[omasou]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Your account actually suggests that a 2 Series GC would be a reasonable proposition then. If the coupe's back seats are already comfortable, then adding rear doors would give people who drive four door cars the access they expect and need. Not to mention, a GC would likely add few inches of wheelbase which would go primarily toward an even more spacious rear quarters (more leg room).

Remember, despite your experience, the 4 GC has sold well (good enough to help propel 4 Series figures above 3 Series figures in some recent months). Many people just want four seats for kids, and having four doors to make those rear seats easy to use is elementary. It's why sedans outsell four seat coupes by a ratio of something like 10-to-1.

The rear roof of a GC slopes down. Sit in one let me know what you think.

The only reasons I can think of for a GC is...

1. Because MB did it and it actually looks nice
2. Like you mentioned a family man who's wife makes him get 4 doors or he needs to buckle in the little ones and he wants to pretend he is still single and driving a coupe ...GC owners you're not, you're driving a 4 door with crappy rear head room that only children will not mind.

[Dthltm]

If they would make this thing with AWD or RWD option and then put in a twin turbo 4 banger and some actual hydraulically controlled steering this car would be interesting. As such it is not.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

The new Civic type r was a game changer to proof that with good technology and tuning, a FWD platform can out handle a RWD and AWD cars. So who knows, maybe with enough tweaking an M-version of the 1er will be pretty awesome.

The Civic R is proof that a FWD platform can out handle a RWD? How do you figure? The Civic can out handle some RWD cars because it is close to the limit of what they can do but it didn't prove anything.

Ever notice as the prices go up they stop offering FWD based cars, because there is limit to what you can do with the inherent problem of having too much weight on the front axle. Then there is also a limit to how much power you can put to a FWD car and none of this gets into the "feeling" and "fun to drive".

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by omasou

The rear roof of a GC slopes down. Sit in one let me know what you think.

I know that of course. As I said, people put kids back there - they don't buy them to sit back there themselves. The headroom is fine for that purpose. They sell well and there is a reason for that.

The back seats of an A3 and CLA aren't big either, and presumably neither is the 1 Series sedan. People still buy those too. A 2 Series GC might be even worse (but it is just as likely it would be equivalent or even better), but certainly no worse than the standard coupe which you said you tried and liked. Furthermore, like I say, as long as kids fit, that will meet most customers' needs.

Originally Posted by omasou

The only reasons I can think of for a GC is...

There only needs to be one reason: people like them and buy them so they are profitable. The end.

[FriskyDingo]

This will be for badge snobs trying to project social status and nothing more.

An Mk7 GTI will annihilate it from a performance and driving dynamics standpoint.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

[marcva]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

+1

[Jono2112]

No thank you. Don't know why they can put four dots on an M240 rwd platform. That I would buy. It would be a real M3 if they did that in the M2 chassis.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Jono2112

Don't know why they can put four dots on an M240 rwd platform.

Ah - the ol' mystery of the four dots! Ancient in its roots, it remains unexplained even today. Just what are they for?

Equally puzzling is why they can't put four doors on that car either.

[marcva]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Ah - the ol' mystery of the four dots! Ancient in its roots, it remains unexplained even today. Just what are they for?

Equally puzzling is why they can't put four doors on that car either.

The lady that put them on the e46 left and nobody else remembers how.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by marcva

The lady that put them on the e46 left and nobody else remembers how.

Yet the lady that puts on them gah-damn dots is 103 years old and going strong as a free roamin' bison. The injustice of it all!

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Ishan99

Why tf would they make it FWD? What is the reasoning behind this? Why not make it RWD or AWD? Is it FWD in China? IF SO, why is it FWD in China?

Because BMW is currently in the process of whoring out anything and everything if it will make a buck.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Quattr09

If they sell enough of them, and the upcoming X3, that they can use that money to perfect the model lines the rest of us actually care about (similarly to how Porsche leveraged the Cayenne, and now the Macan), I'm for it.

I hate this line. BMW has produced some incredible cars in its history and never had to resort to selling FWD cars and SUVs to make it possible. Please don't buy into this rhetoric, BMW is doing what it's doing because of greed, nothing more.

[Chicken_Joe]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

One reason would be because you can't get a MINI with anywhere near 300hp, while the 1 Series will soon be available in such a configuration with standard AWD.

