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

Dear BMW,

This Saturday I likely will be on a BMW dealer's lot buying a BMW wagon. Unfortunately for you, it will likely be pre-owned 535xit. I would LOVE the ability to test drive or at least examine an f3x wagon in mid-January 2013, perhaps at the black tie auto show in Philly tonight. But that seems unlikely, cause you just don't care about supporting your wagon. You'd rather introduce more lines of the sedan (i.e. 320i).

This is simply dissapointing. At least make the frigging model available on BMWUSA.com?? But no - I've been seeking more information since your automotive journalist test drives sponsored 7 months ago, and more information is simply not forthcoming.

Boo,

Joe

We'll have more information about the wagon soon. It will be hitting dealerships in the same time frame as the 320i.

Tim

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Dear BMW,

This Saturday I likely will be on a BMW dealer's lot buying a BMW wagon. Unfortunately for you, it will likely be pre-owned 535xit. I would LOVE the ability to test drive or at least examine an f3x wagon in mid-January 2013, perhaps at the black tie auto show in Philly tonight. But that seems unlikely, cause you just don't care about supporting your wagon. You'd rather introduce more lines of the sedan (i.e. 320i).

This is simply dissapointing. At least make the frigging model available on BMWUSA.com?? But no - I've been seeking more information since your automotive journalist test drives sponsored 7 months ago, and more information is simply not forthcoming.

Boo,

Joe

So because they don't release the car on your individual schedule they are doing something wrong?

Originally Posted by dexter

More telling, they don't mention a F31 without xdrive. My info is correct, unfortunately...i was hoping to do Euro delivery in my diesel wagon, but I have no use for all wheel drive.

You may be correct after all. Our old diesel friend Saintor posted these pics from the Montreal Auto Show that show the F30 "328d" in xDrive form. Would not be surprised if they do the same with the F31.

Sounds good to me

edit: I'm very confused right now since the info on the display in Montreal conflicts with the press release info....

2013 F31 pricing was leaked at the Boston Auto Show -

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=671499

Tim

I'm looking to give the F31 a try. It's either that or an Audi allroad. Trouble is that I want the Audi with the 3.0t engine and that ain't happening. I've never cared for the SUV look and prefer the lower center of gravity of the f31/allroad vehicles. Also makes it mucho easier to get outdoor toys on and off the roof.

Originally Posted by d geek

You may be correct after all. Our old diesel friend Saintor posted these pics from the Montreal Auto Show that show the F30 "328d" in xDrive form. Would not be surprised if they do the same with the F31.

Sounds good to me

edit: I'm very confused right now since the info on the display in Montreal conflicts with the press release info....

Confirmation that it will be badged as 328d and will also be available with xDrive in both wagon (actually the 328d wagon will only come in xDrive) and sedan.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=674043

I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the F31, and now that it is imminent, the news of the diesel option got me thinking of waiting for its arrival. I am a real fan of diesel, owning a Citron in France, which gets around 65 miles per gallon. That being said, the economics of diesel do not seem to make sense. If you compare the diesel vs petrol mpg on various BMW European websites it seems to be around 27% combined city/highway. However, assuming a price premium of the diesel over the 328xi of around $3500, and that diesel fuel costs around 10% more, it looks like it will take a lot of driving -- well in excess of 100,000 miles based on current prices -- before you hit the break-even point. Of course, this does not take into account the difference in the depreciation, which is uncertain. So, I can only conclude that the diesel option does not make sense in the US.

I guess it depends on where you live. In these parts diesel is about 2 cents more than premium.
I'm guessing that the "328d" will be about the same as a 328i, based on price differentials of euro models.

I hope you are correct about parity in pricing of diesel and the 328. But based on how Audi prices its products, as well as the announced premium for the new Jeep products, I expect that the diesel will be far more expensive. As for fuel prices, there is about a 10% price difference in my market. I should add that in France the diesel fuel is far less expensive -- therefore, over 90% of new car sales are diesel.

So, as I look at Jon's post today, am I correct that the F31 will only be in AWD form (gas and diesel)?

That's a real disappoitment if true.

Originally Posted by uter

So, as I look at Jon's post today, am I correct that the F31 will only be in AWD form (gas and diesel)?

That's a real disappoitment if true.

I agree. Looking for RWD only.
Rich

I was looking forward to RWD only as well. Bummer.

After all, the cost of an AWD to purchase and maintain is significantly higher.

Furthermore, in the E46 and E90 wagons, the AWD option meant that sport suspension wasn't the same as the RWD version (I had an E46 325xit with sport package, but it was really just a wheel and trim package). Will that be the case with the F31?

Hailing BMW NA: many consumers DO want real-wheel drive BMW wagons!

