[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW F31 3-series Touring/Wagon Bears Skin For First Time

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It's been over a year since our last F31 touring sighting (last video and pics), but this time the F31 has been spotted showing some of its body for the first time. Some of the camouflage tape has been dropped to give us a better look of its shape and styling.

Overall the F31 touring will grow in size from its E91 predecessor, which will give it some added practicality, one of the main advantages the touring has over its sedan and coupe siblings.

Will the F31 wagon go the way of the dodo in North America as the current 5-series touring has? Will North Americans only get the 3-series GT instead?

Not if the recently retired BMWNA CEO Jim O'Donnell's words remain true. He recently stated (regarding the 3-series wagon in North America) that "We are not giving up the 3-series wagon because if you give it up, they will go straight to the competition." Let's hope his successor Ludwig Willisch feels the same way.

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[Imola.ZHP]

I hope he's right...

and

I hope they put the damn n55 in it for US customers...

[ray_futbol]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

I hope he's right...

and

I hope they put the damn n55 in it for US customers...

+1

[beamer]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

I hope they put the damn n55 in it for US customers...

+1

Looks like a nice evolution in shape, but the back end looks oddly blunt. I think the back window is slowly climbing up the towards the roof with each generation... i'm betting on dual panoramic roofs and no hatch for the model after f31.

[宝马.e90]

From what I can see, this could end up looking better than the E91. And from the taillights that are visible, to me I see a X1 in sedan form (in terms of looks) - and that's not a bad thing.

[ZheHbKa]

nice wheels, looks a lot like 5 series wagon.

[MavE92]

Give me that with x-drive and diesel and maybe I can keep my wife out of the X5 when the time comes!

[E92LNGCGY]

I hope he's right. xdrive35i with M-Sport and 6spd please. Or better yet bring the 35d over.

[DJEngineer]

Looks promising..

Now let's see that F32!

[Prissy]

I like that taillight

[thorne]

A4 Avant is still coming stateside in 2012 though A6 Avant won't be. Rumor holds that Audi will be bringing more diesels here too.

35d 3 series touring would be just the ticket. With sport seats.

[DDS2015]

Something in the front just seems off to me. I really like the F30 shots caught yesterday, but this I'm not sure about. Maybe it just needs those bigger sport wheels?

Either way I see myself more in the F30 than the F31 so my opinion doesn't really matter.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by thorne

A4 Avant is still coming stateside in 2012 though A6 Avant won't be. Rumor holds that Audi will be bringing more diesels here too.

35d 3 series touring would be just the ticket. With sport seats.

That is the issue. Audi can support models that do not sell with VW Cash.
BMW cannot support a model if it is only sold to a handful of customers after being demanded by many that they ignore it and just wanted it to be there to look pretty in the BMW line-up.

If you take for example the 3er Touring E91 in the US - It is being outsold by the X3. When you compare E91 alongside , X1 and X3 within Europe then it has it's own share of the market. It can stand alone in Europe despite internal competition. In the US this is not possible.

BMW are thinking ahead when the X1 eventually arrives in the US. Will that deem the Touring unnecessary?

BMW's new North American CEO has a background in sales and he knows what works and what does not work in relation to individual markets. And like anyone else in BMW they see that the Touring is fairing badly as are other competitors who have a wagon against a similiar SUV/Crossover in the US Market. You cannot lose a market if the market is lost already.

If the F31 comes to the US and according to people I know it has not been federalized to do so, then it will be one model only. Do not expect 335i/335d.

But the Touring model will follow the 5er launch and immediately after the World Premiere @ Geneva for the 3er Sedan. The 3er Touring will have it's World Premiere at the AMI in Leipzig the following April. As the German market is the largest market for the Touring.

The Touring will become available in Petrol form - 318i ,320i,325i,328i and 335i. For diesel The Touring will be available as 316d,318d,320d,325d,330d,335d and of course an "Efficient Dynamics Edition" 320d Touring.

Again xDrive will be available for both Petrol and diesel.

[ynguldyn]

Everyone who says there's no market for wagons in the U.S. is out of their minds. Yes, it's a small market. Yes, it's limited to large coastal cities. But it absolutely exists, because plenty of people understand that SUVs always mean more weight, higher fuel consumption, and less driving enjoyment. Those people will not buy SUVs. Ever.

