[elitex]

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

I am really going to s**t bricks if the G30 3-cyl could get 5 people and a trunkload of stuff onto a freeway in decent time, otherwise I am starting to lose faith in BMW, and I've loved BMW since I was 17.

Seriously? It's just one of the many engine options. Don't like it? Then choose a bigger engine. Simple.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by elitex

Seriously? It's just one of the many engine options. Don't like it? Then choose a bigger engine. Simple.

Yeah as long as 3 banger doesn't replace the 4 banger at the current price point...

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by nate5ks

But does it have an M badge?

No, but the spring rate is adjustable. Cuts grass at 8 MPH.

[SCOTT26]

The North American market will not see the 518d - the three cylinder diesel which will be available in European markets only.

[elitex]

Originally Posted by clbmw

Yeah as long as 3 banger doesn't replace the 4 banger at the current price point...

funny thing is that it wasn't long ago when everyone was bitching about their 4 cyl engine.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Yup, had a couple loaners. I found it far from nimble. It was a boat, with a 4 banger. The N20 is much better in smaller cars. I am sure the 228i will be a blast to drive.

So was the old 528 bloated and slow? The N52 made 230hp and 230 lb of torque. Compared to the N20 with 240/260. I think people just need to get over the 2 less cylinder thing.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The North American market will not see the 518d - the three cylinder diesel which will be available in European markets only.

If the 3 cyl is going to be the 518d are we expecting a power hike on the 20d models? Or will the 3 cyl be 143bhp?

[Who?]

Originally Posted by clbmw

Yeah as long as 3 banger doesn't replace the 4 banger at the current price point...

like how the F8x inline 6 is replacing the e9x V8 in the m3?
or how the e90 328i 3.0L I6 vs f30 328i 2.0L I4?

see the trend?

with similar or exceeding outputs, of course the 3 cylinder will be priced similarly to the current base 4 cylinder

[ska///235i]

the 3 series always follow the 5 series design, but this render is the oppisite..FAIL

[misterbeemer]

I'll take a 3 cylinder, ~4400lb 5 series with lots of M badges and glowing M logos on the seats. Oh and if it can sort of drive and park itself, so much win. Thanks.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by e85sbm

What I find interesting is the naming convention.

We were seeing an Ex platform for multiple generations, now the Fx platforms will only carry ONE generation of each representative model (X1 being the last to potentially gain an F platform).

Is there a justification or as to why they are not going to do an F60 - or a higher numerical expression of the Fx series?

I suspect that it's because they have many more models/chassis now, and they're running out of numbers in the Fxx range.

The next gen X1 is F48. There aren't any announced F6x or F7x codes, but those could be shared with Mini.

You could assume that the next 7er, next 5er and X-variants of each will all be very similar chassis-wise, so they've got to have a range of designations to keep them all together.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by SJ00

like how the F8x inline 6 is replacing the e9x V8 in the m3?
or how the e90 328i 3.0L I6 vs f30 328i 2.0L I4?

see the trend?

with similar or exceeding outputs, of course the 3 cylinder will be priced similarly to the current base 4 cylinder

If you are right then it means you have to spend more money next generation to get the same capacity engine... See where people are going with this? It isn't simply spec a bigger engine then, it's spend more money.

Personally I wouldn't want less than the 170odd BHP 4 banger I have in a 3, that is already as low as I'd go, it follows I (and likely many others judging on the reactions) would definitely want more than that in a heavier 5 series. Hence why I asked Scott if the 20d would be getting a power hike.

[elitex]

Originally Posted by clbmw

If you are right then it means you have to spend more money next generation to get the same capacity engine... See where people are going with this? It isn't simply spec a bigger engine then, it's spend more money.

Personally I wouldn't want less than the 170odd BHP 4 banger I have in a 3, that is already as low as I'd go, it follows I (and likely many others judging on the reactions) would definitely want more than that in a heavier 5 series. Hence why I asked Scott if the 20d would be getting a power hike.

As far as I recall, I4 surpassed na I6 in every category except engine noise.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by elitex

As far as I recall, I4 surpassed na I6 in every category except engine noise.

And responsiveness.

[Kayani_1]

Never warmed up to the numb driving dynamics of F10 and thus did not buy it. Bring on the G chassis hopefully it focuses more on driving dynamics then driving numbness.

[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by misterbeemer

I'll take a 3 cylinder, ~4400lb 5 series with lots of M badges and glowing M logos on the seats. Oh and if it can sort of drive and park itself, so much win. Thanks.

[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

Never warmed up to the numb driving dynamics of F10 and thus did not buy it. Bring on the G chassis hopefully it focuses more on driving dynamics then driving numbness.

I hope that is the case, but I doubt it. Its hard for a company to go back once its tasted the sweet nectar of increased mainstream sales.

