Quote:
Originally Posted by ZDan
The E30 was significantly smaller and lighter-weight than a "Typical family car sized car"! Latest 3-series, definitely "family car" size and weight...
However, LONG gone are the days when you could equip the lowliest model (318i in the states) with a limited slip diff. Now you *have* to have an "M" car to get what I consider a *requirement* for any rwd car with sporting pretensions. And on top of that, instead of trying to give us a legitimately small and lightweight rwd platform, they're going fwd instead!
Excellent slalom and skidpad numbers, sure. But the additional size and mass subtract tremendously from the fun of the driving experience.
I'd like the cars a lot better if a 2.0 liter N/A four would be a sufficient powerplant.
This part remains: they're definitely priced for the more affluent. Regardless of the $$$, I'd much rather they made smaller/simpler/lighter cars, which would require less powerful engines, smaller brakes, smaller wheels, smaller tires.
This is NOT the same company that gave us the 2002 and the E30 M3... This is a purveyor of oversized/overwrought/overweight luxury cars with a few minor nods to "sportiness".
OK, Camaro then. It weighs as much as the newer, massive, bricklike Camaro. The E30 M3 weighed about 1000 lb. less! Huge strides made by BMW, in exactly the wrong direction 
I wouldn't mind it, but I'd rather have a proper sports sedan than a massive luxobarge. Honestly, I think the E28 M5 is a cooler car (though obviously a lot slower in any contest). Just like I think the E30 M3 is a cooler car than the current 3700+ lb. monstrosity.
The current BMW lineup is all but irrelevant to me. I could easily afford one, but I'd honestly rather have an FR-S or BRZ. BMW could learn a lot from these cars... |
I totally agree 110% with what you say. I find my self nodding.. yes, yes.. So true, so right..
For the sake of discussion, I just end up taking the logic/rational way of thinking in stead of writing the stuff you do!
Ill just say one thing about the stuff you said.
yes, you would like the car better if it was a NA 2.0. But it would not be a success, unless they managed to make if much more efficient than the 86. The main market for the 1-series is in Europe. The contingent that aim for engines producing half the amount of CO2 of a typical 2.0L NA engine.
BMW would have shot themselves in the foot by doing that.
The efficient engines are a part of BMWs success over here. All competition basically have turbo engines. They would not have a chance if they went the normal NA route. Its just the way things are in EU. Some countries are worse than others. Im from one of the worst, I know..
Here is proof.
Ill show some insanity:
BMW E81 116D (diesel, the work of satan, and a car that is quite "heavy" considering the 1.gen 1-series was not light and diesel engines add to that)
In 2009-2011 those engines had 115hp. But there was also a 90hp version. 90hp BMW in a new 2011 model BMW is something for you US guys to chew on.. :P
Anyway.. Those engines are based on the same 2l diesel engine that sits in the more powerful diesel versions.
A used car from 2010/2011 with very low milage are half the price of a GT86 in Norway. A little flash device from
ESS-tuning. BOM! 180hp/420NM torque
Add Quaife LSD. Yes,
these guys have to almost every BMW.
Add stiffer rear swaybar and some adjustable dampers. KW V3?
Add lightweight brakes..
Result: FUN new low millage toy at a reasonable price.
Id much rather do that on F20/F21 114I which have a much better chassis, and a petrol engine. But there are issues with the new BMWs.
1- Have not come across a way to get engine mapping into sport mode when DSC off. Default is comfort, which is not responsive at all.
2- No chip to make it into a more powerful 118I. Yes, I could just buy the 118I and maybe do a little tuning if desirable.
3-E-LSD are activated when DSC is off. It would probably not interfer with when a proper locking diff are installed, but Id feel better not running into the risk.
A dream OEM car would probably be more of hardcore "baby" m-car with around 230hp, and 4 usable seats (not much larger than the 86) Due to taxes, I would have chosen turbo and minimzed lag as much as possible. 1.5l high reving 3-cylinder engine (or some light weight KERS hybrid stuff that the GT86 might get). Give me a OS-giken style diff with 100% locking capacity too. It could be the baby M2 CSL, just like the E30 318is was the baby "m" car..
Fat "proper M-cars" could have more "sophisticated" stuff..
The only reason why 3-series are so fat is because of its size and engine, and not focusing enough on weight from the start.
F21 M135I weight 290 pounds more than F21 118I.
A performance 118is/218is (CSL) could easily get down to 2700pounds. A 2-series could as well if made right..
There are so many opportunities.
I have also dreamed about a Z2, maybe named Z22. A compact Z-series car with 2+2 layout. That would not mess up the normal BMW lineup.
The car would be a mix of a 218IS CSL and a GT86.
BMW will probably make a Z2 with fwd.
