Comments on: If you were BMW’s CEO….

By: sam

sam — Sat, 02 May 2009 10:21:56 +0000

Offer optional lightweight materials (carbon fiber hood, trunk, ect) for 3 series.

Offer optional limited slip differential on 3 series.

By: Brookside

Brookside — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:33:01 +0000

@nizer: Yeah, I wondered if that might be what you meant. In BMW’s quest to invent the intelligent car they’ve sometimes made the functionality more difficult or in some cases like you mention, patronizing- as if a driver can’t figure out when to turn the windshield wipers on.
But I’ve just gone along with the program…wipers, lights..I leave them set on automatic sensors.

By: nizer

nizer — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:09:04 +0000

@Brookside:
thanks but not exactly. i wasn’t clear in my comment. what I want is intermitent wiper functionality without rain-sensing. if you figure that one out let me know.

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:01:06 +0000

If I am the CEO of BMW AG:

1.) I would stop telling the public that Audi is not a threat to BMW because clearly they are. Audi’s sales increased while BMW’s fell during the current tough conditions. Audi’s cars are trying to be more like BMW, i.e., taking away BMW’s advantage by decreasing the points of differentiation between the two brands’ products.

2.) BMW has been concentrating too much on Efficient Dynamics and fuel saving technology. Yes, those are important but more work must be done to MAINTAIN the BMW brand image of bring a sporty brand in the premium segment. Therefore, keep up the concept of environmental friendliness, but also launch more products and concepts to highlight and remind the public of what BMW is actually about. What is happening is that Audi’s R8 and RS4 and all that (which is definately not better than BMW’s products) are grabbing a lot of attention for Audi and BMW is lacking behind. This can be seen when most students want to work for Audi now instead of BMW, which was the prefrred choice in teh past.

3.) Brush up the marketing of BMW: Audi’s are always featured in movies nowadays. I seldom see new BMW’s in movies any more. People need to see these cars in action. Make them want to buy the car and also create an image in children’s minds about the cars in movies; because they are tomorrow’s customers and they will buy what they think is cool.

4.) CS concept is a good idea, but do not tone the design down. Make it more sporty. what appeals to the old mostly do not appeal to the young.

By: L1ndja

L1ndja — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:41:32 +0000

I forgot one thing i wouldnt collaborate with either carmaker because there is no need for it bmw has allrdy everything needed so the likes of Mercedes cannot offer anything to bmw

By: Brookside

Brookside — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:35:42 +0000

@nizer:
Well I can grant one of your wishes….
you can turn off (and on) your rain sensors by pressing in the rectangular shaped button at the tip of the right hand stalk of the steering wheel.

By: nizer

nizer — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:44:38 +0000

1. Revive CS Concept
2. Build an M-version of the 535i – make it light, fast, and fuel efficient – only one of which the current M5 manages.
3. Reverse current design trend of taller and narrower.
4. Provide limited-slip differentials, at minimum as option, on all vehicles.
5. Provide DSG as an option on all cars, with paddle shifts on steering column a la F1 and M3.
6. Provide the ability to turn off the bloody rain-sensing function on wipers.

By: clara

clara — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:27:14 +0000

@patricksixer:
So… do you or don’t you want a PAS ///M ?

I misunderstood for a second; I thought you meant give the 6-series the styling from the CS project, which sounded like a really good idea (since they aren’t using it).

Good points. The only thing I disagree with is not having an X6-M. The X6 attempts to redefine (well, redefine *more*) the SUV by giving it sports car-like handling and performance. So, no a Ford Explorer ///M would be stupid, and I think that’s your reasoning, but an X6-///M is actually a good one. Unless they’re redundant or not differentiated well.

