Autocar rumor: upcoming FWD BMW to be badged 1-series

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

That supposed study sounds like a crock of shit to me. My mother doesn't care anything at all about cars, and even she knows the difference between FWD and RWD.

The timing of it was also very fishy, with these stories of a FWD BMW following right behind it. My guess is it's a complete fabrication by upper management to smooth things over with shareholders.

BMW is headed down a bad path right now IMO. They're giving up on the core values that built the brand into what it is today, and the designs have gone from being tasteful and understaded to overbearing and outright offensive in some cases. Reputation will only carry a company so far, and they seem to be intent on destroying that completely in the next five years.

Oh jeremy...no one said anything about a study.

Correction 80% of 1 series owners think their cars are FWD.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11003222...-a-front-wheel

[larryn]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Oh jeremy...no one said anything about a study.

Correction 80% of 1 series owners think their cars are FWD.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11003222...-a-front-wheel

Correction: BMW says 80% of 1 series owners think their car is FWD.

They offered zero backup or even how they collected this data, and I'm with Jeremy. It's total and utter BS, likely to justify a new model that BMW may want to test the market with.

How about a show of hands? We represent a decent sampling of 1 series owners. Who here has been asked if they owned they owned.. FWD or RWD?

**crickets chirping**
**crickets chirping**
**crickets chirping**

Yeah, I thought so.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Oh jeremy...no one said anything about a study.

Correction 80% of 1 series owners think their cars are FWD.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11003222...-a-front-wheel

How can you have a statistic without a study or survey?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

How can you have a statistic without a study or survey?

Exactly his point, I believe (and I hope). It is BS.

[Sylon]

BMW also included the 1-series models in Europe, where they are basically cheaper economy cars here. I can see how regular Joes here, especially the older folk, can believe that the 1-series are FWD, because almost every other economy car/city cars are FWD.

The 128i and 135i in the States are sporty cars, but the hatches here are not. I mean, come on, 0-60mph in 18 seconds and they rock hubcaps, I can see how older folks can think their cars are FWD.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Sylon

BMW also included the 1-series models in Europe, where they are basically cheaper economy cars here. I can see how regular Joes here, especially the older folk, can believe that the 1-series are FWD, because almost every other economy car/city cars are FWD.

The 128i and 135i in the States are sporty cars, but the hatches here are not. I mean, come on, 0-60mph in 18 seconds and they rock hubcaps, I can see how older folks can think their cars are FWD.

Check out babybmw.net, which is the prolific international site for 1 series hatch cars, and nobody was asked anything. It's all BS drummed up by BMW.

What are the chances that nobody here or there has been asked anything, if they really polled a statistically relevant sampling? None..

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Levi

Did you know Porsche is going to build a car based on VW Golf? A 40.000 € Golf because it has Porsche badge.

LOL. Sadly, this might interest me... especially if its RWD/AWD!!!

We'll see.

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

That supposed study sounds like a crock of shit to me. My mother doesn't care anything at all about cars, and even she knows the difference between FWD and RWD.

The timing of it was also very fishy, with these stories of a FWD BMW following right behind it. My guess is it's a complete fabrication by upper management to smooth things over with shareholders.

BMW is headed down a bad path right now IMO. They're giving up on the core values that built the brand into what it is today, and the designs have gone from being tasteful and understaded to overbearing and outright offensive in some cases. Reputation will only carry a company so far, and they seem to be intent on destroying that completely in the next five years.

well said

[JS135i]

I sure hope it is NOT called a 1 series name. That certainly cheapens the current 1 series family in my mind.
Why can't they come up with another nomenclature??

[palpatine_us]

Probably only sell a basic AWD variant in the states, not even offer the FWD, then BMW can keep the claim of no FWD cars. It should still get 30 mpg or so.

Either that, or they'll skip the series nomenclature and use names- probably sporty names for econoboxes. BMW is all about marketing these days and less about engineering/products.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by numba1guju

that is a really bad rendering

For the sake of BMW, let's hope you're right.

Car is ugly.

I'm not sure what the market will be for a 30K+ FWD BMW. I doubt they will be able to price it competitively (low 20's) and make a profit. That's the same problem Audi has with the A1, which is why it's not in the US.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by larryn

Exactly his point, I believe (and I hope). It is BS.

