[Jason]

Originally Posted by vladberca

2 series will have RWD, as Scott said: Coupe, Cabrio, GC, etc.
1 series wil be FWD. I'm curious who's on target for these models? Only new BMW customers?
I don't think we'll see many actual BMW customers to make the switch to a FWD car as they already like a RWD BMW.

Please read the article again. Yes, the upcoming first gen 2 series will have RWD. But we further consider the second gen 2 series having FWD and the reasoning for it.

[MRV99]

This is no different than all the people in the US who have brain washed in to thinking that that if they don't have AWD and it snows that they will be stranded or stuck on the side of the road in a 1/2 inch snow drift.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by late apex

Because they're competing with everyone else. If Mercedes and Audi are offering little FWD cars, BMW probably doesn't feel like they can win over enough customers with a RWD model. So they'll offer FWD & AWD as well. As enthusiast we want RWD, but it's the masses that companies make the majority of their money from. The FWD cars that Mercedes and Audi make aren't for enthusiast either so this is BMW positioning themselves to compete for overall sales. Hopefully BMW has plans in place for some new RWD cars to please enthusiast.

Yeah, maybe... But behind the decision is the greed, nothing else.

This company should stick to what they said in the past not be hypocritic. I guess that they don't have the pride to say "This is who we are, an exquisite company that build cars for enthusiasts".
The main problem is that if they will be everywhere and very affordable, all "wanna be" will buy them, BUT, in long run they will REALLY afect their image and not in a good way. The overal perception asa brand willbe changed forever. If BMW becomes popular and appealing to all masses, many old and valuable customers will walk away from a car that is at every corner. Yeah, they might go ahead with some good expensive cars in top, but usually, the succesful people do not want to share the badge with others, so they will walk to other brands. In long run, BMW will become a company with "record sales" in 1 series but will loose somewhere else; this will change their image tremendously in time. They will benefit from it few years, but in the long run, they will loose the titlethat took years to be achieved.
Also, there are many FWD cars outhere, why in earth somebody will buy a small FWD BMW when you can buy for less money a Honda or Toyota? Even if the prices are similar, why somebody will be willing to cope with their service prices and parts, not to mention the two arrogant careless dealers when they can pick anytime one of the 7 Honda dealers in town? Only if you are an idiot, will buy a such car that cost in maintenance double. Or, only if you really like the car design like is no other, but that is not BMW's case...

In my opinion, it is a bad move, but whocares about my thinking anyway?

I wonder, what the sales associates will do with their BMW provided toys that they use to show you how superior RWD is?

Hypocrits!

[Diver]

I would not worry about a 2 series that might come after the 2 series we will see in January. That is at least 6 years off and anything might happen by then. It could also wind up being like Audi where base models are FWD and upscale are AWD. There are too many possibilities.

[ramuman]

Can't wait for the aftermarket quad exhausts to come out for this.

[wilstave]

Originally Posted by OneDirty

[IMG]http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ps497fcc9b.jpg[/IMG]

lol indeed

[late apex]

Originally Posted by Tracus

Yeah, maybe... But behind the decision is the greed, nothing else.

This company should stick to what they said in the past not be hypocritic. I guess that they don't have the pride to say "This is who we are, an exquisite company that build cars for enthusiasts".
The main problem is that if they will be everywhere and very affordable, all "wanna be" will buy them, BUT, in long run they will REALLY afect their image and not in a good way. The overal perception asa brand willbe changed forever. If BMW becomes popular and appealing to all masses, many old and valuable customers will walk away from a car that is at every corner. Yeah, they might go ahead with some good expensive cars in top, but usually, the succesful people do not want to share the badge with others, so they will walk to other brands. In long run, BMW will become a company with "record sales" in 1 series but will loose somewhere else; this will change their image tremendously in time. They will benefit from it few years, but in the long run, they will loose the titlethat took years to be achieved.
Also, there are many FWD cars outhere, why in earth somebody will buy a small FWD BMW when you can buy for less money a Honda or Toyota? Even if the prices are similar, why somebody will be willing to cope with their service prices and parts, not to mention the two arrogant careless dealers when they can pick anytime one of the 7 Honda dealers in town? Only if you are an idiot, will buy a such car that cost in maintenance double. Or, only if you really like the car design like is no other, but that is not BMW's case...

In my opinion, it is a bad move, but whocares about my thinking anyway?

I wonder, what the sales associates will do with their BMW provided toys that they use to show you how superior RWD is?

Hypocrits!

Well if BMW isn't successful as a company, they wont be making any more cars for enthusiast ever! They have to tailor their vehicle lineup to appeal to the masses. I'm sure they'll continue to offer a few vehicles that focus on driving experience, but their main lineup wont.

When BMW (you can include Audi and Mercedes as well) start tailoring most of their vehicles to enthusiast we'll see a lot of happy people on car forums and a lot happy magazine editors. However, shortly after we would see reports of the worst sales decrease in history. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes would be looking for a Gov bailout because the masses aren't buying and do not want the same thing enthusiast want.

