It was my first impression and... dissapointment when I saw no 523d on the list last night.
I was really looking forward to 2liter-210hp-5L/100km engine...
As a matter of fact, I (stupid enough...) already said among some friends (mostly Audi & Mercedes lovers): wait and see how BMW rules in its class by introducing 523d 200hp 4cyl as a entry, base engine which wouldn't hurt, would it? And.. how dissapointing...

And now, as you said: no more place for such engine in the range.
Unless... BMW wakes up in 3 years (being beaten in this class by A6's next 200hp 2-Liter 4-cyl diesel), and they will upgrade LCI 525d to 240hp, 530d to 265hp, and then introduce 523d with about 210hp. I'm not feeling it though...

I will wait to see F11 + MSport (as this is what I'm looking after now), and if it's still like this... Well, I belive I can't go with the piggy-nose and Kia's rear lights... As much as I love interior, I just need to look at my car with a constant affection... and this I don't see coming with F10
I may wait for next A6. A5 Sportback is not so bad either....
But , damn I love BMWs I don't wanna buy anywhere else ..
No news about 6-series 4-door sportsedan???

Couldn't they go "CLS, CC, Panamera, A5 sportback/A7 road"???

 

I'm guessing they'll play around with the nomenclatures and engine options well before LCI comes out. It would be strange for BMW to not have a direct competitor to a M-B. As a matter of fact, it would be a sign of weakness in the eyes of a potential buyer. On the other hand, they may have just determined that the cost of producing such a model is too much for the potential market, combined with the fact that both M-B and Audi offer strong competitors in this range - I can see how they may have decided to "play it safe".

 

I see what you mean about upgrading it later, but that makes no sense in my mind -- the trend is there now, so why wait? The only thing that comes to mind, is that the next 3-series is allegidly going to have the 2.0L bi-turbo, so maybe BMW wants to have a bit of differentiation between the 3er and 5er "200hp diesels".... especially as they now look almost the same on the outside!

As for a "CLS" BMW, that's coming in the form of the 6er CS, which I think is coming out in the next couple of years -- I would have to search for exactly when, but Auto & Motor Sports did an article on this not too long ago. The price will be somewhere between 6er and 7er, so quite a bit above a basic 5er. (Its a shame the "coupe 5er" didn't quite materialise as we had hoped )

 

If M-B's new engine wasn't getting such great reviews, I could understand why BMW would not do one either. However as you stated, it maybe comes down to costs. It will be interesting to see if any more info comes out on this subject, because they are already producing a 2.0L diesel 5er (520d) so there would presumably be a lot of synergies there if they were to build a 523d. It just doesn't make sense to me, but the again, nor does the GT, so its not the first time BMW have confused me in recent times

 

Problem for me is that I want so many of the new goodies, i HAVE to have the rear seat entertainment/internet system, iphone integration, nav system, night vision, full camera treatment, and m-sport/premium packages. Man that is gonna be expensive....

 

1 100% agree....with all these options, rear seat entertain, camera, iphone integrat, m-tech pack, upgrade sound, night vision, lane changing (HUP as well this time?)
probably at least 1/4 of the car prices already......
jsut wish that 550i have all these as standard...

 

In canada, the new 2010 Mercedes E series is about 15% cheaper than the previous E series model and 10% cheaper than the E60. I bet BMW will reduce base pricing vs E60 and make it back on options. Merc E used to sell at a premium on E39 and E 60. I won t pay premium for a f10 over the new E this time for sure.

 

I hope so but this is not what BMW is telling me. They say that prices will be around 10% more than
the equivalent E60 models but will have a few more options included as standard.

 

One thing you need to realize is that like all new models it won't be supported by BMW for a while. Leases will be high and interest rates on financing will be standard. Since initial allocations will be low you can also expect fewer dealer discounts. No matter the MSRP, expect to pay several hundred dollars a month more for the new model until the price stabilizes.

 

In Uk, based on Bmw's uk site, the price is almost the same as the E60, it think there's only ?1000 difference. They do have the 523i variant if not mistaken.