[SCOTT26]

The 5er Gran Turismo increases the profit margin on the complete 5er portfolio for BMW.

Just as 3er Gran Turismo , 3er Gran Coupe and 3er Family Activity Sports Tourer will too for the 3er Portfolio.

[Hops128i]

And Porsche also made farm tractors.

[Dwysywd]

I have noticed that many of the DNL coments came from 3 series owners. I love the 5 GT. In fact, I plan on ordering one soon. So, I am puzzled, is it because you don't like it? Or is it b/c you can't afford it...

For the record, I am 6'1" and don't particularly care for the 3 series size. I drive 60,000 miles a year. The 5GT is super comfortable and very elegant. If I wanted it to handle like an X6 or a M5, I'd have bought one of them... Just sayin

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by Dwysywd

I have noticed that many of the DNL coments came from 3 series owners. I love the 5 GT. In fact, I plan on ordering one soon. So, I am puzzled, is it because you don't like it? Or is it b/c you can't afford it...

For the record, I am 6'1" and don't particularly care for the 3 series size. I drive 60,000 miles a year. The 5GT is super comfortable and very elegant. If I wanted it to handle like an X6 or a M5, I'd have bought one of them... Just sayin

At 60k/yr, the 5GT is a nice place to spend time. I can't find a fault with that decision.

[deshields]

Im assuming the test driver is a normal sized person, if true this car is actually quite large, especially for a vehicle with the 3 series badge on it. It looks to be atleast a 5-series sized car??

[Frosty]

[jmunro]

If BMW make this a 350i GT, I'm definitely in. One of those dirty V8TT engines in a 3 series... I don't care if it has a large back side. I'm in!

[bmwdinamo]

This car is for doctors. Only doctors buy the wagon 5 series and 3 series. I live in NY and commute 500miles a week. I only saw a 5 GT ONCE! Thats it! And I live in a place where people buy a new luxury car yearly. (X6 started to become very, VERY! popular in my neighborhood however)

[GuyOh]

please dont bmw.....

[auggiem3]

Originally Posted by Leprechaun

I just threw up, sh*t myself, and passed out. What a Fugly POS. I mean, they are going to discontinue the M3 sedan and they are bringing the GT??? Unfkng believable. What are they thinking???? What a dissapointment.

I'm sick of this senseless lobbying. Leprechaun, I recognize that you are a relative newcomer so if you own an M3 sedan, my comment is directed elsewhere. If not, buy one or abandon your banal assertions.

I have said it before - this forum is littered with those that beg for new variants (1M), unintended option inclusions (6spd on the e60 M5) or model resurgence (e90 M3) with unwavering commitment to financially justify BMW's design, marketing, and execution expenses. As soon as the cmopany responds to this mass appeal, they are rewarded with complaints, excuses and a real product demand far below expectations.

Recent Examples:

1. 1M: too expensive. can't justify the price over the 135. I could get a used M3 for the same price, etc. etc. You got exactly what you wanted - a new coupe that outperforms a 135 at a price premium (and a warranty thus appeasing the modders) and underperforms a new M3 at a price discount.

2. e60 M5: too much power for the transmission, the DCT shifts faster, its just more practical to get the dual clutch at the same price, the V10 needs the engineered tranny, etc. etc. Fine - agreed - why so adamant about the option inclusion then?

3. e90 M3: bottom line, the sedan didn't meet sales expectations after years (read: entire life of e46 M3) of complaints around the discontinuation of the e36 M3 sedan.

Finally, BMW grasped the illegitimacy of M3 forum members as a barometer for the M buying demographic when they developed the 1M production schedule...Limited production of 3000 with less than 1000 models available in the US - wonder why? I'd wager that you could find over 500 members of this forum posting a "definite buy" prior to reneging or disappearing into cyberspace with wallet grasped tightly in hand. In reality, a 3000 allocation will probably still offer ample opportunity for any patient buyer to procure an ED model.

I agree that aesthetically appalling designs damage brand equity and hurt the company but just allow economic Darwinism to run its course. If folks buy, BMW shouldn't care about one opinion of beauty.

We still don't know what the gran sport will look like or if we'll get an M variant. I, for one, am optimistic that BMW will nail it with my M5 alternative - otherwise I'll buy a CPO F10 M5 to accommodate the new family. Either way, I actually procure my proclamations as opposed to "gran" standing with posts lacking any real tangibility.

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by 335audioman

Considering that the 5 series GT is a terrible seller, I don't get this either.

Originally Posted by gary88

I don't understand the point of this car.

i dont understand anything bmw has been doing.

i cant make anything out from the camo, but it doesnt look bad imho. better than the 5er gt or any 1 series i ever saw

[Matski]

Originally Posted by auggiem3

I'm sick of this senseless lobbying. Leprechaun, I recognize that you are a relative newcomer so if you own an M3 sedan, my comment is directed elsewhere. If not, buy one or abandon your banal assertions.

