New BMW M boss talks AWD and potential models

snaimpally · 01-13-2015, 08:43 PM

As power goes up, AWD makes sense because what is the point of having more power if you can't get it down on the pavement?

quiksi · 01-13-2015, 08:44 PM

I would very much consider an X3M as opposed to the F8X M3...

snaimpally · 01-13-2015, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

Against consumer popularity, I'd rather have a car less in weight and less in power. Higher driver dynamic, less fuel consumption and less pollution.

See BRZ/FR-S

Alumac · 01-13-2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

As someone who's owned 2 generations of M3's, 550's and now a brand new owner of an M235xi, I couldn't disagree more...

That little 235 is fast as hell, spirited as all get out and underscores BMW still knows how to build a car the enthusiast will adore..

I don't think there is any question BMW nailed it with the 2 series. But when you have a 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 portfolio, and only 2 of those lines currently appeal to enthusiasts, you have a problem. I've owned 3 generations of M3s, and this is the first time I'm on the fence about getting another one. I liked knowing in the past that the M3 was the go-to enthusiast car. I don't think that holds anymore.

RingMeister01 · 01-13-2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaimpally

Quote:

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

Against consumer popularity, I'd rather have a car less in weight and less in power. Higher driver dynamic, less fuel consumption and less pollution.

See BRZ/FR-S

I agree sir. Unfortunately that ship tanked cause people suck.

ShocknAwe · 01-13-2015, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaimpally

See BRZ/FR-S

Well sure, but with an engine that's not wheezy and disappointing, and has some sort of a hint of practicality?

BRZ/GT-86 could have been a godlike sports coupe if they had put a proper I6 in the front.

RingMeister01 · 01-13-2015, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaimpally

See BRZ/FR-S

Well sure, but with an engine that's not wheezy and disappointing, and has some sort of a hint of practicality?

BRZ/GT-86 could have been a godlike sports coupe if they had put a proper I6 in the front.

No one has the balls to do it

Edit: I don't see a car for me in the near future and that's sad very sad. I think many share this dire sentiment with me.

midwest 340xi 6sp · 01-13-2015, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alumac

I don't think there is any question BMW nailed it with the 2 series. But when you have a 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 portfolio, and only 2 of those lines currently appeal to enthusiasts, you have a problem. I've owned 3 generations of M3s, and this is the first time I'm on the fence about getting another one. I liked knowing in the past that the M3 was the go-to enthusiast car. I don't think that holds anymore.

Agree the line proliferation has reached absurd levels. Only BMW's I would consider in the future is what I just purchased and maybe M3/M4 - but would probably want the M2 before either of them...

midwest 340xi 6sp · 01-13-2015, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revcrazy

I've also owned many bmws mostly all M cars over the last couple generations. I do not think they have passion like that of Porsche, Ferrari and a few others.
The m235 isn't bad to drive, but isn't anything special. Still is very heavy despite its very small size and basic features. I just don't see it having the passion just that all the other bmws have gotten so soulless it makes you think that but not compared to other cars that truly have soul and real character.
I don't recall the m235 doing very well when it was in road and tracks performance car of the year either.

We'll have to agree to disagree..And I do think there is significant passion in that car..Closest thing I've owned to an E46 M3 since my E46 M3.

RingMeister01 · 01-13-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revcrazy

Quote:

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

Against consumer popularity, I'd rather have a car less in weight and less in power. Higher driver dynamic, less fuel consumption and less pollution.

Imagine a modern E36 M3 with today's technological abilities.

Problem pucking solved.

This. Couldn't agree more. That is what the 911 has set the bar for and still does. Not about brute power but superior feel, driving dynamics, braking and a car that feels truly one with the driver...

Even Porsche has fallen sir. The 911 gets larger in size and weigh significantly more with every generation. THERE HAS TO BE A TIPING POINT in the industry! (by history it'll only result by dire circumstance)

Make the pucking cars smaller with less BS tech! In so you resolve all political, economical and environmental issues! Stupid!!!

hellrotm · 01-13-2015, 09:16 PM

Funny they won't make the M-suv that actually makes some sense, the X3M.

Either they don't realize how popluar it would be, or they don't want to undercut sales of X5 and X5M.

2014_335i · 01-13-2015, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Considering to phase out 6MT?? I'll enjoy mine while I can :-)

Funny how many complain about sticking to 'RWD roots' instead of AWD, then happily choose an automatic transmission. So what happened to those driving roots?

bradleyland · 01-13-2015, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcl0328

why is everyone so against AWD? the GTR has it and it's a legendary car.

It is also universally considered a dead lay.

There's more to driving enjoyment than fast lap times. I don't begrudge anyone their lap weapon, but I hope BMW will continue to make cars that are superlative performers and exciting to drive.

bradleyland · 01-13-2015, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Well sure, but with an engine that's not wheezy and disappointing, and has some sort of a hint of practicality?

BRZ/GT-86 could have been a godlike sports coupe if they had put a proper I6 in the front.

I'd have settled for something like a Honda F22 or K20. I really liked the chassis on the BRZ, but the engine was... bleh.

TheBingoBalls · 01-13-2015, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

Even Porsche has fallen sir. The 911 gets larger in size and weigh significantly more with every generation. THERE HAS TO BE A TIPING POINT in the industry! (by history it'll only result by dire circumstance)

Agreed. People need to stop making the comparison to Porsche - it's not a valid comparison. It's easy to build the same car when you've only been building that type of car for so many years and to a specific crowd and even then, how far does that take you? Not far if you had to be purchased by another company because your finances were taking a hit. If it was ridiculous for BMW to come out with a SUV/SAV, then Porsche making the Cayenne and Macan is absolutely absurd.

