[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by gcreese

When I talked to my Boston-area dealer, he told me BMW NA was giving him RWD allotments and he was refusing them because his customers buy AWD. At the time (several weeks ago), he had no F30s in the showroom, but had several in the back lot. His issue is he still has a lot of E90s, so he's giving great discounts on those.

I have yet to see an F30 on the road, and I've been looking.

Interesting.

I was at the BMW dealer on the "automile" today while my wife was shopping nearby. They didn't have an F30 on the showroom floor. The parts guy was sure it was there, but then it turned out they'd sold it.

As I was leaving, a sales guy pulled up in a red ZML (with a two-tone dash and black leather; very female). I asked him if it was his car and he said, "No." Without further prompting he said, "We won't have xDrive models until September." He also said if I wanted the ZML or a nearby black ZSL demonstrator, they'd give me a great price.

Meanwhile, they were backed up giving people test drives in MY11 E90 328xis. And one guy was driving off in his brand-new MY11 TiAg E90 328xi.

All kinds of mixed messages: they sold the F30 they had on the floor; they want to clear out the MY12 F30s they have left; they're selling E90s like hotcakes and they are waiting for the MY13 F30 AWD drive models.

That sorry ZML F30 328i was parked next to an E90 328i. And, for the first time I was able to really see the difference in size between the two. Next to each other, you can really tell that the F30 is larger, especially in width.

Though I didn't meaure it, it also looked really obvious that there was more legroom in the rear seat of the F30.

As a former E90 owner, I came away pleased that many of the lines I liked on my 330i are very familiar on the F30 -- but it's different as well. Old and new together. Nice.

BMW made a big deal about lines with the F30. I just can't see that much difference between the ZML and ZSL, expect for the oil cooler peek-a-boo slot on the passenger side of the lower bumper. I mean the grill slats are obvious, but the rest of the bumper differences are so subtle I doubt I'll be able to tell them apart when they do become more common around Boston.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by Yobyot

The other option, popular here in Boston, is called a wintah beatah. Ideally, a rusted out 1979 Chevy with a bent frame.

I use a Honda Civic instead.

Many people who spend $40-50k on a car don't want to drive a 1996 civic 4 months of the year.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by gcreese

When I talked to my Boston-area dealer, he told me BMW NA was giving him RWD allotments and he was refusing them because his customers buy AWD. At the time (several weeks ago), he had no F30s in the showroom, but had several in the back lot. His issue is he still has a lot of E90s, so he's giving great discounts on those.

I have yet to see an F30 on the road, and I've been looking.

I've seen one F30 on the road. I've seen 3 FR-S/BR-Z s over the past two weeks. The F30 came out in Feb/March. The FRS/BRZ in June.

Go figure.

[shabadoo25]

Here in Central Florida, all of the dealer allocations are spoken for with special orders. They are going out of there way to grab other dealer's rejected inventory, and those sell almost instantly upon arrival, even with unneeded options like heated steering wheels.

I have seen 2 other F30s on the road here in Orlando, a black 328i and a red 335i.

[JamesMA]

I saw a red 328i in Natick yesterday and a Liquid Blue one in Brighton today.

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by JamesMA

I saw a red 328i in Natick yesterday and a Liquid Blue one in Brighton today.

Natick, eh?

I live in MetroWest -- and I haven't seen any F30s on the road yet...none.

Nice to know they are there, though.

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by lem144

I've seen one F30 on the road. I've seen 3 FR-S/BR-Z s over the past two weeks. The F30 came out in Feb/March. The FRS/BRZ in June.

Go figure.

I wanted to test the BRZ/FR-S, but the dealers are doing what they did when the S2000 was new: claiming they are rare and only giving tests when you say you're going to "buy today."

It's the kind of business practice that makes them so despicable.

Yes, these cars are a hit. But, just as Honda did when it was surprised with the initial demand for the S2000, Toyota and Subaru will catch up and the dealers will be looking for buyers -- and discounting these cars.

On another point, I've always loved Miatas and the S2000 -- Japanese sports cars that were fun and affordable.

I know my F30 will be fun when I get it in two weeks in Munich. But affordable? Not so much.

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by lem144

Many people who spend $40-50k on a car don't want to drive a 1996 civic 4 months of the year.

I hear you.

But you don't have to drive the betah continuously. Only on the really shnitzy days. I also don't drive my BMW on "melt" days -- those sunny days after a big storm when the roads are wet with salt solution from snowmelt.

The other advantage of not driving the car every day is that it retains its special appeal -- like a breath of fresh air -- every time you get in it.

So, no, having a winter car doesn't mean I will put my F30 ZSL away permanently from November through March.

BTW, it's a 2009 Civic for me.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by lem144

Many people who spend $40-50k on a car don't want to drive a 1996 civic 4 months of the year.

Do as I do; my F30 335 is my practical car and winter beater.

[DrivenByE30]

OP's observations are wrong... why are we even discussing the issue over 4 pages ?!

A flop would be the 5GT in the US.... (sadly, because i like the 5GT)

Since F30 release, i have probably seen more of the F30s than i have seen 5GT in 3 years!