I have a 2016 BMW X1 xdrive 28i with ~36k miles (that's not a typo) that shudders (shakes? vibrates?) when I release my foot from the break pedal from a stop (e.g. stop sign, stop light). It starts fine and runs fine with no other issues. There are no fault codes on the scan tool. The BWM repair shop replaced the spark plugs in an attempt to address this issue and things were good for less than a month before the shudder came back. I bought the car used to get out of my death trap 2019 Mazda 3 (that car's safety features would slam on the breaks due to the shadows of oncoming cars) and I needed something to get me across the country safely with my 2 large dogs when I moved from MN to NV in 2021. I never imagined owning a BMW but here I am. I work from home and do not drive much. I've put ~5k miles on the car since I've owned it. Thanks in advance for your insight.
things were good for less than a month before the shudder came back.
Start with inspecting the spark plugs.
Check the large vacuum line that runs from the intake manifold to the brake booster for cracks and leaks.
shudders (shakes? vibrates?) when I release my foot from the break pedal from a stop
Just making sure, is the Stop-Start system off? if it's stopping and starting the engine that's normal.
good for less than a month before the shudder came back
What was the condition of the spark plugs? are they dirty fouled again?
If the sparks were fouled and now they're fouled again, something's wrong with the engine.
death trap 2019 Mazda 3 (that car's safety features would slam on the breaks due to the shadows of oncoming cars) and I needed something to get me across the country safely
That's insane. I have ADAS systems on two of my cars - and never have I ever had any thing like that.
Anyhow the X1 isn't a particularly safe choice as it has a 90% EuroNCAP score, that's significantly WORSE than a Corolla.
Quite honestly? consider selling it and buying a Corolla or Camry - these X1 are junk. I know crappy sites talk about how great it is but those that aren't all fake admit it's a horrid car - "the X1 itself was (ranked) 74th out of 75 cars".
Thanks Dan. I will look into the "stop/start" function and see if I can figure out where that is at. A Corolla or Camry isn't going to be big enough for my dogs (3 labs) but I am completely open to suggestion on an alternative vehicle. One of my dogs is 3 legged and half blind so getting in/out of a vehicle (height) is an important consideration right now as he's not going to do a ramp. But he's also 10 years old so we're at the last chapter of his story of life.
All the spark plugs were replaced in May before I drove to my cousin's wedding in California. Things were "good" for a bit but the symptom came back in less than 1 month. I also noticed the symptom (shudder) does NOT happen if the A/C is "on" in the car.
Thanks Dan. I will look into the "stop/start" function and see if I can figure out where that is at
near the start button there's an option to disable the auto stop-start.
If you stop and the tachometer goes into "READY"/0/"OFF", the engine has stopped and it may jerk when you take off.
I'm unsure if the X1 does that, but a lot of BMWs do and their system is really unrefined.
A Corolla or Camry isn't going to be big enough for my dogs (3 labs) but I am completely open to suggestion on an alternative vehicle
A Camry is ~17.5 inches longer, a tiny bit wider, and only a bit lower.
As far as alternative, the Toyota CH-R is an excellent car - probably the best non-Hybrid smaller Toyota in production.
Also, depending on your budget, the new Corolla Cross is a bit larger than the X1 in all dimensions and it's awesome.
(The CH-R has a slightly better powertrain, the new Corolla Cross has a bigger, cooler and better exterior and interior)
Alternatively the RAV4, Highlander hybrid, and if you're looking for a premium car, Lexus makes great ones.