11-27-2012, 07:06 AM | #45 | |
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At this same time in the 80's BMW never even considered a FWD car. I was there, following the auto industry as I do today (w/o the benefit of the internet) and nowhere do I remember BMW even throwing a FWD concept car into the mix. The truth here is this, BMW has become mainstream. Most other companies have caught up to BMW in handling and braking (at the level most people drive on the street) and BMW has nowhere else to go but into the compact FWD market. BMW cars are over engineered, expensive, and have nowhere near the build quality or reliability of mainstream FWD such as a Honda or Toyota product, even some of the US domestics too. So stop trying to spin this into BMW “thinks differently than any other manufacturer”. They did 30 years ago, but not now. It sounds like to me BMW is just now catching up to the rest of the world auto industry. In the US, when FWD BMWs become common place as Focuses, Civics, Yaris, then the brand will have lost its image. BMW is the US is primarily a badge-whore market, for people who would do just fine in a FWD Buick. If you think BMW is number 1 in the world, then they must pass out good smoking materials at lunch time. |
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11-27-2012, 09:24 AM | #46 | |
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The apprehension about BMW losing focus is understandable with this number of changes, but focus is defined as the central point of attention. BMW will continue to make more RWD drive models than they do FWD models. They are expanding their M line-up, which means more sales and more money for BMW Motorsport. Arguably, this makes them more focused on the things that matter to enthusiasts, even with the addition of FWD models (there are plenty of enthusiasts who drive FWD cars, btw). There is no getting around the fact that FWD packaging makes cars more affordable and more usable on a daily basis. I owned several GTIs, and I put my MkV GTI within 8/10ths of my 135i. Delivering an enthusiast focused FWD platform to the market is a brilliant move for BMW, because it will bring more driver-focused customers to the brand earlier in their buying cycle, simply because they can afford it. As to BMW's current direction, I have not read a single automotive journalist (with any credibility) who has panned the new BMW models (F30 and F10). To the contrary, they all say they're spectacular, with the possible exception of the move to electric assist steering. All this talk about losing focus and failing as a company is nothing but chicken little bullshit. The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Meanwhile, the next M3 is promised to be lighter and more focused than the last, and we're going to get a successor to the 1M, just like we asked for. Give it a rest and wait for the product before you deliver the eulogy.
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11-27-2012, 10:34 PM | #47 | ||
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Pretty much true. They speak what's convenient at the time.
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11-28-2012, 05:43 AM | #48 |
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11-28-2012, 06:07 AM | #49 | |
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The poster I responded to tried to say BMW is a unique manufacturer that "thinks differently” than other auto manufacturers. Really, a FWD hatchback (or 4-door sedan) that drives well? Heck, there must be at least 5 or 6 models by other manufacturers on the road right now. Just a few short years ago BMW touted this same mantra, that they were the only independent manufacturer left and didn’t have to compromise like other (mainstream) manufacturers by being forced to chassis-share between models. Now comes word that the 1-series and mini will share major chassis components. Right, BMW is different. Sorry, I’m not buying it. Having a naturally aspirated, in-line 6, rear wheel drive sedan with a manual transmission, now that’s thinking differently… |
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11-28-2012, 07:06 AM | #50 | |
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You simply cannot abandon those qualities that define a brand and differentiate. Otherwise the product becomes a commodity. Imagine Apple going to plastic laptops running Windows.
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11-28-2012, 10:19 AM | #51 | |||
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It's a matter of scope. BMW used to scope their models to a very specific formula, but if they want to survive as a company, they can't continue to do that. This is true for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which are environmental concerns. Manufacturers must maintain a minimum average fleet fuel economy in both the EU and the US. I'm sure other markets have these kinds of requirements as well, but the US and Europe are their primary markets. Simple physics dictate that FWD packaging provides more opportunity for reduced fuel consumption: it's lighter and has less drive line friction. This is the same driving factor that has caused the moved to forced induction. High revving, naturally aspirated engines are desirable for enthusiasts, but they're thirsty. Something has to give, so BMW does the best job they can building a driver-focused turbocharged engine. By introducing (and selling lots of) FWD models, BMW is essentially "buying" fuel economy in a new segment. This pulls the average down and allows them to continue building driver-focused RWD automobiles for those of us who care about that sort of thing. It's a strategic decision on many fronts, and it's essential to their survival.
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11-28-2012, 09:51 PM | #52 |
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That's the point, the only decent driving focused cars they make are the M's. An E46 with sport pack was pretty kick ass car, stiff and tough. Now sport lines are soft and lady like.
Oh well, no use crying about spilt milk.. Just move on I guess.
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