[MikeT]

I agree with pretty much everyone here. FWD will dilute the brand.

Yes, we all know that Audi and Mercedes-Benz have already sold out on FWD, but why should BMW follow their lead?

And, yes, we all know that some BMW buyers don't know or care whether they have RWD, just as they don't know or care anything about the engine in their cars. Does that mean it'd be okay to start building crappy underperforming engines?

I own BMW stock, and I'm proud of the company. It's amazing how the company emerged out the wreckage of WW2, and struggled its way to the top. But that didn't happen by accident. It happened because of a commitment to building the best cars that it could. FWD would be a compromise of the company's principles. It would mean offering an inferior product simply to save money and match its competitors.

[CF22]

I can sit on a corner and ask every 3 series owner in Miami if they know their car is RWD. The answer 98% of them will give is 'what is RWD?'

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by CF22

I can sit on a corner and ask every 3 series owner in Miami if they know their car is RWD. The answer 98% of them will give is 'what is RWD?'

And my response is so what? How many of them know how a transmission works? How many of them know anything about their engine?

The company shouldn't compromise it commitment to superior technology simply because of its customers' ignorance.

[aajami]

I have a solution: End the debate, keep a small RWD chassis, and give us a small RWD sedan already for goodness sake.

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Interesting update - UKL platform is a modular chassis and can be adapted/subtracted as FWD or RWD.

Full decision on the next 2 Series is not final yet (full decision will be taken by the end of the year) and can use the UKL chassis but can adapted for RWD. (BMW M are fighting for RWD because the M2 is apparently even more outstanding than the 1er M Coupe).

if the chassis can be adapted for both FWD and RWD, why not offer both as buyer options. I know there are many good reasons why this is improbable but still, BMW would be first manufacturer to do so?!

[david.orr]

if BMW should decide to go FWD with the next 2 series, go buy the F87 M2

[Pentium]

This is really crazy, a FWD 2 Series!
Hope they take the right decision!

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

So you think BMW is incapable of building a FWD car that drives well ?

Is that really what got from my comment?

[Diver]

If it is FWD the performance variants will most likely have all wheel drive.

[BlkD12agon]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

I sure hope BMW M will win this decision!

+1

[BlkD12agon]

Originally Posted by MikeT

I agree with pretty much everyone here. FWD will dilute the brand.

Yes, we all know that Audi and Mercedes-Benz have already sold out on FWD, but why should BMW follow their lead?

And, yes, we all know that some BMW buyers don't know or care whether they have RWD, just as they don't know or care anything about the engine in their cars. Does that mean it'd be okay to start building crappy underperforming engines?

I own BMW stock, and I'm proud of the company. It's amazing how the company emerged out the wreckage of WW2, and struggled its way to the top. But that didn't happen by accident. It happened because of a commitment to building the best cars that it could. FWD would be a compromise of the company's principles. It would mean offering an inferior product simply to save money and match its competitors.

Well said.

[Gastoys]

Fwd? Wtf?

[Imola.ZHP]

It's only a matter of time before FWD M cars exist, its something we'll all need to start to get used to. But you might be surprised, buy the time that happens you might be more into a 4er coupe or M4 anyway. Progression in life.

[Roundown]

Reflecting on this a bit more- Given the space 2er now occupies in BMW's line up, can you imagine BMW debating whether or not the E46 should have been FWD?

To the guy that points out that most 3 series owners don't know what RWD is. I would agree. But that doesn't mean they can't appreciate the difference between a BMW and an Audi from behind the wheel.

[John_01]

If BMW is front wheel drive, I will buy another brand instead.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by CF22

I can sit on a corner and ask every 3 series owner in Miami if they know their car is RWD. The answer 98% of them will give is 'what is RWD?'

You are missing the point.

Not everybody is tech savy or interested, but everyone can comment on driving experience and all agree that beemers drive different.
And FWD can do only "that much" no matter what.

Many don't know what THX is but they agree that is sounds awesome.

[Eagle1oh7]

As far as I'm concerned I don't think I'll be getting a larger sedan for my next vehicle. My E90 suffices my DD needs for now and the fun factor even with the NA I6. Definitely going to look into getting the M2 in the next 3 years as a backup and a fun car as it most likely seems to be an investment for the future when BMW desides to FWD their smallest offering.

[Faust]

Originally Posted by swagon

Wow. Great info again, Scott.

However, pardon my ignorance, but why did not BMW name the Active Tourer as a 1er? Since the 2 Series is RWD (for this gen.), I thought one of the reasons for splitting the naming system was to differentiate between the FWD next-gen 1er and RWD 2er.

THanks.

I think Jason or Scott gave an explanation for that. BMW did not intend to start a new series since there were only two vehicles in it(Active and Gran Tourer) and also literally run out of letters/numbers(I think). Also, the AT/GT was to be a more expensive and upscale vehicle compared to the 1-Series, especially the interior so they decided to give it the 2-Series nomenclature. Could also have something to do with the next 2-Series being FWD at the time I don't quite remember. It was something like that however, you can have a look at older discussions.

Still, I don't agree, it should either be a new series (V-Series) or 1-Series imo.

[BMW269]

Expect the current RWD 1/2 Series replacements to be FWD, and named 2 Series, in order to leave space for the next 1 Series "City", the BMW version of Mini to compete with Audi A1. Same could apply for X1.

[N & M]

Having driven the active tourer, I have no doubt that BMW can engineer a performance version on it as a base. However, it would not feel anywhere near as lively or natural as the current M235i or the M2 on which it is based.

I fully support the direction to go with UKL as a base for the active tourer and the upcoming 1 series for packaging and economies of scale reasons but urge BMW to stay true to their RWD heritage for next 2 coupe.

The volumes will not make a huge impact but the image and enthusiasm the product would generate will surely justify keeping RWD. More to the point, they will remain the only premium. German offering with RWD in the segment.

BMW is sensitive to customer demand and feedback; perhaps an online petition of sorts can convince them to stay with the winning formula we love.

[mkoesel]

The thing is, as soon as you turn the engine 90 degrees you impact a dozen other integration points in the front if the car. To switch to a transverse RWD configuration for the M means you are taking a huge chunk of money from the low volume vehicle program to reengineer all the parts that are supposed to save you money by basing the car on the low rent siblings to begin with.

So there's that and there's the upcoming MQB RS3 and TT RS that are going to shake the segment up and rewrite the rules. Never mind the CLA45 - I'm sure it's dandy but VAG is going to get serious here. Not to mention the Golf R400 and for that matter the Focus RS from rival FoMoCo.

See the thing is, you can spend more money than your competitors and try to make it up by claiming to have a better sorted chassis but it is a risk because - will people vote for you when it comes time to pay the premium? When the entire automotive press community is fighting to see who can heap the most praise on cars like the Fiesta ST and whichever French pocket rocket is currently the darling sub-8 minute ring hatch, it's clear exactly where mindshare lies.

Toyobaru could build a sedan and hatch on the FRS chassis too. But the problem is it'll cost you $5K over a The equivalent Impezza, not to mention Focus or Cruze, and not perform $5K better. The numbers don't add up, and BMW already knows that. That's why UKL BMW's exist to begin with - not because 1 Series owners allegedly don't know their cars are RWD.

[vladberca]

A RWD GC 2 series would be a great addition to the range