[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Auto, Motor und Sport Readers Choose the 3, 5, and 6 Series as The Best Cars of 2013

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Munich. For BMW, the year 2013 has got off to a really pleasing start. Readers of the trade magazine “auto, motor und sport” gave models of this brand the best rating in three different categories. The new version of the BMW 3 Series went immediately to the top of the highly competitive midrange segment, the BMW 5 Series once again defended its lead in the upper midrange segment and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe went straight to first place in the luxury class ratings. In addition, like last year, the BMW 6 Series seized third place in the category convertibles. On the whole, an impressive result, continuing with the numerous successes achieved in recent years in this survey. The high total of 112,877 readers participating in the vote shows that the interest in this highly reputed survey is by no means declining. Hence, this traditional readers’ competition stands on a broad and appropriately indicative basis.

The accolades were presented to Dr. Ian Robertson, board member of the BMW AG, responsible for BMW Sales and Marketing, during a gala event held in Stuttgart today.

The BMW rankings at a glance:

BMW 3 Series : First place in the midrange segment

BMW 5 Series: First place in the upper midrange segment

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe: First place in the luxury class

BMW 6 Series Convertible: Third place in the convertible category

Every year for 37 years now, the automotive trade magazine “auto, motor und sport” has held this large-scale opinion survey, which is also a widely acclaimed indicator for the automotive market, as the results reflect tendencies, needs and potential buyers’ preferences. In the current survey, readers were able to choose from 373 models, which were to be assessed in a total of ten different categories. These included 51 completely new models, which were being assessed for the first time, as well as 48 revised model series.

The BMW 3 Series’ victory in the fiercely competitive, high-volume midrange segment impressively underscores what the potentially record-breaking sales figures of this popular series had already suggested: The BMW 3 Series is right at the top of its segment. A high level of popularity and acceptance was also confirmed by the success of the BMW 5 Series, which, as the winner in the upper midrange segment, kept its competitors “at a distance” for the third time in succession. Furthermore, the “start-to-finish victory” of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe demonstrates with its elegant interpretation of a four-door coupe that BMW has effectively managed to meet the needs of luxury class clientele.

BMW’s good performance in the category “Car of the Year 2013” reflects the brand’s tremendous success achieved last year, during which BMW sold more cars than ever before in the company’s history. Sales increased in 2012 by 11.6 % to a new record high of 1,540,085 vehicles.

[Frencholivier]

Great! ... So it's German readers voting, not necessarily owners?
Any sense of the categories voted upon?

[NAV8TT]

[wdeerfield]

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/n...i-6391578.html

[Blindside_137]

What color is that 3? Looks like a mix of space gray and sparkling graphite. Do want.

[tony20009]

Glad BMW won.

Where on God's Earth is a $50K (more or less) car a "volume" car? Obviously I live in the wrong country. LOL

[W///]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

What color is that 3? Looks like a mix of space gray and sparkling graphite. Do want.

Called Mineral Grey if I'm not mistaken. Might as well be Sparkling Graphite II. Love it.

[Dreamy BMW]

That's awesome!!

[LaLakers91tc]

Originally Posted by tony20009

Glad BMW won.

Where on God's Earth is a $50K (more or less) car a "volume" car? Obviously I live in the wrong country. LOL

You have to remember that a vastpercentage of the 3 series sales are a $32k - $40k 320's and 328's, so that is where the volume comes in. It's us enthusiasts who opt for the M-sport higher end models that reach well into the $50k category.

[Arena Motor Dude]

no surprise

[dboucher30]

No surprise here. For some reason a lot cars on the road seems to slow down as they're approaching me when I'm in my F30 (alpine white, sport with adaptive m suspension, staggered 19" wheels) but they just breeze on by whenever I'm in the E46. I don't know if they're checking out the car or not but it's obvious.

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by W///

Called Mineral Grey if I'm not mistaken. Might as well be Sparkling Graphite II. Love it.

Thanks I was thinking it was Mineral. Looks much lighter in the direct sunlight there.

I think sparkling graphite was one of the best colors for the E9x and while I love my space gray, I would love it more if it were a little darker.

[richb811]

A good start for BMW. Thanks for sharing.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by LaLakers91tc

You have to remember that a vastpercentage of the 3 series sales are a $32k - $40k 320's and 328's, so that is where the volume comes in. It's us enthusiasts who opt for the M-sport higher end models that reach well into the $50k category.

I understand your point. Yet, the average USA car price is just under $31K, so even $40K is expensive. But I guess there must be a lot of folks who buy no-option, or very lightly optioned, base 3ers. I am one of those lightly optioned folks -- 335i Sport, heated seats, nav, upgraded radio, backup camera and dynamic handling package, but I still can't get what I want for below $50. (Although I did buy an base 328 for my kid with just the upgraded radio, heated seats, and nav and sunroof, and I was able to get that for about $40K.)

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by dboucher30

No surprise here. For some reason a lot cars on the road seems to slow down as they're approaching me when I'm in my F30 (alpine white, sport with adaptive m suspension, staggered 19" wheels) but they just breeze on by whenever I'm in the E46. I don't know if they're checking out the car or not but it's obvious.

Must be your adaptive m suspension...

Just kidding

[DrivenByE30]

i can still remember the time when a BMW 3 series was considered a Luxury car...

now it seems it has fallen into the mid-range class
and the 5 series the upper mid-range class...

And i thought i had gotten myself a nice luxury model by paying around the $50K ....
... i guess inflation has made it so that now: for me to have a luxury car, i would have to reach for the stars ... or just 6 series...

poor me...