain replacement having been carried out, or price the car accordingly.
07 · Technik
Technik
sDrive — an X without all-wheel drive
Where the X1 technically comes from
The boot has three figures
How to recognise the facelift
08 · Motorsport
Motorsport
There isn’t one. Neither BMW nor the German or English Wikipedia document a factory or customer racing entry of the E84.
09 · Kaufberatung
What to look out for when buying
The E84 is affordable today and available in large numbers. The decisive question is the engine, not the equipment.
Various further points circulate about the panoramic roof, gearbox and turbocharger, which we did not find confirmed in two independent sources. They are therefore not listed here. A systematic rust issue is not documented for the E84.
10 · Die Konkurrenz
Die Konkurrenz
Audi Q3
From 2011 and thus two years later to market, plus with a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive as its base. The X1 remained longitudinally engined to the end.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Not until 2014 — Mercedes gave the X1 free rein for almost its entire production run.
Volvo XC60
From 2008, half a class above, but often mentioned in comparison. Significantly more space, less dynamic handling.
11 · Galerie
Galerie
Photos before and after the facelift.
12 · Quellen
Belege & Literatur
The technical data come from BMW data sheets and media information. The German Wikipedia engine tables are transposed and prone to error when read; they were not used as a source of figures.