[Jadar]

Ugh...Fwd bmw. No thanks! I'll really jump ship since I was considering sticking with a 2 series from now on. But never ever in FWD variant. I'll just jump ship and get something else. Audi with Quattro is looking mighty nice now days..just sayin.

[alexmtl_135i]

I hope they keep the 2 Series RWD at least.

For the 1 series... Well that's expected really, and not really surprising. Plus there are some excellent FWD driver oriented cars, like the Golf GTI, Focus ST and RS, Renault Megane RS, Mini Cooper S, etc... And not counting the FWD-based AWD cars like Audi RS3 and Mercedes A45 / CLA45 AMG. I'm sure the BMW FWD cars will still be fun to drive.

[VANOS]

Ya... Stupid move by BMW. Stick to what you guys are great at... Making RWD cars!

[Yay-Z]

BMW seems to have really changed the direction they want to take their company. I'm usually all for change but these moves of late have left my head scratching.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by late apex

Well if BMW isn't successful as a company, they wont be making any more cars for enthusiast ever! They have to tailor their vehicle lineup to appeal to the masses. I'm sure they'll continue to offer a few vehicles that focus on driving experience, but their main lineup wont.

When BMW (you can include Audi and Mercedes as well) start tailoring most of their vehicles to enthusiast we'll see a lot of happy people on car forums and a lot happy magazine editors. However, shortly after we would see reports of the worst sales decrease in history. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes would be looking for a Gov bailout because the masses aren't buying and do not want the same thing enthusiast want.

You are missing the point.
The masses have already cars to buy. Lots.
And why buy a cheap car that will be a burden to maintain?
Does it look to you that BMW is in a financial crisis now, hense, they need a cheap FWD car?
If you want to keep you luxury title you don wash the badge with cheap stuff.
Even the masses car manufacturers understand the litle concept of not washing the badge. Toyota sell Lexus, Ford has Lincoln, Nissan has Infinity, etc. ithelps the badge.
Mercedes is not what it used tobe. This is why they are where they are.
Audi did a mistake too, they should stick with their guns.

Mini was the prefect platform for this, why wash the badge?

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by late apex

Well if BMW isn't successful as a company, they wont be making any more cars for enthusiast ever! They have to tailor their vehicle lineup to appeal to the masses. I'm sure they'll continue to offer a few vehicles that focus on driving experience, but their main lineup wont.

When BMW (you can include Audi and Mercedes as well) start tailoring most of their vehicles to enthusiast we'll see a lot of happy people on car forums and a lot happy magazine editors. However, shortly after we would see reports of the worst sales decrease in history. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes would be looking for a Gov bailout because the masses aren't buying and do not want the same thing enthusiast want.

Do you have an example of this? In fact it seems what we've seen is that when car companies start to build cars for their enthusiast faction they see more success. Look at Ford, GM and Chrysler.

Enthusiasts when pleased will be your biggest advertisement.

[Jay-K]

please keep it simple, original and AUTHENTIC.

[jaehshim]

told yall
2013 marks the end of true BMW era

[Pinz]

It's up to BMW how they want to "share" the platform. A FWD model and a RWD model could share most parts except transmission and differential, but if they make 4 wheel drive the thing, it would be more interesting. Especially if you could manually adjust the distribution to the wheels.

An entry level 1 series FWD to spread the BMW brand, and a 2 series RWD for more fun. Maybe the higher end xDrive 1 series will have an option to distribute 100% of power to the rear wheels to make it drive like a RWD car?

[BimmerMat135]

What a shame, we were told that the 2 serie will remain ''the enthusiam'' car within the BMW line up. Good luck doing that if it switch to a FWD layout. Please BMW don`t mess up the next M2 in order for me to have an happy ending with my personal ''bmw story''.

[USC2000]

Funny how everyone seems to know what's best for BMW. Probably because BMW has no experience as a car manufacturer. Maybe you all can work for them and save the company before it's too late. I'm sure it would be really successful.
If you don't like it, move on. Everyone complains about all the new models before they are out, yet so many people seem to be buying them and enjoying them when they are released. Why is that? Hmmm.

[kablammo]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

If the 3 and 4 series are the smallest RWD cars available, then not only am I never buying a new BMW but I am done being a BMW enthusiast. I am tired of getting shafted at the release of every new model.

+1

Completely and utterly disappointed with BMW. For shame.

[LOVEM]

Originally Posted by USC2000

Funny how everyone seems to know what's best for BMW. Probably because BMW has no experience as a car manufacturer. Maybe you all can work for them and save the company before it's too late. I'm sure it would be really successful.
If you don't like it, move on. Everyone complains about all the new models before they are out, yet so many people seem to be buying them and enjoying them when they are released. Why is that? Hmmm.

AGREED.

[pj.rodriguez]

damn it. FWD? I also hate how they say "entry level". Just the worst. Just the worst. They're making the 1-series seem like the "lowest level" BMW. But personally. After seeing a trillion 3 series, (priced lower than a 1 series), i'm not convinced this is an "entry level" bmw. But FWD. that makes my chest tight.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Not the end of the world.

Also why do people keep talking about the M2??

Didnt this site say there would be NO M2 and only a M235i?