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As mentioned on the lease extensions thread, our new car order window opens in 4 weeks time. We currently have a 2021 BMW X1 2.0i petrol auto 4WD X-Line, which has been the best car that we’ve had on Motability (after a succession of VW Tiguans). Other than the lack of AutoHold and slightly excessive road noise on coarse surfaces, it’s been nigh on perfect. I’m not a huge fan of lease extensions (but will consider some extension in this case) and I’m open to leaving the scheme and buying privately if we can’t find anything suitable. We would ideally like another petrol car, second choice would be a PHEV and last choice would be an EV. We don’t want a diesel.
Today, after a nice lunch in Cheltenham, we spent some time at the massive 2 storey Cotswold BMW dealership that only opened a couple of years ago. My first choice manufacturer would be BMW (having had loads of different cars and driven hundreds of others they are my preferred make by some margin) and we went with the intention of looking at 6 different cars. Sadly, we had to rule out 5 of them.
1) BMW 225e Grand Tourer M-Sport PHEV (currently on Motability). I’m afraid that we discounted this on looks alone. MPVs just don’t do it for us. My late Dad had an MPV and as Jeremy Clarkson says, MPVs are for old people who’ve given up on liking cars (which, in fairness, was my Dad! Neither of us liked the look of it and I know I’d regret getting one. The boot may also be a bit too small for the wheelchair, but we didn’t get that far.
2) BMW X2. Not yet on Motability, but I reckon that the iX2 is very likely to join the scheme fairly soon. We ruled this out as the rear passenger compartment is far too difficult to get in and out of due to the sloped roof. I’m 6ft 2 and in all honesty it was a real challenge getting in and out. I had to bend my head right down on to my chest to get in and out and it was uncomfortable doing so. I would concur with the reviews I have read on the X2 that, other than looks, it is compromised against the better packaged X1 / iX1.
3) BMW i4 (on Motability). They had a green Sport e35 which we thought looked lovely (the green looked fabulous under the showroom lights). The boot was big enough for the wheelchair, but as the rear of the car is sloped there wasn’t much space left. Getting in and out of the back seats was also a bit of a challenge due to the sloped roofline, but less difficult than the X2. We ended up dismissing it for 2 reasons. First and foremost, with the lower seating position my wife really struggled getting out of it, as she had to pull herself up more than she does from an SUV, and this was a major problem for her. The other reason was that we felt that the car seemed claustrophobic inside. Forward and rear visibility through the comparatively shallow windscreen and rear window felt very restricted compared to what we are used to. The windscreen almost felt as though the sun blinds were down (they weren’t). Shame as we both really liked the look of it, but it’s just not practical for either of us.
4) BMW 3 Series Touring. When the 330e M-Sport Touring came on to Motability a few months ago, it was the first addition to excite me in several years. I had already established the biggest negative with this car, when I’d worked out the cost of all the options that I’d want to add (which makes it ludicrously expensive for a lease car, especially when added to the £12,000 sacrificed benefits). Whilst it wasn’t as claustrophobic as the i4, my wife really struggled getting out of it so, whilst we liked it, we had to eliminate it.
5) BMW X5. This would obviously be a private purchase, probably a 3 year old one as I just can’t bring myself to part with £70k for a car. Much as I’d love one, and as a car it left all the others in the shade, it was impractical for two reasons. Whereas the i4 and 3 Series were too low for my wife to get out of, the X5 was too high for her to get in to. Also, the side sills on M-Sport models protrude and were problematic for my wife as they make it a bigger gap to reach the seat and also result in soiling your legs from road dirt. Finally, the daft split tailgate would be a nightmare getting the wheelchair in and out of the boot, involving too much of a stretch (not good for my back). Alas, I don’t think I’ll ever get my X5 ?
6) BMW iX1. They didn’t have an iX1 in the showroom but they had an identical petrol X1. This was the easiest car for my wife to get in and out of (no doubt because it’s closest to our current car), but it was also the easiest for me. The boot is fine for the wheelchair and, other than the bigger X5, it was the best car for visibility. I don’t like the fact that the iDrive rotary dial has gone, but at least they have fitted AutoHold on the new model. Almost 3 years on, it’s the one thing on our current X1 that still irritates me (as it doesn’t have it). This ended up being the best car for both of us, but unfortunately only the iX1 EV is on Motability at present. I had an iX1 30e X-Line for a day last year and didn’t like it anywhere near as much as our petrol X1. Ideally I’d like to see the petrol X1 on the scheme, but with how Motabilty is going, I suspect that it won’t. However, there are now two X1 PHEV models so, with the more expensive 330e having joined the scheme, I am hoping that one of them might join next quarter. However, there’s no EV equivalent of the 3 Series Touring, whereas BMW will want to use Motability to get their EV numbers up so will want to shift the iX1 as a priority.
