BMW to release 13 front wheel cars????

[Rav335uk]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/03/rumo ... es-by-201/

[B7]

The end is Nigh!

[Cloud]

Just made this video, because I have nothing better to do. Contains swearing, and Hitler.

Hitler's reaction to the FWD 1 Series.

[Rav335uk]

Cloud, vid link not working

[MrBenn]

Just made this video, because I have nothing better to do. Contains swearing, and Hitler.

Good effort! Made me chuckle

[Cloud]

[youtube][/youtube]

It'll be interesting to see just how "cheap" BMW go with this though. Audi make FWD cars and they havent lost their prestige or "cock factor" at all, because the cars they make are well-built and quite expensive. But the likes of Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Séat, etcetera, all have a fun factor to them, something inexpensive and sporty that appeals to the younger generation. But not for serious drivers. I wonder whether BMW will eventually go down that route, or stick to the Audi way of doing things.

[harry_p]

99% of people have no idea what wheels are driven on their bmw anyway so it'll make no difference what so ever to the brand.

it will be a sad day for enthusiasts though, i just hope they keep rwd on their quicker models.

[Andyboy]

Audi have always made FWD cars - they've not made a rear drive one, and they brought 4WD to the masses.
FWD only makes sense in very small cars.

RWD is BMW's trump card and part of the image they've created over the last 20-30 years. Mercedes successfully eased a few front drivers in, but only the sad economy shitters like the A/B class. But they make vans as well and the MB image (hardly sporty) can withstand a couple of tuggers in the range.

[e30-EVN]

Not a good move as far as enthusiasts are concerned, rwd is one of the key factors that make a bmw car imo.

[Kos]

Not a good move as far as enthusiasts are concerned, rwd is one of the key factors that make a bmw car imo.

do you think there are many enthusiasts quing up to buy these cars ?

no, but a few hundered 1000 regular people who just care about the badge and brand will be willing to put money in BMW pockets.

if bmw built cars just for enthusiasts they wouldnt be making much money.

bmw has to do what right for the market.

[Royalratch]

BMW's image is Sporty Prestige. The sporty bit comes from RWD. When the media get hold of a load of FWD that don't cut the mustard it all starts to trickle down to the Top Gear watchers and CAR readers and before you know it, housewives will be telling you that BMWs aren't made that well anymore - that's literally how it works.

The Mini is a great drive and FWD but it made a loss for ages as it was super over-engineered and expensive to make. BMW knew this and took the hit anyway as long-term they needed the Mini to be awesome - and it paid off as they know have another solid brand and range of product to rinse the masses.

The question is how far they'll take it. I have heard from people in the industry that BMW's internal mission statement is to lead EVERY class they enter. They have the compact and mid-sized saloon stitched up (3 & 5) and arguably the SUV sector too. The 1 is a better drive than the A3/Golf but a piece of shit in quality terms compared to the latter, as is the X3.

The X1, X7, 5GT and X6 are just spat out on a whim because the parent chassis designs can accept a myriad of body panels and subframe assemblies and hey presto - you have a whole new model/category for minimal development cost.

The 7 probably is the best drive in it's class and at least as well built but Mercedes rule with the S-Class no matter how they screw it up.

[e30-EVN]

Yeah I suppose u have a good point there kos, its about mass market. But every man and his dog will have a bmw

[Royalratch]

Yeah I suppose u have a good point there kos, its about mass market. But every man and his dog will have a bmw

Nah - the prices will see to that.

[Andyboy]

The 1 is a better drive than the A3/Golf but a piece of shit in quality terms compared to the latter, as is the X3.


...........................

The 7 probably is the best drive in it's class and at least as well built but Mercedes rule with the S-Class no matter how they screw it up.

The 1 Series is not bad at all quality wise. They certainly stand up to abuse and they're no more or less reliable than anything else these days. Like Golfs, Toyotas, Fords etc they have issues with electronics, turbos etc. Ditto the X3 which has proven remarkably reliable with late ones being very well turned out.

