80 percent of BMW 1-Series drivers think the car is a front-wheel drive

[Mr Robert]

If you know me for else where you will know that I use to own an M3 but I prefer awd over rwd. Though do understand why some people prefer rwd, but in a 1 series will a PTW that models like the 118i have I seriously don't see the driving thrill you are talking about, when it's 300hp I can understand but not with a car that can't offer any real entertainment.

I think the 130i is the perfect example. 265 hp, RWD and very entertaining. I agree that the very weakest models really can't benefit from the superior RWD layout but I guess they all will have to have the same and then they should all be RWD.

 

[Guibo]

Those figures re-enforce what I am saying... I wouldn;t at all be surprised if a figure of 400,000 units per year was achieved within 2 years of prodcution.

Mind blowing.

It really doesn't because it shows that the Mini is selling in numbers we don't expect from a niche brand. The niche argument no longer flies and BMW know that, which is why they abandoned the 20k US cap a long time go.
What are Audi's sales targets for the A1? I would be really surprised if it's anywhere near 400,000. That is close to VW Polo figures, and I doubt BMW's offering will be cheaper.

 

[footie]

It really doesn't because it shows that the Mini is selling in numbers we don't expect from a niche brand. The niche argument no longer flies and BMW know that, which is why they abandoned the 20k US cap a long time go.
What are Audi's sales targets for the A1? I would be really surprised if it's anywhere near 400,000. That is close to VW Polo figures, and I doubt BMW's offering will be cheaper.

I'm sure I read the figure of 400k but I can't recall whether this estimate came from BMW or not.

 

[Guibo]

I'm sure I read the figure of 400k but I can't recall whether this estimate came from BMW or not.

I would be surprised that they would be chasing the VW Polo market. That wouldn't make sense. Especially in developing countries where the Polo is firmly established after decades of sales.

FWIW, Audi are looking at volumes of 80k per year for the A1:
Audi A1 Targets 80,000 Sales in First Year

Less than 1/2 of what the Mini has been selling at, though I'm sure they will take some Mini sales. Would it not appear, then, that BMW already have an A1 fighter in the Mini?

 

[Germaniac]

On a side note, the indefinite aticle of an abbreviations is determined by prenounciation rather than the first letter, right?

You are correct - although it's 'pronunciation'

 

[Mr Robert]

You are correct - although it's 'pronunciation'

Thanks, and sorry about that, I usually try to write as tidy as possible.

I wouldn't be too quick to discount these findings... as you concede, I would imagine the majority of 1-series (or even 3-series) purchasers would not be car affectionados.

The 3-series must be one of the most common fleet cars in many countries in western Europe.

 

[Human]

Point in time / matter of fact stays: 100% BS stats from BMW AG and BMW build a history on RWD as Audi did with Quattro....

Say for instance Audi AG claimed that 80% of their customers did not now they were driving 4WD/Quattro cars and would stop producing Quattro?!

Bottom line? a FWD Beemer is like a transvestite! Pointless!

 

[ACE]

Say for instance Audi AG claimed that 80% of their customers did not now they were driving 4WD/Quattro cars and would stop producing Quattro?

I don't know the exact figures but if ~80% of Audi customers claimed they were not driving Quattro models... they would be right!

 

[footie]

I don't know the exact figures but if ~80% of Audi customers claimed they were not driving Quattro models... they would be right!

I can't recall the exact figure but I believe the split between fwd and quattro is seventy something percent in favour of fwd. I reckon the eighty percent would be diesel.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I can't recall the exact figure but I believe the split between fwd and quattro is seventy something percent in favour of fwd. I reckon the eighty percent would be diesel.

I think you missed the very subtle capital 'Q' on the "Quattro" in the post ACE made.

 

[Kowalski]

I really doubt if those BMW drivers that took part in the research know what they are driving.

I think the article is full of it...

I agree.

Sorry chaps but I think this article is bullshit.

 

[Centurion]

I agree.

Sorry chaps but I think this article is bullshit.

Doesn't have to be the case. Enthusiasts only represent a very small of percentage of the customer base for most mainstream products. Just look at iPhone an iPod owners. The earbuds are 101% useless but yet the majority of users don't bother spending a few notes on upgrading to earbuds that won't blow after two weeks or give you a headache.

Some months ago I read a study of Vogue readers and only 11% considered themselves to be "fashion experts". The reast were just casual readers and individuals looking for new stuff to buy.

 

[Mockenrue]

I think you missed the very subtle capital 'Q' on the "Quattro".

That's only applicable when referring to the Ur-Quattro; the drive system is always spelled with a lower case 'q'.

As for the [image no longer available]issue, I'm more concerned by the fact that some owners actually think it's a good looking car.

 

[Mr Robert]

As for the 1-series issue, I'm more concerned by the fact that some owners actually think it's a good looking car.

What is the issue? Furthermore, the 1-series is a damn good looking car, best in class, by far.

 

[Mockenrue]

By 'issue' I meant the topic of this thread (the 80% thing).

Furthermore, the 1-series is a damn good looking car, best in class, by far.

I can't agree I'm afraid; IMO it's one of the ugliest cars on the road. I just can't stand the looks from any angle.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

That's only applicable when referring to the Ur-Quattro; the drive system is always spelled with a lower case 'q'.

Er, yes, I know. That was the point I was making. I was replying to Footie who missed the point ACE was making about 80% of Audi drivers who believed they weren't driving 'Quattro's' as opposed to 'quattro's'.

 

[Mockenrue]

Got it, sorry for the misunderstanding!

Blame the hangover

 

[south]

I can't agree I'm afraid; IMO it's one of the ugliest cars on the road. I just can't stand the looks from any angle.

Your opinion is perfectly valid, but the looks of the 1 series are not so much this thread's topic.


Best regards,
south

 

[Zafiro]

As for the issue, I'm more concerned by the fact that some owners actually think it's a good looking car.

As a owner of a 1 series Im not saying its a beautiful car but it got character, coolness and attitude unlike Audi A3 which looks absolutly boring and top on that the drive isnt very exciting. Yes, some like the design and some don't. As stated before, design is subjective so no need for you to be concerned

BTW my mother knew the 1-series is rear wheel drive. She passed the question

 

[Mockenrue]

Your opinion is perfectly valid, but the looks of the Audi A3 are not so much this thread's topic.