[ynguldyn]

I've been following the news on F31 very closely, since this has been my first preference to replace the E39 Touring I drive now, and it looks like I and many other E39 owners will not be disappointed. I know many of us care about the cargo capacity, and if the press release doesn't play any games with calculating it, we're going to be satisfied.

Specifically, E39 Touring has 1510l cargo capacity with rear seats down; F31 has 1500l. A4 Avant/Allroad (the only viable alternative) has 1430l. E39 is about 20cm longer, but 10cm of that is in front of the front axle and therefore don't matter. Wheelbase is ~2cm more in E39; rear overhang is about 8cm more - looks like F31 uses interior space more efficiently.

For reference: http://www.the-blueprints.com/bluepr...touring_(e39)/ and http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0064_large.jpg

I'm not going to discuss the differences in dynamics, because they're obvious: F31 has 200lbs less and 60hp more (328iT) - can there be any question to whether or not it'll drive better?

And the last comparison I wanted to make is pricing. My moderately well equipped 525iT came with $45K MSRP in 2002. Next year, we'll be able to buy 328iT with a better engine, more standard features, same or better level of comfort for the passengers, same utility, better optional tech for the same amount in 2013 dollars (this is what, a 20% discount accounting for inflation?) - what's not to be happy about?

[IancoleTX]

Stunning. 330d wagon would sell like hot cakes.

[uter]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

I've been following the news on F31 very closely, since this has been my first preference to replace the E39 Touring I drive now, and it looks like I and many other E39 owners will not be disappointed. I know many of us care about the cargo capacity, and if the press release doesn't play any games with calculating it, we're going to be satisfied.

Specifically, E39 Touring has 1510l cargo capacity with rear seats down; F31 has 1500l. A4 Avant/Allroad (the only viable alternative) has 1430l. E39 is about 20cm longer, but 10cm of that is in front of the front axle and therefore don't matter. Wheelbase is ~2cm more in E39; rear overhang is about 8cm more - looks like F31 uses interior space more efficiently.

For reference: http://www.the-blueprints.com/bluepr...touring_(e39)/ and http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0064_large.jpg

I'm not going to discuss the differences in dynamics, because they're obvious: F31 has 200lbs less and 60hp more (328iT) - can there be any question to whether or not it'll drive better?

And the last comparison I wanted to make is pricing. My moderately well equipped 525iT came with $45K MSRP in 2002. Next year, we'll be able to buy 328iT with a better engine, more standard features, same or better level of comfort for the passengers, same utility, better optional tech for the same amount in 2013 dollars (this is what, a 20% discount accounting for inflation?) - what's not to be happy about?

I like your logic. I'm anticipating a more useful car than my e46 touring.

[Sean@PSI]

Can't wait to see it on the road!

[LuisBoston]

Appears BMW isn't interested in making the 328xDrive wagon with a manual. The sedan is a no. Maybe a powertrain issue?

Only the 335xDrive will be available with a manual. And the likelihood of a 335i xDrive wagon? Ha!

So no xDrive wagons in manuals, it appears.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by lem144

Appears BMW isn't interested in making the 328xDrive wagon with a manual. The sedan is a no. Maybe a powertrain issue?

Only the 335xDrive will be available with a manual. And the likelihood of a 335i xDrive wagon? Ha!

So no xDrive wagons in manuals, it appears.

Unfortunately this apes what Audi has done with the B8 A4 Avant and the A4 Allroad. Hopefully the 328i F31 is still offered with a manual.

[a_k]

Apparently there are no xDrive wagons at all. So basically I have waited 6 months for nothing. Should have ordered Audi 6 months ago...

[ManMachine]

17.5 cu ft seems quite small for this wagon.

I wonder if the European cargo size is calculated differently vs. how the cargo size is reported in the U.S.?

E91 cargo size is reported to be 25 cu ft in the U.S. (Car and Driver, Yahoo Auto).

[Micleg]

In Europe it is said to be larger than E91 and all of it's class competitors.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by jbeene

I don't want the 4 cylinder. One of the great things about my 328xiT is the 6 cylinder engine. Its a gem.

Funny, I feel the exact opposite way. I never would have bought the "lesser 6cyl" engine, because it made too little power, too little torque, and didn't get the fuel economy a 'base' engine should get.

The 4cyl does better in the numbers in every category.

I mean, yeah, I'd prefer that it was, say, a 2L or 2.5L turbo 6, but the base 6 is just too lacking for the weight of the xDrive touring.

I'd consider the 4cyl though I'd really prefer the 330d or 335i, xDrive, 6speed.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by ManMachine

17.5 cu ft seems quite small for this wagon.

