All-New BMW F31 3 Series Sports Wagon - Arrives at US Dealers Spring 2013

I am really looking forward to this car. I had a 9-3 Sport Combi, and currently drive an A6 Avant. I would probably get the F31 in RWD if possible and keep the A6 as well (it's only 3 years old). I just like wagons!

If the sedan lines are any indication of what the wagons will get, the grey wagon above is not possible. It's got chrome around the windows, but Modern wheels. I like the turbine style wheels, but I like the chrome around the windows more. The chrome, especially on the wagon, accentuates the better roofline. I guess I'll wait a year to see what is available.

How do BMW interiors hold up over time? I know nothing is built like it used to be, but I'm hoping for 8 to 10 years from the Audi, and would like the same from this option as well.

Thanks, Jeff

Originally Posted by JYG Y2k5285spCT

the 2012 still has 6 cylinder non turbo engine!THE LAST OF THE REAL BMW'S

Considering that the 2002, 2002ti and 2002tii were the first BMWs in the US, and they had I-4s of various persuasions - including turbocharged, I think your statement is c$%^.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Considering that the 2002, 2002ti and 2002tii were the first BMWs in the US, and they had I-4s of various persuasions - including turbocharged, I think your statement is c$%^.

Um, the 2002 wasn't the first BMW in the US.

Originally Posted by htimsdj

How do BMW interiors hold up over time? I know nothing is built like it used to be, but I'm hoping for 8 to 10 years from the Audi, and would like the same from this option as well.

Thanks, Jeff

The soft plastic trims around the steering wheel, door handles will likely start to peel, depending on usage and environmental factors.

Originally Posted by uter

Um, the 2002 wasn't the first BMW in the US.

You want to go with the Isetta's motorcycle engine?

Originally Posted by floydarogers

You want to go with the Isetta's motorcycle engine?

You got it

Originally Posted by floydarogers

You want to go with the Isetta's motorcycle engine?

Originally Posted by uter

You got it

Anything from about 1 cylinder to 28 cylinders -- to a jet engine -- seems to be the BMW "tradition". (Truth be told, dinging customers for things like floor mats, exhaust tips and the good suspension pieces seems more of a BMW tradition!)

V8 -- I think Hoffman tried selling the 502 in the US and it wasn't a big seller. "In November 1954, at Hoffman's insistence, BMW contracted designer Albrecht von Goertz to design the BMW 503 and the 507."

The Neue Klasse 1602 and then the 2002 appeared on these shores a few years later.

I'm not sure they "officially" imported the 2002 Turbo to the US.

Damn this wagon is sweat looking,would love to have it in DIESEL platform

Originally Posted by Axel61

Damn this wagon is sweet looking,would love to have it in DIESEL platform

The side profile is the only angle that looks really good to me. Everywhere else, it's not appealing at all. I'll be happy to receive my "old school" E91 in a month.

F31 revealed in Leipzig!

http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/06/01/20...eries-touring/

No luggage area pix unfortunately. One difference I notice is the brushed aluminum window trim on the Modern Line. Wonder if that will be on the 2013 sedan as well?

Originally Posted by MB330

I don't think so. 99.99% it will be Automatic.

Sorry, but no. Practically guaranteed that BMW will offer it with a 6MT. BMW sold the 2007 530ixT without a manual, but then offered a manual option on the 2008 535ixT. If they sell a car like that with a stick, they'll sell the F31 with one. The commenter who mentioned the 335d; well, that was a bit absurd, since it was BMW's first re-entry to the diesel market in the US.

The other commenter who said Audi and BMW are sticking with manuals; Audi's not, they dropped the 6MT on the B8 Avant which is why I don't own one today. And they're ditching the Avant for the allroad, now with more slushbox. And you can't get anything but an A3 in the US with DSG, you have to get the crappy autobox.

To the above poster, there are pictures ALL OVER the internet showing the cargo area of the F31.