Pretty sure the JCW has 230hp. Weight is 2800-3000 lbs. a base 335i n55 is 300hp and weighs 3600lbs. Do the math. The mini will be quicker. And unlike most purist eggheads, if you put a mild tune on a turbo car the benefits out way the cost.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Kid Red

Don't forget about the A3 which also sells well.

At least the A3 is a pretty car. The CLA is like the Mitsubishi Mirage of luxury cars. Pass.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Chicken_Joe

Pretty sure the JCW has 230hp. Weight is 2800-3000 lbs. a base 335i n55 is 300hp and weighs 3600lbs. Do the math. The mini will be quicker. And unlike most purist eggheads, if you put a mild tune on a turbo car the benefits out way the cost.

Huh?

The power/wt ratio difference using your numbers is negligible, even if I use the lower weight of 2800lbs for the mini. 12.1lbs/hp for the Mini, an even 12 for the 335...advantage 335. I'd much rather be in a RWD car and go WOT than a FWD and deal with torque steer. Throw in the fact that you can tune both cars given they're both turbo and that Mini is a speck in the mirror unless you're driving on 'S' roads for miles.....

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Chicken_Joe

Pretty sure the JCW has 230hp. Weight is 2800-3000 lbs. a base 335i n55 is 300hp and weighs 3600lbs. Do the math. The mini will be quicker. And unlike most purist eggheads, if you put a mild tune on a turbo car the benefits out way the cost.

Nah - you're using a bad stand-in and ignoring real world factors.

An Audi S3 - the car BMW is looking to compete with when it comes to the M135i sedan - will bury a JCW in acceleration. It's not close - at least one second separates them and as much as a second and a half depending on which sources figures you believe are most reliable.

The JCW is a great product according to reviews and no doubt could show an S3 and the upcoming M135i some tricks on a track. But the only way it's going to get quicker (currently it accelerates about like a V6 Camcord) in a straight line is with more power and/or AWD - both of which these entry luxury sedans will have standard.

There are different types of cars for different types of enthusiasts and a MINI JCW is not the target of those looking for a hotted up entry luxury sedan.

[marcva]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Nah - you're using a bad stand-in and ignoring real world factors.

An Audi S3 - the car BMW is looking to compete with when it comes to the M135i sedan - will bury a JCW in acceleration. It's not close - at least one second separates them and as much as a second and a half depending on which sources figures you believe are most reliable.

The JCW is a great product according to reviews and no doubt could show an S3 and the upcoming M135i some tricks on a track. But the only way it's going to get quicker (currently it accelerates about like a V6 Camcord) in a straight line is with more power and/or AWD - both of which these entry luxury sedans will have standard.

There are different types of cars for different types of enthusiasts and a MINI JCW is not the target of those looking for a hotted up entry luxury sedan.

Tech on bimmerforums documented a clutch job in a mini. No thanks...

[Teutonic]

FWD chassis with Haldex? No, thank you.
RWD biased with true X-Drive? Yes, thank you

Made in China? No, thank you
Made in Germany? Yes, thank you.

[m981addicts]

Originally Posted by Chicken_Joe

Why would you buy a BMW 1 series in FWD when you could just buy a well optioned out mini for less

Aesthetics.

[bavarian19]

Congrats BMW for the 2017 'Where Are My Feet' award! Can you be any more out of touch with what people want? People are not breaking down the doors asking for an even cheaper BMW.

[ORIGIN M.]

I am waiting for the ///M0 !

Originally Posted by roastbeef

You guys ready for the M128i?

[m981addicts]

Originally Posted by omasou

The rear roof of a GC slopes down. Sit in one let me know what you think.

The only reasons I can think of for a GC is...

1. Because MB did it and it actually looks nice
2. Like you mentioned a family man who's wife makes him get 4 doors or he needs to buckle in the little ones and he wants to pretend he is still single and driving a coupe ...GC owners you're not, you're driving a 4 door with crappy rear head room that only children will not mind.

Ah, the joy of being a family man with half the family on their own (wife and I make up the other half), no kids to buckle on the rear seats, and the convenience of having four doors to access the back seats, with no plans, desires, nor needs to have anyone on my rear seats.

Bring on the 2 series GC BMW!