Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerMat135
The F31 is offered in mid spec model as the E61 was. So if they change their mind the 540i/540d(euro 530d) in x-drive spec are the most likely to be seen. But as the next M5 will probably be awd anyway they could make a M5 wagon to compete directly with the E63 wagon and bring it to our market.
|
They could, but they won't. Reason being $$$ which is why they haven't in the past.
The US requires full crash tests and emission certifications for each chassis, each engine, each drivetrain. So for a car that comes in multiple engine specs and multiple drivetrains, that's enormous cost for something BMW doesn't think will sell well here in the states. So they either just don't do it or pick a spec that they think will sell the best and get only that version of the car crash tested and certified.
Not to say we can't make them sell us what we want. In the early 90s BMW had no plan to sell the e36 M3 in the US, however, after a formal petition by the BMW CCA, they caved and brought it over - though nerfed and with plastic headlights, but they did it. Nothing's impossible.