F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase Sedan Revealed Ahead Auto China 2012 Debut
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-05-2012, 01:05 PM   #45
rmani
Buys too many toys...
rmani's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
305
Posts

Drives: 2000 Ferrari 360
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

long wheel base cars are a big hit in china. audi has been killing it with their long wheelbase a6. no surprise bmw is joining the fray. only people over there who can afford these cars are stupid wealthy anyway so they're expecting to be driven around.
__________________
2014 BMW 740Li/2000 Ferrari 360/2004 Yamaha R1
2003 X5 4.6is (Sold)
1995 M3 (Sold)
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 01:46 PM   #46
sanf
Second Lieutenant
21
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F10 535XI
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (1)

since I have to put 2 car seats in my car and not really digging the 7 series. i would love to have a F10 Li.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 02:26 PM   #47
1MORELAP
Captain
1MORELAP's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
700
Posts

Drives: '22 911 GTS '19 X3, X5, X7
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Don't mess with the kink! That is just CRAZY, I do not get it.

Li car ought to be offered world wide. Just like there is a wagon version, and x-drive version, why not the longer version. As few have mentioned, may allow people to fit kids better, etc.

As to the chrome, Chinese tastes seem to be where Americans were 50 years ago. Nothing wrong for BMW to capitalize on it. It is wrong for BMW to mess with the kink.
__________________
I apologize for spelling mistakes up front, they are a result of multitasking.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 02:42 PM   #48
SCOTT26
Major General
SCOTT26's Avatar
5305
Rep
5,824
Posts

Drives: A big F-off German Truck.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WORLDWIDE

iTrader: (0)

The Audi A4L is the best selling car in this segment in China.

The new 3erLi is BMW firing right at Audi and its market. BMW is seen as a more prestigious brand than Audi in China and therefore the 3erLi is a very strategic challenger to the best selling A4.

I am currently in China and have been driven in the rear of the car and as a Chinese colleague showed me why China likes these cars and why the Chinese helped develop the car with BMW to meet the demands and needs of China. A car that BMW expects to increase sales growth in China where it is currently at 3rd place in BMW's global markets.

Whether a BMW is built in Germany , South Africa , USA or China.
They are all built to the exact quality standards developed in Munich at the pre-production process that is then filtered through to all global manufacturing plants.
__________________
The M850i is evidence that BMW have got their mojo back when it comes to dynamic sports cars...
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 04:16 PM   #49
krnnerdboy
Colonel
krnnerdboy's Avatar
United_States
190
Rep
2,431
Posts

Drives: v10 m6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: so cal

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by magic77
Top Gear did piece on china recently it seems over there its the rear legroom that dictates how good / luxurious car you have, so "Li " type cars are all the rage if yours doesnt have extra rear legroom its not worth. IMO its a shame its China only. OK remove the stupid extra bits of chrome but as a father of two I struggle to get rear facing car seats behind my drivers chair as I'm 6'4" so the extra rear room would help.

While I could get a 5 series I find them too large and the rear legroom not much better.
So this could be a solution. Ideally a Li Touring boy I must be getting old.
Exactly! I can't get my children in their rear facing seats in to my 3 w/o having to pull forward, and I'm 5'8". This option would be nice.

And for those who are so negative towards BMW catering to the Chinese market, you do understand that's what the Europeans were saying when BMW was catering to our market(fat American asses).
__________________

F80 m3, 997 gt3, 14 ram ctd, f15 x5, drz400sm

Gone:z4m, boss 302, c6 z06, m6,z3m
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 04:45 PM   #50
XiangyuTide
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: E60 530i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

iTrader: (0)

