Marketing is one aspect to be sure but so are emissions standards certifications and corporate average fuel economy considerations which are based on a legal definition of model year and not calendar year. "Model Year" in the U.S. has very little to do with "Model Year" elsewhere.

 

Either way I think right now it would be very convenient to purchase a '06 BMW in the US. You'll get to have a "current year" car for 20 months.
Imagine how I feel, I've had my car (MY04) for less than a year and it is already, according to the MY, two model years old....

 

It's not fair, it means nothing, and it means everything. If BMW is like the US automakers, there is a MY change over (two weeks here in the summer) where GM, Daimler Chrysler, Ford all change over equipment, lines, facilities, whatever, and then after that shutdown, they produce product for the next model year. There are 2006 MY Cadillac's out right now because of the marketing aspect of things, but that change over really signifies the start of production for a new model year.

With that said, I like the fact that I can say I have a 2006 on order right now because if I have to sell it, I can list it as a 2006, it will show up as a 2006, and unless the buyer is a member here or someone that does their homework, they will take it as a 2006. I hope the 2006MY moniker lasts for 20 months, that would be very nice. I understand the outside US frustration with this, but we American's just understand the marketing hustle and we buy/plan accordingly. 2 months to go until I receive my MY 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

But will there be any changes to the E60 in September ????

 

I believe so...Comfort access has been rumored, no structural upgrades like the 7 has undergone...as a matter of fact, besides the angel eyes, have any of the previous 5-series gone through a mid model facelift like the 7 just did (by the way, the changes they made while subtle are very nice in person). Don't remember anything major on the E39. If so, it won't happen in September anyway. The major thing was the engine and the separation of active steering from the sports package, which is available now.

 

Besides comfort access there cud be hopefully the appearance of new diesels like they have now for 7-series. I wish they cud also introduce active suspension EDC like they have for 6- and 7-series. Probably some new packages or changes in the quality of interior trim, LED rear lights. MY2005 changes were fairly significant.

 

Don't worry, he will log on soon and chew my ass off for that post. He is right though, this is just a BMWNA thang. The R6 engine E60s are still MY05 cars through July production of this year in the rest of the world.
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I'm here... annoyed!!!

MY changeover is September, no matter what a marketing strategy in NA tells the US customers. period. The current 5ers, even with the new engines are NOT MY06, this is just and only marketing BS from BMWNA!
The factory is what counts, not the marketing guy somewhere else!
It doesn't matter if BMWNA says it's MY06 or not. In fact it is still MY05, because the factory has NOT changed the MY yet! period.



Yep.
August the factory is closed. September the MY06 production starts.



Yes!

 

I was starting to get worried.

 

Really?