[volkman10]

Mod Note: Team-BHP's BMW 3-Series Gran Limousine Long Wheelbase Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase to replace 3 GT in India.

Eventual discontinuation of the popular 3 GT prompted BMW to consider LWB version for India
3-series LWB wheelbase is 110mm longer than standard model
India will be the first market to get the right-hand-drive 3 Series LWB

Link

[karan561]

Here are some pictures of the G20 LWB;









I've got mixed feelings about thinking of a LWB 3 series, but you never know it might attract new customers.

About 3GT being discontinued, well that will definitely comeback again as the 4 GT just the way BMW played with the 5GT/6GT.

Now that BMW has announced its plans to please the Indian back seat passenger its time to please the Indian front seat driver with a 6cyl 3 series

[docprashant]

Bringing the 3 LWB can be a game changer for BMW in India. It'd definitely one up itself against the C Class. However, they need to price it in the right territory and not encroach upon the 5er.
I for one would definitely keep my eyes open when this news becomes a reality.

[TusharK]

BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase to replace 3 GT in India - Post moved to a new thread.

[Vid6639]

Will be a very smart move of they do get the LWB 3 series.

Mercedes already has the LWB E class so getting the 5 series LWB will be locking horns with Mercedes which will not be easy.

However the 3 LWB will open up a new segment. But they need to sell both versions.

If they drop the regular wheelbase they will lose the enthusiast customer base which is their bread and butter.

But the LWB option on say a 320d will allow those who are also chauffeur driven or who want more space for a family of 4 and are ready to sacrifice the driving pleasure a little, to now have an option.

[spkrnh]

Its a good move by BMW. This definitely looks more pleasing to to the eye than the 3gt and should sell well.
Hope they next bring the 340i xdrive to compete with s5 and c43.
Sorry for going OT, but if they can develop exclusively for India, lwb 5 series in rhd version like the lwb e-class it will definitely sell better than the 6gt. The 630d gt is excellent to drive compared to merc e350 and better equipped too. I also found the ride better than the e350. But lots of people I know are put off by the looks. Bmw can have the lwb 5 in 520d, 530i and 530d version and the standard wheelbase 5 series in 530i, 540i and 530d versions.

Enclosing a link of the lwb chinese 5 series. https://www.motorshowblog.com/en/5-s...eelbase-china/

[84.monsoon]

3 series LWB could cannibalize their own 5 series sales. It would be 4830 mm long and just 100 mm short of the 5-series' 4936 mm length.

With the same engines available across both the 3-series and the 5-series (except for the 530D) and both cars being built on the CLAR platform with very similar interior designs, it woudl be hard for BMW to differentiate the two.

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

3 series LWB could cannibalize their own 5 series sales. It would be 4830 mm long and just 100 mm short of the 5-series' 4936 mm length.

With the same engines available across both the 3-series and the 5-series (except for the 530D) and both cars being built on the CLAR platform with very similar interior designs, it woudl be hard for BMW to differentiate the two.

They will price this one close to 5 series and actually might help sales of 5 series. Will create a bit of confusion among buyers though.
66L for 330i LWB or 70L for 530i! I am sure many would pickup the latter given its a segment above. Things will get interesting once discounts start pouring in.

[PPS]

3 series LWB has all the makings of a blockbuster move!
But wouldn't it affect the sales of the 5 series assuming this will have more legroom at the rear which primary buyers in this segment prefer?

[GTO]

Intelligent move indeed . I hope the 3-Series regular wheelbase also remains on sale. Then, it remains the choice for those driving themselves (and a cheaper entry point), the 3-Series LWB will be the pick for the chauffeur-driven, while the 5-Series will appeal to both kinds of owners (although the 5-Series' rear legroom sucks).

Most importantly, in the "LWB" battle, the 3-Series LWB will significantly undercut the E-Class LWB. If priced sensibly, it will do really well.

On the downside, I hope it's not such a runaway success vis a vis the regular wheelbase 3-Series that BMW loses interest in the latter. Then, like the E-Class, our market will be flooded with LWB models only.

Originally Posted by PPS

But wouldn't it affect the sales of the 5 series assuming this will have more legroom at the rear which primary buyers in this segment prefer?

As the wise man who brought us the iPod, iPhone & iPad said "if you don't cannibalise yourself, someone else will gladly do it for you" .

[Axe77]

My only gripe with LWB versions in an entry car is this. It doesn't necessarily add to "complete" back seat comfort. My 3 GT is based on the LWB 3. While leg room is indeed great (and the added height adds to comfort), two areas where it falls short in rear comfort are:

1. Angle of backrest (tad too upright and non adjustable); and
2. Underthigh support, which remains underwhelming.

Each of these is fixable specially point 2 even more so. Instead of just showing off empty leg room, if they truly want to offer this as a more comfortable 3 that's cheaper than the 5 / E, then they should strike a good balance between increasing the bench depth, underthigh support etc while utilizing the increased length. And while recline adjustability adds cost, attention should be paid on having a good recline angle on the backrest for better comfort. These are small points that go a long way in significantly improving the rear seat comfort.

[dragracer567]

Perhaps one way to differentiate the LWB and SWB models could be by reserving the SWB just for the 330i in M-sport trimline or maybe even bring in the 330d as well, that way it will remain the enthusiast's car though at a higher price point. This segment badly needed a chauffeur-friendly german car as there was a huge gap between the Superb/Camry and the E-class LWB.

As GTO mentioned, better you cannibalise yourself rather than your competitor! And this will help BMW even surpass Mercedes given the lower price point! Your turn Audi!

[Zinda]

Good move BMW. A well thought move by adding a new segment.
LWB E customers have an option to consider, until they are hung up on E, rather than on LWB

This also shows how well BMW is leveraging it's Platforms.
Speaking of Audi - going by their insipid launches in last 2 years, I am sure they will "kill" the competition by launching the A6 with 1.0 TSi (of Polo). The tagline may be:"spacious bhi, Kifayati (frugality) bhi"

[1.2TSI7DSG]

Effect of the success of the E LWB?

I doubt the 3 series customer will be interested in a long wheelbase version. The entire premise of a rowdy fun to drive 3 series will get diluted. While there is no competitor in the segment at all and the 3 would be a class of its own, (CLA/C class don't inspire me; Audi is dead; Jag is a niche market; Volvo doesn't have the brand presence), I would actually think of how would i maintain the driver's car image for the BMW. With Gawdy grills I don't think it will remain so in the 5 years too come without a focused approach.

[jayguar]

This is good news. I had always wondered what was stopping them from launching the long wheel base version before the 3 GT launched. Not everyone are fans of the 3 GT design. So with a same engine options and little more comfort than the regular 3 without compromising much on the driving dynamics, the 3 series li should bring in sales as much as the 3 GT if not more. According to the BMW China website, the long wheelbase is available in 325li and 330li.