[JustChris]

Beastly powertrain!....but mega fast diesels are not hugely engaging fun to drive. Quite THE A2B blaster for sure though.

[Ss66]

Have to agree with the above.....although if they shove it in the 3/4 series I may have to consider.

[Bibbles]

That does look rather appealing. I'd rather have the M550i but I'm not sure if we'll get that option over here.

[Chompers]

G31 M550d, now that will be a great car!!

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

Just shows you how much dealers know I went into 3 separate ones a couple of months ago and they told me no way would it be getting launched over here!!

You know the score, we are always the last to know what's happening. Hence why I'm still on here

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Mmmmmm... I like it

Would like to see the M550i come to the UK too though.

Not sure there is enough of a market for it. Most will go straight to the M5. With the discount levels available on these shortly after launch, it would be hard to place the M550i. To many, the M550d will make far more sense as a purchase.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Chompers

Not sure there is enough of a market for it. Most will go straight to the M5. With the discount levels available on these shortly after launch, it would be hard to place the M550i. To many, the M550d will make far more sense as a purchase.

Stop giving up the market to Audi!

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Stop giving up the market to Audi!

Audi have sold about 2500 RS6s and 600 S6s in the UK over last 3-4 years, it's just not worth it for BMW to try and nick a % of that niche.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Stop giving up the market to Audi!

Going on last years figures, not not sure we are. You have to, and BMW certainly do, understand the pure UK ///M market place. We are the 2nd latest market for this product in the world. I think it's a case that BMW don't want to dilute this with the likes of the M550i. it will also base figures on f10 550i sales of which IMO will have struggled to get to 1,000 over the life of the f10. Sure I'll be corrected on this

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Chompers

Going on last years figures, not not sure we are. You have to, and BMW certainly do, understand the pure UK ///M market place. We are the 2nd latest market for this product in the world. I think it's a case that BMW don't want to dilute this with the likes of the M550i. it will also base figures on f10 550i sales of which IMO will have struggled to get to 1,000 over the life of the f10. Sure I'll be corrected on this

But that's my point, anyone who wants more than a 540i wants a bit more than a car that looks and drives like a 520 with a bigger engine, so the plain 550i has no desirability.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Audi have sold about 2500 RS6s and 600 S6s in the UK over last 3-4 years, it's just not worth it for BMW to try and nick a % of that niche.

But there's a market for the M760iLx?....

I see no reason why they can't take a decent chunk of those sales with the right product, and that should be a proper M550i.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

But there's a market for the M760iLx?....

In China, yes.

They don't buy executive estates in China hence they won't make a BMW "RS6" but will make an X6/5M, they don't even sell the RS6 in the US either.

RS6 is a European halo car for Audi it's what they do, just like the M5/3 is what BMW do (sporty saloons) hence there is always a reason/history to make those.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

But that's my point, anyone who wants more than a 540i wants a bit more than a car that looks and drives like a 520 with a bigger engine, so the plain 550i has no desirability.

I think you'd struggle to get the average man on the street to see much difference between an f10 520d MSport and an f10 M5. The chances of getting BMW AG to build RHD M550i's for a possible total annual sale volume of around 1,000 units is highly unlikely. However an M550d across G30/31 platforms will surely make more business sense. But sure, what do I know

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Wills2

In China, yes.

They don't buy executive estates in China hence they won't make a BMW "RS6" but will make an X6/5M, they don't even sell the RS6 in the US either.

RS6 is a European halo car for Audi it's what they do, just like the M5/3 is what BMW do (sporty saloons) hence there is always a reason/history to make those.

But they still brought it to the uk in RHD format.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

But there's a market for the M760iLx?....

I see no reason why they can't take a decent chunk of those sales with the right product, and that should be a proper M550i.

That is the worldwide flagship car for BMW, hence why is is done in RHD for the UK, it's 4th largest market.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

But they still brought it to the uk in RHD format.

