[Straight6Dave]

I'll put a deposit in right away. I've already mentally prepared my wife that a stupidly ridiculous wagon could be in our future.

[seis-speed]

This is a complete landslide.

Just like pulling Euro Delivery, not having a Touring Mcar in the US is being completely out of touch with your enthusiast base.

While I am on a tangent: The G80 Xdrive should come in manual, even if it comes with less HP/TQ.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

I personally had ZERO interest in an F31 because BMW only offered the 4 cylinder versions in the US (328i/330i and 328d). Similarly, I would have zero interest in a G21 330i as well. However, I would seriously consider M340i Touring and immediately jump on a G81 M3 Touring.

+1 on this. The F31 was a poorly-conceived product in my opinion. Too much compromise with 4-cylinder, AT, x-drive and numb steering. Take away any two of those and perhaps I would have been a buyer, considering the m-sport has an attractive appearance.

Like you, I'll happily take a G81 M340i or M3. Prefer MT and RWD, but I can be somewhat flexible.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

I personally had ZERO interest in an F31 because BMW only offered the 4 cylinder versions in the US (328i/330i and 328d). Similarly, I would have zero interest in a G21 330i as well. However, I would seriously consider M340i Touring and immediately jump on a G81 M3 Touring.

Herein lies the problem.... in a sad twist of fate for the station wagon enthusiasts, the car that admittedly no one in the US wants (330 wagon) is the car needed to sell in volume in order to pay the 55 million dollar bill to make the M3 wagon meet US specs.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by xlover

Herein lies the problem.... in a sad twist of fate for the station wagon enthusiasts, the car that admittedly no one in the US wants (330 wagon) is the car needed to sell in volume in order to pay the 55 million dollar bill to make the M3 wagon meet US specs.

What model did BMW sell in volume to make i8 meet US specs? Did i8 sell like hotcakes to justify the cost? Anyways, I see your point and agree the lack of a G series wagon in the US is a big problem in terms time, effort, and money involved on BMW's end but as I mentioned many times in this thread, G81 would do much better than some of the models BMW offered/offers in the US market in my opinion.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

What model did BMW sell in volume to make i8 meet US specs? Did i8 sell like hotcakes to justify the cost? Anyways, I see your point and agree the lack of a G series wagon in the US is a big problem in terms time, effort, and money involved on BMW's end but as I mentioned many times in this thread, G81 would do much better than some of the models BMW offered/offers in the US market in my opinion.

I am sure the i8 was designed from the ground up to meet US specs, the g21 was unfortunately not. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the i8 outsold the f31....

Even looking at the poll, assuming everyone is telling the truth and they 100% will buy a g81 M3 station wagon, we are still barely over 100 units per year (assuming 2023 MY intro)

[digistil]

I will order an individual G81, if they bring it. It can have the big grill, AWD, and an auto, and I will still buy it on day one. Please BMW!!!

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by xlover

I am sure the i8 was designed from the ground up to meet US specs, the g21 was unfortunately not. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the i8 outsold the f31....

Even looking at the poll, assuming everyone is telling the truth and they 100% will buy a g81 M3 station wagon, we are still barely over 100 units per year (assuming 2023 MY intro)

i8 still had to go through the whole US DOT and NHTSA, and the same thing can be done for the G81 as well given it is at least 2 years away from production. My point is, at the time i8 was a completely new model that required a full US homologation. The same thing applies to G81 as well. The bottom line is, If BMW saw enough interest and justified it, they could make it happen and that's what we are trying to accomplish with these threads and petitions.

I'm not even going to comment on your argument about the poll since you are assuming the poll has reached out to all the customer base, which is far from the truth. The way I look at it is only ~500 people participated in the poll so far and nearly 80% of potential buyers would prefer G81 over other G8x variants, which is one of the strongest poll results I have seen in this forum.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by 135_PJ_

I'm all for the touring! 6MT M3 touring is almost like the perfect car. Practical asf with a little quick on the side 👌🏽

quick af with a good bit of practical on the side.

FTFY


As an aside, I've said I'm likely out on the G8 design since the first leaks; but, a G81 being available with manual would be a one-of-one option in the market. And at LCI, or aftermarket nosejob that I love, I'd have to consider one for the $#.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

quick af with a good bit of practical on the side.

FTFY


As an aside, I've said I'm likely out on the G8 design since the first leaks; but, a G83 being available with manual would be a one-of-one option in the market. And at LCI, or aftermarket nosejob that I love, I'd have to consider one for the $#.

