What is your favorite BMW they did NOT sell in the United States?

Fritzer · 08-04-2021, 10:38 PM

There is a sort of mysticism to what you don't, or can't rather, have. I always felt that with the models or body styles of cars made in Europe, BMWs especially. Think of cars like the Audi RS2, any M5 Touring, etc.

I think for me, it would have to be the 1 series hatchbacks. The E81/E87 chassis designations in particular, the first generation. I think a E81 135is would be one of the coolest BMW cars made. Or even a 1M hatch. They would have almost been able to make it a 10 year anniversary of the Z3M clownshoe when the 1M was launched.

Frostynorth · 08-04-2021, 10:49 PM

Probably the E61 M5.

Though the 1 series hatchbacks are great, a rear wheel drive GTI.

IllSic_Design · 08-04-2021, 10:50 PM

E46 CSL

Fritzer · 08-04-2021, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frostynorth

Probably the E61 M5.

Though the 1 series hatchbacks are great, a rear wheel drive GTI.

Hands down one of the best, love it!

SunnyD · 08-04-2021, 11:00 PM

CSL and M3 GTS

..Rush.. · 08-05-2021, 12:52 AM

Yeah, hatchbacks and shooting brakes seem to be more popular in Europe versus the US. I've always wondered why...

ppointer · 08-05-2021, 06:08 AM

Easy for me. Any 335i wagon with MT. Would have bought one a decade ago. Would buy one today. I would even take an AT 3 series wagon today if that were possible, as long as I could get an I6. M3 wagon, too

DanG · 08-05-2021, 08:27 AM

I have two. The Z1 and the 1 series. A close second is the E36 M3 that was sold in Europe. It has 100 hp more than the US version.

TheoIam · 08-05-2021, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG

A close second is the E36 M3 that was sold in Europe. It has 100 hp more than the US version.

This as in the past I have owned both an E36 and E46 M3. I know the Euro E36 engine is the precursor to the S54 but I can only imagine the E36 go cart like chassis with an S54 style engine.

There have been a few on BaT since the 25yo rule is starting to include them but not sure I would pay the premium at this point on that old a car.

taek · 08-05-2021, 11:01 AM

Would have bought a 545e if it was available in the states.

dutchm2 · 08-05-2021, 03:15 PM

Many say that the F20 M140i would be a wanted car!

The pocket rocket as i call it

original 340 HP / currently with MHD Stage 1 aprox. 420 HP

erickonphoenix · 08-05-2021, 03:26 PM

I'd love the M340 Touring but a buddy of mine in Germany said they're Audi S class money so I probably couldn't afford it even if they did.

But if they did, I'd love to see if the wagon phobic Texas market would depress resale enough to get it in my price range.

dutchm2 · 08-05-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

I'd love the M340 Touring but a buddy of mine in Germany said they're Audi S class money so I probably couldn't afford it even if they did.

But if they did, I'd love to see if the wagon phobic Texas market would depress resale enough to get it in my price range.

What's your ride erickonphoenix ?

N8N · 08-05-2021, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppointer

Easy for me. Any 335i wagon with MT. Would have bought one a decade ago. Would buy one today. I would even take an AT 3 series wagon today if that were possible, as long as I could get an I6. M3 wagon, too

I'm right there with you, but I'd rather have a 335**D** xdrive wagon with MT. Did they even make one though? Or were all the D's automatic?

erickonphoenix · 08-05-2021, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joao.toscano

What's your ride erickonphoenix ?

plain ole 328iT, the only version I could get over here.

Looking more and more like I'll be migrating to a 440 GC next go around unless the Audi RS6 Avant's start depreciating substantially in three years.

dutchm2 · 08-05-2021, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

plain ole 328iT, the only version I could get over here.

Looking more and more like I'll be migrating to a 440 GC next go around unless the Audi RS6 Avant's start depreciating substantially in three years.

Hope that regardless where you're going you can stay with the BMW family!

tom @ eas · 08-05-2021, 04:06 PM

E46 M3 GTR

F32Fleet · 08-05-2021, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritzer

There is a sort of mysticism to what you don't, or can't rather, have. I always felt that with the models or body styles of cars made in Europe, BMWs especially. Think of cars like the Audi RS2, any M5 Touring, etc.

I think for me, it would have to be the 1 series hatchbacks. The E81/E87 chassis designations in particular, the first generation. I think a E81 135is would be one of the coolest BMW cars made. Or even a 1M hatch. They would have almost been able to make it a 10 year anniversary of the Z3M clownshoe when the 1M was launched.

I saw one of these at a restaurant we frequent. It had diplomatic plates (Mexico).

Anyways my favorite car but shipped to US is M3 Wagon.

Fritzer · 08-05-2021, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

I saw one of these at a restaurant we frequent. It had diplomatic plates (Mexico).

Anyways my favorite car but shipped to US is M3 Wagon.

Used to see them once in a blue moon with Mexico plates in San Diego.

There is one person who owns a legally US titled E87 in Florida. It was grey market imported as "Household Items" in a storage container from Scotland. Talked with him about buying it off him, it's right hand drive. I think there were a few small car blog posts about it. There is a N54 swapped into it now, but it was rear ended pretty badly. Would have needed considerable body work. Lost his number, maybe I could find it but I found it in a very obscure way. Not sure if I would even buy it if I could find it considering the damage.