As a Chinese, the only thing I want to comment on this post is "you are really funny". Yeah GM manufactures really nice Buicks in Shanghai, but it is just too far to be considered as a luxury in China. The LaCrosse is the most expensive Buick model made by Shanghai GM with a top price of RMB 320K which is about $50K. And let me tell you what, Chinese purchased more than 1000 Rolls last year, more than Americans did, plus, the cheapest model in China costs RMB 4 million, which is about $635K and the MSRP for the same model is $ 250K in the US. My family have a Mercedes ML 350 which is RMB 900K and same as $143K. But it can only be considered as an entry level car if you are talking about luxury cars in China since there are tons of Range Rovers ($200K-$350K+), Mercedes S ($220K-$400K+) and BMW 7s even on the street of my city (a typical suburb of Beijing). So, if you tell a Chinese that driving a Buick in China is like a Bentley in America, he will probably think that Bentley is just too cheap in America lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmurphy2 View Post
Ya must be tough selling in a market that even 60 years later is still convinced that Buick is the pinnacle of automotive achievement. (if you dont know Buick is considered the best and most impressive car to drive in china, on level with driving a bentley in America)
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 04:52 PM   #51
XiangyuTide
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: E60 530i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

iTrader: (0)

You are right, plus some "Beijing Mercedes", "FAW Toyota", "Dongfeng Nissan" and so forth. But there BMWs and Mercedes made in China are still really expensive. Beijing Mercedes just released the GLK model in China, of which the price is only 10% cheaper than imported ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Autumn View Post
The Chinese letters are standard on most Chinese-made Western model cars.

The letters stand for "Brilliance BMW" indicating this car was made in northeastern China by Chinese people, instead of Germans. The cars with this tag are usually much cheaper than European imported cars.

You will also see cars in China with the letters on the back that say "Shanghai Volkswagen" or "Guangdong Honda", meaning those cars are Chinese made.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 04:57 PM   #52
XiangyuTide
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: E60 530i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Autumn View Post
The 3 series Li will be estimated at about 400-500k RMB depending on loadout. 5 series Li will be about 800k-900k RMB. That is why there is a 3 series Li, many people can't afford the 5 series.

There is no hierarchy with regard to cars in China. This is because pretty much everyone who drives a BMW owns their own business. You will probably not know any employees that can afford a 500k RMB car on a salary of 50-100k RMB. If you are an employee forget owning a luxury car in China.

Not even middle executives can afford this, but sometimes they get company owned cars.
One correction, 3 ranges from ¥300K-550K whereas ¥430K-800K for 5. You are pretty much right about the rest.
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 07:57 PM   #53
rmastale
Lieutenant
60
Rep
438
Posts

Drives: F10 535i MSport, F15 X5 MSport
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anodite10
Not digging this:
What's wrong with a license plate diffuser? :
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 08:35 PM   #54
ferrari6891
the original brown guy
ferrari6891's Avatar
United_States
116
Rep
1,011
Posts

Drives: '22 MBB/SO X5M Comp
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NJ/NYC

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2011.75 E90 M3  [7.66]
Quote:
Originally Posted by TS335i View Post
5 series is a shorter 7 series, since when does a 3 series have double A-arms on their front suspension?
it was a joke...
__________________
PREVIOUS
2019 G05 X5 M50 AG/BLK
2017 F15 X5 5.0 M Sport AW/BLK
2011 E90 ///M3 AW/FR
2008 E92 ///M3 IB/BLK
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 08:36 PM   #55
ferrari6891
the original brown guy
ferrari6891's Avatar
United_States
116
Rep
1,011
Posts

Drives: '22 MBB/SO X5M Comp
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NJ/NYC

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2011.75 E90 M3  [7.66]
Quote:
Originally Posted by kqian View Post
you might not know the most f10 in china is LI too... also the F01
Quote:
Originally Posted by juddholland View Post
There are luxury taxes that prevent people from affording the regular 5 series, so the 3LI is a compromise.

