High Performance BMW Wagon?

[MightyMouseTech]

If you want a German wagon that hauls ass in North America, have to go to Audi.

Audi can do it, why can't BMW?

Although, I would give my left nut if Audi brought a manual RS3 wagon here.



Edit: Oh wait, apparently it will be here in 2017. Unfortunately with flappy paddle bullshit though. Fail.

The RS3 is cram-packed full of Audi’s high-performance gear, but in a tidy package—expect it here in 2017. While we don’t know all of the details, the RS3 should arrive with a 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder making close to 400 hp, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. That should be good for a 4.3-second blast to 60 mph, per Audi. The steering is precise and, despite its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the car promises to be easily persuaded into rally-superstar levels of oversteer.

http://www.caranddriver.com/audi/rs3

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

If you want a German wagon that hauls ass in North America, have to go to Audi.

Audi can do it, why can't BMW?

Although, I would give my left nut if Audi brought a manual RS3 wagon here.

Edit: Oh wait, apparently it will be here in 2017. Unfortunately with flappy paddle bullshit though. Fail.

http://www.caranddriver.com/audi/rs3

Other than bringing the RS3 in the future, what performance wagons does Audi sell in the U.S.? If you go over to Audizine you will find similar threads bemoaning the lack of S4 / RS4 Avants.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Other than bringing the RS3 in the future, what performance wagons does Audi sell in the U.S.? If you go over to Audizine you will find similar threads bemoaning the lack of S4 / RS4 Avants.

The rs3 wagon is not coming here. Sedan only.

That said an S5 sport back (wagon) is coming.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

The rs3 wagon is not coming here. Sedan only.

Ok so then Audi also sells no sport wagons in the U.S. and has no plans to do so.

[BimmerMat135]

At least Audi is commited with the Allroad. One more thing that doesn't help wagon in here is the towing capacity: 320d X-drive Touring in France 1600kg(3520lbs) vs 328d X-drive Touring 0 lbs.

[Gpfarrell]

US buyers won't consume enough cars to overcome the millions of dollars it costs to certify every different chassis/engine/transmission combination for crash, emissions, and fuel economy regulations.

Our laws are choking us.

We plan to keep ou 6MT 535xi wagon indefinitely.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Ok so then Audi also sells no sport wagons in the U.S. and has no plans to do so.

I'd count the s5 sport back but that's just me.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I'd count the s5 sport back but that's just me.

Hard to argue the S5 hatch should be in there while at the same time excluding the 340i GT without somehow biasing the criteria deliberately. Or even the 340i GC for that matter.

Don't mistake me, the 3GT is not good looking while the B9 A5/S5/RS5 Sportback are likely to look really pretty. And great utility. But these just aren't proper wagons. Neither is the RS3 hatch shown above either - for the same reason the Golf is not a wagon while the Golf Sportwagen clearly is.

[davem3fan]

I'd be over the moon about an F81 M3 Touring...

[vautrain]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

It's a bit of a myth that SUV are jacked up wagons, they are very distinct vehicles.

All things being equal, an SUV will have a bit more back seat room whilst the wagon will have a larger floor plan in the boot (trunk).

This is spot-on, but there are some vehicles people think of as SUV's that really are jacked up wagons. I had a 2004 Subaru Forester XT, that SUV was really a tall (as in, tall roofline) jacked up wagon (based on the Impreza platform), with tremendous cargo volume for its size. I could easily fold the rear seats and throw in a bicycle (without removing the front wheel) and a bunch of other stuff and be on my way. It was quick, too, tested at 240-some HP stock, which could propel the lightweight vehicle to 60 in about 5 seconds. But it felt unsteady over 120.

More to the point, there will always be a market for quick or even fast wagons. MB and Volvo are tapping into it (in the US). The 535 E61 was a pretty fast wagon, too (for the heavy clunker it was), it's too bad no E91/F31 equivalent existed/exists in the US.

