Sixth Generation 3 Series...

[tracygroom]

I've read that the sixth generation 3 series will occur with the 2012 models. Anyone know or know of any rumors if this is true and when they may be released? What month does BMW usually release its now models for the following year?

[mryakan]

Do not expect a US release before the summer of 2011 at the earliest, as a 2012 model, with availability in the Fall or later. The car may be revealed early next year, possibly at Geneva IMS (mid March I think), but it is all speculation. Nothing from BMW yet, just going by historic BMW timelines.

[Georgere]

just fyi, my 2006 e90 was actually built in Aug of 2005. also, when I was car-shopping, I also considered an e90 that was built in June of 2005. Real OEM lists these cars built from even earlier (end of 2004, I think).
thus, summer 2011 sounds very reasonable... wondering when we're gonna see spy shots of the car that look like production..... should be soon/now....

[tracygroom]

I am wanting to order an E91 (touring wagon) to replace my aging 2000 323it. I'd like one NOW, but am thinking that it might be best to wait until the sixth generation is available, though I read somewhere that the E91 may be discontinued for the US.
I am intrigued with the new aluminum block 4 cylinder engine that the new generation will supposedly have, though it would be difficult to improve upon the 6 cylinder inline engine, in my opinion.

[The2011335i]

Guys, just consider these points before buying a new car in the first model year:

* If you are leasing, expect to pay a high monthly payment.
* If you are buying, you won't be getting the %1.9 APR you will now.
* Never ever buy a car the year it is released. At least wait a year, ideally 2 so that the issues are ironed out and all feature releases are aligned. What I mean is:
- When the 2006/2008 3 series were released, the car underwent heavy upgrades in a matter of 2 years. Anyone who bought a 3 series prior to 2008 missed out the new idrive interface, the nice body style, and a lot of minor fixes to the car.
- Like with anything in mass production, there will be problems with the car, it happens with televisions, operating systems, phones, and it will happen with F3X series as well. Have you guys read about what happened to the new 5 series in the first 2-3 months it was released? The steering wheel issues? Car pulling to the right? Imagine those people who paid 80 grand for a car only to realize they were the guinea pigs for BMW. And guess what, this is not Microsoft's windows we are talking about, once you are "patched" you are not like the new ones produced the same year. You are stuck with it.

They will never release the F3X with all the features. They probably already planned out the first 3 years of the F3X and what features they will add each year. Expect a %20 new idrive/technology features per year as we saw with the existing cars.

The guys who leased the M3 at 2008 not only got some horrible deal like $1400/month, but they also got a very old body style, very bad idrive interface, and a DCT that had to be serviced many times. On the other hand, the 2010s got something around $900/month, much better features, and much more stable. It's always best to buy a "new" car when the car is nearing its production cycle, somewhere in the last 2 years. If you want a new right away, you should think about buying a used one at the end of the first production year.

[mryakan]

Guys, just consider these points before buying a new car in the first model year:

* If you are leasing, expect to pay a high monthly payment.
* If you are buying, you won't be getting the %1.9 APR you will now.
* Never ever buy a car the year it is released. At least wait a year, ideally 2 so that the issues are ironed out and all feature releases are aligned. What I mean is:
- When the 2006/2008 3 series were released, the car underwent heavy upgrades in a matter of 2 years. Anyone who bought a 3 series prior to 2008 missed out the new idrive interface, the nice body style, and a lot of minor fixes to the car.


I agree with most of what you said, but at the same time you have to ask, how long do you wait! Manufacturers always make constant improvements with every year of a certain model, and in many cases, the last build year of a specific model is the best, but does it mean don`t buy a new car until a year before it is being replaced (and thus outdated) by a newer model!! Of course not. You buy when you are ready or need to buy. But I do agree, if you can skip the 1st year and can get over the itch of being one of the 1st people to get your hands on a newer model, it is probably best to do so.