[vadimo]

I am here in China on holidays now and see 3 series and 5 series with L designation I.E. 520LI

I asked and been told this is extended rear passager space. I think it's exclusive for Chinese market. Anyone can find spec deminsions ?

Also Audi have same thing.

PS: we are been driven in 520I here which is seen less of because L are more popular.

[Danny Fireblade]

See quite a few 7 series L versions about. As you say, just extra leg room for rear passengers.

L stands for limousine

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

It is my understanding that the L versions for Audi and BMW, other than the A8 and 7 series, are for the Chinese markets only.

Not sure why, the average height of a German man is 5 feet 11, in China it's 5 feet 7. Maybe it's some elaborate German micky take. If not, what are they doing back there?

[vadimo]

Originally Posted by Alex440

It is my understanding that the L versions for Audi and BMW, other than the A8 and 7 series, are for the Chinese markets only.

Not sure why, the average height of a German man is 5 feet 11, in China it's 5 feet 7. Maybe it's some elaborate micky take. If not, what are they doing back there?

They just like more space, more comfort. I am not sure if that means that the driver's seat can also extend further, I don't think so.

[lethbridge]

In the UK you get the L in 7 series but the 3GT is based on the L 3 platform- not sure if that is the case for the 6GT too - the 5GT was based on the 7 standard platform - I guess the EU market needs the higher roofline to go with more legroom (I know I do)...

[JD6]

It seems to have more to do with perceived status/style than any need for the space.

Perhaps similar to large alloys being more popular in the UK than mainland Europe, despite our roads being terrible by European standards.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Lobb

It's because many Chinese bmw drivers sit in the back and are driven by an employee.

Yep, and even where there are minimum wages it?s only about £200pm so easy to see how so many can afford to hire a full time driver!

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Lobb

It's because many Chinese bmw drivers sit in the back and are driven by an employee.

Surely sitting in the back and being driven, defeats the purpose of buying a BMW?

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Lobb

No. It's the prestige they want.

Surely they need a Golf L then with its jewel like interior?

[vadimo]

just seen 320LI up close and it does not look like normal 3 series for sure, the passenger rear doors are stretched out like on coupe

Deffo ruins compact look of the 3 series

[G82Dude]

Lots of V12s for Chinese market too. Although have seen one M760 here.

[vadimo]

I thought i post 3 pics here from my Chinese test drive of 320LI and show you guys the back and features that we dont see here

roof vanity mirror and AC blower



I thought this was not a bad idea, allows rear passenger to adjust front passenger seat



Manual shade net, silly looking thing to have in BMW

[djcowlin]

They've had this for a while. In 2011 I had a lovely ride to the Wall in a stretched B5.5 Passat.

[Ajs_435d]

Nothing new, it's why the dreadful phaeton sold reasonably well in China. I had one lol.

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Indeed.

This is quite different from Norfolk, where the owner drives the car, and the sheep take the back seat

Probably more so that in Norfolk, the sheep take it in the back

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by vadimo

I thought i post 3 pics here from my Chinese test drive of 320LI and show you guys the back and features that we dont see here

roof vanity mirror and AC blower



I thought this was not a bad idea, allows rear passenger to adjust front passenger seat



Manual shade net, silly looking thing to have in BMW

Slightly confused about you having a test drive in China.

Unless you have a Chinese licence, then you are not allowed to drive in China.

As mentioned a lot of the Audi, BMW, Mercedes is a status thing.

The majority of interaction we have out there is with factory owners, senior management, invariably they have a person employed by the company as a driver.

The distances involved in driving in China are immense, simply driving from one end of Shanghai, through the city and heading up north (300 miles on top of the city bit) and the traffic really can take up most of the day.

Sun shades are fitted to pretty much all cars out there, it get bloody hot n sunny over the summer months.

I hate the driving in China, it has got better but when you have a 5 lane motorway suddenly become two lane, you have carnage.

I have noticed Cayennes are becoming very popular, there does seem to be a move towards big sized, big engined SUV's.

[vadimo]

did images not give away a clue? I am rear passenger during the test drive.

driving is very intense and my wife said if you try to be courteous i.e. slow down to let someone in you will get bullied by other drivers behind for slowing down.

all the motorways I been to in Shandong province are dual lane

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by vadimo

did images not give away a clue? I am rear passenger during the test drive.

driving is very intense and my wife said if you try to be courteous i.e. slow down to let someone in you will get bullied by other drivers behind for slowing down.

all the motorways I been to in Shandong province are dual lane

Oh I see a test drive now includes being a passenger, must remember that one.

If you go to any of the other main provences, the new motorways are huge multi lane affairs.

Not really seen what could be classed as bullying tbh, if you slow down they sound horn and under / overtake you.

If anything a total lack of road rage that you would see in this country.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Oh I see a test drive now includes being a passenger, must remember that one.

OP yes these region specific models have been around for quite some time. German manufacturers have spread production out to the growing market of China for some time also. Agree they seem rather alien as an object of desire to us but being chauffeured is a great feeling of luxury I'm sure.

[djcowlin]

Chinese driving conditions are something else, and it's a wonder they don't have more accidents. The spatial awareness of, esp., taxi drivers takes your breath away, which means that sitting in the back is more restful by far than sitting in the front passenger seat and wondering if the rapidly shrinking gap in front of you is going close before or after you have driven through it!

I once had lunch with a VP of a Chinese university. A month later he was dead:

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2014/06/12/3685s831300.htm

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2...t_17586540.htm

Drive safe.

[YR430D]

Since Chinese have taken up western diet they are getting taller.