Just this morning, I stood at a light on Memorial Drive, and three out of four cars were wagons: Volvo V70, Audi A4 Avant, and my E39. V70 is no more. 5er Touring is no more. If F31 doesn't come, Audi and Mercedes will split the luxury euro wagon market (Saab is not a contender, at least at the moment), and BMW will be left trying to clear their lots of all those stupid GTs.

And don't give us that "expensive to federalize" crap. Was federalizing 5er GT cheaper for some reason? Did BMW ever stop to consider that Touring owners very often belong to their hard core customer fan base, the same people M cars are made for? BMW throws cash at its ED program, specifically because people who do ED become brand promoters and bring more business to the dealerships. M owners and Touring owners are just like that. Even if BMW makes less money selling those cars, in return they get more people buying fully optioned 328xiA's (ugh). Can BMW claim to have the same viral effect from their 5er GT buyers?

[PostModernHero]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

I hope he's right...

and

I hope they put the damn n55 in it for US customers...

As much as I'd like to see the F-31 here, I would be extremely PO'd if they gave us the wagon with the only engine option being a 4-banger.

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Everyone who says there's no market for wagons in the U.S. is out of their minds.

There has to be more to this, like a government conspiracy I tell you. They specifically built a plant here to build SUVs, and probably get kickbacks/reductions in tariffs or some such based on volume and keeping American workers employed. Since the wagons can directly compete with SUV sales, they probably don't WANT to sell us wagons here...

[PostModernHero]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

If you take for example the 3er Touring E91 in the US - It is being outsold by the X3.

This is not surprising. Has anyone ever seen a BMW ad in the US (since the advent of the SUV age, complete w/US plant) prominently featuring a 3 or 5 series wagon? How about the equivalent SUV?? No effort is being made here. Combine that with the meager engine options, there goes your customer base. It's only the die-hards like me that will go out of their way to order a wagon with decent specs because they are just not found on dealer lots. And previous lack-luster sales of the E-61 doesn't count. The F11 would do well here if pushed, based on looks alone...

[acd483]

I really like this design. The 3er Touring is perfect in my opinion as an every day car. I have no idea what compels people to buy sedans...they are not good value for money, they are not a sleek form, they don't hold much, etc.

My wish would be a 335d Touring, Sport Pack, 6spd manual, but I'd be perfectly happy with a 335i. X-drive too I suppose.

[red-sauerkraut]

They will most likely follow the Audi formula in the US, just as Acura has.

One way or the highway.

[positiveions]

looks sexy

[thorne]

N20 is great, but what we really really want is a clean diesel that isn't a slug! The BMW diesel Superbowl ads generated excitement, but the offerings have been few... I need more space/versatility than the 335d, but don't want another big SUV. I've had 3 SUVs and I'm done - 20mpg doesn't make sense for something I'll likely own for a decade. And the drop dead beautiful Z4 will have to wait for my mid-life crisis. Fairly certain my next car will be *gasp* a wagon. A wagon that happens to look 1000x better than the X3.

[HVYWGHT]

I think I've found my next car. Assuming that the F31 makes it here. And assuming the steering feel is present.

A 328i with the manual, sports suspension, ability to chip for a little more go... and those awesome wheels in the spy pics.

I agree- wagons are a needed part of the USA BMW line-up. The 5er GT is a true flop here. And hideous. Also, MARKET THEM! Maybe then you'll sell more of them.

I was in Canada last week and saw an X1 in person for the first time. I pulled up next to it in my E90 and was very unimpressed, even nauseated by the horrific front-end. So they can keep on delaying it. The margins here on the european built X1 also won't be as good. The X3 is a nice redesign (again w/poor steering feel though...) and now that its made here, has more standard equipment & a cheaper base price than the prior model, so its brisk sales are not surprising.

DON'T MESS UP THE STEERING FEEL IN THE 3er AND BRING THE F31 TO OUR SHORES. Please pass this on to BMW of NA. Thank you.

[dzik]

Fingers crossed that this wagon comes over. i am finally in the market for one, and I am not a fan of the other wagons out there. Trying to find a used e91 with a manual is next to impossible.