^ The "crappy" autobox in the A4 line is probably the same ZF unit in most BMWs


Audi is sticking to the manual transmission throughout the A4 sedan lineup, but not the Avant because people don't buy them

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

^ The "crappy" autobox in the A4 line is probably the same ZF unit in most BMWs

Could well be. The A4 I drove had the "lineartronic" or whatever their stupid "-tronic" name is for "CVT". The autobox in the 328 is okay, but I wouldn't buy one. My point was, VW is so pro-DSG, and Audi has DSGs all over their european line; that's the ONE way I'd compromise on not buying a manual, I'd consider a DSG, but they don't give us that option here except on FWD A3s.

Audi is sticking to the manual transmission throughout the A4 sedan lineup, but not the Avant because people don't buy them

Me neither, now.

Originally Posted by reidconti

Could well be. The A4 I drove had the "lineartronic" or whatever their stupid "-tronic" name is for "CVT". The autobox in the 328 is okay, but I wouldn't buy one. My point was, VW is so pro-DSG, and Audi has DSGs all over their european line; that's the ONE way I'd compromise on not buying a manual, I'd consider a DSG, but they don't give us that option here except on FWD A3s.

Yup, this is BMW "rigging" the events. Everyone knows you have to buy a Quattro Audi (with the 8 spd ZF) for the better drive.

I agree with you on the DSGs. VW seems to have no issues with it, but Audi does. I want to see more DSG Audis

it looks good, but we'll end up again with some lame-ass engine ... and even although its bigger than the previous model ... its just not quite big enough (especially) in the luggage area...

please bring the 5 series wagon (535 or preferably 550) back to the US, include M-Sport and retain 6sp manual transmission ... I'll buy one!

If BMW neuters this car with just the N20, people could just get the X1 35i.

I wonder how the X1 will be sold side by side with the F31. They are essentially the same car, yet the X1 offers a slightly higher-up driving position, etc.

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

If BMW neuters this car with just the N20, people could just get the X1 35i.

I wonder how the X1 will be sold side by side with the F31. They are essentially the same car, yet the X1 offers a slightly higher-up driving position, etc.

No, the X1 is built on the 1-series chassis. Way different, much less room behind the seats.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

No, the X1 is built on the 1-series chassis. Way different, much less room behind the seats.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X1

The BMW X1 is a compact crossover manufactured by BMW. It extends the current BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup which includes the BMW X3, BMW X5, and the BMW X6. The X1 is based on the same platform as the BMW 3 Series Touring (wagon) with xDrive.[2] Compared to the larger X3, the X1 is positioned as a slightly smaller but more affordable and sportier entry.[3]

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

I wonder how the X1 will be sold side by side with the F31. They are essentially the same car, yet the X1 offers a slightly higher-up driving position, etc.

So what you're saying is, the X1 is worse. Sorry, I want a car, not a cute ute.

If I wanted a truck, I'd get a REAL truck.

Originally Posted by reidconti

... The commenter who mentioned the 335d; well, that was a bit absurd, since it was BMW's first re-entry to the diesel market in the US...

I'm not sure what you mean. The only trans offerred with this engine in the whole lineup anywhere in the world was the auto.

I like the new 3 series wagon.

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X1

The X1 and current 1-series have the same wheelbase (the 3-series is 6 inches or so more).
So although "based on" means that many of the mechanical bits are the same, it's substantially smaller than the 3-series wagon, which actually was the point of my post.

simply gorgeous

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

If BMW neuters this car with just the N20, people could just get the X1 35i.

I wonder how the X1 will be sold side by side with the F31. They are essentially the same car, yet the X1 offers a slightly higher-up driving position, etc.

I am curious about this too. If the pricing of the E91 is any indication the X1 should undercut the F31 by 5-6 grand. The F31 will be a bit larger (especially in the back hatch).

Also given that the X1 is not going to be available with a manual tranny I won't be surprised if the F31 is also auto only.

When it's time to replace my wife's car this is exactly the comparison I will be making (among others of course). At that price point I would most likely get the X1.

I'm dying to know when BMWNA will release info on which engine/tranny/drive-train options we'll get in the US, as well as other configuration options (and pricing.)

While I will most likely get an auto (face it... I just don't get to have fun with a DD and more often than not I'm lamenting the manual in my current wagon on daily drives), I have NO interest in an X-Drive, even though I do live in the northeast. Yes, my '03 330i with winter tires and ESC did extremely well in whatever the weather threw at me.