So, as far as BMW goes, if we stay with Motability we will hope for the X1 PHEV and if that doesn’t happen, and we don’t find a better car from another manufacturer, we may end up having to go for an iX1 20e M-Sport, which you can get through Motability with the tech pack and M-Sport Pro packs included. I’d considered an X3 as a private purchase, but it’s no bigger inside than the new X1/iX1 so that doesn’t really make sense. So, in some respects, a frustrating day, but at least it’s helped narrow the BMW choice down to one car.
Next steps are to look at the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate PHEV (not sure I want to spend that much for a Hyundai though) and the Mazda CX-60, although I’ll wait to see if that’s still on the list in Q2 before making a trip as there isn’t a Mazda dealer anywhere near us. My wife has a prejudice against all French cars (?) and isn’t at all keen on a Skoda, even though I think they make some excellent cars now. The new Kuga won’t be any good as the Vignale is discontinued and you can’t get leather trim on the ST-Line X (she needs leather or faux leather to slide around on the seat). The new VW Tiguan still doesn’t have leather unless you pay over £2k which is outrageous (no faux leather option).
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Excellent write up!
Most detailed reviews Ive seen siggest the iX1 is, its BMW enough in a similar way the Q4 Etron is Audi enough but not quite up to their usuall standards, with more scratchy plastics than there would otherwise be. They also suggest the steering is not upto BMW standards and rather noisy ride for an EV, which as been put down to tyre choice.
BMW’s decision to remove the idrive wheel, they are so famous for will surely come back a haunt them!
The issue now, is where do you go frome here!
BMW’s decision to remove the idrive wheel, they are so famous for will surely come back to haunt them! The issue now, is where do you go frome here!
I could tell from the reaction, when I gave feedback on returning the car, that they have heard this feedback from a lot of people!
Where do we go next? I want to test drive the Hyundai Tucson PHEV. It will be a pre-facelift model, but should give me a good idea on whether it could be an option or not. Most importantly, would I be happy giving up our current X1 for it?
My wife (who is the benefit holder) would like us to keep our current petrol X1 for as long as possible, on the basis that there’s nothing currently on the scheme that comes close to it, in terms of what we want out of a car. I’m not keen on lease extensions, but my options are fast disappearing. It has to be an SUV that has a big enough boot for the wheelchair, but isn’t too high for her to get into. It also has to be something that we’d be happy shelling out £12k plus AP for which, in all honesty rules out a number of brands!
Hi,
Many thanks for the excellent write up. Although our temporary rental property already has a driveway and charging sockets, we do not want an EV. I have a late onset congenital muscular atrophy/ motor neurone condition and cables are not on my menu. The Allspace is perfect, now into lease extension. The Life version is still available, but the facelift replaced the excellent climate controls with ghastly unlit sliders. IMHO, they are dangerous. Less so, haptic feedback steering wheel buttons. VAG and bmw spend billions developing cars, yet as you describe, retrograde interface designs are passed which in VWs case, has cost them dearly and the head of engineering development sacked. The new Tiguan has reverted to proper buttons, but sadly sliders retained. At least they are now in a more prominent location and backlit. The new Superb and Kodiaq have much better smart knobs. Pleased to see that the revised Tuscan has followed this path. I’m reminded of 3D and curved screen TVs. Who asked for gimmicks and the market decided their fate. I look forward to your review of the Tucson.
yesterday, the excellent Kwikfit Mobile man changed my front tires for some airstop Bridgestones. 22500 miles the best I have ever achieved in a FWD car. Original fit Hankooks ? Have been quiet, good ride, grippy and don’t lose pressure. 38 psi. 235/50 19s. Much better than unrefined run flats on my brothers BMW. He said tyre wear was dramatically worse on super heavy EVs. A pollutant that is rarely discussed by the evangelists.
I converted onto the 747 400 35 years ago from a dial festooned type with 950 dials and switches partly replaced by screens and set and forget smart switches. Still 300+ of them. Boeing’s development pilots and engineers ensured that interfaces were operable in turbulence, high g etc. and did not utilise touch screens. Called the “quiet, dark cockpit” it quite rightly focused on minimum distraction, which has been a recent failure of the motor industry. They are beginning to wake up to the folly of multi level menu distraction, but change will be slow. A stab in the dark equals dead in a ditch.
