5 Series (G30/G31/G38) BMW 5 Series (G30/31/32) Spy Pics & Info Discussion

[SCOTT27]

I'm not even amused anymore by the claims like "it doesn't sell well in US, so it must be a shitty product". It's a global product. Some markets like it more than others. It's a fact.

And it's not a dud either. Some other, even cheaper or more attractive models, sell in much lesser or similar annual figures.

Eg. the annual worldwide sales figures for 5er GT (20-25k per year) are approx. on the same level as annual worldwide sales figures of:

- 2er Coupe,
- 2er Cabrio,
- the whole 6er family in total (all 3 variants: Coupe + Cabrio + GC),

and much higher than eg Z4 sales figures.

While 3er GT sales numbers are even better; and so are eg, the sales numbers of X4 (58k in 2016) & X6 (43k in 2016).

Those are niche cars. Don't expect annual sales figures in 100+k units area.

Yes the 5er GT is not considered as volume so it accounted for 10% of total global 5er sales (F10) is the average expected. However in the first few years it exceeded that percentage settling down through its age to around 10% its stability helped by the introduction of M Sport and the more accessible 520d.

The 3er GT was also at an expected 10% of total 3er units but has exceeded this by 20-25% of total 3er units.
What is also unexpected that there was a new customer base to the 5er GT and BMW.
The same goes for the 3er GT it has a popular market in Europe as customers are used to fastback cars and the premium ability to own a hatchback model such as the BMW 3er GT.

Whilst most cars work in nearly all markets. Not all of them work another example is the Mercedes-Benz R-Klasse.
It found its niche and was a best seller in China as was the 5er Gran Turismo which is seen as a more opulent choice than the 5er Li. Which has now been replaced.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

What is also unexpected that there was a new customer base to the 5er GT and BMW.

The clinically insane?

By far the worse BMW I've ever driven. And I've had the misfortune of driving the 2er Gran Tourer.

All this talk of niches and sales figures is completely soul destroying to people who care about the BMW name. How does the marketing department calculate the damage it's doing to the brand? I guess that's irrelevant as long as it's selling in China, eh?

 

[SCOTT27]

You missed the point of the GT if you think it was a drivers car.
Yes there was some dynamic elements but its main selling point was its interior and it's first class environment and more noticeable refinement to accompany that environment. In essence it was more 7er than 5er.
It was a concept to address the ageing driver in regards to driving position and passenger and cabin ambience. It was also meant to address the customer base that did not want an SUV. That is where it's success lies. Unfortunately since 2009 the customer demographic today just wants luxury SUVs.

 

[Rolf]

I am sure a LWB 5-series will be a better seller in China than the 5 GT, the Chinese seem to be in love with LWB saloons, even the 3-series and C-class come in LWB form over there.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

You missed the point of the GT if you think it was a drivers car.

I never said it was a driver's car.

However, it did drive like an oil tanker. Fuel consumption was much worse than a standard 5er. It's a solution searching for a problem.

 

[chonkoa]

The clinically insane?

By far the worse BMW I've ever driven. And I've had the misfortune of driving the 2er Gran Tourer.

All this talk of niches and sales figures is completely soul destroying to people who care about the BMW name. How does the marketing department calculate the damage it's doing to the brand? I guess that's irrelevant as long as it's selling in China, eh?

We won't understand the ways of BMW because we do not have "emotional mobility"

 

[chonkoa]

You missed the point of the GT if you think it was a drivers car.
Yes there was some dynamic elements but its main selling point was its interior and it's first class environment and more noticeable refinement to accompany that environment. In essence it was more 7er than 5er.
It was a concept to address the ageing driver in regards to driving position and passenger and cabin ambience. It was also meant to address the customer base that did not want an SUV. That is where it's success lies. Unfortunately since 2009 the customer demographic today just wants luxury SUVs.

Do we miss the point because we don't have emotional mobility?

 

[Matski]

We won't understand the ways of BMW because we do not have "emotional mobility"

Do we miss the point because we don't have emotional mobility?

I thought you were just joking at first, seems these two words really are a bit too difficult for you.

 

[SCOTT27]

Looks like the red pens are coming out...

 

[EnI]

An invasion of the agents provocateur.

 

[klier]

Ok name a country that this car was popular. It was very slow selling in the US, only 3000 to 4000 cars or less a year and the price was less than the 6-series I am sure. It looks plain ugly and even this new version ain't no beauty queen, they should rather have created a similar concept to the Audi A7 and 4 GC, sports hatch, then that is more deserving of the 6 series badge.

That badge argument is getting old. We all agree it should be named 5er but alas..

Plain ugly is in the eye of the beholder, the form follows it's function and it's a true spacious and luxurious continent cruiser. Great for the executive who needs space and comfort. And great for being driven in too. This new G30 based version will be excellent; it'll learn from past mistakes (meaning listening to current buyer input/complaints) and expand on the strenghts of the current 5er GT.

And when you want to see a lot of them, come visit western Europe. They're everywhere.

 

[hovabongZA]

The 6 series GT is one BMW I don't mind the MB stans attacking, I encourage it ,doesn't deserve the BMW badge or 6 series name at all. It's indefensible and the CLAR platform will be wasted on it it should have gotten the 2 series GT FWD platform.

 

[Rainer271]

Upcoming BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo spotted on the Autobahn

 

[Matski]

The 6 series GT is one BMW I don't mind the MB stans attacking, I encourage it ,doesn't deserve the BMW badge or 6 series name at all. It's indefensible and the CLAR platform will be wasted on it it should have gotten the 2 series GT FWD platform.

Gotta disagree with this. Sensible conversations can be had about both the positioning and engineering of the car whichever side of the fence you're on... but please, let's not invite the same old streaming torrent of valueless diarrhetic shit from the same old users into yet another thread... it's not good for the forum.

 

[EnI]

More a whale than a shark.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Plain ugly is in the eye of the beholder, the form follows it's function and it's a true spacious and luxurious continent cruiser. Great for the executive who needs space and comfort. And great for being driven in too.

Upcoming BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo spotted on the Autobahn

Looks better and sleeker than the 5GT.

Plain ugly is in the eye of the beholder, the form follows it's function and it's a true spacious and luxurious continent cruiser. Great for the executive who needs space and comfort. And great for being driven in too.

Yes, agreed 100 pro.

 

[Merc1]

So is the 8-Series replacing the 6-Series or is BMW going to have both? The 5GT becomes the 6GT, but what about the rest of the 6er models?

M

 

[Betty Swollocks]

So is the 8-Series replacing the 6-Series or is BMW going to have both? The 5GT becomes the 6GT, but what about the rest of the 6er models?

M

The 8 Series is replacing the 6 Series in spirit. If a 6 Series Coupe comes it will be a much sportier vehicle, like a 911, rather than a GT car (as far as I understand it).

 

[maragulon]

I just hope the 8 series will have the V12...

 

[domleo999]

I just hope the 8 series will have the V12...

It has to! an M8 with a killer V8, and a M860i with a V12 will be perfect.

I wonder how they will price the 8 series...will it be close to the current 6 series or far above?