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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?
I've never seen/read/heard any rear-drive vs. front-drive propaganda from BMW. I'm surprised to hear about this. It has always been my opinion, as well as anyone I've talked to, that RWD is preferred for performance while FWD is good for the non-performance oriented driver in slippery conditions.
Purely from a driving point of view (forget extra interior space of FWD), would you rather have your MINI FWD or RWD?
For me the MINI just has to be FWD, no question about that!
The BMW RWD advertising campaign in the UK never actually mention FWD (as far as I am aware) because there`s really been no need to do so!
It`s obvious!
What they emphasize is that, on a BMW the steered wheels are not corrupted by the driving wheels, and that, as a direct consequence of RWD they also have better balance and therefore superior dynamics!
This kind of particular BMW (very slick) advertising has been running on UK TV and in the press now for at least 12 months, although I don`t recall seeing any of it just recently!
How could they, then, put a BMW badge on the MINI?
Any comments about those BMW adverts - if they haven`t run similar campaigns in the States, how about out there in the rest of the World?
My experience with FWD have been mixed. My Sentra SE-R had no trouble putting its power to the ground, but it had considerable torque-steer in first gear. My 91hp Honda doesn't have enough power to torque-steer, but will spin its tires (well, OK, tire) in second gear if rain is even threatening. The Sentra had limited-slip, which is probably what all FWD cars should have. FWD drive was intended as an engineering solution to a packaging problem. It was sold to American drivers on it traction merits, as all of the packaging benefits were lost when the new FWD cars had the same huge central console as the old RWD cars. Of course, those early American front-drivers weighed 3000 pounds and put out 125hp, so there wasn't much need to worry about traction problems.
As the mini has always been front wheel drive,there was no alternative.Producing such a small car with rear wheel drive would be far too expensive.On the subject of the Rover being front wheel drive,this was intentional as too distance Rover as a marque from BMW,however the z axle is designed to accomodate rear wheel drive take the z3 and the new MG V8 version of the 75 will be real drive.
The mini is badged a mini and not a BMW so there is distance from the BMW range,if you want a rear drive beemer buy the forthcoming 1 series,if you want a mini..well...buy a mini...Yeah I know you gottta walk into a BMW dealer to buy vthe thing,but it's made by BMW it ain't meant to be one.
Ahh.... torque steer. Those famous words that any self-respecting motoring journalist loves to throw into any discussion of FWD cars. To them, it is like the kiss of death. Complaints about torque steer started back in the 60's when FWD cars became powerful enough to notice the effect (the original Mini Cooper S comes to mind). They continue to this day.
Having owned mostly FWD cars all my life, I am very familiar with the phenomenon, but it has never, ever bothered me. Not one single time.
Let me present a radical idea: Torque steer is what it is. It is not a bad thing; it is just a different thing.
I wonder how things might be very different if FWD had been the norm and RWD was introduced as the new way to propel a car…. I can just picture motor journalists complaining about the "lack of acceleration feedback in the steering" with RWD. :!)
HA HA HA HA!!!! Sorry mate, that was brilliant!!! HA ha ha ha!!!
arty:
I have to say... I started out with rear wheel drive, and in a 'big' car, there is no substitute!! Front wheel drive in a large heavy car is a pain to get the power down... especially if you 'ave a big engine in there!
Front drive in a small car... now, that is what I have now - and not a problem! The MINI *should* be front drive, and it is! Nice! Rear drive would eat too much space... we would be pretty much left with a MAXI!!! He he he!
Blimey, lads, I really started something here didn`t I?
Of course the MINI should have FWD, but that wasn`t what I was banging on about. I was only hoping I`d get some comments and answers on the above quoted bit!
Anyway England are playing Greece tonight on TV in a World Cup Qualifying match! So it might just be a little bit quiet from the UK until around 22:00GMT!
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arty:
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