Reconfirmed: FWD coming to new smaller BMW entry-level models

Dan in PA · 03-17-2010, 09:57 PM

Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke.

chazzz · 03-17-2010, 09:58 PM

Ew. My next car will be Mercedes.

SCA · 03-17-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti335

Except the introduction of SAVs and Motorsport SAVs did nothing to reduce the quality of BMW coupes and sedans and non-SAV Motorsport products. The current 3, 5 and 7 series cars are clearly superior to their predecessors (we are talking about mechanical superiority; styling is more subjective). Ditto for current M models. In fact, X5 and X3 are hugely profitable and without them, BMW would have less money for R&D (not to mention, BMW's sales would fall behind Mercedes and Audi).

If you read the article carefully, you will understand that the FWD platform is for the upcoming subcompact model (the '0-series'). Most likely, it will share it's platform with the Mini. I don't see any chance of BMW switching to FWD with the 3-series and larger cars.

BMW is first and foremost in the business of making money. Currently, subcompacts are the hottest market segment in Europe and luxury brands are also entering it. We are talking about tiny cars with short wheelbases, high center of gravity, and weak 4-cylinder engines (i.e. Mercedes A and B class) designed for rush hour city driving. RWD would be a bit of a waste on a vehicle like that.

Had too much BMW Kool-Aid?

Simply put, BMW AG has lost sight of it's core values.

E in Phila · 03-17-2010, 10:20 PM

Give me a break, wgaf? BMW already sells a front drive car, it's called a Mini. I care how the BMW I purchase is configured, and how it drives, I'll let other people get all wound up about "brand values" and other nonsense.

Just as the Cayenne enable the corporate success of Porsche, which enables the building of better 911s, so the sale of Minis and maybe other front-drive BMWs enables the corporate success of BMW, and the further development of high performance rear drive cars. And the way government policy is headed, those front drivers will be especially important to the overall product balance.

Get over the brand illusion. What matters is not what ELSE they build, but how they build what you want to drive.

noro · 03-17-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E in Phila

Get over the brand illusion. What matters is not what ELSE they build, but how they build what you want to drive.

What I wanna drive is built pretty shitty. It's called loss of focus.

KL07RPH · 03-17-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

Had too much BMW Kool-Aid?

Simply put, BMW AG has lost sight of it's core values.

+1

BMW is becoming another generic "brand"...

E in Phila · 03-17-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noro

What I wanna drive is built pretty shitty. It's called loss of focus.

Then buy something else. I'm on my third 3, best of the bunch easily (with an E39 M5 in between).

Car manufacturers can't ignore the business or legislative environment they operate in. If you have a beef about a particular product, air it, but the "brand purity" concept is pure bullchip on many levels.

It's upsetting to those who are wrapped up in image, that's all.

noro · 03-17-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E in Phila

Then buy something else. I'm on my third 3, best of the bunch easily (with an E39 M5 in between).

Car manufacturers can't ignore the business or legislative environment they operate in. If you have a beef about a particular product, air it, but the "brand purity" concept is pure bullchip on many levels.

It's upsetting to those who are wrapped up in image, that's all.

I am on my 9th, perhaps your sample size is too small.

thesixsins · 03-17-2010, 10:47 PM

To upset to comment.

VTECaddict · 03-17-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazzz

Ew. My next car will be Mercedes.

Why? Because they don't have any FWD models?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_A-Class
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_B-Class

SCA · 03-17-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Why? Because they don't have any FWD models?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_A-Class
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_B-Class

Current production Mercedes suck with the exception of the SLS AMG.

CarForHire · 03-17-2010, 11:05 PM

Kiemyster · 03-17-2010, 11:07 PM

im scared. I get a heart attack thinking if i was born in the future what would i do? electric cars? BLASPHEMY!!!!!! but BMW making FWD cars?!!?!?? no, NO! I couldnt anticipate this, THIS is madness! lol

*i feel sorry for the future generations, they wont know what a REAL car is. let us enjoy our petrol devouring beasts, we are the blessed ones.

em5 · 03-17-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesixsins

To upset to comment.

+1

CarForHire · 03-17-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

im scared. I get a heart attack thinking if i was born in the future what would i do? electric cars? BLASPHEMY!!!!!! but BMW making FWD cars?!!?!?? no, NO! I couldnt anticipate this, THIS is madness! lol

*i feel sorry for the future generations, they wont know what a REAL car is. let us enjoy our petrol devouring beasts, we are the blessed ones.

Reminds me of the movie Irobot, when he kept his petrol bike locked up and the girl got scared when she found out it ran on gasoline.

Kiemyster · 03-17-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarForHire

Reminds me of the movie Irobot, when he kept his petrol bike locked up and the girl got scared when she found out it ran on gasoline.

ohhh shit that was great... it was a wicked bike too! it ticked me off that basically every car in there was an audi. im really getting tired of all these audi's... every major movie since 2006 seems to have audi product placement running rampant.

runrider · 03-17-2010, 11:39 PM

BMW can make as many FWD cars as they want, so long as they still put their heart and soul into the RWD models.

Here in NJ, I see probably 50 bimmers every single day, and 90% seem to be xdrive automatic models driven by old people (who probably have no clue what the difference is anyway). Those guys SHOULD be driving FWD cars....

