[brava09]

Well, this applies to G82 M4 too, can’t think of anything else better that can seat four adults in comfort. Anyone?

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by / / / M3

Unless you need the extra practicality of the station wagon, I don't see why you'd pick one over the sedan. Heavier, poorer visibility, no carbon fibre roof. The sedan also looks better in my opinion.

I definitely don’t agree on looks (though that’s always an opinion). Visibility is not my experience at all. You get much better side visibility without the descending rear side pillars and the back is very clear and unobstructed by sloping roof as the wagon drops clean down at the end. Practicality wise the wagon is streets ahead which takes on the SUV benefits as well. Combine AWD and just street presence and it’s a winner. I’ve driven E60, E92, F80, F87 CS and now the G81 and I’ve never had a street response like it.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

I definitely don’t agree on looks (though that’s always an opinion). Visibility is not my experience at all. You get much better side visibility without the descending rear side pillars and the back is very clear and unobstructed by sloping roof as the wagon drops clean down at the end. Practicality wise the wagon is streets ahead which takes on the SUV benefits as well. Combine AWD and just street presence and it’s a winner. I’ve driven E60, E92, F80, F87 CS and now the G81 and I’ve never had a street response like it.

I would absolutely buy a G81 if it were offered here. I’d probably keep the manual G80 as well.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by / / / M3

I doubt it. The regular 3 series was available in wagon form for the E46 and F30 generations. It didn't sell well.

I thought the same when I test drove the standard wagon. Looks were boring I thought and I took my name off the M3 Touring list and went and got a M2 CS. 3 years later I saw a real M3 Touring at my dealer and literally bought it on the spot. The front end treatment, blistered rear axle arches and rear presence just brings together the G8x design in a way that I don’t think any other form factor does. For me, it’s the best implementation of the G8x design philosophy. Even the ZF8 and AWD make sense on the wagon. That all said, for us it will become the wife’s ’family car’ and replace our SUV.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

If BMW offered it here in the states, it would sell like crazy. And too bad it’s not offered in manual form.

No, it really wouldn’t. No one actually buys wagons in America. They just pretend to like them on forums.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by FC4

No, it really wouldn’t No one actually buys wagons in America. They just pretend to like them on forums.

No one really bought wagons much in Australia either (myself especially - hated them and only drove coupes and sedans). Then these things arrived, I’m a lifetime convert, they’ve weened the fanily off SUVs … and they’ve sold out well into next year.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

I would absolutely buy a G81 if it were offered here. I’d probably keep the manual G80 as well.

I hear you on manual. I sold my M2 CS as realised I should have gone with my gut and got the manual. If you’ve got a G80 manual hang onto it. The ZF8 is the least enjoyable part of the G81 for me which is why my wife’s taking over it and I’m switching to a manual next year.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

I hear you on manual. I sold my M2 CS as realised I should have gone with my gut and got the manual. If you’ve got a G80 manual hang onto it. The ZF8 is the least enjoyable part of the G81 for me which is why my wife’s taking over it and I’m switching to a manual next year.

Agreed.
And didn’t want to make this a post about which car is better because they both have very positive attributes, and are superior to the competition… that said, while the ZF8 is impressive at upshifts it lacked something in the downshift department and a bit of the character and charm of the DCT. It’s not a dealbreaker though and superior to most other options out there in its class.

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

This is a little different….
But I do think it would cannibalize the X3M and X5M sales. Easier for BMW logistics to keep it in Europe.

Have to visited the ordering forum lately? Apparently it's easier for BMW logistics to keep everything in Europe.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Have to visited the ordering forum lately? Apparently it's easier for BMW logistics to keep everything in Europe.

Haha. Everything except vehicles coming out of Spartanburg!

[Rux]

Sub 100k sure. Take money out of the equation and iit falls to middle of the road.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

If BMW offered it here in the states, it would sell like crazy. And too bad it’s not offered in manual form.

You realize they've done focus groups on this right? The wagon would not move in North America at all. Everyone needs to get over it.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

You realize they've done focus groups on this right? The wagon would not move in North America at all. Everyone needs to get over it.

Well, times have changed!

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by / / / M3

Unless you need the extra practicality of the station wagon, I don't see why you'd pick one over the sedan. Heavier, poorer visibility, no carbon fibre roof. The sedan also looks better in my opinion.

Exactly. It won't convert any Sedan guys and it's not going to convert the SUV crowd either. I don't care about 5 anecdotes on an enthusiast forum. It's a DOA product if it was ever brought to NA. The wagon has become a bizarre fetish on these forums for some reason. Guys it's ugly and heavy. You would look like a total nerd in one of those things.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Well, times have changed!

