BMW introduce FWD

Beginning of the end mate! et al...

To be honest, I can't see it ever moving up into the higher echelons of BMW's range (was always surprised the 1 series wasn't FWD in all fairness), but if it ever did then there are always other options and it would be a shame.
 
FWD makes sense in a car like this - the drive tunnel doesn't take up required rear space and the transverse engine mount to reduce long bonnets.
 
I'm somewhat confused, the 218i is a 1.5 Turbo with 136BHP, right.... Yet the 118i is a 1.6 Turbo with ~180Bhp.... so yeah...:confused:

Is the 1 series also getting these engines? If so the 118i is going to be a "bit" of a downgrade.
 
I can see them moving towards more 4WD, but not more FWD across their range. Certain cars such as lumpy big things with big cabins (people carries) are just easier to produce in FWD. BMW have started making such heaps so need to go FWD as RWD REALLY adds nothing but more effort to such cars. However, the whole RWD is pure is all very true until you add 20" rims, run **** tyres and British roads at which point it becomes a pain in the ass as my M6 Cab experience showed. Can't get the power down, wheel spinning in first 4 gears when it gets wet and put simply, compromised.

Lovely in a 200-350bhp saloon car, perfect and of course in a sports 2 seater but start adding big rims and British roads/conditions and it starts to show the issue. Go look at Gibbo's M3 thread, both him and Nick talking about how the E46 is a handful in the wet. RS4 wasn't, just plant it and wait, M3 doesn't and that's purely down to traction issues.

BMW's mantra has been found out to be wrong in modern world. Smooth road, dry and still give me RWD today tomorrow and every day. Bumpy, wet off camber roads with mixed surfaces and 500bhp plus I want 4WD or engine over the rear wheels!
 
Howard said:
You reckon?

IMHO most of the general public buy BMWs because they have a BMW badge, not because of their drivetrain layout and driving dynamics.
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This, would make very little difference to the majority of BMW customers, and I am sure they will increase the 4wd accross the range as well which will keep the others happy.
 
oweneades said:
I'm somewhat confused, the 218i is a 1.5 Turbo with 136BHP, right.... Yet the 118i is a 1.6 Turbo with ~180Bhp.... so yeah...:confused:

Is the 1 series also getting these engines? If so the 118i is going to be a "bit" of a downgrade.
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Old engine versus the new family. 1.5 is 3 cylinder yeh. Same lump as F56 MINI Cooper.

In fact this is the first BMW product off the UKL1 platform after the MINI
 
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Hades said:
...my concern would be that it creeps up the range and dilute one of the major selling points of BMW for enthusiasts.
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The 'BMW badge' brigade outnumber the 'enthusiast' brigade 10 to 1, so this is, unfortunately, irrelevant. The 50:50 weight distribution and RWD core principles are long gone.

BMW are no longer aiming for the prestige market, they are after the mass market. And the mass market all drive FWD 4 cylinder hatchbacks.
 
Howard said:
You reckon?

IMHO most of the general public buy BMWs because they have a BMW badge, not because of their drivetrain layout and driving dynamics.
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Yep, you could put a BMW badge in a turd and people will but it. A lot don't seem to know their car is even RWD. A large part of BMW sales are also fleet, who will continue buying the RWD models. It won't have any negative effect on the sales of BMW, rather the opposite, people will just rush out to but the 2 series and other FWD models to have the BMW badge, plus it makes sense to just use FWD on an 'MPV'.
 
Skeeter said:
The 'BMW badge' brigade outnumber the 'enthusiast' brigade 10 to 1, so this is, unfortunately, irrelevant. The 50:50 weight distribution and RWD core principles are long gone.

BMW are no longer aiming for the prestige market, they are after the mass market. And the mass market all drive FWD 4 cylinder hatchbacks.
Click to expand...

Sadly this is true. And I do drive a 4 cylinder FWD hatchback too :( :(
 
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