BMW was and always will be a volume brand and need it to survive where as Porsche can keep making "cars with passion" because they will always be a niche brand...backed by one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world.

RingMeister01 · 01-13-2015, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Quote:

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

Even Porsche has fallen sir. The 911 gets larger in size and weigh significantly more with every generation. THERE HAS TO BE A TIPING POINT in the industry! (by history it'll only result by dire circumstance)

Agreed. People need to stop making the comparison to Porsche - it's not a valid comparison. It's easy to build the same car when you've only been building that type of car for so many years and to a specific crowd and even then, how far does that take you? Not far if you had to be purchased by another company because your finances were taking a hit. If it was ridiculous for BMW to come out with a SUV/SAV, then Porsche making the Cayenne and Macan is absolutely absurd.

BMW was and always will be a volume brand and need it to survive where as Porsche can keep making "cars with passion" because they will always be a niche brand...backed by one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world.

"Bingo"!!!

Seriously

Bosozoku · 01-13-2015, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCobra08

Oh yes ah dee-ut.

RingMeister01 · 01-13-2015, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revcrazy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revcrazy

There is simply no passion in BMW anymore like Porsche, Ferrari and a couple others have. They are simply about a business case and churning out as many cars as possible.

As someone who's owned 2 generations of M3's, 550's and now a brand new owner of an M235xi, I couldn't disagree more...

That little 235 is fast as hell, spirited as all get out and underscores BMW still knows how to build a car the enthusiast will covet..

I've also owned many bmws mostly all M cars over the last couple generations. I do not think they have passion like that of Porsche, Ferrari and a few others.
The m235 isn't bad to drive, but isn't anything special. Still is very heavy despite its very small size and basic features. I just don't see it having the passion just that all the other bmws have gotten so soulless it makes you think that but not compared to other cars that truly have soul and real character.
I don't recall the m235 doing very well when it was in road and tracks performance car of the year either.

BMW has more passion and dedication than ANY brand in the world. Look at the club membership numbers, track series variations and attendance, etc... BMW is uber enthusiastic. BMW cannot lose its fundamentals. It's the heritage, focus, detail and simplicity that's drawn us to fanaticism.

Rupes · 01-13-2015, 09:45 PM

Maybe just focus on making your cars lighter instead? Then you wouldn't have to keep upping the HP and add AWD to keep up with the bloat. Not sure why there is this huge focus on making each car more powerful instead of just being better.

Pauleebe · 01-13-2015, 09:55 PM

AWD not being part of sports cars is from the day when AWD systems were horribly inefficient, heavy, and heavily deterred performance. As Audi has proven, nearly none of these things are true, and AWD actually improves performance in some cases. The 335 is an excellent example of this. So where HP is increasing into the tiers of 500 and beyond, AWD seems logical.

Harry Da Hamster · 01-13-2015, 10:00 PM

"Rear wheel traction is a problem," said no one ever in the ///M community...

midwest 340xi 6sp · 01-13-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

"Bingo"!!!

Seriously

+2

01-13-2015, 08:43 PM	#45
snaimpally Major 170 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2022 F44 M235i GC Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (9) Garage List 2022 M235i [0.00]	As power goes up, AWD makes sense because what is the point of having more power if you can't get it down on the pavement?
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01-13-2015, 08:44 PM	#46
quiksi Captain 76 Rep 906 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 Toyota Tundra ... [0.00] 2011.5 E90 M3 [0.00]	I would very much consider an X3M as opposed to the F8X M3... __________________ 2011 E90 M3 6mt AW/Speed Cloth - ZCP, Moonroof, non-iDrive - PCD 12/9/10 Painted reflectors, matte black grills/gills, Deansbimmer Belly Pan, DEI Alarm, Homelink/compass retrofit, Passport MAX2 Hardwire, GP Thunder 8500K, modmy3 LED interior, Dinan Mufflers, HRE P40 19" Satin Charcoal, Michelin PS4S
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01-13-2015, 09:16 PM	#55
hellrotm Banned 4143 Rep 6,924 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ...Location...Location iTrader: (0)	Funny they won't make the M-suv that actually makes some sense, the X3M. Either they don't realize how popluar it would be, or they don't want to undercut sales of X5 and X5M.
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01-13-2015, 09:45 PM	#63
Rupes Major 1064 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Maybe just focus on making your cars lighter instead? Then you wouldn't have to keep upping the HP and add AWD to keep up with the bloat. Not sure why there is this huge focus on making each car more powerful instead of just being better.
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01-13-2015, 09:55 PM	#64
Pauleebe Colonel 382 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Inbetween BMW's. Join Date: May 2013 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	AWD not being part of sports cars is from the day when AWD systems were horribly inefficient, heavy, and heavily deterred performance. As Audi has proven, nearly none of these things are true, and AWD actually improves performance in some cases. The 335 is an excellent example of this. So where HP is increasing into the tiers of 500 and beyond, AWD seems logical. Last edited by Pauleebe; 01-14-2015 at 10:50 AM..
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01-13-2015, 10:00 PM	#65
Harry Da Hamster Captain 87 Rep 623 Posts Drives: The Bus Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: HNL iTrader: (5)	"Rear wheel traction is a problem," said no one ever in the ///M community...
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