Sorry if one of you folks long ago noticed it but the tailgate badge reads 545i. Do you think that was a pre-production run model or a photo shop type of thing?

Just curious as a 545i owner myself who is kicking around getting a 530xi wagon.

later.

 

I think they offer an eight cylinder E61 in markets outside the US -- there's likely a 540i and a 550i version right now available to someone...

 

In EU all the same engines that you can get for E60, except 540i, are available for E61 too.

The E61 Touring range in EU:
523i
525i
525xi
530i
530xi
550i

520d
525d
530d
535d

And M5 Touring is coming later this year, making the Touring range consist of no less than 11 models.

 

Thanks for the input.

I am surprised that such a breadth of engine options is available. From a business process standpoint, it would appear much more costly and less efficient to support so many options.

Also considering the high % of diesel users, I'm even more suprised they support so many petrol options.

 

From the following link, you can see all the engines available (including the 540i I speculated to above):
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index_narrowband...ngine_data.html

 

I can only think that, because prices are so much higher and standard equipment levels lower here, they need to increase granularity or the steps between engine sizes would be too great. M Sport prices in UK:

523i ?32295
525i ?33910
530i ?37520
550i ?47775

And prices are about to rise!

Standard equipment on the first three is the same except 530i gets metallic paint. 550i is a very different beast, of course.

 

Also the 530xd is available.

 

Good observation! Forgot that. So they have pretty much every possible premium wagon niche covered, including AWD diesel, and soon a 500hp supercar wagon...

 

A 545xd would be a good option to have, for those that don't want an SUV but want a big car for family duties.

 

There is a whole world surrounding the US market and luckily sometimes things are different elsewhere. Didn't you noticed that before?