[kidvalor]

This maybe me over thinking it or overlooking something but I noticed the M3 Manual is not on the UK page.

Was the manual never offered or has it been removed from the page? I am looking into ordering a G80 6MT M3 but I am waiting on the LCI refresh.

I been hearing rumors that the 6MT will discontinued during the LCI refresh. Does anyone think these rumors hold true?

If this is the case I need to get my order into a dealership ASAP.

Originally Posted by n55f15

Lite configurator is up on BMW UK

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/...-overview.html

[G30M]

Originally Posted by odiesback

Will pass. That dash screen is hideous!

that's the understatement of the year!

[G30M]

Originally Posted by odiesback

Will pass. That dash screen is hideous!

that plus the front end.

the M5 front looks soo good

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by kidvalor

This maybe me over thinking it or overlooking something but I noticed the M3 Manual is not on the UK page.

Was the manual never offered or has it been removed from the page?

The UK never got the G8x manuals, only the M3/M4 Competition.

I been hearing rumors that the 6MT will discontinued during the LCI refresh. Does anyone think these rumors hold true?

If this is the case I need to get my order into a dealership ASAP.

1. M3 LCI sedan production starts in a week, you can't order pre-LCIs anymore.

2. The 6MT M3 LCI is alive and kicking in e.g. Germany, see the pricelist here: https://www.bmw.de/content/dam/bmw/m...4774163833.pdf

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by Fenerbahce

What is surprising for many folks is that BMW can always make a business case for the X4/X6/GT, but sadly not for a US Touring. Clearly someone is crunching the numbers in the background.. no one doubts that.

It's suprising to many folks but I think the main point is: The decision on whether a particular model is built (and how) is made at the mothership in Munich, though of course with input on market research from around the world.

Whether or not the 3er Touring makes it to the US is/was probably mostly a BMWNA decision (though I assume they discussed the business case extensively, due to the battery-in-the-passenger-compartment engineering issue).

[Quadruple VANOS]

Originally Posted by Fenerbahce

Everyone understands it's all about the money. However, if you peel the onion, it's more nuanced then just looking at sales. Where they have factories, what their margin is on each type of product, costs to engineer/certify, and what perceived cannibalization they expect are some things we don't really have visibility into. What is surprising for many folks is that BMW can always make a business case for the X4/X6/GT, but sadly not for a US Touring. Clearly someone is crunching the numbers in the background.. no one doubts that.

Sales success is probably a key factor in those business case discussions. If the wagon sales were there we'd have a M3 wagon in the US, but they're not. It's really that simple.

[OriginalFake]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

Sales success is probably a key factor in those business case discussions. If the wagon sales were there we'd have a M3 wagon in the US, but they're not. It's really that simple.

Yeah, if enough people bought the F31, they would have brought the G21 to the US and we wouldn't be in this situation.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by OriginalFake

Yeah, if enough people bought the F31, they would have brought the G21 to the US and we wouldn't be in this situation.

However, the F31 was only sold as a 4-pot in the US, which I assume was a decision by BMWNA, maybe underestimating the nascent(?) Performance Wagon market.

So it was kinda a self-fulfilling prophecy:

1. F31 lower model is offered, people aren't interested in it
2. G21 gets axed for the US and/or US market and its (safety) regulation is not considered during the development
3. G81 gets considerable interest in the US, but has no chance, see 1.

[bk_g80_m3]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

I have no earthly idea why people have so little understanding about business. The answer is BMW makes M SUVs because that's where the sales are. Americans have a proven track record of buying lots of SUVs; wagons not so much. It shouldn't surprise anyone that BMW's product offerings sync up with this reality.

I understand business. It’s just a giant 5000lb car with less space than another model that is almost exactly the same doesn’t make sense. I understand there are customers for those otherwise they wouldn’t produce them. I suppose I don’t understand the mental calculus that happens when someone decides to buy an even numbered X car over an odd numbered one.

[Needsdecaf]

Pure sex.

And we can't have it.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

I have no earthly idea why people have so little understanding about business. The answer is BMW makes M SUVs because that's where the sales are. Americans have a proven track record of buying lots of SUVs; wagons not so much. It shouldn't surprise anyone that BMW's product offerings sync up with this reality.

The reality is that the X3M is such a flawed product. It's an SUV with the ride of an ox cart because of the weight of the vehicle. So stiffly sprung. I've driven it and immediately dismissed it because it's a family car that rides way, WAY worse than my 911.

What business case is that?

BMW has lost a sale, truly. My wife's Cayenne is up for replacment and the current X5 isn't sporty enough for her. The X3M would be perfect...but it rides TERRIBLE. Even I couldn't deal with it daily.

[kidvalor]

Thanks for the information!

Originally Posted by mbanck

The UK never got the G8x manuals, only the M3/M4 Competition.



1. M3 LCI sedan production starts in a week, you can't order pre-LCIs anymore.

2. The 6MT M3 LCI is alive and kicking in e.g. Germany, see the pricelist here: https://www.bmw.de/content/dam/bmw/m...4774163833.pdf

[Fenerbahce]

I like to think BMW at least ran the numbers on it, but perhaps the boardroom discussion just went something like this:

Should we bring the 3er Touring to the US?
Americans don’t buy wagons, and anyone that wants the BMW wagon will probably just buy an X3.
Bringing it to the US will therefore yield very few incremental sales, and it will just cannibalize our higher margin, locally produced X3.
Let’s not forget the expense associated with homologating the thing.
It makes no sense.
Let’s move onto the next agenda item, the convertible X4.

Everyone in the room gives an approving nod.

[thurston]

Originally Posted by modat

Am I the only one here that doesn't think this thing looks good?

Same. Not a fan of these wagons.

[mbanck]

Part fanboy, part informative video from youtuber JP Performance in a discussion/unveiling with Dirk Häcker, Head of Development at M GmbH (video was shot back-to-back with the M4 CSL one).

Color is Daytona Violet

They also discuss how it's not coming to the US (Dirk Häcker acknowledges that they did learn about the interest but again brings up the missing G21 and homologation issues) and the chassis differences between sedan/coupe and touring.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Sad this won't come to the US. Would have been putting in my order right now if they did.

Here is to hoping that they will do a wagon on the next gen and bring it to the US.

Always the RS6 Avant. Beauty and the beast in one package.

[Ftpohyeah]

how can this not come to the us??
id trade my x3 m in a heart beat and my wife would be ok with it.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by CSanto

I dont understand how they aren't bringing this to the States

Wagons just don't sell in the US ...

[jeloz]

Great post Ian. The coverage has been nuts.

I reckon i will see mine by next April maybe in Sydney.

Sorry USA!

Want to join a chat purely on the M3 Touring?
Look no further…

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3519...847/?ref=share

[playswcars]

Tartufo buckets will now be available with the Touring

[Teutonic]

What an eyesore…
Nothing flows in there.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

What an eyesore…
Nothing flows in there.

It's exactly the same with the M3 sedan.