Exclusive photos of the new BMW all USA customers will envy

This new BMW 5 Series long wheelbase is gonna hurt Lexus LS460 sales.

No doubt.

houstoncutie, what about the all new BMW 7-Series coming out in 2008, will that car be nicer than Lexus?

Cutie, why don't you just make a bullet point list of all the reasons why you love the LS460 over all other cars.

One thing is for sure and that is the Lexus exterior colors can't come close to being as cool as the 15 Bentley colors for the Continental GTC.

http://www.bentleymotors.com/Corporate/display.aspx?websiteid=2&langid=2&cpflgs=1111&marketid=1&infid=79

I have to stop reading houtoncutie's posts. I spend more time trying to figure out what it is trying to say.

Once again a blind-sided comment of someone that can't get their head out of a Lexus tailpipe.

At least Will can do that. :)

Agreed. In China, Audi already sells a LWB version of their A6.

that is correct, and they also offer it in 2.0 turbo engine size, at least that is what one of our vendors told us when they pick us up at the airport.

Actually, I was just eyeing the photos of the new 530Li and it doesn't look like there's more room for anyone in the back seat than it does now. Looks to me like they justed added an entertainment system and more gadgetry stuff in it. Interior doesn't look better than an LS460.

Here's a quick question for the knowledgeable among us:

Why did the switch the letter order from iL to Li ? I remember the old 7er's used to be 740iL, and now the new ones are 750Li.

They switched to match the other lines. 325ci, 325xi, etc. oh yeah and the wonderful 318ti-lol

Attention BMWUSA -
pls bring this long wheelbase 5er to the US market, you'd sell a lot of them, especially in "x" AWD guise. You could make the Chinese-market executive pampering info-tainment and beverage cooler setup optional however.

The current 5 is just not roomy enough in back.


Please, please, please sell it here.

Also, what's the answer to jeffy210's question - I thought the change was strange too.

Perhaps with the 5 series mid-cycle refresh?

Will, in time, when the LA auto show begins.

And of course BMW use the cheap plastic on their dashes.

530Li OK
But who wants to see the 5 series in long wheel base.That 5 series's design suits on compact dimensions.
Streched one will just look like a compromise.

BTW it will do fine in the rich part of Asia.In China and Arab regions mainly.

JUGNU

I could never envy a car as ugly as the 5er! I could a 6-series though...That probbably explains why I bought one!

I still agree that if you want to buy a long wheelbase car it needs to be in the S-Class, A8, 7 Series class. Even if they took those ugly seats from the space shuttle out it wouldn't have the overall amazingly luxurious feel and look that the 7 has.

I just don't see it.

This 5 is nice, but the standard wheelbase 5 is more suiting to its charachter.

The 7 should be the only "long" car in the model line up.

I'd rather take the 7 series over a LWB 5.
I agree with MDalle, it cheapens the look of the car and the 5 series is NOT meant to be a "being driven around" car.
Bring it to America, and it will NOT sell IMO.

I don't like the seats at all...

The answer is simple: 7er is too expensive for Chinese market.

Audi & BMW produce A4/A6 & 3er/5er in China. Other their models (incl 7er & A8) are imported and therefore VERY expensive due import taxes. Too expensive for Chinese market.

But the models produced in China are relatively affordable.

So Audi & now BMW react to demand for LWB executive sedans (A6, 5er) by offering such vehicles.

Best selling Audi in China is A6 LWB by far. Also Audi (YTD 66k units) outsales BMW (YTD 29k units) & MB (18k units) due having better dealer network (eg 120 Audi vs 60 BMW vs 71 MB), and A6 having a status of official governmental vehicle.

BMW hope 5er LWB will contribute very much to much higher sales in China, while MB hopes to outsell BMW in two years with a help of local produced E-class & new C-class. But MB will not offer LWB E-class ...

Is it true that "all USA customers will envy" this ugly car? I don't believe so.