Quote:
Originally Posted by Flamingi
For all the people complaining about the FWD architecture of the F40/F44, I want to remind you about the target group of this vehicle: It is not you. It is not the person searching for the best performance car, the best drivers car. It is the group of young people, having a bit of money to spare, searching for a luxury car, that don't want to get their 7th civic, but want to experience a bit of change, higher quality and better user experience. And as always, a big company doesn't care about you, your feelings or your opininon (especially if you are not anywhere close to the target group of the product), literally the only reason why a company like BMW exists is $$$.
I think they did a great job to cater to those people, the car drives really good even tho it is FWD (of course nothing like a real RWD, but that's not the point), the interior is the best one in the market, not even the new A3 can compete against it.
Going FWD was the best decision for the F40/F44: Buyers of those cars (which is probably not you! Chances are high, you are searching for a RWD sportscar, if you are on this forum) don't care about driving dynamics, it's driving much better than a civic, so they are satisfied. People want a car with a lot of space, relatively cheap (compared to a higher series) premium car. Like 80% of all F20/F21 had the 16/18i engine, a 1.5l 3-cylinder with 116PS/134PS. I'd argue you can't even feel the difference between FWD and RWD with that low power.
I don't know why people are so blind and only care about their own opinion. I had this exact discussion in the M3 thread why BMW went with a converter auto and not a DCT. Yes, you want the DCT for better track use (or a RWD 1 series that isn't even sold in the US), but the truth is, you are not the target group. You wouldnt have bought the 1 series regardless of it having RWD or FWD.
I guess 90% of the buyers won't even care if their 3-series was FWD (Audi does sell quite a few of their cars even though they are FWD or have that fake quattro (Offtopic, but FYI even the A6 doesn't use torsen anymore)). You can start screaming once BMW changes the M3/M4 to FWD based, then they failed to cater the target group, unless it changes in the mean time.
|
Totally agree with this-the amount of hate this car gets is totally unjustified. I am a BMW purist and have been driving a 3 series for 22 years now. For all those people bashing this car, have you actually driven it? Have you driven or sat in the A3? I don't understand why nobody rags on the A3.
I test drove both back to back and it wasn't even close. A3 has been cost cut to death. Cheap, hard plastics everywhere and drives like a over boosted Jetta.
The 228i is solid, refined, planted and delivers a driving experience worthy of the BMW badge. Steering is super sharp. I'm not going to pretend that materials are 3 series level but almost all surfaces are soft touch plastic and we have the same high end digital dash and infotainment screen found on higher end BMWs. It feels like a slightly trimmed down 3/4 series whereas the A3 feels like a pure VW economy product.
I took this car up to 110 mph on the highway and i felt as safe/stable as i do in my 430i. Am i going to win any hardcore autocross races in this thing and get the fastest lap time? No. Is it a great little car to toss around in daily driving and zip through traffic and have some fun? Absolutely.
We should be happy BMW even bothered bringing this to the States in the era of oversized, heavy land boats that dominate the landscape.