[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

2012 BMW F30 3-series Production Begins November 2011, as 335i and 328i models

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The production of the E90 3-series sedan and E90 M3 sedan will end in October 2011 [details], which begs the question when the next 3-series sedan (the F30) will begin production and go on sale. Details follow. * F30 pic posted above is our render, not the official car.

F30 Production

We're able to share that the F30 3-series sedan will begin production in November 2011, shortly after the E90 3-series stops production. The F30 2012 Model Year will run until June 2012, upon which point it will switch to the 2013 Model Year.

As the schedule shows, the F30 3-series will come as 328i and 335i models. The 328i will most certainly be powered by the 'N20' turbo 4-cylinder inline engine (as found in the Z4 28i, details) and the 335i by a turbo 6-cylinder inline motor. Output will be in the ballpark of 245hp and 306hp, respectively.

Production will continue at BMW's Munich and Regensburg plants. The South African produced F30 328i (denoted by "SA") begins later, in February 2012.


F30 Sales

F30 sales are expected to begin in Europe around the time of its world public premiere at the 2011 Geneva show - in March, 2012. US sales should begin in late Spring of 2012. Usually, production starts just two or three months prior to market launch, but we assume BMW will use the four months' time between production start and market launch to build enough demo cars for their dealerships around the globe.

Per SCOTT26, BMW USA will build up an inventory of E90 models so they have 3-series sedans to sell during the time between E90 EOP and the F30 market launch.

Follow our complete F30 coverage @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/3-series/f30/

[DDS2015]

So according to this, no xdrive models for 2012?

[positiveions]

kool. looking fwd to this

[a_k]

Is there more information regarding E91/F31 production schedule?

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Excited for the N20 4 cyl... Think they should call it a 320i instead of a 328i though....
Then again... I guess the 335i should be a 330i too.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Jason

Production will continue at BMW's Leipzig plant. The South African produced F30 328i (denoted by "SA") begins later, in February 2012.

I thought the Leipzig plant only produced small amounts of the 3 series with most of their production capacity dedicated to the X1 and 1 series models. Aside from the South African plant, aren't the majority of 3 series sedan and touring models built in the Munich plant?

[mkoesel]

So, when comparing F30 start dates against the E90 end dates in the other thread, we can see that the two actually overlap slightly since South African E90 production ends after F30 production begins in Germany.

With MY2012 F30 production ending in June 2012 (July for SA models), and US sales not actually commencing until late spring (which is probably late May at the earliest), that is going to be perceived as one *very* short model year for us.

And remember everyone, BMW has a history of switching engines in the 3 series for the second model year. They did it with the E36, E46, and E90. Know what you are getting yourselves into if you go with a MY2012. It could very well be that - and this just my hypothetical example - we see a 320hp+ 340i debut for MY2013, or perhaps a little later on when the F32 arrives.

Originally Posted by DDS2015

So according to this, no xdrive models for 2012?

Probably not. It usually takes a few months for them to fill out the lineup with the various models.

[crackberry]

That was fast.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I thought the Leipzig plant only produced small amounts of the 3 series with most of their production capacity dedicated to the X1 and 1 series models. Aside from the South African plant, aren't the majority of 3 series sedan and touring models built in the Munich plant?

You're right. Post updated to reflect that BMW's Munich and Regensburg plants build the E90 3-series. Thanks.

[htoudiee]

So I just wonder, should we wait for the 1st F30 or get the last E90 if we are in market for a sedan 335i... what do you guys think?

[Technic]

In other words... there will be no MY2012 F30 in the USA, unless the sucker will be MY2012 for only three months.

It makes no sense whatsoever.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Technic

In other words... there will be no MY2012 F30 in the USA, unless the sucker will be MY2012 for only three months.

It makes no sense whatsoever.

Agree Technic. It stopped making sense when they decided not to do a MY2012 E90. They should have just switched the E90 to MY 2012 later this year when they are switching over the E92 and E93. Then the F30 - whenever they finally get some of them to the US - could properly begin as an early MY2013 model and usher in a fresh new look.

