cyril

So what's the alternative to the F11 for American E61-owners?

• DIY import is kind of a pain, expensive and would be problematic w/ warranty I imagine...
• 5GT sucks.
• I'm not fond of the F10 looks (like a shark who sneezed into a wall imho), but I'd hate to leave BMW for an A6 or S-Class...
• Downgrade to the 3-series? How's the E91 cargo space comparing to the E61? Can we expect a hybrid version?
  

Stu3

Cyril: Ditto to all you said. I think BMW is prepared to abandon the segment of large Euro wagons to Audi and MB. The numbers (based on previous sales) just don't add up. When the GT turns out to be a flop, they may recognize the error of their ways.

ygbsm

It's not too late to order a 2010 535 wagon- buy it and keep it for 10 years.

E91 cargo space is a joke.

Besides Audi and MB, Cadillac makes a pretty good wagon. I test drove it and liked it better than the Audi or MB.

Stu3

Actually, I think you cannot order an E60 orE61 anymore. They stopped building the E60/E61 24 Dec 09. 1 or 2 weeks of vacation and then it was time to re-tool the line for the F10. At least that is what the BMW dealers in Germany told me.

Richard in NC

The sucky thing is the E61 sold < 900 units. If they sell 1000 GT's they'll consider it a better success.

ygbsm

There is a guy in San Francisco who just ordered an E61 that will not be built until March. So apparently they are still building the wagons for the US market, probably up until April.

cyril

Yeah, well, I already have one of those and was hoping for a new generation.

Even w/o the backseats down? Does the trunk itself feel much smaller?
Googling the specs, looks like they put the 328xit @ 25 cu.ft. and the 535xit @ 34 cu.ft., which is like a 1/3 bigger technically I guess, but it's difficult to imagine how it feels...

bigbadbull

I'm willing to be his order gets canceled....

As has been stated, the factory closed Dec 24th then reopened about 2 weeks later and started retooling for the F10.

I'm betting that the dealer found one that was similar to what the buyer wanted that was already build and waiting in holding, with how slow they have been selling it would not shock me if this was the case

ygbsm

If you doubt him why don't you ask him?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=429588

Here's what he says:

2010 5-ers Still Available via ED...
...if you want a Touring (wagon) that is.
Just got a p/u date from Irv Robinson at MotorWerks for 4 May 2010 at BMW Welt. Ordering a much-despised, hard-to-sell, un-loved 535i xDrive touring--in a 6MT no less! Cars reportedly available for p/u until 15 May 2010.
Talk about a 'niche' vehicle! But, like a number of others here, that's my ideal car for the winter-driving, cargo-carrying enthusiast driver
Sadly, one of the last of a breed that we'll see in North America. It's too bad we can't kick the monster SUV addiction.
As my Ranger comrades say "Drive On!"

Irv tells me that build is set for week 12 (week of 22 March). Apparently, you can still do an ED pick up on a wagon until 15 April 2010. I presume this is because the new (European-only) Tourings will not start production until much later than the F10 sedans started--which obviously, have already begun rolling of of the assembly line many weeks ago. Getting a 6MT and M Sport package, so should be pretty rare, eh?

ipp

I would recommend the E-class Estate... Surprise, surprise... I'm very satisfied with the car, even though I've had two E61 in a row I'm not regretting leaving BMW for a while now. From what I've read the E-class wagon will come to the US as E350 4matic, with the direct injected 292hp engine this summer.