[rconti]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

Looks fantastic, I was a little worried that it was only going to be an xi in the States and auto only, so this is good news.

Now I just need somebody to order an Estoril M sport, 328i with a stick, drive it easy and take great care of it for 3 years, and sell it to me used

It is auto-only.

Originally Posted by Mako

Nice looking X1

Oh wait it's $10k more than the x1 but will have a 328 badge.

I'd happily pay it to not have to drive around a cute ute BMW RAV4. If they sold it with a stick.

[E46M54325Ci]

so are we gonna get the 330d wagon?

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by rconti

It is auto-only.



I'd happily pay it to not have to drive around a cute ute BMW RAV4. If they sold it with a stick.

It says the eight-speed auto is available. So maybe there is still hope. Unless I missed it somewhere else.

[positiveions]

i like this wagon. Looks really gorgeous

[Definitive]

Deleted

[JoeyO]

Back end looks bloated, while front end looks squashed. They don't seem to match up together very well.

[Definitive]

Originally Posted by Jason

[Dynamic options: M Sport package, Adaptive M Sport suspension, sports automatic transmission and BMW 3 Series xDrive.
For out-and-out enthusiasts, further features are available to enhance the dynamic driving qualities of the new BMW 3 Series and give them a distinctive visual dimension as well. The M Sport package, which will become available after launch, is designed for this very purpose and has been developed specifically for this model series. It includes the lowered M Sport suspension, featuring a 10 millimeter (0.4 in.) drop in ride height, firmer suspension and damping, and larger anti-roll bars. Also featured are 18 or 19-inch M alloy wheels. The package is completed by an M aerodynamics package featuring special body parts, and by chrome tailpipes, exclusive exterior paintwork and interior trim to match. An Adaptive M Sport suspension with electronically controlled damping is also optionally available for the new BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon. Based on incoming information about body and wheel acceleration, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, vehicle speed and steering wheel position, an electronic control unit adapts the damper mapping to the road surface and driving situation. At the same time the driver can use the Driving Dynamics Control switch to vary the basic suspension characteristics between more comfortable or sportier settings. An 8-speed sports automatic transmission with faster shift times and sporty steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts is also available as an option.

Looking at the bold it makes me think there will be a gap before we can order M Sport. But Jason said avalable at launch. I sure hope hes right! Cause my wife actually wants this option this time!

D

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Looking at the bold it makes me think there will be a gap before we can order M Sport. But Jason said avalable at launch. I sure hope hes right! Cause my wife actually wants this option this time!

D

I don't recall saying that the M Sport will be available at launch. Sorry if I did, but could you show me where you read this?

[flinchy]

And people used to say the e87 wasnt good looking

.. What a hideous rear.. At least the sedan looks good from behind.. All the f30 fronts have cheap+ricey looking headlights -_-

Ed: the need to look to the passat/merc wagons for design cues imo

[CominAtYaBich]

ugly...

[arnsbrae]

It'll sell well in Europe.

I couldn't tell from the pictures whether it has the updated professional navigation system from launch.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Mako

Nice looking X1

Oh wait it's $10k more than the x1 but will have a 328 badge.

The interior is also $10k better.

[chong0]

Originally Posted by rconti

Doesn't this press release explicitly tell us the 2013 F31 will be sold in the US with *only* the 8 speed slushbox, only RWD, and only the N20?

I'm out. I'll be looking for a B7 A4 2.0T or S4 with 6 speed. Haven't decided if I care about the abysmal mileage of the S4 for how infrequently I'd drive it. On the other hand, if I had a 20mpg roadtrip car, I'd probably end up choosing to fly rather than drive more often, so maybe I should lean 2.0T.

The E91 6spd xDrive is an option, but I've never been impressed by the low-end 6 cylinders. Frankly, I think the N20 is a big improvement over the 6cyl 328 -- better HP, better mileage, better torque.

Seems that you do care about the mpg. A4 avants don't come in a MT. so if you want a wagon with a MT, your options are pretty limited.

