New X3

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by JCL

Seems to me the effect of not getting a new car and continuing driving an old one is greater on you, than the effect of one lost sale is on BMW. Do you think they will notice?

Also, wouldn't the X1 be more the target vehicle for you than the new larger X3?

Haha yeah, I would prefer the X1 but I know BMW NA isn't going to sell the model I want: the sDrive20d with a manual transmission.

My next car will most likely be a hatchback with a 4 cylinder engine. The E83 is about as big as I ever want a car to be. The VW Golf TDI is the most suited to what I need and want at this moment, but my X3 isn't going anywhere for at least another year or two.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Haha yeah, I would prefer the X1 but I know BMW NA isn't going to sell the model I want: the sDrive20d with a manual transmission.

My next car will most likely be a hatchback with a 4 cylinder engine. The E83 is about as big as I ever want a car to be. The VW Golf TDI is the most suited to what I need and want at this moment, but my X3 isn't going anywhere for at least another year or two.

BMW is coming with 4-cylinder with new 3er with performance comparable to 6-cyl.

Having more diesels or stick shifts in US is matter of demand and supply. If people will not buy diesels or stick shifts in US, than we can't blame BMW. Same goes for manual vs. auto tranny. There is single digit percentage population interested in manual tranny in US for daily use cars. (less than 5% of cars produced by Toyota and Honda have manual transmission).
In 2001 17% of US cars had manual transmission and it has been declining since. It was 35% manual transmissions in 1980. In 2007 the number dropped to 7.7%.

I don't see BMW making any manual transmission cars in another 5-10 years.

If you love 3-pedals and diesels in US so much than my question to you is, Have you done anything to promote these in US lately?

[Meiac09]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

I don't see BMW making any manual transmission cars in another 5-10 years.

In the US maybe. In Europe, manuals are still everywhere. And i mean, they brought the new 5 series in a manual. I think that the morons at BMW NA recognize that theres still the enthusiast market, even through special order.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Meiac09

In the US maybe. In Europe, manuals are still everywhere. And i mean, they brought the new 5 series in a manual. I think that the morons at BMW NA recognize that theres still the enthusiast market, even through special order.

They left out the 528i. I'm guessing it was intentional though, to cater to the lease-prone badgewhores that "just want a 5er with Automatic and Bluetooth".

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Meiac09

In the US maybe. In Europe, manuals are still everywhere. And i mean, they brought the new 5 series in a manual. I think that the morons at BMW NA recognize that theres still the enthusiast market, even through special order.

The big wigs at BMW think that they can pass on DCT to the enthusiasts and do away with manual.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

The big wigs at BMW think that they can pass on DCT to the enthusiasts and do away with manual.

This is where BMW may be a bit too arrogant, imo. I do get just how fast DCT can shift, but there is something to an old school 3 pedal manual that will continue to be desired into the future. Unfortunately, if BMW doesn't offer one and it's competitors do, they may well lose a good bit of sales. Plus, many true driving enthusiasts keep BMW resale value high by supporting the secondary market. If these people dissapear due to automatic only transmissions (DCT is really an auto) then it will hurt BMW in a way. I will admit that BMW will not lose that many buyers if it's SAV's and crossovers are auto only, but if it does not offer manual trans 1, 3 and 5 series cars, they are out of their mind.

Plus, if BMW doesn't step up the reliability of their auto transmissions they will be in trouble. Last I heard, DCT transmissions have all the fun of an automatic and the reliability of one as well, which is a double thumbs down.

I would be interested in replacing my wifes current e53 with a new X3 if the reliability proves to be better. We typically buy our BMW's in the secondary market. However, due to overall brand reliability problems, BMW resale values are dropping drastically. Nobody wants to spend new car money on a BMW that is out of warranty because of poor reliability and repair costs. If BMW can right that ship, we may be interested. Otherwise, we will keep our e53 running because we have already taken the depreciation hit, it still looks modern and feels solid, and it will be paid off in a few months.