bha7176

which totally sucks for the enthusiast - BMW has jumped the shark with the 5 series. Bigger, more luxurious = less sporty and apparently more mass appeal. Hello M3!

luigi524td

I talked to a buddy who is the GM of a large MB operation in NJ and he told me that 9 of every 10 S-class MB's goes out his doors as a lease. The %age isn't as high for most BMW stores who lease about 7of every 10 7 Series and 6 of every 10 5 series. That pumps up the numbers of cars "sold" while MBUSA/BMWNA pushes promotion dollars into lease programs to make monthly payments 'affordable'.

If that's the case, in 24/30/36 months there should be a good supply of pre-owned CPO's on dealer lots. Great oppt'y for buyers who want to take advantage of depreciation and buy pre-owned.

CVTBenhogan

Thinking of the M3 too and ED. That said, sort of sucks getting the last run of the current version. :thumbsdown:

Bdaddylo

+1

Lol! Some so-called enthusiast believe bigger, heavier, and more gadgets is the proper direction for the 5 series. I'm praying that BMW doesn't take the 3 series down the same path.

CVTBenhogan

It will be lighter and as Pharding said the size of a E39. So maybe a good substitute. That said, a 5er always has the nicer pieces in terms of interior and etc. So you'll feel the tradeoff between the F10 and F30.

Gene

per motortrend RE the F30:

http://www.motortren...over/index.html

• [It] runs on a longer wheelbase and wider track than the currrent E90-based models. The 3 Series grows by 2 inches overall, but spy photos reveal it has shortened overhangs, especially at the front, meaning occupants will enjoy more space.

• Seen in profile, it is clearly a member of the same family as the new 5 Series. The headlamps are more tapered toward the center, with a series of lines that radiate out and back from the corners of the BMW kidney grilles, giving the face a dynamic look. The hood centerline is raised slightly, improving pedestrian crash protection.

• The new platform's suspension is effectively an update of the existing hardware, with a five-link rear end, most of which is forged aluminum, and aluminum-intensive double-joint struts up front. Because the platform incorporates new electronics networks, the car will come with optional adaptive dampers as well as the active front steering currently offered. We don't know yet whether the adaptive anti-roll chassis will filter down from the 5 Series.

• Powertrains get various upgrades to match the firm's Efficient Dynamics motto. In Europe, the base gasoline engine will be the Mini Cooper S' 1.6 turbo, though at a lower state of tune of about 150 horsepower. A new four-cylinder Valvetronic gas direct-injection 2.0-liter turbo will replace the current unblown sixes. A 3.0-liter blown six will remain at the top of the range, possibly topping out with the 320-horsepower version from the new 640i. All automatic transmissions will have eight ratios.

• BMW also plans a gas/electric hybrid version for the U.S.