[MightyMouseTech]

On the autobahns, it seemed it was always the wagons that were hauling ass the most.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

On the autobahns, it seemed it was always the wagons that were hauling ass the most.

Mutter hat die Kinder zum Fußballtraining zu bekommen!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Hard to argue the S5 hatch should be in there while at the same time excluding the 340i GT without somehow biasing the criteria deliberately. Or even the 340i GC for that matter.

Don't mistake me, the 3GT is not good looking while the B9 A5/S5/RS5 Sportback are likely to look really pretty. And great utility. But these just aren't proper wagons. Neither is the RS3 hatch shown above either - for the same reason the Golf is not a wagon while the Golf Sportwagen clearly is.

From the drawings I've seen it will be more of a wagon like the rs3 currently avail in EU. That said renderings can be off. But at least based on what I know now it's the most wagon-y of the bunch. Agree with all the GT GC hatch etc etc the lines are blurring.

[Official NOCO]

Anyone have some insight on why crossovers/SUVs are more popular than wagons in the US. I think wagons look much better and have pretty much the same cargo space.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Official NOCO

Anyone have some insight on why crossovers/SUVs are more popular than wagons in the US. I think wagons look much better and have pretty much the same cargo space.

See post 43 in this thread.

[m5james]

We just picked up an 08 535xiT for the GF. I guarantee with some mods that she'll be able to walk me in my X5M seeing as the N54 is a notorious powerhouse after $3-$5k in aftermarket parts. So far it's got a dual cone intake only, next is MHD flash and then I'll likely do simple things like the FMIC from an E90/E91, gut the cats and either muffler delete or Magnaflow 14816...next summer will be wheels. Don't get me wrong, I love my X5M even with all its headaches but there's no denying the 20+/- years of people proving that the I6 is a wolf in sheeps clothing under boost.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by m5james

We just picked up an 08 535xiT for the GF. I guarantee with some mods that she'll be able to walk me in my X5M seeing as the N54 is a notorious powerhouse after $3-$5k in aftermarket parts. So far it's got a dual cone intake only, next is MHD flash and then I'll likely do simple things like the FMIC from an E90/E91, gut the cats and either muffler delete or Magnaflow 14816...next summer will be wheels. Don't get me wrong, I love my X5M even with all its headaches but there's no denying the 20+/- years of people proving that the I6 is a wolf in sheeps clothing under boost.

Sexy

[vautrain]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

There are four very simple-to-understand reasons why SUVs dominate in the U.S. In order of importance:

1). Most are classified as light trucks, which matters when domestic carmakers are trying to meet government-mandated emissions standards. Europe already had stricter emissions standards than the U.S. in place by the time the SUV craze hit. Europeans had little interest in them partially because of this.
...

Not just emissions, also safety standards. For a long time, trucks and SUV's were not held to the same safety standards that cars were (I'm not sure if they are now, even), making them cheaper to design and build. Auto makers, thus, had incentive to push SUV's on the buying public, and eliminate or minimize estates.

[zinner]

I would of bought a 335i Msport wagon with rwd and manual. Unfortunately BMW USA only federalized the Xdrive 328i and d models.

The light truck loop hole in CAFE has been abused, but I think it's coming to an end soon.

[Daz330cd]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I have no interest in one and I suspect neither do most people.

That's a kind of dumb statement.

Loads of them here in the UK

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Daz330cd

That's a kind of dumb statement.

Loads of them here in the UK

I suggest reading the 2-3 posts before that one, which will help you realize the "dumb" comment pertained to the U.S. and had nothing to do with the UK. There are not many wagons in the U.S., which was the point you obviously missed.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

From the drawings I've seen it will be more of a wagon like the rs3 currently avail in EU. That said renderings can be off. But at least based on what I know now it's the most wagon-y of the bunch. Agree with all the GT GC hatch etc etc the lines are blurring.

The A5 Sportback is a Coupe with 5drs and a hatch not unlike the BMW 4er Gran Coupe. It is not a Wagon.