Comments on: BMW “0″ Series Based on the Next Generation MINI?

By: BMW “0″, una serie basada en la prÃ³xima generaciÃ³n MINI? | Auto Alias

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:34:05 +0000

[...] BMW “0″, una serie basada en la prÃ³xima generaciÃ³n MINI? Mar.12, 2010 en City Cars, General, InnovaciÃ³n, â€¢ BMW BMW ha tenido un gran Ã©xito con el Mini y quisiera extenderlo a toda la gama alta. La investigaciÃ³n de mercado estÃ¡ mostrando que la categorÃa de autos pequeÃ±os de lujo tiene un gran potencial de crecimiento, y tener sÃ³lo una marca que ofrece este tipo de vehÃculos puede ser un error. La soluciÃ³n que se plantea BMW? Compartir las plataformas y motorizaciones con la nueva generaciÃ³n Mini. Pero esto no es tan sencillo, Â significa un cambio de filosofÃa. Pasarse a la tracciÃ³n delantera es un salto que la direcciÃ³n y los clientes BMW deberÃ¡n asimilar. BMW ha defendido siempre como una de sus caracterÃsticas fundamentales la tracciÃ³n trasera. Cambiar y luego mantener el posicionamiento diferencial de marca serÃ¡ uno de los desafÃos. Sin embargo la decisiÃ³n parece adecuada, ya que tambiÃ©n posibilitarÃa el desarrollo de un vehÃculo elÃ©ctrico apto para recorridos urbanos y perifÃ©ricos, tan acorde con la demanda actual. SegÃºn el Dr. Reithofe “Para estos nuevos vehÃculos [el nuevo BMW y Mini ] estamos desarrollando una arquitectura comÃºn para tracciÃ³n delantera y en las cuatro ruedas” y agregÃ³: â€œel segmento de autos pequeÃ±os estÃ¡ creciendo demasiado rÃ¡pido como para ignorarloâ€. El lanzamiento serÃa en 2013 y se venderÃa principalmente en Europa. No estarÃa disponible inicialmente para el mercado de EE.UU. Sus rivales: Alfa Mito, Aston Martin Cygnet, Fiat 500, Lancia Ypsilon, y le propio Mini. Ver tambiÃ©n: Â BMW-Isetta? Fuente | Motoringfile [...]

By: BMW confirms plans to produce FWD Cars! - GM Inside News Forum

BMW confirms plans to produce FWD Cars! - GM Inside News Forum — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:58:45 +0000

[...] Posted by chaseabryant So, I was just reading something over on motoringfile that says the MINI-based "0-series" is not going to be making it to the U.S. [...]

By: Bradley Sketchley

Bradley Sketchley — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:03:01 +0000

I’d rock this thing.

By: SFRedMCc

SFRedMCc — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:58:59 +0000

The MINI has a uniqueness due to it’s FWD heritage and “retro” design features. And this mini BMW just looks like another variation on all the other “aerodynamic” new designs being pushed these days.

By: MatthewW

MatthewW — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:11:13 +0000

Put it this way, I just discovered another reason to covet my 2006.

EOS is a business necessity, but spreading a platform too thin is also a dangerous reality for any brand.

By: Don Hopings

Don Hopings — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:11:12 +0000

Mini's and MINI's have always looked quirky. That's just part of the mystique and what sets them apart. If this is how the Series 0 will turn out, it is very sleek and nothing like the MINI. The fact that is could essentially be a MINI under the skin is mostly irrelevant. The thought process and criteria behind buying a Series 0 would still be different from buying a MINI.

So, to me, no conflict...

By: Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo Baggins — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:44:24 +0000

If the BMW were to be a rear wheel drive or AWD then I might think about it. Otherwise I’d take the MINI.

By: dacrema

dacrema — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:35:11 +0000

I would CONSIDER a fwd BMW… I would also consider the Volvo and other cars. I have strong ties to the MINI so if all other issues were more less equal I’d get a MINI.

By: that.guy

that.guy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:02:57 +0000

I would much rather have a 135i hatchback. RWD FTW!