[Mdynamic]

Originally Posted by rconti

Doesn't this press release explicitly tell us the 2013 F31 will be sold in the US with *only* the 8 speed slushbox, only RWD, and only the N20?

Also, the press release says Manual trans is available.

[palpatine_us]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

The interior is also $10k better.

Also, the X1 is based on 6 year old E9x platform. Of course its cheaper- they've made millions of cars on that platform.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by chong0

Seems that you do care about the mpg. A4 avants don't come in a MT. so if you want a wagon with a MT, your options are pretty limited.

Notice that he said B7 A4 Avant, which did come with a manual, but just like the B7 S4 had the older quattro setup with more power going to the front wheels and the engines almost completely in front of the suspension. The B7 cars are no fun to drive, regardless of transmission.

[jraymond]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

The interior is also $10k better.

Yeah, i really do not understand a much higher tag than X1, however at least resale value will be A LOT better than X1

[rconti]

Originally Posted by flinchy

And people used to say the e87 wasnt good looking

.. What a hideous rear.. At least the sedan looks good from behind.. All the f30 fronts have cheap+ricey looking headlights -_-

Ed: the need to look to the passat/merc wagons for design cues imo

I love the e87, too. I guess I just have terrible taste for not wanting a generic me-too car! Might want to try the phrase "rear end is not my style" rather than "hideous", when it is clearly, objectively, NOT hideous.

I don't disagree about Merc wagons, most of them look good, although some look a bit too bulbous in the back, rather than streamlined. I LOVE the look of the Passat wagons, now that VW has gotten away from the "chrome ALL THE THINGS!" mentality. I'd love to have an R36 Passat wagon in the US; I might even be willing to drive a DSG instead of a stick, it's that sweet a car.

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Notice that he said B7 A4 Avant, which did come with a manual, but just like the B7 S4 had the older quattro setup with more power going to the front wheels and the engines almost completely in front of the suspension. The B7 cars are no fun to drive, regardless of transmission.

Yup, this.. on all counts. I wouldn't say "no fun to drive", but definitely "not as much fun to drive as most BMWs". The automatic completely kills the "fun to drive" factor, though, so at least the B7 would be KIND of fun. It's worth noting that the B7 S4 had the 60:40 rearward bias; an aftermarket center diff is mandatory on the non-S cars if you want to have any fun. And the cost savings buying used gets you a lot of toys.

As for fuel economy -- for whom is it NOT a factor? I don't care about the cost of fuel; I probably only drove about 5000 miles last year. However, I geek out over efficiency, with an emphasis on range. I'd love a 330d with tons of torque and drive-all-day range -- if only they had an even larger fuel tank so it could go 600-700+ miles without a fill up, that would be amazing. Of course that's far longer than my bladder can last, but that's not the point -- it's just COOL to me. However, I also love fun, fast cars. It's been ages since I saw over 300 miles on a tank in any vehicle I owned, so you can see which way I end up leaning. I'm equally thrilled at the idea of an unexpectedly quick and efficient 330d, as well as the new N20, or even the idea of a 335 wagon, the ultimate sleeper. Whatever the car, it has to be cool and unique, something that gets you excited about it.

And at the end of the day, as I said, when you sit down and make the drive-versus-fly decision on some of those common up-or-down-the-coast trips, if you had a car with terrible economy, you might be more likely to choose flying. Having an efficient car just increases the likelihood that you'd drive it. It might be counterintuitive to some, but there's the reason I'm of a split mind when it comes to big power vs big efficiency. I'd never pick an econobox over fun, but when BMW gives you a gem of an engine like the N20, or if they'd over the 330d here, you can have both! Just one man's opinion.

[Definitive]

Originally Posted by southlight

This I can answer already. M Sport will be available at launch.


Best regards,
south

I apologize, its was South in the other thread that says "fire away" in the title.

D

[E9TOU]

Looks better than the F30 imo. Great job BMW -- hoping it does well (meets BMW's sales targets).

[Imola.ZHP]

YA!

Bring on the M-Sport pics please!

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

YA!

Bring on the M-Sport pics please!

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=714880