Honestly, I think it is very believable. If any 80% thinks their vehicle is FWD, it just means 20% of the 1 series buyers are car enthusiasts or at least knows something about a car. Rest of the 80%, they probably don't know jack sh*t about cars. It makes sense. By all means, it has nothing to do with general 1 series owners' ignorance with cars.

I highly doubt average soccer mom with 3/5/7 series have any idea which drivetrain platform is equipped on their 3 series. Even for many men. Remember larryn, not all of the people out there are educated regarding cars like you and me (and the rest here). We are gifted. They will learn one day. Like these people in a mustang.

[codylcast]

The mustang picture is too funny

I tried to convince my wife to by a 128i, but she insisted on a FWD car because she is terrified of not being able to get to work in the snow w/o it. So she ended up with a volvo C30. Nice car... but I still wish she would have picked the 128.

I think it is possible/desirable to have a FWD product as long as their performance-oriented machines are still available with RWD or AWD... More revenue for BMW is a good thing.

[Mr C]

Originally Posted by Oulixes

Hopefully, Autocar is wrong. Regardless of the merits and shortcomings of FWD, it makes little sense to invest into development and marketing of a new 1-series, and then, once a group of followers has been created, to change the new series so fundamentally. Some of the recent activity at BMW resembles the developments at GM during the decade preceding its decline.

This may be true, because I received a call last week from a Marketing company, and the only way they could have gotten my number is from BMW.

They told me that they are seeking SPECIFICALLY 135i and X5 drivers to test three (3) concept vehicles. I asked them “which ones” and they stated they were not told, but wanted 135i and X5 drivers. I signed up.

If this turns out to be on the up-and-up, my guess is two of the three cars will be the X1 and maybe this FWD 135.

I am doing this next weekend!

I will report back if this marketing thing isn’t a HOAX.

[Robert]

FWD makes sense on a 1 series and below. Cheaper to manufacture and in lesser powered car the difference is not that dramatic. Mini-cooper is a fwd yet still fun to drive. If the statistic is true then RWD is selling over engineered product to your customers' wants.

"A successful marketing oriented company is not product driven. Company success derives from its focus on customers and their needs and wants."

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

How can you have a statistic without a study or survey?

Again...no one said anything about any statistics. The article says these numbers were revealed by BMW CEO.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Again...no one said anything about any statistics. The article says these numbers were revealed by BMW CEO.

Correct, as in "pulled out of the ass of some marketing group to help justify a potential new direction".

So, I stand true that it's either an off-hand ad-lib comment by the CEO, or some marketing gimmick... and I'll point to the facts that every 1 series forum that I even know of... nobody has been asked anything of the like. What are the chances that BMW has a list of 1 series owners who don't read any BMW forums, and only polled those people? (lemme help ya with that answer... it didn't happen)

[ChrisK]

Ok BMW. What hell are you people smoking?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Again...no one said anything about any statistics. The article says these numbers were revealed by BMW CEO.

BMW's CEO said the numbers came from a study of European owners. Which goes back to my original statement that he's probably just outright lying about it to support his push for FWD BMWs.

[fwmcb]

I had read that only the hatch will be fwd and marketed as a 1 series and an awd variant will be offered. But the voupe and convertible versions will remain RWD only. With respect to the statistic that most drivers do not know if their car is FWD or RWD, I think it is fallacious. The confidence that a RWD gives you even in winter conditions is amazing, you don't plow through the snow like you do in a FWD car. I live in the snow belt and used to drive a SAAB. Now you laugh at that mustang with the chains, I had a prof with a 300i who put 2 winter tires on his car (stupidly on the front wheels) and wondered why it was useless in the snow. I must add that this prof knew it was a RWD car.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by Robert

... and in lesser powered car the difference is not that dramatic. Mini-cooper is a fwd yet still fun to drive.

my R56 mini was a handful because of the torque steer, it scared my wife, she does not have a problem with my 135i though, as it does not try to steer for you

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

BMW's CEO said the numbers came from a study of European owners. Which goes back to my original statement that he's probably just outright lying about it to support his push for FWD BMWs.

I doubt very much the CEO is lying. It makes sense, I am sure most BMW drivers purchased the car for image and likely have no idea about the drivetrain. The majority of Acura owners thought their 'competitor to BMW' was RWD.

No LSD...FWD...the world is ending!!!