I have said it before - this forum is littered with those that beg for new variants (1M), unintended option inclusions (6spd on the e60 M5) or model resurgence (e90 M3) with unwavering commitment to financially justify BMW's design, marketing, and execution expenses. As soon as the cmopany responds to this mass appeal, they are rewarded with complaints, excuses and a real product demand far below expectations.

Recent Examples:

1. 1M: too expensive. can't justify the price over the 135. I could get a used M3 for the same price, etc. etc. You got exactly what you wanted - a new coupe that outperforms a 135 at a price premium (and a warranty thus appeasing the modders) and underperforms a new M3 at a price discount.

2. e60 M5: too much power for the transmission, the DCT shifts faster, its just more practical to get the dual clutch at the same price, the V10 needs the engineered tranny, etc. etc. Fine - agreed - why so adamant about the option inclusion then?

3. e90 M3: bottom line, the sedan didn't meet sales expectations after years (read: entire life of e46 M3) of complaints around the discontinuation of the e36 M3 sedan.

Finally, BMW grasped the illegitimacy of M3 forum members as a barometer for the M buying demographic when they developed the 1M production schedule...Limited production of 3000 with less than 1000 models available in the US - wonder why? I'd wager that you could find over 500 members of this forum posting a "definite buy" prior to reneging or disappearing into cyberspace with wallet grasped tightly in hand. In reality, a 3000 allocation will probably still offer ample opportunity for any patient buyer to procure an ED model.

I agree that aesthetically appalling designs damage brand equity and hurt the company but just allow economic Darwinism to run its course. If folks buy, BMW shouldn't care about one opinion of beauty.

We still don't know what the gran sport will look like or if we'll get an M variant. I, for one, am optimistic that BMW will nail it with my M5 alternative - otherwise I'll buy a CPO F10 M5 to accommodate the new family. Either way, I actually procure my proclamations as opposed to "gran" standing with posts lacking any real tangibility.

[lasovan]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Enthusaists might not like it but in the end it is down to customer demand , demand might not be solely in the US but it is coming from other markets.
The markets are changing , BMW realised this a long time ago, that is why they are ahead of the curve.

Exactly! But enthusiasts should also understand that it's profitability too that brings expensive and not-so-profitable "enthusiastic" models to reality. So to do that, and not only that, you have to reach ad satisfy the masses first. One bold example in that sense was the introduction of the, at that time, blasphemous Cayenne by Porsche.

[Imola.ZHP]

Us true wagon lovers should unite and burn them all!

[kavehm]

is that just a re-badged Ford Fusion?!?!?

[SCOTT26]

The Autobild rendering actually shows some cues from the 3er GT except the rear lights are more wraparound and L-Shaped. If you look on the photos from the car scooped on the trailer from the roof down to the C-Pillar. You can see the wrap around in the actual metal that actually forms a traditional triangular shape allowing the glass to form the hoffmeister kink.

In the interior it emulates the 5er GT with a complete wrap around dash which spreads around into the door panels both front and rear.
The end result is very cocooning and a new level of luxury for the class.
The shelf like dash also is carried over which is good because if like me (on the 5er GT , you can balance individual Werthers Originals on the dash prior to consumption.

Then there is the 3er Gran Coupe which would also join , basically it is a four door version of the new 3er Coupe.
Just as Gran Turismo opens up the door for the 5er and now the 3er , Gran Coupe will form the 6er and the 3er.

3er GT and 3er Gran Coupe are models that can be spun off the new modular matrix and are in the prime position for increased profits.

With the BMW 1er and 3er in their standard guise before additional expansion projected profit rises are about 10-20% higher than on the current E87/E90. And with all the models combined for expansion that will be a very high profit margin but very worthwhile considering BMW's large investment in developing this matrix.

[Don335xi]

The finished product will probably be very nice and much more refined than what we are seeing in the spy shots. used audi a4 portland

[ellipsis212]

Originally Posted by jmikeh

I own a 3er wagon.

I'm a lawyer.

My dad is a doctor.

He thinks my car is silly.

He drives a Merc M class.

I just wanted to take the time to prove you wrong.

I enjoyed that.

your dad is a silly sud. a 3er wagon is a thing of beauty and a Merc M class is for stay at home mommies. tell him i said he looks like a mommy on his way to the mall in that POS.

[SCOTT26]

Renderer Andy Valencia has submitted a Rendering of the BMW 3er Gran Turismo which showcases how the car will look.

[adamm3k]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Renderer Andy Valencia has submitted a Rendering of the BMW 3er Gran Turismo which showcases how the car will look.

That looks promising. What are your thoughts on the next 3, design wise? Will it date the competition, or is it a smaller 5?

[Nero7]

Looks great, the headlights are awsome, but i think the front grills are to big. Imagine how that should look with with m-sport

[ihyln]

maybe if BMW sells it camouflaged it might sell....