BMW caves...

[Blokey]

Just saw this:

BMW to introduce FWD models

I love this:
Quote:
Eighty percent of 1 Series drivers thought the car already had front-wheel drive.

 

[cousincletus]

IMO FWD would be a selling point in the Northeast, because it goes better in the snow.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Just move then engine to the rear.

 

[d00df00d]

Mildly disgusting and very disheartening, but not at all shocking.

Not the first sign that BMW is selling out, either. The M division recently gave up a lot of what defined their cars by releasing a couple of turbocharged, automatic, AWD SUVs.

Can't imagine the cars will be bad. The Mini Cooper is made by BMW, and it drives and handles beautifully. It's sad to see an enthusiast brand sell out, though. Makes you wonder what things would be like if people actually enjoyed cars and driving.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: cousincletus
IMO FWD would be a selling point in the Northeast, because it goes better in the snow.

Maybe when you're dealing with trucks and front-heavy cars, but not with well sorted sport sedans and coupes. My car beats my old FWD car in every way in the snow except climbing hills. Braking and cornering especially are WAY better.

Heck, my dad doesn't know the first thing about vehicle dynamics, and he did just fine with his BMW 1-series these past two winters. The only snow that stopped him was so heavy that he wouldn't have gone to work no matter what kind of car he had.

Now, if you're talking about perceptions, that's another story...

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Mildly disgusting and very disheartening, but not at all shocking.

Not the first sign that BMW is selling out, either. The M division recently gave up a lot of what defined their cars by releasing a couple of turbocharged, automatic, AWD SUVs.

Can't imagine the cars will be bad. The Mini Cooper is made by BMW, and it drives and handles beautifully. It's sad to see an enthusiast brand sell out, though. Makes you wonder what things would be like if people actually enjoyed cars and driving.


That's what happens when you decide that you want to supply a car that fits every conceivable market niche. I miss the early 80s, when 90% of Bimmer owners were hard-core enthusiasts; now the percentage is probably less than 5%.

 

[simple_gifts]

Odd that VW builds "enthusiast cars" and there hasn't been a RWD in years (save the Phaeton)

 

[bepperb]

With the positive reviews of the Mini, I have no doubt they can do a good job with FWD.

I'd agree, it could be a selling point in snow areas, as nobody [who doesn't currently own a RWD car] will agree they are as good in snow. But this is for fuel economy I'm sure.

Really, [the majority of] BMW drivers aren't enthusiasts anymore anyway.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
That's what happens when you decide that you want to supply a car that fits every conceivable market niche. I miss the early 80s, when 90% of Bimmer owners were hard-core enthusiasts; now the percentage is probably less than 5%.


Hmm..I'd say that the yuppie type took over the 3 series in the early 80's. I'd see female real estate agents driving with the seat reclined, her shorter arms straining to reach the steering wheel in comfort. They then got more American-esque in appointments. Not that the "driver" couldn't still have a good time. They just got outgunned by passengers behind the wheel in numbers.

 

[GeaugaFletcher]

VW builds cars for VW enthusiasts.

A depressing number of people used to assume that my '97 Miata was front wheel drive.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Odd that VW builds "enthusiast cars" and there hasn't been a RWD in years (save the Phaeton)


Different kind of enthusiast. Analogous to the "sport" in "Honda Fit Sport", IMO.

 

[robertcope]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Different kind of enthusiast. Analogous to the "sport" in "Honda Fit Sport", IMO.


I'll disagree:

Many people would argue that the GTI was the original "pocket rocket". I don't know if that is really true or not or that I'd call it a "sports car", but plenty of VW folks enjoy performance driving of some kind or another.

Are there more Porsches BMWs than VWs at these events? Of course there are. No contest there.

robert

 

[Nick R]

Cool. Doesn't bother ma single bit, maybe BMW will finally make a car that is accessible to those who aren't rich.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

If BMW NA won't bring 4-cyl engines to NA, I can't see them taking a chance marring their image with FWD. We'll get them down here though.

Regarding diluting of "M" branding - BMW NA is more vigilance than BMW are in other markets. They have sold us M-badged non-M cars for years.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: robertcope
Many people would argue that the GTI was the original "pocket rocket". I don't know if that is really true or not or that I'd call it a "sports car", but plenty of VW folks enjoy performance driving of some kind or another.

Exactly my point. VWs seem to be about starting with an everyday car basis and applying sports car sensibilities. BMW is (or at least used to be) more or less the other way around. Of course both will attract people who enjoy driving, but there is a significant difference.

By the way, I realize now that I probably sounded rather condescending in the post to which you were responding. If that is the case, I apologize. I certainly didn't mean to make one kind of enthusiast sound "better" than the other.

 

[fdcg27]

Kind of sad, but BMW is in business to make money, not cars, like every other manufacturer.
I hate the idea, but BMW has become more of an image brand than a performance brand.
Back in the day of the 530i (the old inline six one) you knew you were driving something special.
Not so much anymore, and even mainstream V-6 Japanese four doors are plenty fast and handle plenty well.

 

[artificialist]

Why not do what they always did:

Make a RWD car....

Then have an AWD option for people who needed help with the snow.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Why not do what they always did:

Make a RWD car....

Then have an AWD option for people who needed help with the snow.

Because both of those drivetrain types are heavier and less fuel efficient.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: cousincletus
IMO FWD would be a selling point in the Northeast, because it goes better in the snow.


Most people in my area get the AWD version of BMW and the balance use decent winter tires.

 

[Mr Nice]

Yuppies who buy a BMW are more concerned with looks, flashy wheels and style than high performance. If they wanted a high performance car the would of bought a 911 Turbo.

BMW should make a FWD coupe, 120 HP max, only A/C, no silly useless features and under $20,000