@clappedout I’m glad that you found the review interesting. Hopefully the Tucson test drive won’t be too long away, as I’d like to compare the two cars relatively close to each other.
I’ve also noticed that VW and Hyundai are starting to revert to dials and buttons following customer feedback (and the slating that motoring journalists rightly give touch-screen only infotainment and haptic controls). Let’s hope that others follow, but changes can only be made for new model cycles. I don’t mind digital dashboards, but they bring their own issues. I had a Mercedes GLB for a week a few years back and the entire dashboard failed to illuminate on 3 occasions. As a result, I had absolutely no idea how fast I was going. It was downright dangerous.
The new Tiguan could be an option for us (if it comes to the scheme) but VW are persisting with one major problem that could rule it out for us – the lack of leather (or even faux leather) as standard on even the top end cars. It’s always an optional extra, bundled with electric drivers seat and memory (which I don’t need as nobody else drives the car but me) and costs over £2k. Outrageous. Alcantara / velour seat centres, whilst all the rage, are a ‘no’ for us as my wife needs a slippery surface due to how she gets in and out of the car. The iX1 yesterday had the alcantara seat centres and it made it very difficult for her
I lifted out the charging cable yesterday and they are indeed quite heavy and unwieldy. I’m able bodied so could cope easily with it, but it crossed my mind that people with certain disabilities might struggle. As for tyres, our current X1 has done 26,000 miles and 3 of the tyres are originals and still have plenty of tread left. I had to have one changed due to a puncture and really wished that I’d had run flats, as I was in the middle of nowhere and it caused me major issues. I’ve had quite a few BMWs with run flats over the years and loved them. I never noticed any issue with ride quality or road noise, and you could carry on as normal when you had a puncture and get it fixed at your leisure. They would be a godsend for disabled drivers, but sadly seem to be disappearing, primarily because motoring journalists had a thing about them and always criticised them. Another example of things going the wrong way IMHO.
After keeping up with your endeavour of finding your next vehicle and reading the comprehensive review of the test drive I still maintain buying a 6 month old approved used X1 would be the best scenario for your situation, being able to remain on the scheme at the detriment of multiple factors just doesn’t make sense at all!
I’ve been off the scheme for 2 1/2 years now and whilst I have had to keep up with the maintenance of my car myself I am enjoying driving more as I have been able to make adaptions/modifications to my car that are a benefit to me that are not allowed on the scheme.
After paying for the car I now use the PIP to save for things I wouldn’t have otherwise considered getting as running a car privately is considerably cheaper in the long run and I’m now looking to swap again after 2 years with the current car I’ll be looking to just get a newer version and the cost to swap is nowhere near 3 years lease + AP!
Can I just ask, do PHEVs have the same degree of regenerative braking that EVs do? I presume that they do. Assuming that they do, can this be adjusted? I’m beginning to wonder if some of the things that I didn’t like about the EV driving experience may also be present in PHEVs as well ?
While not exactly certain of the specific levels the Hyundai has a system that regens when letting off throttle in gear and when lightly pressing the brake pedal (the brakes aren’t applied until the pedal is pressed down more).
I will ask my friend I’m seeing tonight what it’s like and see if I can blag a short ride to see ?
I would be surprised if there was none available. I’d also expect either a distinct option (B mode) or some form of level settings. I’d also expect most hybrids to have some permanently activated, although much milder than for the bigger batteries.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
While not exactly certain of the specific levels the Hyundai has a system that regens when letting off throttle in gear and when lightly pressing the brake pedal (the brakes aren’t applied until the pedal is pressed down more). I will ask my friend I’m seeing tonight what it’s like and see if I can blag a short ride to see ?
That would be great. Many thanks. I could still feel the iX1 braking when lifting off the throttle even in the ‘low’ setting. I would be interested to know if you can drive with no regenerative braking at all and, if so, which modes is that possible in?
Deceleration/Downhill.
The regenerative braking system charges the battery by using the electric motor to slow the car. When decelerating or driving downhill, the energy generated is stored in the battery.Regenerative Braking.
When decelerating (e.g. through braking or when driving downhill) the electric motor operates as a generator and regenerates kinetic energy into electric energy, which is then stored in the battery and used to power the electric motor.coasting setting (available in eco mode)
Affects how the vehicle behaves when you release the accelerator pedal.
Its not as severe as a BEV as the battery is much smaller!
There is also a Recharge mode, that allows the engine to charge the battery whilst on the move however, this is inefficient way of charging the battery. On longer journeys Hybrid mode is best.