Some want the space of a 5 without the premiums of a 5. There's a cachet with the 5 series that you can't get from a 3 series, but if you don't care about the cachet and still want those dimensions, you get the 3LI. The same goes for the 7 series. Want 7 series dimensions but can't afford a 7 series? Get a 5LI.


again...it was a joke.
__________________
PREVIOUS
2019 G05 X5 M50 AG/BLK
2017 F15 X5 5.0 M Sport AW/BLK
2011 E90 ///M3 AW/FR
2008 E92 ///M3 IB/BLK
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 09:01 PM   #56
jozeff
Private First Class
20
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: BMW 130i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

My post disappeared because it hurt US national pride =)

Anyhow back on topic I reckon it looks like a slightly larger 3 series.... Nice
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 10:10 PM   #57
Autumn
Enlisted Member
0
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: N/A
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by XiangyuTide View Post
One correction, 3 ranges from ¥300K-550K whereas ¥430K-800K for 5. You are pretty much right about the rest.
Ah sorry, you're right about this. I believe I was comparing the Chinese made 3 prices with the European made 5 series prices. Imported cars are more expensive.

I've not really researched quotes for the Chinese made 5 series.

On another note, I would like a extended wheelbase 3 series in the USA...I am intending on driving my family out in this car for some roadtrips sometimes, and the leg room on this car is pretty small normally (sort of like economy plane seats). Of course it would be worse handling...so I'll see.

Last edited by Autumn; 04-05-2012 at 10:15 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-05-2012, 11:15 PM   #58
XiangyuTide
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: E60 530i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Autumn View Post
Ah sorry, you're right about this. I believe I was comparing the Chinese made 3 prices with the European made 5 series prices. Imported cars are more expensive.

I've not really researched quotes for the Chinese made 5 series.

On another note, I would like a extended wheelbase 3 series in the USA...I am intending on driving my family out in this car for some roadtrips sometimes, and the leg room on this car is pretty small normally (sort of like economy plane seats). Of course it would be worse handling...so I'll see.
Both BMW and BMW China insist that the longer wheelbase will not affect handling at all but I think only no brainer will agree on this. Luckily the 530i my family has in China was built right before BMW China replaced it with 530Li for the first time in 2006. Yeah longer wheelbase will give you more room for back seat passengers, but it harms the original beauty. If you do need more room, a 5 is not gonna help a lot either, so a extended 3 might be a wise decision. Even though I really hate it that BMW compromises to introduce the weird new 3, but I have to agree that it will boost the sales. Yeah, let's see.
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 12:52 AM   #59
ubbii
New Member
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: Ford Focus
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shanghai, China

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tmurphy2 View Post
Ya must be tough selling in a market that even 60 years later is still convinced that Buick is the pinnacle of automotive achievement. (if you dont know Buick is considered the best and most impressive car to drive in china, on level with driving a bentley in America)
then you might not know it is easier to find a 458 or a LP700 or even Veron in China then in US. Bentley? that's 2nd class because people know it is just a big VW. Buick is popular in China just like Toyota is in other countries.
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 06:10 AM   #60
ubbii
New Member
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: Ford Focus
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shanghai, China

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pinnaclebass View Post
I find this funny to say the least, the car seems ok(sure it's nicer than most things on the road out there) but it is hardly the "class" we are used too.
What is most disturbing about the Chinese takeover of the automotive industry as jozeff so kindly pointed out is that there is absolutely no way for the Chinese to accommodate all of these new cars at the rate of their car registration.

This is an absolute waste of resources, not to mention fuel.
look at this traffic jam article...
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010...s-breaking-up/

just read this article from more than a year ago, pretty much talks about the same subject ...
http://tubulocity.com/?p=3207

They should just stop selling them cars (ya right) that they can't use and expedite the public transit infrastructure. Sorry but you have way to many people China how can you drive when there is no space?!!?....
Must be why a 328LI is so necessary, no desire to sit in traffic at an avg of 15mph.
Bad news has wings. So that's everything you hear and read. But the reality is, chinese are not too stupid to make a choice. If taking a subway is faster and cheaper than driving, why would people drive? The answer for that is, let me put it in this way, I need to drive 50 miles everyday to and back from the office. Both rides are on peak hours (8 AM and 7 PM) and I need to cut across the downtown of Shanghai. Guess how long does that take? 1 hour and 10 mins. You can calculate the mph, can't you?
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 07:13 AM   #61
Touring
Major
Touring's Avatar
Norway
178
Rep
1,008
Posts