Originally Posted by d geek

Confirmation that it will be badged as 328d and will also be available with xDrive in both wagon (actually the 328d wagon will only come in xDrive) and sedan. ...

If this will indeed be the exact same engine as is badged as the 320d in the rest of the world and re-badged as a 328d here just so BMW can charge the uninformed $2K - $3K more in North America ... that would be low ... hitting below the belt low. I suspect that will not go over well here on the boards. Fingers crossed that it miraculously grows another turbo in the few months between now and delivery so it has the performance worthy of being called a '28'.

Originally Posted by m8o

If this will indeed be the exact same engine as is badged as the 320d in the rest of the world and re-badged as a 328d here just so BMW can charge the uninformed $2K - $3K more in North America ... that would be low ... hitting below the belt low. I suspect that will not go over well here on the boards. Fingers crossed that it miraculously grows another turbo in the few months between now and delivery so it has the performance worthy of being called a '28'.

It is 99% certain that 328d will be a rebadged 320d, and 535d will be a rebadged 530d.

What upsets me most is the fact that BMW did build four US spec 328d RWD cars (three US, one Canadian), with two more US scheduled to be built soon. So they are ready to give them to us. If they're not coming, only BMW NA is to blame.

The costs of obtaining Federal certification are not trivial. An automaker's market research indicates which model/drivetrain demand would justify the costs. Evidently BMW has decided that the market will support the AWD wagon version and this is a better profit for BMW. If the take rate is exceptional, then they will consider other drivetrains as well.

This is the highest number of diesel models they are offering to date. I'm glad about that.

Hey BMW NA - thanks for the wagon but can you please bring one with a 6MT!?!? Preferably with the diesel and RWD?!?!? I don't buy automatics.

BMW built the following US spec RWD wagons for testing:

14 328iT auto
4 328iT manual
5 328dT auto

Originally Posted by m8o

If this will indeed be the exact same engine as is badged as the 320d in the rest of the world and re-badged as a 328d here just so BMW can charge the uninformed $2K - $3K more in North America ... that would be low ... hitting below the belt low. I suspect that will not go over well here on the boards. Fingers crossed that it miraculously grows another turbo in the few months between now and delivery so it has the performance worthy of being called a '28'.

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

It is 99% certain that 328d will be a rebadged 320d, and 535d will be a rebadged 530d.

What upsets me most is the fact that BMW did build four US spec 328d RWD cars (three US, one Canadian), with two more US scheduled to be built soon. So they are ready to give them to us. If they're not coming, only BMW NA is to blame.

It is 100% certain 328d will not be rebadged European 320d.

The US model will require urea injection and will be tuned for more power due to lack of CO2 tax.

Same with 535d. Our model will surely use the same engine as the X5d, which is different from the rest of the world.

Originally Posted by bzcat

It is 100% certain 328d will not be rebadged European 320d.

The US model will require urea injection and will be tuned for more power due to lack of CO2 tax.

Same with 535d. Our model will surely use the same engine as the X5d, which is different from the rest of the world.

100% certain?

look at these pics of the presentation given last July:
http://www.bimmerfile.com/2012/07/13...-coming-to-us/

Clearly shows which engines were being planned. And the power matches that of the 320d. Unless you have inside info that trumps this, we have nothing else to go on.

Blue performance option available in Europe is urea injection.

The engine in the current x5d is being replaced. The power output shown in the pic matches that of the Euro 530d with blue performance.

If you are a BMW insider than please share more detail than what we have already.

Originally Posted by d geek

The costs of obtaining Federal certification are not trivial. An automaker's market research indicates which model/drivetrain demand would justify the costs. Evidently BMW has decided that the market will support the AWD wagon version and this is a better profit for BMW. If the take rate is exceptional, then they will consider other drivetrains as well.

This is the highest number of diesel models they are offering to date. I'm glad about that.

Yet there's an RWD option for the X1. How can we know take rate if they don't import it?

Originally Posted by uter

So, as I look at Jon's post today, am I correct that the F31 will only be in AWD form (gas and diesel)?

That's a real disappoitment if true.

I am also looking for a RWD only. My ideal car is a RWD 328d 6MT.

Originally Posted by beemer4me

I am also looking for a RWD only. My ideal car is a RWD 328d 6MT.

Hey, that's my car! Well, the one I want to replace my e46 wagon anyway.

I went to Crevier BMW the other day to see when I can order the wagon.. Most likely they will get the order sheet in the next few weeks... I will post on here when i get.. Rear and All wheel drive will be available and the only trim is the 328. Other trims may be released but not in April. I didnt follow the pricing of the previous generation wagon but what was the difference in real and all wheel?