I assume you mean G81

[xlover]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

i8 still had to go through the whole US DOT and NHTSA, and the same thing can be done for the G81 as well given it is at least 2 years away from production. My point is, at the time i8 was a completely new model that required a full US homologation. The same thing applies to G81 as well. The bottom line is, If BMW saw enough interest and justified it, they could make it happen and that's what we are trying to accomplish with these threads and petitions.

I'm not even going to comment on your argument about the poll since you are assuming the poll has reached out to all the customer base, which is far from the truth. The way I look at it is only ~500 people participated in the poll so far and nearly 80% of potential buyers would prefer G81 over other G8x variants, which is one of the strongest poll results I have seen in this forum.

If you reference the other wagon thread insiders have noted that bmw made specific design choices that are not allowed under us rules because the wagon platform was not intended for the US market. It's not as simple as just DOT testing, the car needs redesign for the US.... and they also shared the cost would be 55million.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by xlover

If you reference the other wagon thread insiders have noted that bmw made specific design choices that are not allowed under us rules because the wagon platform was not intended for the US market. It's not as simple as just DOT testing, the car needs redesign for the US.... and they also shared the cost would be 55million.

I'd like to learn more about this "redesign" that you keep talking about. Can you please elaborate? US spec cars require emission related changes (e.g. secondary cats vs OPF) as well as some minor cosmetic differences such as amber side markers etc. All of these would be carried from the US spec G80 anyway and most of the investment would need be to made for the US regulatory certifications (DOT, NHTSA, EPA etc.). I'm not being sarcastic or anything. Maybe I'm missing something and genuinely curious what else needs to redesigned for this car that cannot be inherited from the US spec G80.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

I'd like to learn more about this "redesign" that you keep talking about. Can you please elaborate? US spec cars require emission related changes (e.g. secondary cats vs OPF) as well as some minor cosmetic differences such as amber side markers etc. All of these would be carried from the US spec G80 anyway and most of the investment would need be to made for the US regulatory certifications (DOT, NHTSA, EPA etc.). I'm not being sarcastic or anything. Maybe I'm missing something and genuinely curious what else needs to redesigned for this car that cannot be inherited from the US spec G80.

I'm going to misstate specifics so I would pop over to the other wagon related thread and review it but the tldr is: amongst other non-us complaint items the battery is in the tailgate area, under US rules it constitutes a lethal hazard to occupants of the vehicle so would require re-engineering.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

I assume you mean G81

Absolutely, whoopsie!

[Darth One]

In all honesty I think bmw needs to see a show of good faith from the US market before bringing the wagon here. We talk a good game but very few follow through with their wallets. Maybe see how the RS6 Avant does first.

Personally, I'm not buying any bmw with coffin grills but hopefully enough of you follow through on these poll votes to make the touring a regular offering in future generations.

[darkbro66]

I went to my dealer and talked to the sales manager today, telling him I am willing to put a deposit down if BMW brass confirm it would help bring the wagon to the US. I suggest anyone else that is legitimately interested do the same, we need to speak up as much as possible to make this happen!

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by M-Pilot

Edit: We also have a Change.org petition thanks to ki__: http://chng.it/7Z7sRrfZdK

As we all have probably heard, the rumor is that the upcoming G81 M3 won't be offered in the US market for various reasons. I was already debating about the idea of starting a new thread to show BMW and BMW USA the potential interest from the US buyer about the G81. After seeing couple other similar thoughts in the other G81 thread and hearing from Jason that they would support this initiative, I decided to start this thread which will hopefully serve as a petition to bring G81 M3 to the US.

In addition to the answering the poll, please feel free to post your thoughts about why BMW and BMW USA should offer the G81 here in the States. I understand this is not something official with hard commitments from people but I believe it will be good indicator of the potential interest.

Let's make this happen!

It would be tough for me to resist the wagon... 6MT and I'd throw some sand bags in the back, get a set of winter tires and be an early adopter.... just like I was for the 2015...

[t$]

in CA we are required to have awd regardless of tire situation in order to drive a car to the mountians the snow. if i bought a g80 i probably would never even think of getting xdrive, but something about if i bought a g81 id want to be able to take it up to the mountains.

if they made a xdrive/6mt i would absolutely buy it, not even a question. but if im being honest if its rwd/6mt or just xdrive/auto i might be less inclined, or atleast wouldnt want it as my only car.

waiting to see how the rs6 avant does makes sense, but the e63 has also been here all along. i heard that the e63 wagon of all the merc cars in the us is bought by their wealthiest customers. they seem to have made those profitable. a smaller, sportier wagon seems like it could have a legitimate market.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by t$

waiting to see how the rs6 avant does makes sense, but the e63 has also been here all along. i heard that the e63 wagon of all the merc cars in the us is bought by their wealthiest customers. they seem to have made those profitable. a smaller, sportier wagon seems like it could have a legitimate market.