Darth One · 08-05-2021, 04:45 PM

This is a thread where the answer should be right in the title: "What is your favorite BMW not sold in the US and why is it the E46 M3 CSL?"

Fritzer · 08-06-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Pretty much what was already mentioned:

E46 CSL
E61 M5 Touring

I'll also say E30 M3 Convertible and I'm assuming there were some cool Alpina's we didn't get.

True, we miss out on about 95% of the Alpina line up. Seriously.

SteveinArizona · 08-06-2021, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taek

Would have bought a 545e if it was available in the states.

+1

08-04-2021, 10:38 PM	#1
Fritzer No one sleep in Tokyo 990 Rep 1,533 Posts Drives: E90s, E91s, F31s, F80, F87, G82 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Tejas iTrader: (3)	What is your favorite BMW they did NOT sell in the United States? There is a sort of mysticism to what you don't, or can't rather, have. I always felt that with the models or body styles of cars made in Europe, BMWs especially. Think of cars like the Audi RS2, any M5 Touring, etc. I think for me, it would have to be the 1 series hatchbacks. The E81/E87 chassis designations in particular, the first generation. I think a E81 135is would be one of the coolest BMW cars made. Or even a 1M hatch. They would have almost been able to make it a 10 year anniversary of the Z3M clownshoe when the 1M was launched.
	Appreciate 1 thegrinchboy78.00 Tweet Quote

08-04-2021, 10:49 PM	#2
Frostynorth Weirdo 578 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Middle of nowhere iTrader: (0)	Probably the E61 M5. Though the 1 series hatchbacks are great, a rear wheel drive GTI.
	Appreciate 1 scostu1629.00 Quote

08-04-2021, 10:50 PM	#3
IllSic_Design Colonel 2113 Rep 2,759 Posts Drives: 12 E92 328i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	E46 CSL
	Appreciate 4 Fritzer990.00 Germanauto9379.00 Darth One6466.00 Vivek.1362.50 Quote

08-04-2021, 11:00 PM	#5
SunnyD Major 531 Rep 1,401 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (1)	CSL and M3 GTS __________________ '11 ///M3 E90 ZCP \| DCT '06 ///M5 \| SMG - Gone '98 ///M3 \| 5MT - Gone '07 ///M Coupe \| 6MT - Gone
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2021, 12:52 AM	#6
..Rush.. Captain 974 Rep 928 Posts Drives: AW E88 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, hatchbacks and shooting brakes seem to be more popular in Europe versus the US. I've always wondered why...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2021, 06:08 AM	#7
ppointer Major 1180 Rep 1,296 Posts Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: FLL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 528i [8.60] 2022 BMW 540i [0.75] 2008 Infiniti QX56 [5.00] 1967 Chevrolet Corv ... [10.00] 2012 BMW 335i [8.29] 2001 M Roadster [10.00] 2012 BMW 335is [7.93] 2013 BMW M3 Vert [9.67]	Easy for me. Any 335i wagon with MT. Would have bought one a decade ago. Would buy one today. I would even take an AT 3 series wagon today if that were possible, as long as I could get an I6. M3 wagon, too
	Appreciate 2 thegrinchboy78.00 scostu1629.00 Quote

08-05-2021, 08:27 AM	#8
DanG Major General 11902 Rep 7,330 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [8.01]	I have two. The Z1 and the 1 series. A close second is the E36 M3 that was sold in Europe. It has 100 hp more than the US version.
	Appreciate 2 Fritzer990.00 Vivek.1362.50 Quote

08-05-2021, 11:01 AM	#10
taek Lieutenant 297 Rep 465 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Would have bought a 545e if it was available in the states.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2021, 03:15 PM	#11
dutchm2 Lieutenant Colonel 2655 Rep 1,935 Posts Drives: BMW M... Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW F87 M2 [9.83] 2017 BMW M140i [9.50] 2012 BMW 120i M 3d [10.00]	Many say that the F20 M140i would be a wanted car! The pocket rocket as i call it original 340 HP / currently with MHD Stage 1 aprox. 420 HP __________________ ....Life is too short to drive boring cars F87 Coupé M2 LCI DCT BMW F20 M140i gone \| BMW E81 120i UA71 gone
	Appreciate 6 erickonphoenix2303.50 Fritzer990.00 IllSic_Design2112.50 Capt Canuck708.00 M5Rick79006.50 S1nner165.00 Quote

08-05-2021, 03:26 PM	#12
erickonphoenix Captain 2304 Rep 748 Posts Drives: F31 Gray 328xi, G20 330i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pearland, TX iTrader: (0)	I'd love the M340 Touring but a buddy of mine in Germany said they're Audi S class money so I probably couldn't afford it even if they did. But if they did, I'd love to see if the wagon phobic Texas market would depress resale enough to get it in my price range. __________________
	Appreciate 1 dutchm22655.00 Quote

08-05-2021, 04:06 PM	#17
tom @ eas General 9077 Rep 19,299 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (19) Garage List 2018 BMW i3s [5.00] 2010 BMW M3 [6.50] 2015 BMW M4 [6.20]	E46 M3 GTR __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2021, 04:45 PM	#20
Darth One drunk poster 6466 Rep 3,648 Posts Drives: M4 GTS \| E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	This is a thread where the answer should be right in the title: "What is your favorite BMW not sold in the US and why is it the E46 M3 CSL?"
	Appreciate 2 IllSic_Design2112.50 Vivek.1362.50 Quote