By: Shawn Dillon

Shawn Dillon — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:34:39 +0000

…I have stated this before,on this site;therefore,I will state it again: “The BMW 0 Series are for the individuals who want all the joys of having/owning a MINI without the MINI badge…”

Again…I was surprised on the number of people who have stated that to Me,when I owned,”Sade”.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:26:48 +0000

I for one welcome our BMW overlords.

I would have it play out this way:

The fate of the Clubman platform should be a 4 place BMW 2dr sedan, with RWD or XDrive (BMWs branding of AWD). It should be boxy and upright, very 2002 like, and extend the family down to an 0 series. With the transmission from the R60 they already have the hardware to do this. With pulling the Clubman from oxford they open up room for production of the coupester and roadster.

Its not a stretch for this small BMW to be RWD, There is already talk of a Z2 roadster, and that without doubt would have to be RWD. Again sharing the drive train makes production sense.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:42:16 +0000

It will not be a 0 Series...

More like a 1 series and it will be based on a MINI but not the hatch. Also, worth noting is that the current 5 door 1 series will be sent to pasture later this year and the current 1er coupe convertible will be around until 2013, so unless BMW has worked magic that so far we have not detected the next generation 1 will not be based on a MINI, the following gen will be or will this summer yield a FWD 1 based on a recently introduced MINI product that also has AWD as an option.... hmmmm. Thats all I am saying ;)

By: Mark Smith

Mark Smith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:55:06 +0000

I honestly think most of you all are taking this a little too far. BMW would NEVER intermix or dilute any of their product. What they do is very intelligent if you think about it. Rather than just platform share as Audi, Toyota, or even Nissan are known for BMW will take parts that they can commonly use between multiple models and share them to reduce costs. Not just take the same platform and place different body panels on it. The Countryman and X1 is a great example of this. They share components but when it comes down to it they are two entirely different cars. They are related as much as they are unrelated. Any cost savings is a good one as long as quality is not sacrificed.

By: beken

beken — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:36:38 +0000

I probably would not have bought my MINI if the company were not owned by BMW. I most likely would not have been interested in owning a BMW until after the great experience I've had with owning my MINI. Strange dilemna, yes. Having said that, I enjoy owning my MINI much more than I do my BMW 5-series. The MINI people treat me much more like a real person at my MINI dealer. When my BMW dealer mistakenly addressed me as doctor and I informed them of the mistake, I could see the disappointment on their faces and the way I was treated afterwards.

Though both cars have been very good.

By: rb

rb — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:09:02 +0000

If I step up to a Bimmer, I don’t want another fwd car. What I want is a lighter, cheaper 1-series.

By: James Irmiger

James Irmiger — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:26:27 +0000

Why not? I mean, the iSetta brand will be only targeted towards economy and not representative of the performance image BMW has built, and MINI is, frankly, too retro for a great may buyers. Besides, BMW pricing has only gone up over the years. A base model 1-Series with zero options is over 28k! With every other manufacturer bringing good, small cars to market, it only makes sense to get a piece of the action early on.

By: Evan

Evan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:25:37 +0000

I think it's important to remember that there are a lot of MINI owners who also have BMWs, and stereotyping them.

That aside, MINI is the FWD BMW and BMW is the rear wheel drive BMW. This won't affect MINI poorly, but has a lot of potential to dilute the BMW brand.

By: mike c.

mike c. — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:35:42 +0000

My only real issue with with BMW is the cost. Higher costs for the buy and higher costs for repairs. The MINI already was a little higher than what I'm used to.

And don't get me started on the knuckleheads drivers that tend to buy or lease BMW's.

By: dr

dr — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:43:54 +0000

I think it’s important not to misunderstand the results of this poll. If BMW offered a MINI clone, I would buy the BMW instead of the MINI. If there was no BMW I would buy the MINI anyway. A BMW badged car does not make me buy a car I would not have bought with the MINI label. If MINI doubled production they would sell every car, I see no real advantage for bmw to put the roundel on small fwd cars!

By: Dean Cory

Dean Cory — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:30:29 +0000

Good riddance to the 0 series! We may have to put up with the BMW overlords...

But we don't want their bluetooth headset wearing, iPad/iPOD using, keep your fwd car away from my RWD/AWD Slushbox iDrive using BMW SNOBB attitude.