What the RS6? Yes of course just like BMW does with the M3 and has sold about 2500 units in 3 years but as I said it's what BMW do and Audi do fast estates all part of the branding.

BMW doesn't do fast estates well M ones anyway, they tried it and the M customer said no.

Why would you spend millions trying to nick a % of small niche...when you all ready have a halo model strategy?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Wills2

What the RS6? Yes of course just like BMW does with the M3 and has sold about 2500 units in 3 years but as I said it's what BMW do and Audi do fast estates all part of the branding.

BMW doesn't do fast estates well M ones anyway, they tried it and the M customer said no.

Why would you spend millions trying to nick a % of small niche...when you all ready have a halo model strategy?

No, the M760 I was referring to.

I see no reason why the can't have there niche there, as it's hardly a brand stretch that with xdrive and turbo engines, and the top quality performance SUVs that BMW can make a genuine sporting estate, or a S6 rival.

I'm not asking for an M5 touring, just something that's better than the standard range without me having to modify it myself.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Chompers

That is the worldwide flagship car for BMW, hence why is is done in RHD for the UK, it's 4th largest market.

Right, so we are agreed there is a market, or only if it's a "halo" product? As halo products go the M760 is utterly pointless, especially if you're not going to bring a more comprehensive range of M Performance cars to sit between standard range and M cars.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

No, the M760 I was referring to.

I see no reason why the can't have there niche there, as it's hardly a brand stretch that with xdrive and turbo engines, and the top quality performance SUVs that BMW can make a genuine sporting estate, or a S6 rival.

I'm not asking for an M5 touring, just something that's better than the standard range without me having to modify it myself.

I get you want one, but the issue is people will not buy them they just won't that's why they don't make them.

Honestly I don't think a heavier and more expensive M3 touring would be much cop to drive TBH and it doesn't suit the brand hence they don't make them.

If they thought there was a market they would make one, but as I keep on saying they tried and it didn't work.

AMG and RS are in a much better position to sell them to their demographic and they struggle the sales are tiny, why don't you just get a C63 estate? or RS6?

The M760i as Chompers said is a global statement an M3 touring would be a global prat fall.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Right, so we are agreed there is a market, or only if it's a "halo" product? As halo products go the M760 is utterly pointless, especially if you're not going to bring a more comprehensive range of M Performance cars to sit between standard range and M cars.

There are quite a few core models that are due for replacement in the next year or so, new G20 and new X3 come to mind. M Lite/Performance versions will come in these new models for sure. M50d X5/6 sell well here and I see no reason why the M550d won't follow them in sales numbers. The market is just not there for both the M550i & M5.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I get you want one, but the issue is people will not buy them they just won't that's why they don't make them.

Honestly I don't think a heavier and more expensive M3 touring would be much cop to drive TBH and it doesn't suit the brand hence they don't make them.

If they thought there was a market they would make one, but as I keep on saying they tried and it didn't work.

AMG and RS are in a much better position to sell them to their demographic and they struggle the sales are tiny, why don't you just get a C63 estate? or RS6?

The M760i as Chompers said is a global statement an M3 touring would be a global prat fall.

I'm not sure why you keep referring to M3 or M5 estates? We were talking about the M550i, which is a competitor to the S6.

I'd love to see a M340i or d estates too, to compete properly with the S4 and C43. If the market isn't there then why do those two companies bother?

BMW may not make many millions out of it, but they certainly wouldn't lose money on them. But therein probably lies the real issue... BMW is now so focussed on the margins, the business cases, that they've lost some of their enthusiast heart. The previous head of M that went to Kia/Hyundai said as much... the finance guys had taken over and were making all the decisions.

[SO8]

Many will think I am mad but I like the idea of this as a touring ... I like punchy and deceptive diesel power delivery which surprises people.

I had an E92 330d LCI and it was the best car I have had. No issues and the 3L diesel makes about as nice a noise as you can get from a diesel.

My issue is most of my journeys are short and as such a diesel is a no no with it's DPF.

Oh well, back to looking at the 340i touring and M3's