That 1 year warranty report in Automotive News Europe got me thinking about a letter of mine that they published early last year regarding, what I felt was unfair treatment of Rover and its 75 model by BMW. (This was just after they had rid themselves of Rover.)
I wrote then, that I felt that BMW had failed to promote the Rover marque, evidenced by the “ill-timed” attack on their so-called “patient” during the launch of the `75` at Geneva!!
But the main theme of my letter was about the consistent BMW (UK) advertising campaign pushing (sic) home the advantages of BMW`s rear-wheel-drive over front-wheel-drive dynamics, both on TV and in the press. (The Rover 75 has front drive.)
I thought that it could hardly have helped matters and that it was “hardly an act of brotherly love”!
Which brings me to the MINI, now I don`t know if BMW have advertised worldwide extolling the advantages of their rear-wheel-drive chassis – but, especially given the good reports coming in about the MINI`s front-drive system – I wonder if we`ll hear no more about it?
Don`t get me wrong, I`ve nothing against rear-drive ( I have an S2000) I just thought that it wasn`t good to knock another member of the “family” at a difficult time.
To our American friends, does/did BMW make much of their Driving Machine`s rear-drive configuration in it`s US advertising?
