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BMW 2 Series Active Tourer - BMW's answer to B-Class

  • 16-12-2013 10:22AM
    #1
    Moses7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 432 ✭✭


    2014-BMW-2-Series-Active-Tourer-8-620x413.jpg

    spied in 5-seat configuration. a 7-seater is set to follow later.

    I don't know about it - not good or bad. just another boring bimmer.

    more pics here.


«134

Comments

  • #2
    Foxhole Norman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,872 ✭✭✭Foxhole Norman


    I generally like new BMs but that is damn ugly.


  • #3
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    1.5 litre 3 cylinder FWD . I got that far and stopped reading. This is a brand ruining car.


  • #4
    HandsomeDan
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 812 ✭✭✭HandsomeDan


    Brand damaging.

    Makes me ashamed to own a BMW


  • #5
    road_high
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,480 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    Looks like a Kia Carens...from 5-10 years ago. Awful.


  • #6
    YbFocus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,473 ✭✭✭YbFocus


    This is a new low!


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  • #7
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 34,892 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Weirdly enough in that image the front looks fake. As if it was photoshop of 2/3 cars thrown together.



    Dislike


  • #8
    Larbre34
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,880 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    Press the vomit button. What is it with German marques squeezing into segments nobody asked for, then having to compete with each other by designing eyesores like that.

    Cancel it and take the 3 and 5 GTs, 6GC and X6 with it.........


  • #9
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,593 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    Larbre34 wrote: »
    Press the vomit button. What is it with German marques squeezing into segments nobody asked for, then having to compete with each other by designing eyesores like that.

    Cancel it and take the 3 and 5 GTs, 6GC and X6 with it.........

    One of the few good cars BMW have made lately. Nothing at all wrong with it.

    BMW-640i-Gran-Coupe-Review-08-625x375.jpg

    To me, the X1 is worse than anything you've mentioned.


  • #10
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,644 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    This is a brand ruining car.

    I don't think there is any such thing.

    The original elk-test Mercedes A class should have been it: falls over, interior made from recycled Toyota plastics - but Mercedes made it for years, and replaced it with another FWD hatch. Meanwhile, they canned their super-limo Maybach brand.

    Porsche making a tractor? No problem! BMW putting an M badge on a tractor? Sure, why not! Automatic Ferrari? Let's make them ALL automatics! BMW electric city car - knock yourself out!

    You really can't ruin a brand by launching models outside your brands traditional niche, as long as you keep making good cars.


  • #11
    maceocc2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 443 ✭✭maceocc2


    Send it on over to this thread...Quick...get it outta here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87458660


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  • #12
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    I don't think there is any such thing.

    The original elk-test Mercedes A class should have been it: falls over, interior made from recycled Toyota plastics - but Mercedes made it for years, and replaced it with another FWD hatch. Meanwhile, they canned their super-limo Maybach brand.

    Porsche making a tractor? No problem! BMW putting an M badge on a tractor? Sure, why not! Automatic Ferrari? Let's make them ALL automatics! BMW electric city car - knock yourself out!

    You really can't ruin a brand by launching models outside your brands traditional niche, as long as you keep making good cars.

    I still think all of those diluted mercedes , BMW's and porsches brand.

    Just because something sells well because its cheap , doesn't mean its a good product or good for the brand image.


  • #13
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,644 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    I still think all of those diluted mercedes , BMW's and porsches brand.

    Selling tractors probably saved Porsche's brand.


  • #14
    challengemaster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,925 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »

    Porsche making a tractor? No problem! BMW putting an M badge on a tractor? Sure, why not! Automatic Ferrari? Let's make them ALL automatics! BMW electric city car - knock yourself out!

    You really can't ruin a brand by launching models outside your brands traditional niche, as long as you keep making good cars.

    People tend to forget that lamborghinis roots are actual tractors :D

    Lets be honest - If companies didn't make cars that branch into each segment, then they wouldn't be able to produce the cars they became best known for. BMW wouldn't exist if it was to rely on sales of M cars alone. Car companies also exist to make money, and if people are going to buy something, why not make it?


  • #15
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    challengemaster wrote: »
    People tend to forget that lamborghinis roots are actual tractors :D

    Lets be honest - If companies didn't make cars that branch into each segment, then they wouldn't be able to produce the cars they became best known for. BMW wouldn't exist if it was to rely on sales of M cars alone. Car companies also exist to make money, and if people are going to buy something, why not make it?

    its not that anyone has a problem with them manufacturing the cars, its the branding really. The toyota lexus model works well. so does the VAG model. If BMW had a different badge and marque for their lower end stuff (all the diesels except the *35d and *40d , the 1 series, this monstrosity, the 5 series GT , ) it would allow them to keep selling cars to make money, while retaining the valued badge for V8 petrol saloons/coupe's and M power weapons. They might even be able to eat into bentley territory with a more luxurious 7 series, something they could never do as long as something like the 316d is carrying the same badge around on it.


  • #16
    challengemaster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,925 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    I'm going to take a wild guess here that the people in charge of BMW probably have a better idea how to run the company than you (or me, or anyone here)

    They already have a badge to separate the important cars from the rest - the M badge.

    People buy BMWs because they're BMWs, they're associated with prestiege (even if they're paddy spec). Particularly in Ireland, people will buy the ****tiest one they can afford for the badge. That in itself is enough reason for them NOT to set up a sub-brand, it suggests people wouldn't buy it. At the end of the day, it's money in their pocket - they don't care.


  • #17
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,644 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    If BMW had a different badge and marque for their lower end stuff

    I know, they could call it MINI ! Or "Rover"!


