Originally Posted by Deontologist
Originally Posted by edyvw
You are assuming that BMW is claiming that for marketing purposes but you are not offering any evidence to the contrary. So, how much weight will be transferred? Also, not all BMW's have 50/50? Some diesels are heavier in front, for obvious reasons, and than some 4cyl have actually 48/52% distribution.
Yes, I agree, not all BMWs have 50/50 weight distribution, that's why I said "many" BMWs have 50/50, not "all" in my post above.
Second, 50/50 is a marketing point. It's why you're repeating the phrase like a broken record player. BMW has brainwashed the masses about "50/50," which really is meaningless. And this ad solidifies the point of "50/50 weight distribution" being a marketing point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qobu0pJPHPQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjgTNKz9m4
Third, how much weight will be "transferred?" That would obviously depend on how hard you're jamming the gas or brake pedal. If you have a high-enough power engine, and mash the gas, you can get the front wheels completely off the ground, even if the car is "50/50" at a stop. For the last time, what's more important than static weight distribution and "50/50" is mass distribution. You can make your car have "50/50 weight distribution" right now; just attach a 1 ton ballast to the front and rear bumpers of your car. Of course, that's a meaningless exercise. More relevant is the placement of the mass; hence the number of high-performance and supercars relying on mid-engine configurations more than anything else--getting the majority of the mass in the center of the car is ideal.
Originally Posted by edyvw
I would say modularity, particularly transverse applications are to "blame."
Why would a "modularity" force the timing chain to be on the rear in a longitudinal application? These two concepts are unreleated. BMW placed the timing components on the rear at the expense of added weight and mass for one simple reason: mass distribution. As a matter of fact, BMW had to sacrifice some weight savings to place the timing components on the rear of the engine. Additional sound insulation had to be added along the firewall to keep occupants from complaining about noise. In short, BMW prioritized mass distribution over weight savings. Their ads talk about "weight distribution," but the engineers are actually worried about mass distribution (and NVH). Moving the timing components to the front of the engine would have resulted in weight savings (less sound insulation needed) but would have resulted in a slightly worse mass distribution as now all the timing components (VANOS, chain, tensioners, pulleys) are toward the nose of the car.
Have you actually driven back to back BMW and than Audi? Your arguments about marketing as main reason is simply laughable. You still do not offer any facts about how much weigh is transferred and same happens to cars with let's say 55/45%. I had recently opportunity to drave back to back 2014 Audi S4 that has that heavy front end and BMW 335i F30. While S4 is actually better vehicle IMO for day to day application, not just bcs of AWD, but other stuff, when cutting corners you always know that weight is in front as there is that understeer present. In BMW there is no such thing. You are throwig hypothetical and if you do not have anything concrete to say, maybe you should sit this out. Majority of the mass in BMW is between axles as I have already told you. BMW kicked out spare tire precisely bcs. of that reason. Is it going to be centered as mid-engine? No. But currently BMW is only luxury sports sedan with such weight distribution. This also includes bass speakers in floors etc. all to achieve that. I am again asking you, what is that weigh transfer?
As for other, modularity question, you and I have no idea exactly why BMW placed chain in the rear. You are hypothesizing. Do you have proof? No! I said "I would say" meaning I am guessing, but you are writing your post like you know facts, which you do not.
Do you have any PROOF BMW did that to achieve better weigh distribution? If not, it would help to not write your posts like you know something we do not, bcs. well, you do not.