Thanks @kezo What I didn’t like about the regenerative braking was that it did it even on a flat road, even on the lowest setting. Would a PHEV still do that on flat roads, or would it just coast like a petrol car?
Can I just ask, do PHEVs have the same degree of regenerative braking that EVs do? I presume that they do. Assuming that they do, can this be adjusted? I’m beginning to wonder if some of the things that I didn’t like about the EV driving experience may also be present in PHEVs as well ?
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV had 6 different setting which can be set using the paddles, D2 being the default mode D zero no regeneration, I tended to use D5 maximum regeneration it gave the maximum range in the summer and giving virtually one pedal operation.
Suzuki Across PHEV not paddle adjustment, in ECO/Standard mode similar the the Outlander D2 mode, however I prefer Sports mode it gives similar D5 regenaration to the Outlander, both PHEV have drive by wire throttle so it just throttle position.
There is a technic to driving a PHEV efficiently which you will quickly master.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
@Glos_Guy please don’t take this as a dig.
Driving with Regen is a new skill. Once learnt it’s a part of driving that’s as second nature as changing your speed of acceleration. Currently the accelerator is a pedal which just adjusts the speed of going quicker. If you change that thought process you get this:
There’s a point where pressing the accelerator is a neutral place, not accelerating nor decelerating. That’s where you coast. Above that, regen kicks in and you slow down (how quickly depends upon degree of regen selected) below that you gain speed. From stop pressing the accelerator a little harder than you currently would gives you a ‘normal’ acceleration. Once going you can hold the pedal for a constant speed, lift it slightly to slow and a little more to coast. Lift it further and you slow quicker and (depending upon level selected) lifting your foot entirely is like braking. To brake harder you can then use the brake pedal.
As I have said before, it’s a different way of driving that takes some getting used to but, once you’re there, it’s an easier way of driving.
From outside the car I’m driving perfectly normally, I can slow for corners, coast up to junctions and decelerate with the traffic, it’s just that I’ve not touched the brake pedal in doing so.
Again, I’m not trying to offend, nor teach granny any egg sucking. I’m just hope that this helps someone get their head around the difference.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
My EV6 AWD has 5 settings from fully off, 1, 2, 3 and full re gen for one pedal driving. Use that around town and use 2 or 3 when on open roads depending on traffic. Controls are paddles so it is easy to switch on the move. I switch off lane assist, cannot trust it not to drive the car onto the verge/pavement. Fine on Motorways though.
2024 - KIA EV6 GT Line AWD
2019 - 2024 BMW X1 2.0d X Drive Sport Auto
2017 -2019 Audi Q3 2.0d Quattro Sport Line Plus
2005 - 2017 Honda CRV Exec 2.0dThanks @kezo What I didn’t like about the regenerative braking was that it did it even on a flat road, even on the lowest setting. Would a PHEV still do that on flat roads, or would it just coast like a petrol car?
By nature of all Hybrids, regenerative brake generates energy when the vehicle decelerates! Coasting mode can be turned on or off in the settings on the Tucson. From memory my short test drive of the Tucson and CX-60 is they coasted similar to a petrol but, I did not mess with any settings.
@johntheleg I belive has the Tucson PHEV and would be best suited to answer in more detail on the severity of regen whils’t coasting.@Glos_Guy please don’t take this as a dig. Driving with Regen is a new skill. Once learnt it’s a part of driving that’s as second nature as changing your speed of acceleration. Currently the accelerator is a pedal which just adjusts the speed of going quicker. If you change that thought process you get this: There’s a point where pressing the accelerator is a neutral place, not accelerating nor decelerating. That’s where you coast. Above that, regen kicks in and you slow down (how quickly depends upon degree of regen selected) below that you gain speed. From stop pressing the accelerator a little harder than you currently would gives you a ‘normal’ acceleration. Once going you can hold the pedal for a constant speed, lift it slightly to slow and a little more to coast. Lift it further and you slow quicker and (depending upon level selected) lifting your foot entirely is like braking. To brake harder you can then use the brake pedal. As I have said before, it’s a different way of driving that takes some getting used to but, once you’re there, it’s an easier way of driving. From outside the car I’m driving perfectly normally, I can slow for corners, coast up to junctions and decelerate with the traffic, it’s just that I’ve not touched the brake pedal in doing so. Again, I’m not trying to offend, nor teach granny any egg sucking. I’m just hope that this helps someone get their head around the difference.