  • #18
    Yakuza
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,130 ✭✭✭Yakuza


    Fugly. That is all.
    /thread


  • #19
    Stallingrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,409 ✭✭✭Stallingrad


    BMW's obsession with niche and i cars has IMO diminished their prestige at the top end, the 7 series barely gets a mention anywhere these days and rarely in the same breath as the S-class, I can't see the new one changing that either. It's a pity as for a while they did outdo the S-class with the E32 and E38. Even the 6 is a bit 'so what'.

    They know what they are doing, they do the smaller stuff brilliantly, and I guess that is really where the growth is.


  • #20
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    challengemaster wrote: »
    People buy BMWs because they're BMWs, they're associated with prestiege

    exactly, an association that they didnt get by building 3 cylinder fwd mammy cars , and an association they wont keep for very long if they continue.


  • #21
    challengemaster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,925 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    exactly, an association that they didnt get by building 3 cylinder fwd mammy cars , and an association they wont keep for very long if they continue.

    You're looking at it head about arse, really.

    Rather than focusing on being a prestige only brand, such as bentley, BMW are segmenting the market and then focusing on producing a model to fulfil or compete within the prestige niche within that segment, with each and every segment.

    3 door coupé
    5 door saloon
    3/5 door hatch
    executive saloon
    4wd / Jeep
    MPV
    etc..

    I find it hilarious that Mercedes doesn't get whinged at as much for doing the exact same thing.


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  • #22
    Seweryn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    challengemaster wrote: »
    I find it hilarious that Mercedes doesn't get whinged at as much for doing the exact same thing.
    Yep, and AMG is now making a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. No complaints?


  • #23
    Stallingrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,409 ✭✭✭Stallingrad


    challengemaster wrote: »
    I find it hilarious that Mercedes doesn't get whinged at as much for doing the exact same thing.

    Historically people just care more about BMW than Mercedes, hence the hand wringing and histrionics that follows every new car launch. :)


  • #24
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    Stallingrad wrote: »
    Historically people just care more about BMW than Mercedes, hence the hand wringing and histrionics that follows every new car launch. :)

    Mercedes make trucks and vans and have always been a fairly wide brand , the A, B and R class are a slight on their marque though.

    Bmw models , spec and design realistically all made sense up until 2002 , after that its gone downhill , the 3, 5, 7 , z and X5 were where they should have stopped in my book . When the smallest available bmw was an e46 316 which was a 1.9 NA petrol .


  • #25
    ba_barabus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,585 ✭✭✭ba_barabus


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    Bmw models , spec and design realistically all made sense up until 2002 , after that its gone downhill , the 3, 5, 7 , z and X5 were where they should have stopped in my book . When the smallest available bmw was an e46 316 which was a 1.9 NA petrol .

    Sadly EU emissions legislation has stepped in and forced them to do it. That, and I doubt they will be around in the future if they don't.

    I also doubt many owners even know the cars are RWD or care......especially when it comes to buying the cheap ones so you can park a brand on the driveway.

    47636_10150356873160235_571170234_16333932_8089359_n.jpg


  • #26
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,644 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    the A, B and R class are a slight on their marque though.

    I think the R-Class is the only sensible large merc.


  • #27
    wrt40
    Closed Accounts Posts: 422 ✭✭wrt40


    I'm actually considering this car. I was hell bent on an A3 Saloon but this ticks more boxes for practicality. I'm looking for a touch of quality but also needs to be suitable for a small family. I don't actually consider it an MPV, its more like a very practical hatchback.

    I think BMW have done well to branch out into other segments. They've done well to shake off their "prick in the beemer" image. We all know the type, suit jacket hanging in the back, no regard for speed limits, overtake multiple cars at a go, too important to indicate etc etc. These types will style have their luxury saloons, nothing has changed there. I seriously doubt that BMW having a mini-MPV will become a negative factor when some is considering what luxury saloon to buy.


  • #28
    fmcg_scribe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭fmcg_scribe


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    I think the R-Class is the only sensible large merc.

    R class was a sales failure for Mercedes (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_R-Class).


  • #29
    fmcg_scribe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭fmcg_scribe


    wrt40 wrote: »
    I'm actually considering this car. I was hell bent on an A3 Saloon but this ticks more boxes for practicality. I'm looking for a touch of quality but also needs to be suitable for a small family. I don't actually consider it an MPV, its more like a very practical hatchback.

    I think BMW have done well to branch out into other segments. They've done well to shake off their "prick in the beemer" image. We all know the type, suit jacket hanging in the back, no regard for speed limits, overtake multiple cars at a go, too important to indicate etc etc. These types will style have their luxury saloons, nothing has changed there. I seriously doubt that BMW having a mini-MPV will become a negative factor when some is considering what luxury saloon to buy.

    2 series active tourer has received generally favourable reviews but diesel engines have been criticised and space/practicality compared to some rivals has also been criticised. Still, it should provide stiff competition for the Merc B class.


  • #30
    wrt40
    Closed Accounts Posts: 422 ✭✭wrt40


    fmcg_scribe wrote: »
    2 series active tourer has received generally favourable reviews but diesel engines have been criticised and space/practicality compared to some rivals has also been criticised. Still, it should provide stiff competition for the Merc B class.

    What was the criticism of the diesel engine?


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  • #31
    fmcg_scribe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭fmcg_scribe


    wrt40 wrote: »
    What was the criticism of the diesel engine?

    The beef seems to be refinement of the diesel versus the petrol equivalent.

    Some example reviews:
    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/2-series/active-tourer
    http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/2-series/first-drives/bmw-2-series-active-tourer-218d-first-drive-review
    http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/2-series/first-drives/bmw-218i-sport-active-tourer-first-drive-review
    http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw/2-series-active-tourer/2014-bmw-2-series-active-tourer-review/1303321


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