[Leo_328i]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

I have no problem with a 520d despite the smaller engine. It's still a 5 series, still a RWD platform, and still provides a very high end ("ultimate") driving experience. But it seems BMW wants to create a car for everyone. That's fine if you want to be mediocre and target volume... but it's no longer the ultimate driving machine is it. Once you start heading towards the middle of the bell curve, where volume sales rule, you need to sacrifice quite a bit in the process... and we're seeing that here. For how long has BMW touted the importance of RWD and 50/50 balance in achieving the best driving dynamics? Heck, even xDrive is setup to drive like a RWD as not to sacrifice this philosophy. All be damned... FWD now from BMW. And why? To go down market, sell more cars, produce less expensive platforms, appeal to people who are afraid of RWD handling? No "ultimate" explanations here are there?

BMW is going to end up suffering for this approach. Loyalists are getting sickened, which support their "core" products... so they better start building a strong revenue stream from the sub-ultimate driving machines to make up for the drop that'll be coming. BMW is starting to convince me it's time to look hard at Audi and MB.

Could not agree more.