I promised those of you who had kindly helped with my questions an update. Well, in short, we have taken the plunge and ordered the following
BMW X1 xDrive20i xLine in Mineral Grey Metallic with Oyster Dakota Leather.
Options added – Technology Pack 1 (Adaptive Headlights, High Beam Assist, Reversing Camera, Enhanced Bluetooth & Wireless Charging), Sun Protection Glass and Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System.
Got the discounts mentioned previously (including £500 off the AP) and the promise that we can cancel and re-order later this week if the AP drops in Q2. No deposit requested.
The wheelchair fitted fine in the boot, even with the rear seats in the most rearward and reclined position, so no need for the sliding seat option (thanks Wigwam for helping on that one). Mrs Glos Guy found getting in and out to be no worse than the Tiguan. The seats are a little smaller than those in the Tiguan but much improved on those in the pre facelift model X1. Shock horror – Mrs Glos Guy also slightly preferred the interior of the X1 over the Tiguan and now likes the exterior look (we have now discovered that the ones she kept saying that she didn’t like were the original X1’s, which I agree were quite ugly).
The X1 does feel smaller inside than the Tiguan, but the one we were in today had a black interior. Hopefully the lighter Oyster interior may help make it feel a bit bigger. The X1 does feel a tad dated inside compared to the Tiguan but what a joy to experience iDrive again rather than the dire VW system!
Mrs Glos Guy is also happy that we are moving from diesel to petrol and will still have 4WD. I am happy that it’s a car with some punch (as they are rapidly disappearing from the scheme) and I have never driven a bad BMW (and I’ve driven dozens of them). I am anticipating the much mentioned road noise, so the Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System will help to distract me ?
Doubtless we run the risk of the car taking 6 months to arrive, by which time the all new model may have been announced, but the way the Motability scheme is going I can see the lower spec / smaller engine versions being all that we are allowed by then! It’s always a risk when you order but I’m ready for a change after a run of Tiguans.
Quick question for the X1 owners on here. The spec on the order shows front and rear parking sensors, but also Park Assist. What is that? Is it the automated parking aid that steers the car into a space, like we have on the Tiguan? I didn’t think that the X1 had this?