[FrankiE90]

sic!

[Gnip Gnop]

so bmw is bringing estoril blue back???? my favorite color...

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop

so bmw is bringing estoril blue back???? my favorite color...

Hell yeah! But only with the M Sport package.

[foofighter]

this makes this wagon fan very happy

[d3l0n]

Nice Side Skirt! (rocket Panel)

[kardboard]

Originally Posted by bunker

Three kids plus golf clubs bro. Just more practical. Plus it looks closer to a shooting brake. Classy...

That must be a big market for BMW to consider and done it in the past. I just would rather pick up an X5M. But Then again I'm sure the M5's handling alone stress the need for a wagon.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by Gras

'Hot' and 'wagon' on the same sentence?? I mean its not bad, but common..

No, the sedan is common. The wagon is unique and cool.

Originally Posted by mohsenadbz88

EXACTLYYYY, it's pretty ugly and in my eyes useless, might as well just get an X1 or X3.

Why would I want an ugly truck? Name one way in which the wagon is "useless" compared to the sedan. It sure sucks to load stuff onto a rack on top of a truck, too. I've been able to drive my car into the garage WITH the bike on the roof. Why would I want to put a lift kit on it so that it's less practical?

Originally Posted by kardboard

I don't understand this wagon stuff. I mean the car looks great,however, of you were given a chance of an M5 or M5wagon you'd all chose wagon.
Can someone explain this

I think the better question is, if you have a car with a given length and (approximate) weight, why would you choose the less-useful-in-every-way sedan? I mean, sure, the wagon's gonna be a bit heavier, and if it was a sports car, you'd have a point, but the M5 is already heavy as hell, it can stomach a little more weight.

To me, the sedans are just so damn boring and common. I don't get the point.

Here's my dream: F31, Estoril, M-Sport, 6MT, 6cyl diesel, xDrive.
The 335 gas engine is damn tempting though -- but (and I must be getting old here), the 2 liter turbo gas engine has me pretty interested as well. I've complained for years that BMW only put the weakest 6cyl in the wagon, but finally they produced a 'low spec' engine for the US that actually gets good enough mileage to justify picking the lower engine.

So really, I could do just about any of the current line of US engines in the F31, preferably the diesel, but it needs to have xDrive, and needs to be a 6MT, I will not buy a slushbox. I might be willing to compromise on DCT if that's all they offer.

I sympathize with all you RWD-only purists, I never thought I'd be asking for a car like this in RWD, but I've already got enough RWD cars.. I can't justify getting a *big* car with big car weight, and not have AWD. If the car has a diesel, it won't even notice the extra weight of the AWD system. I go to the mountains a lot, and chain control means I'd have to be chaining up all the time.. SCREW THAT. Can't justify having separate cars for the mountains and for roadtrips.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by rconti

Can't justify having separate cars for the mountains and for roadtrips.

I've never had issues getting to ski resorts, or to my family in Santa Fe with rwd. Even in my M Coupe. I'd rather drive cautiously five days of the year than be saddled with awd I don't need for 360 days. But I agree, if it wasn't my daily driver, and I just needed a utility car, an xi would be a fair consideration, long before any SUV.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

I've never had issues getting to ski resorts, or to my family in Santa Fe with rwd. Even in my M Coupe. I'd rather drive cautiously five days of the year than be saddled with awd I don't need for 360 days. But I agree, if it wasn't my daily driver, and I just needed a utility car, an xi would be a fair consideration, long before any SUV.

It's not about the difficulty of driving in the snow, I'd be happy with RWD + snow tires + LSD as you say. But when the storms hit, we have chain control in the mountains. I'd rather lug around AWD all the time than freeze my nuts off chaining up at midnight when it's 15 degrees out.. not to mention driving slow, worrying about shredding my fenders with wayward chains, etc. I've been considering picking up an AWD beater of some sort so I can go skiiing when the GF needs her Subaru for something else, but I'd rather get 2 cars in one.

The F31 will not be a DD. I don't really have a commute, actually. I just *want* a roadtrip car, definitely not a 'need' kind of thing. And particularly with the diesel, you'd barely pay a mileage penalty for lugging around the weight. Sure, it won't handle well, but to me the F31 is a HUGE car. I've never owned anything larger than an E36, so I'm not really looking for 'sport' out of this vehicle Audi and BMW want to push us towards their huge trucks if we want diesel/AWD.. shame

I definitely hope xDrive is an *option* rather than the standard, though. It would be a shame if BMW forced xDrive on everyone as they did with the E61.. speaking of which, I guess I can just pick up a cheap E61 535xiT/6 (if I can find one) if BMW disappoints on the transmission/xDrive fronts with the F31.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by rconti

I definitely hope xDrive is an *option* rather than the standard, though. It would be a shame if BMW forced xDrive on everyone as they did with the E61.. speaking of which, I guess I can just pick up a cheap E61 535xiT/6 (if I can find one) if BMW disappoints on the transmission/xDrive fronts with the F31.