Changing from a diesel Ford Kuga diesel power shift to a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV took some getting used to the Outlander was incredibly quiet and smooth in electric, however I was starting to have some reservation, I was comparing driving the Kuga to the Outlander, it took a little while to get the best out of the Outlander,(I would never go back once I mastered the PHEV).
After we had the Outlander for a few week they lifted the lockdown, we hitched up the caravan and towed down to the New Forest 178 miles, towing we averaged 26mpg, later on in the year September we again towed back down to the New Forest 178 miles, but this time we achieved 32mpg, from then on we would regularly see around the 32mpg mark towing.(we run in petrol/hybrid mode)
We are now on our second PHEV a Suzuki Across the hybrid powertrain system is much more advanced than the outdated Outlander hybrid powertrain we are seeing nearer the 40mpg towing.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.
Nice colour!
shame about the wheels though, which look weird as if there is a silver cap on the end of the spokes. They also highlight more, the wheels not being aligned or perpendicular to each other!
Nice colour! shame about the wheels though, which look weird as if there is a silver cap on the end of the spokes. They also highlight more, the wheels not being aligned or perpendicular to each other!
They are the 19” alloys that come with the M-Sport Pro pack, complete with red brake callipers but, on this car, they were added as a stand alone option. We thought that they looked OK, but I quite like the standard M-Sport 18” alloys. If you don’t like those, spare yourself from looking at the wheels that adorn the XLine models. The standard ones have to be the ugliest wheels ever to have adorned a BMW and even the ones that you can choose as upgrades aren’t particularly attractive ?
I rest my case ?
Wow, just wow!!!!!! (and not in a good way!)
There may be something mentally unstable about me {no sarcasism needed} but, I can’t stand when wheel desisgn throws in your face, they aren’t aligned with each other!
From memory the normal M Sport wheels do a better job at disguising this.
Got to hand it to BMW though, with those aerodynamic range extender wheels on the X Line?
@kezo I’ve had my local electrician around today. Long story, but it started with my main incoming 60 amp fuse blowing at 10.30pm last night and Western Power Distribution arriving at midnight last night to restore power (they replaced it with a new 80 amp fuse).
Electrician was here for 3 hours this morning trying to find what’s been causing the problems (lost power 3 times in 2 days). Still not resolved after comprehensive tests, but whilst he was here I went through the 4 questions that you’d suggested I ask to assess how big a job an EV charger installation would be. Answers are follows;
1. Are the two consumer units supplied from a split cable from one set of incoming tails? Answer – Yes.
2. Does the consumer unit in the extension have 25mm2 tails supplying it? Answer – No. To achieve this would be a major job and both disruptive and costly.
3. Is the garage supply coming via an MCB from one of the consumer units? Answer – Yes, from the smaller one in the extension
4. Is the garage electrical supply 10mm2 cable (or even 6mm2)? – We didn’t get to the final question as tbh the discussion around point 2 has put me off the idea!
So, in summary, with the Heath Robinson nature of my electrical setup I don’t think it would be wise (or cost effective) to go down that route, especially as we would be getting an EV purely because of Motability forcing the issue, rather than because we actually want one (which, in truth, we don’t). I think it’s going to have to be a PHEV, charged from a normal socket in the garage, or another petrol car.
As I’ve managed to get Motability to agree to a 2 year extension (even though we don’t meet the new criteria for them), and we are very happy with our current petrol BMW X1, I’m going to bide my time and see what, if anything, comes onto the scheme. Still waiting for a test drive on the Hyundai Tucson PHEV, but now that the pressure is off I might wait to test drive a facelift one anyway, as the power and torque is down on the pre-facelift model.
Hi GG
Did you have thunder and lightning yesterday evening?
A surge caused by lightning or a supply surge could blow your main fuse. If you have been loosing power to the whole house over the past 2 to 3 days, its likely a surge, thats caused the main fuse to blow when power has been restored. This sometimes happens during frequent or regular powecuts over a few days.
Its unlikely to be your wiring as it would need to be one hell of a dead short which you electrian would have picked up on hopefully.
There is also the possibility your main fuse is many years old and could have deteriorated over time, which causes elements to fatigue over time and reduce the current capacity, especially if you have had quite a few powercuts over the years.
I dare bet you will be ok now.
The best and safes’t way to have a charger, is what I have gone over before and coming from the meter box in the porch but, I won’t go into it, as its a non starter.
Chuffed you got 2yr extension. As you say this will give you the breathing space you need without worrying.
As for the Tucson, I would wait for the new model to arrive before test driving. I think if you test drive the current model, you will be too focused and put off by the interior, which won’t be fair game when the new one arrives.
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