Automatic or stick shift ?

[Kingy]

The X1 is just a one series though - so essentially a very small entry level (compact) car. BMWs are ALWAYS poverty spec aswell. You buy upgrade packs when you order a new one and they just won't have been there in a rental (each pack is a few grand) so it will have been very basic. Probably an SE model too rather than Sport? (If so less bhp, softer suspension and designed for comfort and economy in preference to speed).
If you wanted boot space you needed to be X3 (medium size) or X5 (full size). If you wanted more power/revs you needed manual 2 litre or Auto 3 litre (which is a rocket ship).

Bear in mind too that the 'X' element is not 4wd. It is simply an electronic transfer box that powers one wheel that is struggling. It does work well with the right tyre choice (Scorpion ST's or winter tyres) but if called on is next door to useless with 'road' tyres.

My Merc was an auto. (Just got rid of it). C220 Sport. That was a 7 speed box with two modes. (One for economy and one for sport - two different maps). If you left it in economy it was leisurely GT Tourer style. Set off in second gear and change gear sooner.
In sport it set off in first and held revs much longer.
I never had an issue with the auto box and was very impressed. It was a quick car. It also had 'manual' shift with paddles (gimmicky) and steptronic. (Push lever to side to change up/down gear). Best of both worlds really.
But, chuck in the stop/start and auto brake (depress brake pedal hard and brake is on like handbrake until you input again) and just jumping in and driving is not that easy. You need a couple of weeks to adjust to how the auto box works combined with start stop etc.
Once you get your head around it I don't think you would go back to a manual. It's a learning curve though and very easy to be put off if you don't have time to learn how to drive one properly.