By: patricksixer

patricksixer — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:35:35 +0000

-No X5M/X6M. ///M badges should never, ever be on trucks.
-Let’s put as much effort as reasonably possible into EfficientDynamics so we cease to have 4000lb+ 3ers and such. I’m sure the program will deliver such changes to an extent, I just think it should be at or near #1 on the priorities list.
-Greenlight the CS Concept (not sure about 8 Series name though, since this is no E31 successor, I don’t think 4 door coupes are coupes. I think 9 Series would sound cool, but that’s just me. Imagine a 950i…drool.) Also greenlight M3 CSL and new M1.
-Go ahead with the PAS, who cares what they call it. Don’t see a need for the 3er-sized variant though, but if it’s far enough in its development then go ahead and sell it. But I wouldn’t bother continuing them if the first generations weren’t notably successful. I just don’t get the idea here…still. I mean we have the sedans, then the wagons, then the SUVs, and then the X6 somewhere out there. Haven’t we covered every niche? I guess you could create a new one but I don’t know…I’ll have a better idea when we all see the PAS.
-Names…bring back “CS” for the next 6 Series. I just enjoy all the various CS’s and CSi’s plus it does sound cool
-Engines…I’m OK with the turbocharging of ///M’s. The M3 should go back to an I6 though. More 4 bangers and diesels available for the US.
-Cost cutting moves- I don’t think what the current management has in mind is too different from what I’d do. Collaborate with others where possible/sensible. Mercedes comes to mind, as do any other smaller companies or ones that need help. No need for an alliance though. Also, we won’t be buying any brands like Volvo or Saab, no need.

I’m sure I’ve overstepped the boundaries of my power numerous times in this, but what the hell lol. I’m not entirely serious or thinking practically here anyway.

By: roffle waffle

roffle waffle — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:20:52 +0000

@Lawrence: and you'd be out of business in a month

By: iwantone

iwantone — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:29:12 +0000

if i was a bmw ceo i would be able to afford a bmw :]

By: clara

clara — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:20:09 +0000

@Horatiu B.:
Yes! Haha… and they said Detroit was on the wrong track!

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:07:34 +0000

If I was BMW’s CEO things would be 10,000 to the 10,000 power times better! Lol! I would build the M3 CSL, I would build a super car based off of the CS, possibly the M1 (Keep Dreaming), I would build the M7 to rival Audis S8, and would cancel all of the ugly SUV’s and PAS’s that BMW is waisting time and money building. Oh, and I would also build super models of the Alpina models. Well like I said Keep Dreaming!

By: roffle waffle

roffle waffle — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:07:09 +0000

@Lee: retail price on engines and what it costs to produce them have little relation. You don't actually think it cost them $50k to build an engine and put it into an $80k car....do you?

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:58:47 +0000

Kill PAS dead in its tracks – too heavy and not a segment BMW should get into. Why would anyone want a BMW with a Skoda rear end?

Hate X1 but understand why it exists. But it makes X3 redundant. One of them has to go.

Keep CS only has halo product.

Keep Z2 as icon for light-and-simple engineering.

Introduce tii versions of 1- and 3- that genuinely focus on weight reduction and simplicity as means of performance enhancement rather than ever-increasing horsepower.

GINA as first in series of pioneering green performance vehicles. almost the antithesis of M-power.

By: Horatiu B.

Horatiu B. — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:51:27 +0000

@clara: Wait, you didn’t hear about the $1/gallon gas? )

By: L1ndja

L1ndja — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:18:28 +0000

Well what i would do is cancel the X3 because the new X1 is allready big enough so i dont think there is room for the X3.I would also cancel the M-versions of the X5 and X6 because of the Xdrive50i which allready is fast enough.I would give greenlight for the PAS and concentrate on more Efficient Dynamic Systems.I wouldnt give greenlight for the CS or an 8series at this time because i think its unappropriate for it because of the Economy downfall so all in all it shouldnt be buillt(eventhough i would love to see the CS)..I would also give greenlight for a greensupercar maybe a Z10 with all the Efficient Dyniamic systems involved and hybrid options to make it more efficient.I think that a possible Z2 would be also a very good idea.Last but not least i would invest very much in Hydrogen Powered cars because i think that hydrogen should be the new Fuel to be used by cars.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:35:47 +0000

@roffle waffle: Considering the number of unique tools/machines/etc you'd have to buy/fabricate in order to put the GINA into mass-production, yes. Keep in mind that it's not just some cloth from Wally Worth, either. BMW is extremely proud of their V8s, too. Retail price on the s62 (came in the Z8 and e39 M5) is roughly $49k. I imagine the s65b40 is even more.

By: clara

clara — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:31:55 +0000

Everyone seems to be tiptoeing around what they really want: A 6.0L V12 in a 6000lb sedan, mileage be damned!

By: roffle waffle

roffle waffle — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:12:57 +0000

The gina version I’m talking about would be VERY spartan. A cloth exterior shell is much cheaper than metal, and weighs a couple of hundred pounds less. You’re telling me it costs a lot of money to build a car like an ariel atom, stretch it 2 feet, cover it in cloth, and shove a v8 in there?