Out Of Touch? 80% Of Bmw 1-Series Owners Don't Know What Wheels Drive The Car!

I'd say that BMW is simply catering to thier current demographic. Clueless Americans. FWD BMW? Most Americans don't even know how to tell if a vehicle is FWD or not. I used to love all BMW's. Now the only BMWs that I like are the "M" models. The rest are dull (including the 335).

Both are dull. Did I say or even imply that the 318i wasn't dull?

Maybe the question asked was worded wrong. And people assumed that the question was asking where is the engine located? LOL!

In reality unless you're buying the AMG, RS or M version of those respective makes lineup then you're wasting your money! The marginal performance over the competition for these makes lower models is not worth the premium you pay.

This is somewhat off target for why people buy BMWs. Some people don't know anything about cars, but they do know if they buy a BMW they are getting one of the best handling cars in its class. If BMW starts playing with this underlying principle it could hurt BMWs image.

This is why having the MINI brand was a good strategy for BMW.

BMW owners are not sports car people.

I got deboosted for saying that BMW owners are not sports car people? Truth hurts I guess. LOL. So all those females that I see driving BMW 3-series (more than I do males) are all sports car enthusiasts?

Some folks here flat-out refuse to accept reality. Must be republican.

You were correct until the republican remark. I guess you must be confused, I thought the ideological, theorizing "we'll write checks we can't cash" liberals were the ones out of touch with reality. Oh no, it must those crazy republicans who stand for a fiscally sound government and responsible citizens that dont stand around waiting for a free handout.

Yea, that makes sense.

You must be a republican. Yes, the same republicans that lied us into a war and turned a surplus into a deficit. And thats who you want back in office? LOL!! Get a clue.

And lets not forget the biggest check that wasn't cashed, the Bush tax-cuts. And the bailout was also done under the repulicans watch, as was the 2008 financial disaster, and 9/11.

"Thomas Jefferson & the Enlightenment Removed From Texas Curriculum"

Yes, you read that headline correctly. This is not a joke. It’s deadly serious. The reactionary, Fox-publican, Religious Right-led Texas Board of Education has just ordered Thomas Jefferson, one of the most important of the Founding Fathers, from the Texas social-studies curriculum.

Disgraceful and Pathetic. This is sign of ideology taken to the delusional absurd by the hysterical, anti-intellectual wing of the republican party that should be called the Foxpublicans.

You all must not have jobs.

Enjoy spending my hard earned tax dollars. Wake up and start thinking for yourself.

Badgewhoe, how about the back door deals the Democrats pulled with the healthcare bill? The bill that all polls show the majority of Americans DO NOT WANT? All the specialist interest groups flushing money down the toilet while Nancy Pelosi flys back and forth to California TWICE A WEEK in a private jet, but she wants me to reduce my carbon emissions? Cap 'n trade? Do you pay attention to anything? Seems like you and the others here just buy in to the propaganda, oh, and of course, then you blame Bush.

So let me get this straight, after Obama bankrupts the country, he can still blame Bush, right?

I can tell most of you are young, probably in college. Something to think about: THINK about all this yourself. For once, dont just buy into the liberal crap your professors spoon feed you all day long. Don't listen to Rush or Hannity. Don't listen to that fool Kieth Olberman. For once, think about it yourself.

Republicans are so righteous that they don't have back door deals. Give me a break!

There will always 2 sides to every issue.

Bashing the democrats does not make the Foxpublicans any more appealing. The polls about about American opinion are very deceptive. The Fox polls ask Americans if they want a government bureaucrat between them and their doctor. Well of course they say they don't wnat that. When Americans are asked if they want specific things that are actually in the bill then they are for it. You should think for yourself and the first step is turning off the histrionics of the Foxpubilcan propaganda machine - it makes you dumb.

when did I ever mention Fox? That's right, I didnt! Just move proof you listen to propaganda instead of understanding the truth. What kills me is that you say I buy into "faux new rhetoric" when you are the one who is blindly following.

This is off topic, this is not the venue for politics.

No wonder why every time I come to this forum I see stupid and inmature comments. It is flooded with brainwashed-follow-the-crowd-lazy-give-me-free-money-which-I-don't-deserve liberal democrats. It now all makes sense.

I can't wait until November when Independents will wash out all the liberal and some Republican garbage during the elections. I'm glad Obama won - I did not vote for him - because after his presidency he will have damaged this country and his socialist party to the point we will not see them for decades!

Funny how all liberals like to point fingers and blame everyone but themselves. Typical for people who demand more benefits while underperforming. Liberals are on the way out and Massachussetts proved it. Can't wait till November.

M35MT, you should not be surprised at the IQ level in this forum. After all it is the educated minority that will always lead the country, have the power, the education. It has been proven countless times by multiple studies. 20% are performers and 80% underperformers.

"because after his presidency he will have damaged this country and his socialist party to the point we will not see them for decades!

- Kind of like what Bush did? LOL!!!


"Liberals are on the way out and Massachussetts proved it."

