Buying a used car is very challenging as you don’t know what to expect. It is even more challenging if you buy high-maintenance cars like the BMW. So, before you invest in a used car, find out its history and carry out a serious inspection. That aside, what are some of the common problems with the BMW X1?
BMW X1 is a sleek, compact, practical, luxurious, and high-performance car. But like most BMWs, this car also has some common issues that interested buyers should know about. Some of these problems are premature brake pad wear, door handle issues, oil leak, timing chain problems, and much more.
What are the common problems of the BMW X1?
1# Oil leak issues
An oil leak is a common problem on all BMWs, including the BMW X1. The main cause of the oil leak on the BMW X1 is a worn-out valve cover gasket. On BMWs, the valve cover gasket should be replaced after 60,000 miles.
2# Premature brake pad wear
BMW recommends changing rear brake pads every 30,000 miles. Note that the rear brake pads on the BMW X1 are softer than the front brake pads, and that’s why they wear out faster. So, this is something that you should always look out for.
3# Timing chain problems
This issue is common on the 2012 BMW X1. Some of the things that affect the performance of the timing chain are the wrong oil and a bad tensioner. Nonetheless, BMW recommends changing the timing chain after 90,000 miles.
4# Shift knob defect causing a transmission error
The shift knob is one of the most overlooked parts of the car. Nevertheless, if the gear is changed vigorously, it can cause harm to the bushing at the bottom, which may lead to slackness in the gear shift. Besides, this can lead to a faulty solenoid on the shift stick that may cause transmission error.
5# Suspension problems
BMW X1 suspension problems. Another common problem of the BMW X1 is suspension issues. This can be caused by a number of things and they include front lower arm control failure, bad front strut bump stop, front strut top mount failure, and front suspension drop in height.
It can be expensive to fix a BMW X1 suspension: There are many parts to a car suspension. It can take up to an entire day to fix a car suspension. However, it is possible to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 to do the job. It all depends on what is damaged and which parts you need.
BMW X1 clunking noise could be because of suspension issues.
6# Lower control arm bushings issue
Since the lower control arm bushings are connected to the suspension, it is easier to see why it is a common problem on the BMW X1. But in most cases, BMW recommends changing this part after 90,000 miles. Nonetheless, those who drive on poor roads may have to change the part much faster.
7# Excessive wind noise from rear door window
This is another common issue on almost all BMWs. So, the X1 is not an exception. The main reason behind this is because of the door or window seals wear out faster. So, you should replace them more often.
8# Smelling A/C during summer
Unfortunately, this is a common problem on all BMWs. It is a result of bad design; hence, water or moisture that enters the car’s HVAC system does not dry completely. So, during summer or in warm temperature regions like California, the A/C will be smelly when it is turned on.
9# Door handle problems
Most BMWs have door handle issues. As the car gets older, the door lock system usually starts to develop problems and may even fail to work. Some of the main reasons include a faulty door lock system, faulty door lock actuator, bad wiring, or blown fuses.
10# Cramped front passenger seat
The BMW X1 may be practical, but it is not very spacious. As a result, tall people may find it uncomfortable to seat in the front row seats. This is because the place is cramped and not comfortable enough.
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FAQ
What car is more fuel-efficient – BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA?
BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA are cars of the same class. Besides, they have similar performance and are luxurious with high-tech features. Nevertheless, when it comes to fuel consumption, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is more fuel-efficient than the BMW X1. This is because it has a better EPA rating.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA comes with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and a combined 28 mpg. On the other hand, the BMW X1 comes with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and a combined 26 mpg.
What is the high mileage for BMW 1X?
If you intend to purchase a used BMW X1, the number of mileages covered is very crucial. This is because you can tell whether the car will have many issues to deal with or not. A BMW X1 with over 150,000 miles is considered to have high mileage. At this stage, the car may start to develop really serious problems.
What car is cheaper to maintain – BMW X1 or Volvo XC40?
Both cars are cheaper to maintain compared to their counterparts, but the Volvo XC40 is much cheaper to maintain than the BMW X1. This is because the Volvo XC40 is more reliable than the BMW X1 and its spare parts are also cheaper. Further, the cost of service for the Volvo XC40 is also cheaper than the BMW X1.
How fast is the BMW X1?
The BMW X1 may be a nice family car with a lower maintenance cost, but this car is not very fast. It has a top speed of up to 144 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 6.3 seconds. Note that the BMW X1 xDrive28i is faster than the sDrive28i. The latter can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 6.6 seconds, which is quite slower.
After how many miles does the BMW X1 start to develop problems?
The BMW X1 is a reliable and durable car that will last over 150,000 miles. However, like most BMWs, this car starts to develop serious issues between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. Nonetheless, if you maintain your car properly and adhere to scheduled service maintenance, you may not experience most of these issues.
Final thoughts
BMW X1 is a subcompact and luxurious SUV with exceptional features and performance, but it also has some common issues that interested buyers should know about. Some of these include Premature brake pad wear, suspension issues, oil leak, timing chain problems, door handle issues, shift knob defect, and much more.
The good thing is that most of these issues can be handled by the BMW service center or certified BMW technicians. Nonetheless, with proper care and maintenance, most of these issues can be avoided.
