Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW
I think some people should shut up about this FWD blahblah and consider the car for what it is. IMO it's a great looking little crossover that will definitely do very well in the category it is competing...
This discussion about BMW losing its soul is getting long in the tooth: they have to make best selling models such as these in order to finance their M cars and the previous X1 was compromised by its RWD architecture with a small cabin space. Most buyers of the new X1 care less about it being FWD (heck, they can have it AWD if they want too) than being practical and driving great. And from the reviews of all released models based on this platform (Active Tourer, new Mini), it drives fantastic, even in FWD.
I personally love my E21 323i and her (sometimes lairy) RWD chassis, but I wouldn't mind having the new X1 and the day to day practicality and safety it offers.
By the way, the Renaul Sports Megane 275 is a FWD and will embarrass many BMWs on a track or back roads.
So get over it!
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Maybe you should choose a more diplomatic way to express your opinion.
RWD is different than FWD, so if you don't know, or the others don't know, probably the "shut up" decision should be in your team.
A TRUE XDrive it is a very different animal since it is actually on dry pavement a sporty RWD vehicle. It is not about a "great looking little crossover", because Hyundai looks good too but they are a "great looking zero". It is about a vehicle that CAN be great looking ( I consider the actual one very great looking), and that can perform and be good as a whole; or as we can see, the actual one can be great, cool, practical and fun.
In regards with your statement that "they have to make best selling models such as these in order to finance their M cars", I can tell you that you are very naïve. None of these cars finance or provide for the M vehicles, that is a story to put kids to sleep. Companies that still make good sports cars, don't need vans or FWD crap to finance the sport ones. Not to mention, years ago, when BMW was selling 3,5 and 7, was still building great cars. Maybe this blah, blah, should stop because it is just childish and proves that some people are really naive. BMW sells a lot and is doing well and was doing well before.
Your comment with the "RWD compromise" is pathetic at least, especially when we talk about one inch in length gain and another one in width. Three adults will not seat properly in the rear of this car regardless, always you will fit only "Malcolm in the middle".
Not the last, obviously you have an opinion based on the "reviews" that you read, not on your experience. I drove the Active Tourer for three weeks in holiday, and is far from excellent; the term "Fantastic" is just a dream that engineers aspire to, and regardless how hard a fanboi tries, physics has its laws and a FWD can do that much.
Regarding the Megane, have you driven it? Great car, buts still you don't know what are you talking about.
Bottom line, I prefer 100% the old one with more polarizing design, a more powerful engine, a ZF 8 speed, lower body, longer wheelbase (I let you think why) and a RWD biased AWD. It is a fun car.