Thank BMW of NA for not offering this in the US

"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
06/05/2016 at 16:26 • Filed to: None

Went to several dealerships today and had a look a the cars they had on display. BMW had about three 2er Active Tourers in their showroom. Holy fuck that car is disappointing. I don’t even know where to start. If that’s the future of BMW.. nope. Just nope. It’s the complete opposite of what a BMW should be. Oh btw, they also had the new M2 which I will sell my kidney for. They also had a M6 Competiton which was imposing.

DISCUSSION (40)

My citroen won't start > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:31

If it sells, I see no reason for it not to exist.

not for canada - australian in disguise > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:34

Is it any worse than a B-Class?

RT > not for canada - australian in disguise
06/05/2016 at 16:34

It’s the first FWD BMW.

Just let that sink in.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > My citroen won't start
06/05/2016 at 16:34

Sure. I’ve seen plenty of them already. Almost all owned by some old guys (65+). This is literally the perfect car for senior citizens who want to have a BMW but can’t get in and out of a 3er. But wait until you’ve sat in one. The seats are harder than in a bus. Not kidding here.

MultiplaOrgasms > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:35

Sub-9 minute Nürburgring lap tho.

My citroen won't start > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:36

The ones I’ve seen here in Brazil are all driven by young mothers who couldn’t afford/didn’t want a X3 or a B Class Merc.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > not for canada - australian in disguise
06/05/2016 at 16:37

It’s supposed to have decent handling despite being fwd like RT said. But the seats are harder than math in Chinese and it kinda looks like a rat imo. If I were 70 and wanted a mpv I’d get the B Class or Golf Sportsvan.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:38

The seven seater 2-series Gran Tourer was once described as the 2-series Gran Divorce by a Dutch car blogger/journalist. Because he found it the ideal car for someone who would normally drive a 3-series, but needs the added 2 seats because he was divorced and married again with a woman who also already had kids, but still wants to drive a BMW, because Premium...

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > MultiplaOrgasms
06/05/2016 at 16:39

“That’s like superfast, yo.”

-for 2008

Goggles Pizzano > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:39

BMW’s B-series?

Kinja'd!!!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:42

Funny you’d say that, my grandparents actually looked at one when time came to replace their E60 520d. We also tested the Golf Sportsvan, and that was miles ahead (it’s one of my favourite ‘backseat’-cars); the BMW felt very cramped in comparison. As for what they ended up with: an Audi Q3.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
06/05/2016 at 16:42

Sounds about right. Besides the badge there’s nothing really exciting or nice about this car. You can see that it’s BMWs first attempt at this.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > My citroen won't start
06/05/2016 at 16:45

That’s the target market that BMW wants for this car. The reality looks different though. The BMW 114i and 116i are the poverty spec here in Europe.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Goggles Pizzano
06/05/2016 at 16:45

Yup.

Leon711 > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:49

A 114i is just tragic. Just buy a smaller car. Maybe a 1.2 Polo or an Audi A1 with more equipment for the same price with more power and efficiency.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
06/05/2016 at 16:50

Both the B Class and Golf Sportsvan are miles ahead. They’re just perfect cars for couples in their late 50s and older with nice use of space and the right height. My parents love our Golf Plus for that and I can kinda see why.

AMC/Renauledge > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 16:52

The 5th Gear Team agree with you.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Leon711
06/05/2016 at 16:55

This. I actually looked at a Polo today with the 1.2 tsi and 90hp with that I really want now. It had almost all options like led lighting and sat nav.

MultiplaOrgasms > RT
06/05/2016 at 16:56

You want to know something incredible? Back in the mid-1920s a certain Wunibald Kamm (of fame for his research on aerodynamics among other things) developed a highly advanced small car known as the “SHW-Wagen”. It featured an aluminium monocoque chassis, four-wheel independent suspension, four wheel-brakes, front wheel drive, and above all was supposed to be mass-produced and cost only 3200 Reichsmark.

Kinja'd!!!

It was never fully finished as the development cost was astronomical, nevertheless Kamm kept the design around and pitched it to a bavarian maker of aircraft engines and motorcycles that was looking to expand into the automobile business. Said company chose to use a conventional, proven design instead.

