[bmrm396]

so if theyve started filming that means a production model interior and exterior has been finalized and we should be seeing sneak peaks in the coming weeks right?

i think were all quite anxious for a production interior shot considering how beautiful the new 6er is ...

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Frankfurt IAA will launch Production cars -
Plus it will be the official launch of BMWi at an Autoshow.

It will be the show of the new 1er Sporthatch it is a key important model for Europe so will be given priority.

BMW 1er Sporthatch , BMW M5 , BMW M3 Sedan Lightweight , BMW 6er M-Sport Packet , BMW 640d , BMW 6er xDrive , BMW N20 Expansion - Z4/5er/X3
BMW Active Hybrid 5 , BMW 520d Efficient Dynamics Edition. and the BMW i3 Megacity Concept car .

something, something else...

The 3er will be launched in November , First stage Film and photography has just commenced in Vitoria , Spain - It takes around six months to develop the media campaign for a new model.

The 3er will launch like the 5er - In November but kept until simultaneous Press Drive/World Premiere in Geneva , March 2012.

The F30 3er is booked to Premiere @ Geneva in March 2012.
The F31 3er is booked to Premiere @ Leipzig in April 2012

Excellent information! So what does BMW NA expect customers to do from this October (proposed stoppage of e90 production) until April 2012 (3er hitting US showrooms)? That is 6 full months of no new 3 series, that suprises me for the highest production model?

[SCOTT26]

BMW North America are building inventory. Because the 3er will be discounted to hell because of the new model just like the previous 5er - it survived the transition.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

BMW North America are building inventory. Because the 3er will be discounted to hell because of the new model just like the previous 5er - it survived the transition.

Thanks SCOTT.

One big difference with the E60 5 series to F10 5 series transition though - the E60 was actually in production into January. So, there was not the same inventory issue there. With the E90 going out of production in October (3 months before in the timeline, relative to E60), that's going to be some big stockpile that BMW NA needs to amass, especially when 3 series sells in much greater numbers than the 5 series.

[SCOTT26]

They already have begun.

[pcbrew]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

...
The 3er will be launched in November , First stage Film and photography has just commenced in Vitoria , Spain - It takes around six months to develop the media campaign for a new model.

The 3er will launch like the 5er - In November but kept until simultaneous Press Drive/World Premiere in Geneva , March 2012.

The F30 3er is booked to Premiere @ Geneva in March 2012.
The F31 3er is booked to Premiere @ Leipzig in April 2012

Sorry for my ignorance, but what do "launch" and "premiere" mean?

Does "launch" mean press shots of exterior, maybe car is shown to public (I heard this will happen in London in Nov. 2011)? Assume maybe also press driving events so they can gets stories out in Feb/Mar 2012 magazine issues, etc.

Does "premiere" means available to public?

[SCOTT26]

The car will launch early November in London and Munich.
- First pictures , videos etc, Open day design and engineering preview for selected media.

First Press Drives will commence in February 2012.
- Media being allowed to drive the car etc.

World Premiere - for the Public will be @ Geneva in March 2012
Alongside new Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse and Audi A3.

European sales commence around the same time. US sales scheduled for late Spring.

BMW 3er Touring will launch like the 5er Touring. In it's largest market - Germany @ 2011 AMI Leipzig - Sales will commence in Europe the following September. US sales unlikely because despite BMW NA's best intentions , BMW AG cannot make the numbers work , especially when the X3 and upcoming X1 are taken into consideration and the continuing rapid decline of the Premium wagon market in favour of SAV's.

[a_k]

Not good news regarding F31. 1,5 years till sales...
This explains lack of spypics of F31.

[huskercubfan]

Will the M3 model of F30 be released alongside the other 3 series?

I would REALLY like a M3 sedan but I can't buy until, at least, January 2011 which is after the production of the sedans has ended.