If BMW can make enough money selling FWD cars to make my future M3 $10k cheaper, more power to 'em.

cfabluenose · 03-17-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazzz

Ew. My next car will be Mercedes.

Mercedes makes a FWD car - the B class. How would buying a Mercedes be an improvement? And the 3 series is definitely superior to the C class.

Digtlartst · 03-17-2010, 11:42 PM

We can look forward to a 4-cylinder FWD slushbox BMW hatchback. Or will they throw in the towel and just start building little FWD VW/Audi wannabes with sparkly lights and gaping chrome grills?

runrider · 03-17-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digtlartst

We can look forward to a 4-cylinder FWD slushbox BMW hatchback. Or will they throw in the towel and just start building little FWD VW/Audi wannabes with sparkly lights and gaping chrome grills?

Flakpheiser · 03-17-2010, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thud

I think the "exclusivity" is primarily an invention of American marketing. They certainly aren't very exclusive over in Europe. They're just good cars.

Right? Unless I'm mistaken, you can get a 4 cyl bmw with no sun roof and cloth interior rolling on hub caps in Europe.... Where's the "exclusivity" in that?

CJRando · 03-17-2010, 11:57 PM

I don't see how this runins the brand. 90% of the people who ask me about my 1 series are suprised when I tell them it's RWD. The world ecomony has been slow. Look at last years sales numbers. This looks like an executive decision to open up more market share. BMW is about making money just like any other fortune global 500 company.

03-17-2010, 09:57 PM	#67
Dan in PA Captain 93 Rep 729 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW Z4 sDrive35i [0.00]	Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke. __________________ 2013 BMW Z4 sDrive35i\|DCT\|M-Sport\|iDrive\|Premium Sound\|Heated Seats\|Comfort Access\|PDC\|Deep Sea Blue\|Cream [At the port of exit awaiting a shipping vessel since 8/17/12]
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03-17-2010, 09:58 PM	#68
chazzz Captain 120 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2018 Chrysler 300S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (4)	Ew. My next car will be Mercedes. __________________ SOLD - 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, Montego Blue with Lemon seats, AluFelgen CS7 rims & Continental DW tires CURRENT - 2018 Chrysler 300S, Crystal Granite Metallic.
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03-17-2010, 10:20 PM	#70
E in Phila Private First Class 4 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: philly iTrader: (7)	Give me a break, wgaf? BMW already sells a front drive car, it's called a Mini. I care how the BMW I purchase is configured, and how it drives, I'll let other people get all wound up about "brand values" and other nonsense. Just as the Cayenne enable the corporate success of Porsche, which enables the building of better 911s, so the sale of Minis and maybe other front-drive BMWs enables the corporate success of BMW, and the further development of high performance rear drive cars. And the way government policy is headed, those front drivers will be especially important to the overall product balance. Get over the brand illusion. What matters is not what ELSE they build, but how they build what you want to drive.
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03-17-2010, 10:47 PM	#75
thesixsins Graphic Designer For Hire... 12 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Imola ZHP 6mt Slicktop Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Portland Boregon iTrader: (0)	To upset to comment. __________________ [IMG][/IMG]
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03-17-2010, 11:05 PM	#78
CarForHire Major 29 Rep 1,309 Posts Drives: Slow in the left lane. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NOVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 328i [0.00]	__________________ Race car driving is like sex...all men think they are good at it. - Jay Leno
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03-17-2010, 11:07 PM	#79
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 476 Rep 3,202 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	im scared. I get a heart attack thinking if i was born in the future what would i do? electric cars? BLASPHEMY!!!!!! but BMW making FWD cars?!!?!?? no, NO! I couldnt anticipate this, THIS is madness! lol i feel sorry for the future generations, they wont know what a REAL car is. let us enjoy our petrol devouring beasts, we are the blessed ones. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!"* '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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03-17-2010, 11:39 PM	#83
runrider I pretend to be smart. 21 Rep 237 Posts Drives: '06 325i 6MT 39k Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (0)	BMW can make as many FWD cars as they want, so long as they still put their heart and soul into the RWD models. Here in NJ, I see probably 50 bimmers every single day, and 90% seem to be xdrive automatic models driven by old people (who probably have no clue what the difference is anyway). Those guys SHOULD be driving FWD cars.... If BMW can make enough money selling FWD cars to make my future M3 $10k cheaper, more power to 'em.
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03-17-2010, 11:42 PM	#85
Digtlartst Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 328xi 6MT Alpinweiss Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Inside The Beltway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 535i X-Drive [0.00] 2004 BMW 325cic 5MT [0.00] 2016 BMW R1200RT [0.00] 2011 BMW 328xi 6MT [0.00]	We can look forward to a 4-cylinder FWD slushbox BMW hatchback. Or will they throw in the towel and just start building little FWD VW/Audi wannabes with sparkly lights and gaping chrome grills?
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03-17-2010, 11:57 PM	#88
CJRando Enlisted Member 3 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2007 M6/ 2013 F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	I don't see how this runins the brand. 90% of the people who ask me about my 1 series are suprised when I tell them it's RWD. The world ecomony has been slow. Look at last years sales numbers. This looks like an executive decision to open up more market share. BMW is about making money just like any other fortune global 500 company. Last edited by CJRando; 03-18-2010 at 12:04 AM..
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