Quote:
Originally Posted by nozydog
You’re saying BMW have ‘badly executed’ the fwd platform... really? Surely it’s a bit early to tell don’t you think!? Correct me if I’m wrong, but they only currently make two fwd cars, the X1 & the 2 series AT. I haven’t taken much notice of the latter, & most X1 are AWD, but certainly the X1 is rated best in class! I don’t believe the active tourer is badly rated either!
How about we wait and see what BMW come up with where they are actually replacing a rwd car with a fwd platform.... you may be surprised! I’m absolutely sure the new 1 series will out drive the current A Class without a doubt!! 
Sure, they may fail and a Focus or Golf may end up the better drive, but let’s talk about that when it’s proven and not speculate on how all future front drive BMWs will be rubbish!
Footnote: sure What Car rate the A3 & Golf as 5 star cars... but What Car are not the definitive driving enthusiasts bible... I’d take more notice of CAR or Autocar personally!! (& I wouldn’t be surprised if VW Audi group have a mega ad deal in place with What Car) |
I agree, one must be careful these days when taking "the free press" as a reference; just ask Trump
okay, joking here, still, consumers bust be watchful.
The new 1 series is going to share the same basics with the X1, so I doubt BMW is going to make any big difference that would require further financial investment. As for X1 being reference, this is marketing; reference to what? We may doubt "What car?", but let's go over the ocean to US and hear what Consumer Reports has to say. The X1 is a solid car, no doubt, but it's very far away from being a luxury vehicle; only the price is and the badge. It's rather stiff, the whole driving experience is rather unrefined and the cabin is really noisy, the road noise is worse than in mass-market cars; unfit for a premium vehicle (saving on basics).
Rent a M-B GLC, X3 vs. X1 over the weekend and compare the driving experience; totally another planet (the size of these cars is quite close for such a difference).
The BMW 2van is plagued by issues, especially the quality of mechanical parts is criminal; the Aisin gearbox-you can't change the oil and its filter, it fills with debris, after 50.000km it is already half consumed, not repairable and BMW sells it for luxury. Look at the excellent auto transmission Peugeot has; way above what BMW puts in its FWD.
Actually the Mini (that has borrowed the platform to the X1) is better executed, and this opinion of me is repeated by Consumer Reports, by people in USA, far away form me or What Car in UK.
I'm not going into Mercedes-Benz FWD vehicles, because those are not solid cars (BMW at least makes a solid package, a FWD mass-market grade car for a luxury price). Mercedes-Benz is "designers merchandise", like "Versace" printed on some item you find in Morocco's market. I don't need What car to confirm me that, or Consumers Report to tear Mercedec-Benz FWD vehicles apart. I've test driven the A-class and it's garbage, not a premium vehicle, rather much worse than mass-market cars in EU. Does it sell? Yes, top 10 in UK; it has a saucer sized star badge on its front. But this tells more about the people buying it than about the car.
About the "drive" issue; want something that drives like a racing machine? the new Alpine A110 - the forbidden fruit. It sticks to the road like glue and it's even comfortable and suitable for everyday use; how? Extra lightweight and thus less mass that needs stiff suspension.
As for the VW-group MBQ platform for Golf, Tiguan, Audi A3, Q3, Q4, Skoda nad Seat brand models. This platform is the best and the industry's standard; the new BMW 1er and M-B A-class are being tested against this platform, it serves them as a reference point. So how is BMW X1 being a "reference" is beyond me; unless one considers how reference duping buyers to accept a luxury selling price for a good mass-market grade drive experience and average EU quality. The VW group has excellent engineers and the MBQ platform is really excellent; something that has been refined and heavily invested through all these years.