The E84 X1 Deserves More Recognition!

By now, if you've been following me, you know that I have a soft-spot for unique, quirky, under-appreciated things. To me, the first generation X1 perfectly fits into this criteria. A model you see all the time, but seldom remember or think twice about. I too used to be this naive and it wasn’t until I saw how much owners appreciated them that I began to come around to their way of thinking.

The E84 was the baby of the fleet when it debuted in 2009, sitting underneath its bigger siblings the E83 X3, E70 X5, and E71 X6. There was no mistake for it being the baby: fuel prices were soaring and BMW needed an SUV that was more fuel efficient. As a result, the E84 was developed in record time in only 2 years from 2006 to 2008 before being released in 2009. This shortened timeframe was about quicker by about 40% compared to BMW’s standards. And yet, what they were able to concoct was nothing short of spectacular!

What we got was essentially an E91 (3-series touring) with extra ground clearance, a 3-series touring all-road per se. That’s right, the E84 shares its underpinnings with the E91. They have the same 108.7” wheelbase, both could be configured with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and both share the same wagon-y/hatch-y aesthetic. But, something about the X1 just makes it feel a little more special.

Let’s start with the design. As I mentioned, the E84 is essentially an elevated wagon with a bit of a bloating problem. This led to some controversial styling, and I remember when it was released just how appalling it was. I was an adamant X1 hater. The awkward rear hatch and larger (at the time) kidneys turned off a lot of people. The interior didn’t help either. Without the technology package, the dash had this awkward storage compartment with a sliding cover right smack in the middle. It also only came with one cupholder that was shielded by the arm rest, so you had to choose between arm comfort or being poked by a straw. To alleviate this you could install a second one that oddly protruded off the side and into your passengers knee (think E82 1-series). Despite all this, these styling quirks gave it such a charm and plenty of character that they could easily be overlooked.

Next, and my favorite, the engine options. For comparison sake, the E91 was blessed to receive the glorious N52. Whether in 325i or 328i guise the N52 was the only engine you could get in the extended 3-series. If you wanted something a little more powerful, you would unfortunately have to sacrifice the wagon body style and go for either the coupe/sedan/convertible counterparts instead. The E84 on the other hand, didn’t suffer from this dilemma. You could either have it with an N20, a turbo four cylinder replacing the N52 (you can be the judge on which is actually better), OR the turbo six cylinder, N55. Yes! The 300 horsepower N55 found in the 335i is also found here. Why BMW decided to give the E84 this option but not the E91 I will never understand, but this makes the E84 such a sleeper. The smallest SUV of the fleet with the heart of a sports car is unjustified but surely not unwanted!

What also made the E84 great was the equipment offered on it. Since it was built on the E91 chassis, it borrowed its multilink rear suspension, hydraulic steering system and various drivetrain options. The E84 handled like a dream due to how “old-fashioned” it was. It was responsive, dynamic, and enthusiastic. Tight where it should be without sacrificing any of its BMW character despite the bigger size. It was offered until 2015, making it one of the last hold outs for hydraulic steering and the only X1 since to offer rear-wheel drive.

Lastly, I wanted to touch on the price. When the E84 was released it was the cheapest model in the BMW lineup. This made it the most accessible BMW yet. In 2013, the N20 version could be had for ~$33k while the N55 could be had for ~$39k. While some would argue that this dilutes the brand, I could easily counter and say it brought in a whole new wave of enthusiasts. This is shown frequently on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. People have discovered these little pocket wagons and whole communities have been built around them. Tuning, modding, tracking and even E84 meet-ups exist. And the barrier to entry remains low, with both versions readily available for under ~$10k.

Many considered the first generation X1 the antithesis for what a BMW should be. Another big, bumbling, ugly SAV that only exists to increase sales. I would argue it’s more BMW than some of the vehicles out there today. Sure the styling isn’t for everyone, but with the M-sport package equipped it looks rather aggressive and sporty. Pair that with the N55 and you have an AWD, straight-six, muscular, practical wagon. Classic BMW. If you opted for the N20 instead of the N55, you could even have it in rear-wheel drive (not an option on the N55 version sadly, but still). When all is said and done, the E84 offers much more than initially meets the eye. I firmly believe this little car deserves some love and appreciation for all its put up with through the years, and all it continues to offer.

The E84 X1 Deserves More Recognition!

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