Eh, right there with you. I'd prefer a smaller car (which is why the Golf R is actually my first choice right now) but the E61 is huge and heavy. My previous car was an M Coupe, and my wife's 1er feels big to me, so the F31 would be a major change for me, and I'm just not convinced it's the right thing for me regardless of motor. Like you, I'd prefer an oil burner, but suspect that we won't get that choice in the US.

I ride a bike to work and don't really need a "daily driver" either, but when it rains, etc, it would be nice to have something in the garage. It is amazing how few wagons are available, and when you factor in small, sporty and all three pedals, your choices are even slimmer.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Eh, right there with you. I'd prefer a smaller car (which is why the Golf R is actually my first choice right now) but the E61 is huge and heavy. My previous car was an M Coupe, and my wife's 1er feels big to me, so the F31 would be a major change for me, and I'm just not convinced it's the right thing for me regardless of motor. Like you, I'd prefer an oil burner, but suspect that we won't get that choice in the US.

I ride a bike to work and don't really need a "daily driver" either, but when it rains, etc, it would be nice to have something in the garage. It is amazing how few wagons are available, and when you factor in small, sporty and all three pedals, your choices are even slimmer.

I think I recognize your username from the bimmerfest Z3 forum. I've still got my coupe, just back from butt surgery, but I drive the Miata the most because it blocks Coupe from getting out of the garage

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by rconti

I think I recognize your username from the bimmerfest Z3 forum. I've still got my coupe, just back from butt surgery, but I drive the Miata the most because it blocks Coupe from getting out of the garage

Yeah, that's me. I'm secretly hoping Mazda figures out how to build a small, rwd sedan or wagon. There are a growing number of sport, rwd coupes, but still very few sedans or wagons available with rwd and a manual.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by Terpinator

To: BMW NA, Marketing and Product Development
From: The North American Car Enthusiast Dad
please import the 550i xDrive Touring as well. I will buy that one tomorrow. Also, please kill the 550i GT. It is the epitome of "so close, and yet so far." That thing is hideous and not what we want.

Couldn't agree more with both points. 550i xDrive Touring would replace my SUV the day it became available to become my "winter beater"/every day drive. And yes, the GT is hideous. No better word for it.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

It is amazing how few wagons are available, and when you factor in small, sporty and all three pedals, your choices are even slimmer.

If we break it down to just RWD, I think your choice is just one... the new F31. The only other wagon that offers a manual is a Cadillac CTS V, and that's not that small.

Europe gets all the cool wagons... we get slim pickin's

[Ale1200ADV]

Like: all but the rear bumper air diffuser (is it called air diffuser in english?): i had preferred it black, not the same color of the car

[UdubBadger]

sexx

[Miata13]

Originally Posted by Wiles

It will replace the family trek-ster van.

Please Please Please BMW, don't force me to get an automatic X-Drive, Rear Wheel drive manual please.

Could very well be our first BMW...re-visiting Germany for ED with Spartanburg re-delivery would be a total experience

[Miata13]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Yeah, that's me. I'm secretly hoping Mazda figures out how to build a small, rwd sedan or wagon. There are a growing number of sport, rwd coupes, but still very few sedans or wagons available with rwd and a manual.

If you've not done so already, a test drive in Mazda's new CX-5 might interest you....not a wagon but a very stable, flat handling CUV....not much low end torque..but rumor of possible diesel in '13 would fix that with 310 ft. lbs!

[Grumpy514]

How much more are these wagons than the sedans normally? I'm loving the way this looks, a part of me is trying to find a reason to get one over the sedan. I don't really haul things and I have no kids. I have ALWAYS loved the S4 avants and would prefer one of those over the sedan, I've never really looked and BMW wagons until this one.

[Blake P]

Originally Posted by Grumpy514

How much more are these wagons than the sedans normally? I'm loving the way this looks, a part of me is trying to find a reason to get one over the sedan. I don't really haul things and I have no kids. I have ALWAYS loved the S4 avants and would prefer one of those over the sedan, I've never really looked and BMW wagons until this one.

Typically a couple grand more than the sedan, but keep in mind... only the 328 is scheduled for NA. I only mention this because you said S4.

[Grumpy514]

Originally Posted by Blake P

Typically a couple grand more than the sedan, but keep in mind... only the 328 is scheduled for NA. I only mention this because you said S4.

Oh wow. No 335i wagon there goes that idea.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by Grumpy514

Oh wow. No 335i wagon there goes that idea.

As far as I know, nobody really knows what is planned for the US. I believe BMW has said they WILL bring the F31 to the US, but beyond that, engine and transmission choices are unknown.. speculation at this point. In the past I've had zero interest in the BMW over the Audi because they've always had the underpowered six which had neither power NOR mileage.

This time 'round, at least the 'small' engine gets good mileage (and more power than before!). Honestly, as much as I'd prefer the diesel, I just want something COOL. Diesel would be best, good mileage and huge torque, but I'd also consider the monster 335 wagon or even the gas 4. Whereas I never would have considered the underpowered 6cyl in the wagon.