The biggest up and coming threat to BMW is Jaguar. The XF is an astoundingly good car and the F10 is as good, but not better. Given a choice between the two, I'm not sure which I'd choose. They have sold extremely well, and the new XJ is reckoned to be very good too - it's a remarkable looking thing with huge road presence.
If the up and coming 'X Type' is as good as the XF - and there's no reason why it won't be - the 3 Series and the A4 will both be getting a black eye because the market is ready for something new.

[Cloud]

My sister drives a 1 Series Toyota Yaris. She bought a 118 Sport, and has to drive a Yaris courtesy car a lot because the BMW is always going in for repairs.

[Royalratch]

The 1 is a better drive than the A3/Golf but a piece of shit in quality terms compared to the latter, as is the X3.


...........................

The 7 probably is the best drive in it's class and at least as well built but Mercedes rule with the S-Class no matter how they screw it up.

The 1 Series is not bad at all quality wise. They certainly stand up to abuse and they're no more or less reliable than anything else these days. Like Golfs, Toyotas, Fords etc they have issues with electronics, turbos etc. Ditto the X3 which has proven remarkably reliable with late ones being very well turned out.

The biggest up and coming threat to BMW is Jaguar. The XF is an astoundingly good car and the F10 is as good, but not better. Given a choice between the two, I'm not sure which I'd choose. They have sold extremely well, and the new XJ is reckoned to be very good too - it's a remarkable looking thing with huge road presence.
If the up and coming 'X Type' is as good as the XF - and there's no reason why it won't be - the 3 Series and the A4 will both be getting a black eye because the market is ready for something new.

The Jag is awesome and no BMW in the range at the mo would keep me off it.

Andyboy, I had an X3 for a week whilst Snowboarding and it really was a horrid piece of shit. Interior was really crap, control all overly light with zero steering feel and sound deadening / sheet metal was was Peugeot thin. Vile car - and I'm a BM fan.

[Alex]

[youtube][/youtube]

It'll be interesting to see just how "cheap" BMW go with this though. Audi make FWD cars and they havent lost their prestige or "c**k factor" at all, because the cars they make are well-built and quite expensive. But the likes of Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Séat, etcetera, all have a fun factor to them, something inexpensive and sporty that appeals to the younger generation. But not for serious drivers. I wonder whether BMW will eventually go down that route, or stick to the Audi way of doing things.

[Blitz]

BMW's are so common these days, and most people who buy them dont care if its RWD. Its all about the image.

Notice you you mostly see the current BMW's with a M sport package and massive wheels sporting a 2.0d engine.

[Kos]

. I have heard from people in the industry that BMW's internal mission statement is to lead EVERY class they enter.

i'd say they'll do it and that's the agenda of any manufacturer.

[Alex]

BMW's are so common these days, and most people who buy them dont care if its RWD. Its all about the image.

Notice you you mostly see the current BMW's with a M sport package and massive wheels sporting a 2.0d engine.

its because people want to pay cheap tax and with currect fuel prices people buy the 318d and 320d. Iam supprised they dont introduce a 323d with the 1er 123d engine

[suchy]

Cloud I applaud you, for yet another funny Hitler

[chazmcdonald]

cloud that was quality mate lol

[Blitz]

BMW's are so common these days, and most people who buy them dont care if its RWD. Its all about the image.

Notice you you mostly see the current BMW's with a M sport package and massive wheels sporting a 2.0d engine.

its because people want to pay cheap tax and with currect fuel prices people buy the 318d and 320d. Iam supprised they dont introduce a 323d with the 1er 123d engine

Its because of Alpina.

[AlpineAde]

Funny stuff, Cloud!

[Jim320i]

Well, atleast it will mean people will say... 'They dont make em like they use to' to use more often when we're polishing them outside in the summer. And i'm sure we can ad it into our ads when selling as a selling point...

RWD, not like the new bmw rubbish...

[e30-EVN]

Lol, so very true

I already think they don't make em like they used to anyway so bring on the next faze of trash on wheels