[Raja Ventureshield]

already? i thought they just got the facelift. things are moving way too fast....

[NEFARIOUS]

Originally Posted by elitex

Seriously? It's just one of the many engine options. Don't like it? Then choose a bigger engine. Simple.

Originally Posted by clbmw

Yeah as long as 3 banger doesn't replace the 4 banger at the current price point...

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy. It's not so much like "oh, with an I3, I4 and I6, let's make fun of the I3 and dismiss the other engines" kinda deal, it's more of the direction that Bimmer is going.

IMO, out of the German luxury big 3, BMW has always been a brand that's more reliable and well-rounded balance of sportiness and luxury... Benz: Plush? Yes. Sporty? Not really. Audi: Not as reliable and their reminder beeps will drive you nuts. For some reason, non-exotic cars of other origins don't have the same appeal as a Deutschwagen.

Either way, when I think of luxury cars, I think something with a decent engine; a 4-banger was already pushing it, but it has decent HP, turbo and the acoustics are respectable, so I can let the ?35i's of the world go... But when I think I3, I think Geo Metro, smart fortwo or despite technological advancements and could churn out something like 200HP, it evokes a feeling like it can't make more than 90HP and would probably sound like a rice rocket at WOT, and getting an exhaust would probably be shooting yourself in the foot in terms of acoustics rather than in my case, starting my 330xi and having the uninitiated ask brand of exhaust I've put on it while it's actually bone stock (true story)... Also not to mention for the Average Joe who doesn't know cars that much, there are still people that gauge your power by the amount of cylinders you have, and like ltbmw said, hope the 3-banger isn't priced the same as the entry level (?20i), then the ?20i would get bumped up in price, and the ?35i would be like a $70K option.

I mean... It's almost like BMW is reverting to a non-luxury brand and 20 years from now, what's next? Back to cloth seats, hubcaps/steelies and no remote? Having to distinguish the luxury cars by model, akin to how we do with say... VW and the Phaeton or upcoming Kia K9000 vs. rest of lineup? Fading into the background like VW themselves and having to create/take over a luxury company just to resurrect a sense of prestige?

[elitex]

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy. It's not so much like "oh, with an I3, I4 and I6, let's make fun of the I3 and dismiss the other engines" kinda deal, it's more of the direction that Bimmer is going.

IMO, out of the German luxury big 3, BMW has always been a brand that's more reliable and well-rounded balance of sportiness and luxury... Benz: Plush? Yes. Sporty? Not really. Audi: Not as reliable and their reminder beeps will drive you nuts. For some reason, non-exotic cars of other origins don't have the same appeal as a Deutschwagen.

Either way, when I think of luxury cars, I think something with a decent engine; a 4-banger was already pushing it, but it has decent HP, turbo and the acoustics are respectable, so I can let the ?35i's of the world go... But when I think I3, I think Geo Metro, smart fortwo or despite technological advancements and could churn out something like 200HP, it evokes a feeling like it can't make more than 90HP and would probably sound like a rice rocket at WOT, and getting an exhaust would probably be shooting yourself in the foot in terms of acoustics rather than in my case, starting my 330xi and having the uninitiated ask brand of exhaust I've put on it while it's actually bone stock (true story)... Also not to mention for the Average Joe who doesn't know cars that much, there are still people that gauge your power by the amount of cylinders you have, and like ltbmw said, hope the 3-banger isn't priced the same as the entry level (?20i), then the ?20i would get bumped up in price, and the ?35i would be like a $70K option.

I mean... It's almost like BMW is reverting to a non-luxury brand and 20 years from now, what's next? Back to cloth seats, hubcaps/steelies and no remote? Having to distinguish the luxury cars by model, akin to how we do with say... VW and the Phaeton or upcoming Kia K9000 vs. rest of lineup? Fading into the background like VW themselves and having to create/take over a luxury company just to resurrect a sense of prestige?

I agree with a lot of your concerns. I myself won't buy a 3 cyl engined car anytime soon. However, there are a lot of people out there who just don't care.

I remember back in the days when every time I saw a 523 or 525 on the road, I would say what a waste of money. Reality is that a lot of 5 series buyers just won't care.

3 cyl is not all bad news, take a look. I think it sounds similar to the 4 cyl.

[mashimarho]

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

WOW, time flies...

+1. Seems like it was just a year since the F10 was out.

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by Petros

Why so soon? The F30 3 series and F10 5 series have just barely entered the market and they are already talking about replacing them? The E60 and E90 definitely had a much longer run than that. What happened?

BMW normally has a seven year cycle, and with the F10 now entering its fifth year, it is not surprising to start seeing/hearing details of its replacement. I just hope the new 5er is SIGNIFICANTLY lighter, 200kg at least.