I don't know what this means. Times have changed?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

I don't know what this means. Times have changed?

Less options, lot of enthusiasm for the platform. As you pointed out, they wouldn’t sell that many. But I’d buy one. Look at the RS6 Avant - it’s a cult classic. There’s a dealer here in Atlanta that resells exotics and they have one for resale. What’s your problem with making it available - it doesn’t have to sell 10,000. Just make it available.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Exactly. It won't convert any Sedan guys and it's not going to convert the SUV crowd either. I don't care about 5 anecdotes on an enthusiast forum. It's a DOA product if it was ever brought to NA. The wagon has become a bizarre fetish on these forums for some reason. Guys it's ugly and heavy. You would look like a total nerd in one of those things.

Maybe some people like to drive something different than a dime a dozen M3/4 Sedan -Coupe? Yeah it’s heavier🤷🏼‍♂️ No one is buying it to run ring times. I think it would be fun to have one or an RS6 pushing 1500 HP and just shock fools when you smoke them

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

You realize they've done focus groups on this right? The wagon would not move in North America at all. Everyone needs to get over it.

Their focus groups were wrong.

They completely underestimated demand once it was released and have had to increase capacity at least twice since launch in a year. It’s not a coincidence they’re now teasing the hero M5 as a wagon in the US.

And a lot of sedan guys also have SUVs in the garage. A lot of those SUVs are going to become M3 Tourings and allow the other car to become something more exotic.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Less options, lot of enthusiasm for the platform. As you pointed out, they wouldn’t sell that many. But I’d buy one. Look at the RS6 Avant - it’s a cult classic. There’s a dealer here in Atlanta that resells exotics and they have one for resale. What’s your problem with making it available - it doesn’t have to sell 10,000. Just make it available.

Yes but the RS6 Avanti was popular before a time when they had SUVs with 600hp. So in that sense you are right. Nobody is going to get a wagon over an x3m if they want "practicality" in North America. Europe is a different story as SUVs are far less popular.

Why would BMW waste money offering another ow volume model that they can't charge a premium on (like a CSL). The additional support and supply chain costs would not be offset to make it worth it.

And what do you mean less options? We have more options than ever. We have RWD, AWD, Manuals, Autos, Verts, Sedans and Coupes. Nobody wants the Wagon otherwise it would be here.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

Their focus groups were wrong.

They completely underestimated demand once it was released and have had to increase capacity at least twice since launch in a year. It’s not a coincidence they’re now teasing the hero M5 as a wagon in the US.

And a lot of sedan guys also have SUVs in the garage. A lot of those SUVs are going to become M3 Tourings and allow the other car to become something more exotic.

You should write them a letter.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

You realize they've done focus groups on this right? The wagon would not move in North America at all. Everyone needs to get over it.

You're delusional. There's a reason why the reviewers all haggle the manufacturers for more wagon options. Look how well the E63S and RS6 Avant have sold in the last few years.

The G81 would sell like absolute hotcakes if it were available in the US. The younger generations have realized why wagons are good and useful, and it can still get up and go just as well, for all intents and purposes, as the G80 equivalent.

The G99 will sell like absolute hotcakes as well if it actually does come ot the US. Hopefully that'll make BMW and the other manufacturers wake up when it comes to having more performance wagons.

It's not something that needs to be a permanent fixture in the lineup, but having a model available for a couple years every 6-8 years would absolutely satiate the desire for those at the top end.

I agree that it won't convert any SUVers, but it will absolutely convert sedan buyers and many of them *already want* wagons but can't get them, because they're not available.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Yes but the RS6 Avanti was popular before a time when they had SUVs with 600hp. So in that sense you are right. Nobody is going to get a wagon over an x3m if they want "practicality" in North America. Europe is a different story as SUVs are far less popular.

Why would BMW waste money offering another ow volume model that they can't charge a premium on (like a CSL). The additional support and supply chain costs would not be offset to make it worth it.

And what do you mean less options? We have more options than ever. We have RWD, AWD, Manuals, Autos, Verts, Sedans and Coupes. Nobody wants the Wagon otherwise it would be here.

They said the same about AWD M cars (Tick). EPS (Tick). Ever returning to a sedan M3 (Tick). Yeah - Touring is coming and y’all going to love it even though you say you won’t. Or at least enough of you plus newer buyers will and the deal is done.