It's just bizarre that they decided to mix it all up like this.

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by PaulBailey@ltbmw

Excited for the N20 4 cyl... Think they should call it a 320i instead of a 328i though....
Then again... I guess the 335i should be a 330i too.

No I think keeping the naming as 328i is better than 320i because you will end up having all the 3 series range as 320i... I think the N20 will be on the 318i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 328i... we don't wanna be confused between a 318i and 328i... both have at least 100 hp difference... same story for the 330i and 335i

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Wolf

No I think keeping the naming as 328i is better than 320i because you will end up having all the 3 series range as 320i... I think the N20 will be on the 318i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 328i...

318i will most likely use the new 1.6L motor as seen in the newly announced F20 118i. Same will probably hold a 316i (just like the new 116i). Not sure if that motor is still an N20 (N20B16), or something else (N13B16?).

In any case, I could see the 320i (and future 120i) using the 1.6L too, possibly. Though they could easily use the 2.0L instead. I agree x23i and x25i models will probably use the N20B20, but just in a lesser tune than the current x28i models.

[pokerface]

what was the difference between the 328i, 328i S, and 328i SA? SA was explained as South African production ....

also curious to know if there was going to be that second model year engine upgrade. ie... the 325->328 for E90 (which I read somewhere occurred for the E46 too)

[Touring]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

So according to this, no xdrive models for 2012?

According to my dealer the x-drive and the touring will come in September 2012.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by wallstreet

Has it been confirmed that 4 bangers F30s are coming to this side of the pond? Just curious.

Pretty much. The NA I-6 is dead, come September. Even the 528i will switch over to the N20.

[ede92]

I would think that the F30 is first introduced in the U.S. in June with a MY2013 designation, shortly after the Geneva show. Coupes and Convertibles to enter the U.S. market as MY2014 models. There is precedent for a gap in model production though when production for the 5-Series skipped MY1996 in the U.S. when transitioning to the E39 models. Historically the mid-cycle LCI models have been produced for 3 model years.

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

318i will most likely use the new 1.6L motor as seen in the newly announced F20 118i. Same will probably hold a 316i (just like the new 116i). Not sure if that motor is still an N20 (N20B16), or something else (N13B16?).

In any case, I could see the 320i (and future 120i) using the 1.6L too, possibly. Though they could easily use the 2.0L instead. I agree x23i and x25i models will probably use the N20B20, but just in a lesser tune than the current x28i models.

Ya thanks for the correction... I wasn't sure about the smaller displacement 318i and 320i...anyways, that's why they still need different naming... it more about hp than engine displacement now

[TheBingoBalls]

Wow, the end of the E90 is approaching fast!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ede92

I would think that the F30 is first introduced in the U.S. in June with a MY2013 designation, shortly after the Geneva show..
...
There is precedent for a gap in model production though when production for the 5-Series skipped MY1996 in the U.S. when transitioning to the E39 models.

Interesting, thanks for posting that. That was a bit before I started paying attention to BMW (which was around the time the E46 came on the scene).

If that's how it ends up going, then I am even more confused by what they gain by not switching the sedan over to MY2012 in September along with the coupe, convertible, and touring. This, in combination with the 1M model year anomoly (it is a MY2011 while the rest of the 1 series lineup switched to MY2012) makes me strongly suspect that there is some legal issue with calling a particular vehicle a particular model year when in fact it won't ever be produced in the corresponding calendar year. That's the only thing I can think of that logically explains these marketing decisions.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by pokerface

what was the difference between the 328i, 328i S, and 328i SA? SA was explained as South African production ....

Good question. If I had to guess, I would say that "S" and "SW" are used to differentiate Regensberg and Leipzig production from Munich. That's purely speculative on my part though.

also curious to know if there was going to be that second model year engine upgrade. ie... the 325->328 for E90 (which I read somewhere occurred for the E46 too)

Unknown at this point. I'd say its more likely to switch when the coupe arrives sometime in 2013. And yes, the E46 changed from 323i/328i to 325i/330i after the first model year.