But again, is the e63 the only wagon that Mercedes sells in the US? Apparently Audi is selling the regular A6 Avant, and Mercedes likely does the same for the E-Class wagon. So some/most the DOT related costs are absorbed into the (likely much higher) numbers of lower-power versions of them, whereas BMW would have to spend all that for the G81.

So maybe it makes more sense to first lobby BMW NA to bring the M340i G21 touring stateside, and the G81 might follow from there (or its successor).

[BMWGirlFL]

OP & ki__

https://www.motor1.com/news/442404/p...m3-touring-us/

Petition Launched To Bring BMW M3 Wagon To US
Pleeeeeeeeease.
Just a handful of weeks ago, BMW gave us a teaser photo of the BMW M3 wagon. Everyone freaked out until they saw that the vehicle wasn't coming to US markets. Showing his disapproval, a man named Kian started a petition to bring the Bimmer to the United States.

The attached literature talks about Audi bringing its RS6 Avant over and encourages BMW to do the same with its G81 M3 Touring. Regardless of where it will end up, what is this M3 wagon all about?

Rumors suggest that the vehicle will use the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six as the M3 and M4, developing 473 horsepower (353 kilowatts) sent to a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic – the Competition version is said to make 503 hp (375 kW) with only an automatic gearbox on offer. Regardless of whether you prefer two or three pedals, info suggests that the spacious Bimmer won’t go on sale until the 2023 model year.

As for the front fascia elephant in the room, don’t be alarmed as the bigger front kidneys are delicately balanced with surrounding intakes in the front fascia. Taking a peek around the camouflage, the rest of the car features aggro side skirts accompanied by flared wheel arches to house extra rubber. At the back is the same diffuser and quad exhaust exit seen in the publicity photos.

Regardless of whether we can get the M3 wagon to cross the pond, it’s great to see that BMW is listening to its fans’ requests for such a vehicle. Sure, you could say the German automaker had already built an M3 Touring in 2000, but that vehicle never officially went on sale.

Not all is lost for American enthusiasts as the M3 sedan and M4 coupe will debut on September 23rd, 2020 and are set to go on sale in early 2021.

https://carbuzz.com/news/sign-this-p...ome-to-america

Sign This Petition If You Want The BMW M3 Wagon To Come To America
Spread the word!

Good news: BMW has finally answered our prayers by putting an M3 Wagon into production for the first time ever. Bad news: rumors suggest it will be forbidden fruit in America. This is disappointing, but predictable since wagons aren't hot sellers in America compared to crossovers. However, enthusiasts want to show BMW there is enough demand for the M3 Touring to justify it going on sale in America.

After all, the Audi RS6 Avant is available America, so it's a shame BMW won't be offering the M-powered wagon to the US market.

After the announcement generated a lot of excitement from BMW M fans, Bimmerpost has submitted an online petition on Change.org to try and persuade BMW to bring the M3 Touring to the US. At the time of writing, the petition has received just over 500 signatures.

To let BMW know that you want the M3 Wagon to come to America, be sure to sign the online petition. Audi heard our pleas and eventually responded to the high demand for the RS6 in America, so we're hoping BMW will also make our dreams come true by launching the first-ever M3 wagon in the US. Last year, an online petition was also launched to bring the Mercedes C-Class Wagon to America.

Technically, this isn't the first time BMW has built an M3 wagon. An M3 E46 Touring was built for testing, but never made it to production. Spy shots have shown the new M3 Wagon will adopt the same controversial styling as its M3 Sedan, applied to a more practical wagon body style.

BMW has confirmed the M3 Wagon will share the same twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that will power the new BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe, but it isn't known if there will be a range-topping Competition version. In the M3 Sedan, the Competition version will produce 503 hp. The M3 Touring isn't arriving in Europe until 2022, so BMW has plenty of time to change its mind about the wagon's availability in the US.

[M2COMP]

Will it have a manual transmission?

[Ibiza]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but a poll showing what the 400+ G81 customers will get if the G81 is not offered in the states in 2 years.

Would they buy a G80 or X3M?

I'm shocked at the low G82 interested customers. The G83 I get and expected.

What are the interested G81 customers driving now, if leasing, what will they drive for an other 2 years if the petition is a success?