The BMW Group continued to perform successfully during the period under report despite difficult market conditions. Sales volume, revenues and earnings figures all constituted new highs to date for a third quarter. Revenues during the three-month period from July to September rose by 13.7% to € 18,817 million (2011: € 16,547 million). The profit before financial result (EBIT) increased by 13.8% to € 2,004 million (2011: € 1,761 million). Third-quarter profit before tax (EBT) improved by 17.6% to € 1,987 million (2011: € 1,689 million). Net profit for the period came in 16.0% higher at € 1,289 million (2011: € 1,111 million). The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers during the third quarter increased by 9.0% to 434,963 units … CONTINUED

Although not nearly as tragic as the human casualties as a result of hurricane Sandy, cars were devastated throughout the flooded areas of the Northeast, including BMWs.

Seen here is Joseph Arpaio of Massapequa abandoning his car on 5th Street in Lindenhurst as high tide, rain and winds flood local streets on October 29, 2012 in Lindenhurst, New York.

We hope all our members and their cars made it through the worst of the hurricane safe and sound!

The F11 Touring LCI facelift has now been spotted. This particular prototype is equipped with the xenon headlight option which retains the circular angel eyes/corona rings. The LED headlight option (previously spotted on the gray F10 5 Series sedan prototype) will feature the new squared off angel eyes.

We have information which shows production for the F10 LCI as beginning in July 2013, with deliveries starting in August/September of 2013.

EXTERIOR

The prototype F10 LCI shows slightly sportier side mirrors, with integrated turn signals (still camouflaged). The grey F10 LCI prototype below is equipped with a new LED headlights option with squared off angel eyes/corona rings. The standard xenon lights will retain circular angel eyes. The tail light graphics will receive a new look.

The front and rear bumpers … CONTINUED

We’ve now posted better spy photos of the F10 5 Series LCI facelift update and an additional update has come to light - the prototype shows a new squared off angel eyes (coronal lights) shape, which has started to appear on BMWs beginning with the latest 3 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series.

UPDATE 10/17: Better spy photos of the F10 LCI prototype now show a new squared off angel eyes (coronal lights) shape, which has started to appear on BMWs beginning with the latest 3 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series. Also, the new front bumper will feature BMW’s air curtain vents.

The first F10 5 Series Sedan and F07 5 Series GT LCI (facelift) update prototypes have now been spotted. This will facelift the entire 5 Series lineup, including the F10 sedan, F11 touring, F07 GT, and the F10 M5.

We have information which shows production for the F10 LCI as beginning in July 2013, with deliveries starting in August/September of 2013.

The prototype F10 LCI shows slightly sportier side mirrors, with integrated turn signals (still camouflaged). The headlights … CONTINUED

Although not full hi-res images, BMW has posted on its facebook page the first photos of M Performance Parts fitted on the F31 3 Series Touring and F11 5 Series Touring.

As expected, both the F31 and F11 generally share the M Performance Parts from the sedan versions - including black kidney grilles, front bumper splitters (carbon fiber for the F11), carbon fiber mirror caps, rear diffuser, side skirt trim, M Performance brakes, M Performance exhaust system and 20″ wheels (different styles for the F31 and F11).

The BMW Group experienced growth in many regions around the world in September and achieved another record month in sales. With 177,716 (prev. yr. 159,223) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles delivered worldwide, sales were 11.6% higher than in the same month last year. It was also the best first nine months for the company, with sales up 8.3% compared to the same period last year. A total of 1,335,502 BMW Group vehicles were delivered during this time (prev. yr. 1,232,619).

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW: “We made solid gains in many of our markets last month and were once again able to achieve record sales in September, despite the difficult environment in some European … CONTINUED

One of our favorite cars of the BMW display at the 2012 Paris show is this cashmere silver F11 5 series touring sitting on a set of 20″ V-Spoke Style 356 wheels in Liquid Black finish. The upsized wheels fill out the F11’s fenders very nicely and the liquid black wheels look great contrasted against cashmere silver.

The price on these 356 wheels are not for the weak-hearted however, as they are listed (MSRP) at $839 for the fronts and $865 for the rears (as listed in this recently released 6 Series accessories brochure).

In addition to the great comparison review between his new 2013 F10 M5 and F10 550i, M5POST member kamichael now shares with us a great set of comparison pics between the M5 and 550i. See inside.