[Jason]

According to Autocar, a BMW 3-series long wheelbase version is coming for the next generation BMW F30 3-series. Just as the F10 5-series long wheelbase version, the stretched 3-series' main market will be China, where many Chinese prefer to be chauffered. It will compete with the newly revealed Audi A4L.

The long wheelbase 3-series will be built in conjunction with Brilliance, BMW's Chinese partner, at a new BMW factory in the Shengyang economic zone. However, the factory will not be completed until 2012, so the earliest the 3-series long wheelbase version will hit the market would be 2012/2013.

The new factory will have the capacity to build 100,000 units a year, and will also house a production line for the X1, according to the chairman of Brilliance Auto, Qi Yu Min.

According to Autocar:


The plant's creation underlines both the growing importance of the Chinese market to BMW and the growing relationship between Brilliance and BMW.
Once the factory is complete, the alliance will be able to build up to 300,000 cars a year in China, with up to 60 per cent of the parts locally sourced. That means the plant is likely to exceed demand for BMW's in China, and will export cars.

BMW is projected to sell 120,000 cars in China from 2012, having doubled its sales in the region so far this year.

Brilliance is also reported to be pushing to open a Mini factory in China.

[ryanful]

Scary!



The idea of a long-wheelbase F30 is cool, but a CHINESE BMW....


You couldn't pay me enough $$$ to take the ownership risk on that one.

[ellipsis212]

chauffeured in a 3 series long?

they're like bad kids! China = banned.

[Tallest]

China - get used to it. They'll keep rewriting "the rules".

[jocamryn]

Hopefully they can make a F30 iLLLLLLLL sort of like this....

[bigdaddycane]

a long wheel base 3 series??? they already have one, it's called a 5 series!

Note to BMW: Spend design time and engineering on worthwhile projects.

[ArabianSensation]

That might sell in China but good luck selling that in the US.

When I buy a BMW I'm making sure its made in NC or Germany... I would never buy one made in China.

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by ryanful

a CHINESE BMW.....

BMW already has an assembly plant in china, this will actually be their second. All the cars made there are supposedly for the Chinese market though.

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

When I buy a BMW I'm making sure its made in NC or Germany... I would never buy one made in China.

Better not get an E90 then, many of the US market ones are made in South Africa.

[Alchem]

A lot of ignorant posts in this thread.

Lets clarify a few things:

1. This is for the Chinese market ONLY just like the 5er Long Wheel Base.

2. BMW has been making cars in China and India for a long time for the local market in order to reduce import tax from 110% to 60% (in India).

[oilcrankinject]

Originally Posted by ryanful

Scary!



The idea of a long-wheelbase F30 is cool, but a CHINESE BMW....


You couldn't pay me enough $$$ to take the ownership risk on that one.

This.

Brilliance is BS!

Did anyone ever see the Brilliance BS6 crash test on youtube? If you have not go see it now!!!!

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by svtfast

This.

Brilliance is BS!

Did anyone ever see the Brilliance BS6 crash test on youtube? If you have not go see it now!!!!

Hahaha that was hilarious!

[RevFreak14]

People what is the fear of China??? Most of the products you buy are manufactured in China. Your cell phone, television, dvd player, hell the computer your using to write on this board is more than likely made in China. Also, most 3 series (except the M3) are made in Africa. The X3, X5, X6, & Z4's are all made in the USA, so unless your driving a 5, 6, or 7 series or an M car, the only thing German on your car is the engineering.

[ArabianSensation]

Originally Posted by jaguar36

Better not get an E90 then, many of the US market ones are made in South Africa.

Euro delivery? :P

I wouldn't mind South Africa, but I have heard stories of people finding random stuff in their brand new cars- like South African change someone dropped in an E90. lol

[dmboone25]

My 135 was made in Germany.

Valid points though......

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by RevFreak14

Also, most 3 series (except the M3) are made in Africa. The X3, X5, X6, & Z4's are all made in the USA, so unless your driving a 5, 6, or 7 series or an M car, the only thing German on your car is the engineering.

South Africa only makes E90's. E91/2/3's are all made in Germany (Regensburg/Munich). That being said the build quality on my E46 made in south africa was better than my E92 made in Germany. Country of origin is really irrelevant to build quality.

[MCMLXXXIX]

the Audi A4L actually looks really good

[bavarian19]

eh

[mkoesel]

Up next:

1 series L
Mini Cooper L
Smart Car L

and finally

Porsche 911 L

[madman23]

LOL. and here it is im thinking buy a 3 series. If you want bigger go with a 5 series. Oh and if you want bigger well then they make a 7 series. Erm, i dont get it.

[persianbmw91]

the idea is that prices over there are so greatly inflated mid level and even some upper level execs cant afford the 5. it provides them with what they want (biggish bmw) at a price point they can afford.
not too crazy in my opinion specially considering each iteration of the 3 has gotten more and more bloated with each new gen. e90 has close the same dimensions as the older 5s...

[teleopti]