Nice read A-dude. I agree with all your points except one. While the lesser popularity of the wagon may get you a good deal when buying, it's a wash because it works against you on the resale side.

Question: Are you saying the wheel offset for the wagon is different than the sedan?

Touring is the same offset as sedan. X models are different than non-X, whether touring or sedan.

The note is that currently we only get the touring model in an X version.

I guess I'm not apart of the free world because i have seen some wagons( I hate calling them that) That made me take more than a second look. I mean they were what i would call an excellent expression of the cool factor. They had beautiful wheels, darkened windows, and that don't mess with me look. Having said that if it were my choice and knowing that i have a decision to make in the very near future because the 4 and 50 is about up, i would get a 535d wagon at the drop of a hat.

Problem is; it doesn't look like BMW is going to make that choice possible stateside.

the 535xi starts at $54k, for that money, i would be more interested in the x5 3.0... imho.

Leaving aside the options and buildup, which of these E70 3.0 features and benefits is most attractive compared to the 535xi Touring? ;)

The 40 hp reduction?
The benefit of not having to decide manual or automatic?
The lack of a power tailgate?
The 6 mm (.25") of additional headroom?
The 400 kg (880 lb) of additional road-hugging weight?
The 2.2 additional seconds it takes to get to 60 mph?
The 8-12% additional fuel consumption?

Seriously, there are a couple of real E70 benefits:

The trailer-towing capability
The 100-120 litres of additional luggage space
Not having to explain to your friends that you drive a touring

The comparison will get a lot closer when the twin turbo 3.0 gets to the E70, but for a driver's car, the 535 has to come out on top. No explaining public opinion, as people are convinced that SUVs are cool, and station wagons aren't. Europe figured it out.

All in fun, I like the E53, the E70, and the E83. I just think more people should at least consider the benefits of a 535xiT over an E70 before making their purchase.

:iagree: 100%

What part of twin-turbo, european delivery, three pedal, 800 over invoice, more space and 26 MPG don't you understand? :confused: :nanana:

+1 on JCL's post.

I'm male.
I'm heterosexual.
I have no kids.
I'm not a chauffeur.
I plan on having sex again before I die.


:nanana:


;)

see my last post.

:)