Drives: i3,E21,M2,E23, Skoda Kodiaq
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Oslo, Norway

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ubbii View Post
then you might not know it is easier to find a 458 or a LP700 or even Veron in China then in US. Bentley? that's 2nd class because people know it is just a big VW. Buick is popular in China just like Toyota is in other countries.
Communism has changed since I grew up
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 08:41 AM   #62
SGScuba
Private First Class
SGScuba's Avatar
Singapore
1
Rep
142
Posts

Drives: BMW 328i F30
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kqian View Post
In China average employee's salary is about 4k RMB. If you are in Beijing or Shanghai such a big city let's say 6k RMB. You wont believe how much they acutal earned until u be there. Yes, forget owning a luxury car like bmw if you dont have own business or something.
Seriously? Monthly salary of 4k or 6k RMB? That's way lower than I expected. My quote of salaries between RMB 20-40 k per month are for in-house lawyers of between 5-8 years experience (yep I've seen their pay slips).

What sort of qualifications/professional status/years of work experience are you talking about, kqian? Cos I'm thinking that BMW's target audience in China is graduate PMEBs (Professionals, Managerial, Executive & Businessmen) who've worked for a few years.
__________________
Finally arrived: BMW F30 328i Sportline
Sport AT, Mineral Grey, Black interior, Alum w/ high-gloss black interior trim, Sports seats + Lumbar support, Harman Kardon sound, Nav system Prof, PDC (f+r), Rear view camera, comfort access, Xenon lights.
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 09:25 AM   #63
ubbii
New Member
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: Ford Focus
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shanghai, China

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SGScuba View Post
Seriously? Monthly salary of 4k or 6k RMB? That's way lower than I expected. My quote of salaries between RMB 20-40 k per month are for in-house lawyers of between 5-8 years experience (yep I've seen their pay slips).

What sort of qualifications/professional status/years of work experience are you talking about, kqian? Cos I'm thinking that BMW's target audience in China is graduate PMEBs (Professionals, Managerial, Executive & Businessmen) who've worked for a few years.
RMB 20 - 40 k per month is a reasonable quote, if you are talking about BMW's targets in China. And the reason of have a 3 Li is because they simply can't afford both 3 and 5 together. So a 3 Li is a nice choice for them. And at the same time BMW still nicely offers a 3 i as imported version.
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 09:26 AM   #64
ubbii
New Member
0
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: Ford Focus
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shanghai, China

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Touring View Post
Communism has changed since I grew up
Nope, it's still an evil
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 02:18 PM   #65
CarAbuser
Lieutenant Colonel
CarAbuser's Avatar
United Kingdom
468
Rep
1,535
Posts

Drives: Z4 35i DCT / E92 335i DCT
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

More leg room for the people who need it the least!
Appreciate 0
      04-06-2012, 02:35 PM   #66
Q4P
Colonel
Q4P's Avatar
United_States
83
Rep
2,291
Posts

Drives: Too Much
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: World

iTrader: (0)

It's crazy how there is such a big difference in pricing of items and salaries around the world, I kid you not... in the US with incredible lease rates, a person making $40K USD a year could stretch himself and afford something like a 328i... I would say even a 335i. This is not possible anywhere else in the entire world, especially the number of young kids who buy their own 3 series.
__________________
2jZ + RB26 + 4G63 + LS9 + N54 =
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
3 series f30, 3 series f30 forum, 3 series forum, 3-series li, 320li, 328li, 335li, bmw 3 series forum, bmw 3 series long wheelbase, bmw 3-series f30, bmw f30, bmw f30 3-series, bmw f30 forum, f30 3-series, f30 3-series forum, f30 forum, f30 forums, f30 li, f30 long wheelbase

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:26 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST