BMW itself has something similar to this in development - and it probably won't be a million miles away from this. The van/crossover market is still very significant - and DCX/MB are still the market leader...

 

We did out of need. But I'm really unhappy with the Sienna and the over hyped Toyota reputation. My wife who drives the Sienna and was the one who convinced me to buy the car. While she's happy with the Sienna, given the options, she now wishes that BMW would come out with an MPV. Not for the name plate but for the drive. The drive shouldn't suck just because it's a mini-van.

 

You're right on the money!! That's the first thing I thought - wow a pacifica clone!! Didn't Chirsler and Mercedes merge? It's like looking at a Jaguar and a Ford Taurus from behind - almost no difference - and you're right, you pay so much more for the Jag or the MB and get Chrisler/Ford stuff.

 

Yup merges dilute the more expensive brand... glad BMW is a stand alone.

 

On the current C-class, the front suspension design was very similary done to the design of the E39 5-series.

 

I agree, Toyota's reputation is way overhyped. You are right on the money that the Sienna sucks to drive and that there should be no reason that the drive should suck just because a vehicle is a minivan.

I am seriously considering getting an R500 because nothing else offers the utility without significantly diluting the drive. True it is ugly. However, it drives more like a good car (closer in driving dynamics to my last two 745li's than to a minivan or an SUV) and with the utility/room of a minivan.

"clueless upwarly mobile set "

I have had around 10 BMWs (pretty much every series with their larger engines) and 3 Porsches over the past 11 years and I DO have a clue (referring to the first post in the thread). Until BMW comes out with their version of the R, there is nothing else out there for people who do not want to significantly compromise driving characteristics and need the utility. I am no MB apologist/defender (after switching away from the brand more than 10 years ago), but you have no clue what the car is, how it drives and why some people might consider buying it.

 

I agree with everything you said.

 

I've always believed that the inspiration for the current E class was Jumba from Lilo & Stitch:

 

I let a co-worker convince me as a joke to take an Aztek rental car on a short business trip several years ago. I have never in my life driven a car so bad. GM should collect and dispose of them in a televised and much-hyped public "execution". They could enlist the help of the "Jackass" crew to carry out insane ideas designed to rid the earth of the Aztek scourge.

While I had the car, people would approach me at gas stations and ask me about it - when I'd explain it was a rental and that I hated it, they would dispense with politeness and just start ragging on it.


Oh, and those R-Class Benzes aren't moving - they're practically giving them away on lease right now.

 

Based on Fred's numbers the R-Class is outselling the X5. You have to add in X3 sales numbers to beat the R-Class sales - and even then it's not by much. It's moving at least as well as its nearest BMW competitor.