If BMW had been more open to unconventional, radical new ideas, the very first BMW could have been FWD.

Just let that sink in.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > AMC/Renauledge
06/05/2016 at 17:02

13/30 sounds fair.

RT > MultiplaOrgasms
06/05/2016 at 17:04

Awesome, you learn something every day.

The very first BMW was a rebadged Austin 7, the car you showed me is a lot more interesting than that.

I guess the difference here is that making a FWD minivan today sounds like surrendering to conventional methods, whereas making a FWD car then would be an innovative and creative approach.

The Active Tourer is just another money maker in the BMW stable at the end of the day. Nothing offensive, just not my kind of car.

MultiplaOrgasms > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 17:05

The inofficial time is 8:45, which incidentally is faster than the EP8 Civic Type-R as tested by Sport Auto 11/2001, and only marginally slower than the original Lotus Exige. Even the regular E46 M3 is only half a minute faster than an FWD Minivan with 220hp.

MultiplaOrgasms > RT
06/05/2016 at 17:10

Admittedly it isn’t really my cup of tea either, but most of the hate is a result of the badge. BMW has had a very good FWD chassis for nearly two decades, and the 2AT is the first time said chassis has been vaguely practical.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > MultiplaOrgasms
06/05/2016 at 17:20

Holy fuck that’s fast. For a mpv. We’re living in weird times.

Leon711 > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 17:22

I looked in 2009 for a new polo 1.2 TSI to replace my 1988 Polo Ranger but decided against it on financial grounds.

RT > MultiplaOrgasms
06/05/2016 at 17:25

Maybe it should be a Mini model or something.

Then again, I doubt it would sell as much without the badge.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Leon711
06/05/2016 at 17:29

Right now is probably a good time to buy one to get good. I think VW will introduce the next gen Polo in the next two years. You made the right decision with the GTI though.

MultiplaOrgasms > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 17:32

Tire compounds are witchcraft.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > MultiplaOrgasms
06/05/2016 at 17:35

Pure witchcraft and the devil’s work.

Leon711 > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 17:38

I gotta make the GTI last for a few years, I’m looking to get a house and get married in a few years. Or I’d be all over the Golf R. but the Polo BlueGT is a good compromise of fuel efficiency and speed. I don’t need a fast car really I only drive 20km a day for work.

Cé hé sin > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 17:50

People buy these in Germany? I recall the original 1 series was a fairly big seller but not the present one. The 5 series is the big seller here, followed by the 3. The 2 Active Tourer outsells the 1 as well.

Cé hé sin > Leon711
06/05/2016 at 17:52

Or spend a bit more and get a 3 series. Buy a 1 and you’re showing the world you’re a loser who can’t afford anything better. It’s like buying an A class Merc.

dsgolson > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/05/2016 at 18:51

BMW is probably going to bring it to the US when it gets facelifted in a couple years

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Leon711
06/06/2016 at 02:15

With basic maintenence the GTI should take to those miles with ease. I’d keep an eye on the Polo though, they are great cars.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Cé hé sin
06/06/2016 at 02:20

I still see a lot of them. Not as many as the first generation but still more than Mercedes A Classes. A classmate bought a 116i just recently which I thought was pretty stupid since the 1er got a puny 3 cylinder with the facelift. Afaik the 3 and 5 also outsell the 1 here but the 2 doesn’t.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > dsgolson
06/06/2016 at 08:30

Isn’t the Mercedes B Class sold in the US? The Active Tourer will be the new lease special for the badge whores then.

The Stig's former college room mate > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/06/2016 at 10:01

now if we could get BMW to pull the X1, X4 and X6 from the US. And the 3 and 5 series GT. And all the Gran Coupes- if you want a 4 door, buy the 4 door. No adults are fitting in the back seat of your gran coupe.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > The Stig's former college room mate
06/06/2016 at 10:04

Too bad that the ugly BMWs are the breadwinners. I’d be thankful that they want to keep everything higher than the 3 Series rwd. But expect 3 cylinder engines for the next generation 3 series and X1.

dsgolson > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/06/2016 at 13:01

Only the Electric Drive B-Class is sold in the US, but all the variants are sold in Canada

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > dsgolson
06/06/2016 at 13:10

Probably not in large numbers I guess.