I wonder if the European cargo size is calculated differently vs. how the cargo size is reported in the U.S.?

E91 cargo size is reported to be 25 cu ft in the U.S. (Car and Driver, Yahoo Auto).

You should never trust 3rd party sources for cargo space. The official numbers for E91 are 460l/1385l.

[X1 Trojan]

Originally Posted by a_k

Apparently there are no xDrive wagons at all. So basically I have waited 6 months for nothing. Should have ordered Audi 6 months ago...

This confirmed? In Europe...no specs for US yet so how do we know?

[ManMachine]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

You should never trust 3rd party sources for cargo space. The official numbers for E91 are 460l/1385l.

Again, that number you quoted is in the European measurement unit - which has no use in the U.S., and the cargo space obviously is not measured in the same way.

Think about it, a subcompact Honda Fit has 20 cu ft, and 3 series wagon obviously has larger space than that.

[ManMachine]

Originally Posted by a_k

Apparently there are no xDrive wagons at all. So basically I have waited 6 months for nothing. Should have ordered Audi 6 months ago...

Jumping to conclusions too early. F30 xdrive is not released yet, and they will when winter comes. F31 will certainly offer xdrive. It's a huge market for BMW.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ManMachine

Jumping to conclusions too early. F30 xdrive is not released yet, and they will when winter comes. F31 will certainly offer xdrive. It's a huge market for BMW.

Agree.

Details from:
BMW Media Information
Date 13th May 2012
BMW model update programme as from July

BMW 3 Series:
New BMW 3 Series Sedan with BMW xDrive as from the summer.
As from the second half of the year, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan will be optionally equipped with the intelligent four-wheel drive system BMW xDrive. The dynamic sports sedan and BMW xDrive will form an ideal combination in the models BMW 320i, BMW 328i and BMW 335i.

Plus more models are coming. What is selected for different markets, we are yet to see.

HighlandPete

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by ManMachine

Again, that number you quoted is in the European measurement unit - which has no use in the U.S., and the cargo space obviously is not measured in the same way.

The original press release uses European measurements. If you want to compare an apple to another apple (as opposed to an orange or a mango or a quarterpounder with cheese), you should stick with other BMW-sourced documents.

As for those documents using the metric system, all I can say is duh. If you have difficulty imagining centimeters or liters (hint: it's a cube 10cm to the side), try asking Google for help.

[Nikos335i]

Originally Posted by as7920

I do wish they'd have taken the black contrast up higher to the bumper crease in the rear diffuser on the sedan AND touring M Sport.

You can hardly see it, damn those reflectors as well

Nothing a bodyshop can't correct !!!

[Nikos335i]

Well it seems that I will have an option to replace the E61 after all. If the 335 becomes a reality it will also allow me to get into a more capable track car compared to my A4 Avant, the wife gets the A4 and I would get the F31 335!!! Don't get me wrong I like the A4 but must admit after almost a year away from my E90 335i I do misss the power of the N54 engine!!!

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Nikos335i

I do misss the power of the N54 engine!!!

Don't worry, you'd still miss it with an N55.

However, there's probably a 5% or less chance that we get the 335i F31. Of course an N20 F31 would still be a better track car than an A4, so don't lose all hope.

[Nikos335i]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Don't worry, you'd still miss it with an N55.

However, there's probably a 5% or less chance that we get the 335i F31. Of course an N20 F31 would still be a better track car than an A4, so don't lose all hope.

So true about the N55!!!

[rconti]

Originally Posted by as7920

I do wish they'd have taken the black contrast up higher to the bumper crease in the rear diffuser on the sedan AND touring M Sport.

You can hardly see it, damn those reflectors as well

You would have *loved* Honda Accords in the early 90s... unpainted black front and rear bumpers were the norm!

I find it hilarious that the "stylish" option is always the different one. First it was having all of your trim and bumpers and mirrors painted body color.. now that every car under the sun has that, the major differentiation is adding *unpainted* bits to the car!

Originally Posted by Nikos335i

Well it seems that I will have an option to replace the E61 after all. If the 335 becomes a reality it will also allow me to get into a more capable track car compared to my A4 Avant, the wife gets the A4 and I would get the F31 335!!! Don't get me wrong I like the A4 but must admit after almost a year away from my E90 335i I do misss the power of the N54 engine!!!

Just buy a proper track car, honestly. I don't get why you'd want to track a large luxury vehicle. It's not as enjoyable on the track, can't write it off as easily, it beats on your DD, you waste money on excessively expensive consumables...

[Itgb]

The BMW visualizer has been updated with the touring models(even M-Sport ). Unfortunately the high-res download is not implemented yet, but at least you can check out all the lines and colors.

3-Series Touring Visualizer