[AusF20/F48]

I still remember being told that the 316i 2 door was FWD when it first appeared in a hatchback style.
Most people (non petrol-head) would not know that the 1er is a RWD
Most assume it is FWD because it is a hatchback. they just think it is a premium product.
I agree with ovekvam that BMW has to create a FWD (mini platform) to fill the hatchback segment. Perhaps BMW will create a new segment for a RWD.
.

[emil111]

Originally Posted by AusF20/F48

Most people (non petrol-head) would not know that the 1er is a RWD
Most assume it is FWD because it is a hatchback. they just think it is a premium product.
.

well.....i think that most people would not know that the 3 is RWD.....the only thing is that nobody asked them yet

[AusF20/F48]

Originally Posted by emil111

well.....i think that most people would not know that the 3 is RWD.....the only thing is that nobody asked them yet

You are probably right, most people don't have a clue if a car is FWD, RWD or AWD.
I know several people who looked at buying or bought a SUV thinking that they are all AWD when most of the entry levels are only FWD. Most associate a brand with its reputation, origin and affordability.

Unfortunately, this means that the purist designs get shelved or forgotten.
Lets hope BMW bucks the trend and keeps a RWD hatch (sport-wagon) on the market.

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by AusF20/F48

"...the purist designs get shelved or forgotten.
Lets hope BMW bucks the trend and keeps a RWD hatch (sport-wagon) on the market.

+1 to that!

[matthewcornish]

When this debate first kicked off I think BMW themselves said most of their customers do not know the difference between a FWD and RWD car and assume their cars are FWD like most others. Sad really but there we go.

Personally I like it being RWD but I mean... would it make much difference most of the time? In my M135i sure. In my old 116D I think not. I'm not overly concerned with the future in that regard. My next BMW will either be an M2 or M6 in any case.

[AusF20/F48]

Originally Posted by matthewcornish

When this debate first kicked off I think BMW themselves said most of their customers do not know the difference between a FWD and RWD car and assume their cars are FWD like most others. Sad really but there we go.

Personally I like it being RWD but I mean... would it make much difference most of the time? In my M135i sure. In my old 116D I think not. I'm not overly concerned with the future in that regard. My next BMW will either be an M2 or M6 in any case.

Did you buy your M135i because it was quick or because it was a versatile hatchback. I gather from your 'future' picks, that performance is the ruling factor.

[No one]

Originally Posted by matthewcornish

Personally I like it being RWD but I mean... would it make much difference most of the time?

It certainly depends on how you spend most of the time in the car: driving or iDriving. I can't imagine how those key differences (loading/unloading driving wheels with acceleration, clear/messed steering, overall weight distribution) can be overlooked. For me, it feels all the time in motion.

[Em135eye]

RWD is absolutely key to the M135is performance; no way I'd buy a FWD or even AWD one. I love RWD.

[Bimmerli]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

RWD is absolutely key to the M135is performance; no way I'd buy a FWD or even AWD one. I love RWD.

Funny because the M135i xDrive has a faster 0-60..

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by Bimmerli

Funny because the M135i xDrive has a faster 0-60..

I'm sure it does but its also on stilts and understeers.
I like 4wd in off roaders but not performance cars (except the Evo; that contains voodoo magic).

[Bimmerli]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

I'm sure it does but its also on stilts and understeers.
I like 4wd in off roaders but not performance cars (except the Evo; that contains voodoo magic).

Can't agree with you on the understeer there, having driven both.. Besides you do not want to be driving a rear wheel drive when you have frequently snow and ice on the road as I do here in the mountains.. Sure you can get the back out with a rwd, but I'd personally rather have more control and traction (with the extra speed and acceleration as a bonus)

[Em135eye]

Well I live right by the Atlantic so snow is virtually non existent.
AWD is quicker to maybe 60 but at higher speeds that extra weight and drive train losses hamper it.
RWD is more predictable, it's more nimble, it's more fun. That's why most of the top hypercars , the fastest track cars and F1 cars are RWD.

[WAY]

We don't see snow anywhere in Australia unless we go to the alps in winter. So AWD kills the fun here. RWD all the way!

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by WAY

We don't see snow anywhere in Australia unless we go to the alps in winter. So AWD kills the fun here. RWD all the way!

m

Exactly!

[emil111]

Originally Posted by WAY

We don't see snow anywhere in Australia unless we go to the alps in winter. So AWD kills the fun here. RWD all the way!

wow,i didnt know that i'll be learning geography on this forum,didnt even know that there were any australian alps......stupid geography teacher didnt teach us about them!!!!! no wonder she drives a DACIA LOGAN!!!!!

[WAY]

Originally Posted by emil111

wow,i didnt know that i'll be learning geography on this forum,didnt even know that there were any australian alps......stupid geography teacher didnt teach us about them!!!!! no wonder she drives a DACIA LOGAN!!!!!

Here you go. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Alps

Not quite the same as what you Europeans are used to though.

[ttimbo]

Yes, I think most Europeans might refer to them as "hills"!

[No one]

Originally Posted by emil111

geography teacher didnt teach us about them!!!!! no wonder she drives a DACIA LOGAN!!!!!

So you did attend lessons to know she did not, at least. And this must be Romanian Academy of Sciences pictured from 0:50 of this clip: Top Gear Romanian Road Trip, part 1/6 (Series 14, Episode 1), I presume.

[ovekvam]

Wikipedia refers to them as alps:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Alps

We even have alps in Norway. Do they spend much time in Romanian schools talking about them? I can recommend them as scenic areas suitable for F20/F21 road trips. AWD is not mandatory in the area.

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by WAY

Here you go. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Alps

Not quite the same as what you Europeans are used to though.

I assumed you meant the Blue Mountains which I been to. Learn something new every day!

[emil111]

Originally Posted by No one

So you did attend lessons to know she did not, at least. And this must be Romanian Academy of Sciences pictured from 0:50 of this clip: Top Gear Romanian Road Trip, part 1/6 (Series 14, Episode 1), I presume.

No thats the casino and the rex hotel

[No one]

Originally Posted by emil111

No thats the casino and the rex hotel

I meant your notice of a school teacher's inexpensive car did not seem very correct. I would strongly doubt all those expensive cars owners are especially clever and/or well educated (not even all scientists are, actually). Sorry.