- And what about the NY23rd district? You know the seat that republicans held forever and lost it because Palin got involved.


"After all it is the educated minority that will always lead the country, have the power, the education. "

- Like the current admistration? LOL!!!

I told my friend about this in he responded with: "BMW owners are not sports car people". I agree 100%

Not surprising at all.

My mother drives a 2008 328xi, I know she's aware its an all wheel drive because we told her so often, but ask her what kind of engine is under the bonnet, or how many gears the AT have, she doesn't have a clue. This doesnt prevent her to appreciate the dynamics of the car. She thinks it drives well, feels safe, brakes well and starts fast on red light.

Exactly. Mazda knew this when they started their ad campaign years ago....

"what will speak to the people when we tell them our cars are fun to drive?"

"how about 'zoom-zoom'"

"genius! let's break for lunch."

Honestly, I have to say I am not surprised at all. They buy them because they want a certain status symbol.

Not surprising at all, people who purchase the lowest class of a premium brand aren't the same as those who actually purchase premium brands. Guarantee 80% of low end MacBook's don't know what kind of processor is in their machine.

Actually, you are wrong. These entry level people are the same that move up and buy the premium models. That is what BMW or any OEm wants, to have entry level customers that later trade up.

I must agree with those that say BMW customers are mostly interested in the brand label, with only a few diehards that have more car knowhow.

BMW enthusiasts are often racing enthusiasts as well spending many a weekend at the track in a BMW. I would include those in "Sports Car People". Others enjoy a good handling car and enjoy motorsports be it F1 or desert rallies. But obviously they could not sell so many cars if they only catered to those crowds sooooo... like every large scale car manufacturer they make a lot of models that are targeted to many other audiences. I don't think any really large scale car manufacturer can say they cater only to "Sports Car People" otherwise they would not be a large scale car manufacturer! Maybe Porsche comes a little close but there are lots of people who drive them that probably don't know which wheels are driven either!

I think there is a good relationship between Land Rover drivers and BMW drivers. When you see a Land Rover, you probably think grocery getter status symbol. That is usually the case.

There are however, a small number of LR owners that use their vehicles in the deep snow or occassional dirt road. Think of this as a BMW owner that has a spirited (if thats a word) drive on a back road.

Then there are the extremes. The LR owner that takes his/her rig off roading on trails, to events, etc. And the BMW owner who takes his Bimmer to enthusiast meets and closed tracks to use it to its full potential. I'd say that for both brands, this extreme is well below 10% of all owners.

So there is a good chance next 1 series will be FWD and would compete with cars like CT200h.
I think BMW is going where most customers are so going FWD. They might also make an ES350 competitor.

JUGNU

yikes!

But I bet they know what time The Hills come on or how to fist pump.

There are many categories of BMW drivers but around here I see only the following:

-The old rich people who drive them slower than a bicycle.

-The bitchy rich daddies girl who goes through 3 before college (accidents).

-"The Situation" guys who no matter what time of day/night step out with their aviators on and syringe holes in their arms.

-The status symbol seeking career girl who send one of her two paychecks a month to BMW Finance.

Very VERY rarely do I see anyone that would resemble an enthusiast who drives the car like it is supposed to be driven. And no the guy in the M3 peeling out at every light does not equat to a driver. He is an a$$hole.

I have a 335i. I thought it was front wheel drive car, but about a month ago, someone told me it's rear wheel drive. Everyone knows rear wheel drive cars suck in the snow. So now, whenever it snows, I drive the car in reverse so the forward wheels are the drive wheels.

LOL

Let's face it - the typical 1-series buyer's biggest desire is to have a luxury badge and they really could care less about the vehicle itself. RWD? FWD? Who cares as long it as it says BMW.

Damn! You must be shamelessly rich. 45k to me is expensive.

Just a suggestion that may help. The title should of been "80% SURVEYED..." As is now makes it sound as if 80% of "ALL" 1-Series owners don't know what they drive. If one believes that then are they one of the 80%?

Oh Well.

What disturbs me is BMW CEO seems too be using this to justify BMW build FWD cars. This bean-counter is willing to compromise BMW ethos for more sells. He and his cronies need to be fired fast!

Damn, I have a 1er cabrio and I thought it was AWD.
No effing wonder it couldn't handle a foot of snow..

I'd say 80% of AMERICANS don't know which wheels drive their cars.

Hell, most Americans don't know what to do when their car "suddenly accelerates."

And know nothing of lane discipline, or what that little stalk is that sticks out of the steering column is (the one that makes that annoying ticking noise) or....

Ok back to the article...

I think the CEO is miss informed. I know plenty of 1er owners and we all share the same passion and philosophy that the 1 series is on the most value packed fun BMW in recent memory, not to mention its still rear wheel drive.

Anyhow I am a BMW brand lover so not objective view here :)

The majority of people or at least the one I know or work with buy a car from BMW for their logo and statis.

Kind of like, hey look at me, I am young, fun, successful and I drive a nice expensive cars. But sadly most of them are living from paid check to paid check.