Front-wheel drive BMW is imminent

[PhoenixGG]

The Mini is not a BMW, it is like a Ramora fish, swimming in the sharks wake. A front wheel BMW is an audi and that cannot be tolerated.

We should put together a petition. VIVA!!

This kind of news make me want to :fishwack:

---

I wonder is we will see the first FWD M model someday?

 

[Fordkoppie]

Wow you lot are a bunch of bloody drama llamas.

BMW has produced MINI since 2001, currently one of the best FWD produced, not to mention top selling FWD cars currently on the market.

If BMW were to take the MINI Concept, make it more mature and less about wheel-spin and crazyness (which is pretty much MINI) you will probably find a superb BMW dying to be loved.

What BMW has got right with the MINI brand in the last 10 years is more than Ford, VW or Audi have done in the last 40.

I welcome a front wheel drive BMW to the range, it will be superb just like every RWD BMW out there because it is BMW.

Oh, and for all those crying "thats what MINI is for" I suggest you go have a chat to DP at your closest MINI/BMW dealer cos I can assure you right now that MINI is outselling BMW in a nasty way, I dare you guys to do it.

I know BMW dealers that are only open still because of the silly little MINI showroom next to it. :idea:

Any FWD BMW that leaves BMW will be so unlike a MINI in any case, BMW has specific ethos to which their business runs. Joy, Efficient Dynamics and Power. This is the BMW brand identity and it is nothing like MINI, as I see it you are ignorantly shunting something which I think will be a superb edition to the BMW Family.

Apply those basic ethos to the 1 series, a phenomenal car as it is, give it a drive-train that anyone can take to the limits, add some clever electronic diffs like the LSD in the John Cooper Works MINI, add some style and some vigour and the 118i motor and you have a superb all-rounder just like a GTI.

Lets face it, times are changing and it isnt like BMW has not surprised us yet considering the current lineup.

Mike

So BMW is actually taking a fun Mini and making it boring......
Have they become Mercedes or what?

 

[Mike1]

Oh, and for all those crying "thats what MINI is for" I suggest you go have a chat to DP at your closest MINI/BMW dealer cos I can assure you right now that MINI is outselling BMW in a nasty way, I dare you guys to do it.

Dare accepted:

May 2012 RSA BMW sales figures:
BMW models. 2175
MINI models. 236

Some perspective perhaps:

MINI Dealer Network: 15 Dealerships (3 to 4 sales people for New & Used combined!)
BMW Dealer Network: 59 Dealerships (4 to 5 New car sales people & at least 4 Used car sale people)

BMW requires twice the staff to make the profit that MINI makes per dealer monthly, it also requires 4x the amount of dealers countrywide to sell 21 extra cars over MINI monthly.

You break that down and tell me that MINI isnt a more profitable business concept.

I refer to my quoted text:

Oh, and for all those crying "thats what MINI is for" I suggest you go have a chat to DP at your closest MINI/BMW dealer cos I can assure you right now that MINI is outselling BMW in a nasty way, I dare you guys to do it.

My statement applies to BMW/MINI combined dealerships, not standalone BMW dealerships.

I know that right now that my old dealer sold over 40 MINI's per month so far this year. Last year December the same BMW dealer with 14 sales people couldn't muster 100 car sales in December, the busiest time for a dealer.

Said MINI Dealer had two sales people at the time and won dealer of the year. Two sales people and 40 cars, compared to close to 13 sales people next door who could not do the same sales figure.

If I told you the sales numbers, profit margins of the oldest and probably still the largest BMW Dealership in Cape Town as Barloworld sees it you will be mortified at the comparisons between the two brands and the way they make their money.

BMW has to throw mammoth amounts of trade in assistance, trade assistance, the entire profit of the car sometimes just to get a 320i out the door. Somehow we never had that problem at MINI.

So once again, forget the DP, go straight to the Financial Manager and ask him in terms of sales who keeps who afloat at a MINI/BMW dealer.

Its all irrelevent as parts and service alone makes twice the profit than both combined.

Mike

 

[sirLancelot]

Wow you lot are a bunch of bloody drama llamas.
ALL and all...
Well put Mike

 

[AshG108]

:biglol:

 

[Coisman]

Ag, bring it!!

 

[petrivanzyl]

Oh, and for all those crying "thats what MINI is for" I suggest you go have a chat to DP at your closest MINI/BMW dealer cos I can assure you right now that MINI is outselling BMW in a nasty way, I dare you guys to do it.

Dare accepted:
May 2012 RSA BMW sales figures:
BMW models. 2175
MINI models. 236

Some perspective perhaps:
MINI Dealer Network: 15 Dealerships (3 to 4 sales people for New & Used combined!)
BMW Dealer Network: 59 Dealerships (4 to 5 New car sales people & at least 4 Used car sale people)

Still:

BMW models
May 2012 Sales figures: 2175
Dealerships: 59
Cars per dealership: 36.86

MINI models
May 2012 Sales figures: 236
Dealerships: 15
Cars per dealership: 15.73

 

[Mike1]

Ai, ek se maar niks. Gaan vra net. :thumbs:

 

[v1p3r]

It's ok Mike, we know about your love for MINI, you'd shag one if it had a :rollsmile:

 

[Mike1]

Actually, I have been rather out of love for MINI for a while now until I visited my old dealer a few days ago to prep for an epic photoshoot which we are doing and sort of fell in love all over again.

To be honest if it was my cash it would go to a Fiat 500 1.4 Sport, a small charger, suspension, exterior mods, upgraded sound and brakes and loads of fun in another classic icon whilst still having change for petrol. :joy:

That said, I did work for the largest dealer in the country for a year and a half so I suppose I may be a bit biased, just a bit. :rollsmile:

 

[Raybimmer]

I drive a rear wheel drive car because I want to . I know it is rear wheel drive , I hear the tyres make a noise sometimes when they defy friction .
If I want front wheel drive I will buy a Golf .
If BMW can get the FWD platform right it will sell , the badge is there , that counts .:thumbs:
Many people will buy it , maybe some forum members will buy it for wifes , daughters , MIL etc .:roflol:

 

[ntuthuko]

Thing is if bmw realises that the FWD does well (profit wise) what are the chances that the 3 series wont get the same treatment too.

 

[kabal]

I drive a rear wheel drive car because I want to . I know it is rear wheel drive , I hear the tyres make a noise sometimes when they defy friction .
If I want front wheel drive I will buy a Golf .
If BMW can get the FWD platform right it will sell , the badge is there , that counts .:thumbs:
Many people will buy it , maybe some forum members will buy it for wifes , daughters , MIL etc .:roflol:

some forum members will buy for themselves

Thing is if bmw realises that the FWD does well (profit wise) what are the chances that the 3 series wont get the same treatment too.

negative 47% :rollsmile:

 

[Philip Foglar]

I want to see a FWD 330d!! :rollsmile:

Saw a Corolla today trying to pull off on some gravel while towing a trailer... :roflol: