[CEF_Beasts]

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 Gran Limousine to launch in India on 21st January 2021.



It gets a 110mm long wheelbase than the regular 3 series.

[Venkatesh]

The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine, essentially the long-wheelbase version of BMW 3 Series, will launch on January 21, 2021.



Along with the longer wheelbase length – 110mm to be precise, the 3 Series Gran Limousine is also 120mm longer than the standard model, and slightly taller. The longer wheelbase liberates an extra 43mm of legroom for the rear passengers.

Engine options are also expected to be shared between the standard and long-wheelbase 3 Series. A 258hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit are expected to be available with the Gran Limousine.

Gran Limousine will also be priced higher than the current 3 Series, which retails between Rs 42.30-49.30 lakh ex-showroom.

Source

[GTO]

Nice . The long-wheelbase E-Class was a master stroke by Mercedes in a segment above. If BMW prices & equips this well, the 3-Series could become the default choice for chauffeur driven owners. There is nothing more painful than seeing a chauffeur-driven rich dude sitting uncomfortably on the backseat of a cramped C-Class.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by GTO

If BMW prices & equips this well, the 3-Series could become the default choice for chauffeur driven owners.

Definitely a downer for existing 3 series owners like me. As GTO mentions, (and if BMW prices it well) I foresee legions of chauffeured seth-log, baba-log & kitty party crowd significantly lowering the current exclusivity of the G20. So far in BLR, I have seen exactly 2 other (G20) 330i since mid-June .

Apart from that, I welcome the move!

Mind you, chauffeurs will need to be careful about beaching the 3 especially with a full load. I have managed with care so far, but it is touch-and-go on sharper high profile speedbreakers.

[Sahil]

Superb move by BMW. Of course, we have MBIL to thank for this as they were the first movers. Nonetheless brave move by BMW as they will be canabalising the 5er big time while under cutting the E to give it a run for its money too.

I expect india to become like the China market, all luxury German cars will be offered in LWB in the future. Audi better wake up and join this party too. MBIL will counter with the next C in LWB is my hunch. Or better yet they might launch the A class sedan in LWB to counter earlier.
Let the games begin!

[Axe77]

Great move in concept and kudos on the decision. A car like this threatens to cannibalise the base 3 series as well as the 5 series. But then, better to retain a customer in the same showroom than to lose him to the adjoining one.

LWB alone is not enough. With my experience with the LWB based 3 GT, I would only add two things:

1. Make sure the seat is a little deeper for better underthigh support.
2. Make sure the seat recline is set such / is adjustable to ensure its not uncomfortably upright.

These two factors are critical for the LWB to deliver the comfort that they aim to provide. The 3 GT frankly failed on both these aspects.

[Vid6639]

This is probably the smart thing to do and will do far better than the 3GT they were unsuccessfully peddling to customers.

As Sahil mentioned, BMW's biggest issue will be killing the 5 series with this. The only reason to buy the 5 would be the 530D else the 330i and 320d will be better than the 5 series with same motors.

This will hurt Mercedes the most. From the segment, it was clear the C class was the luxury chauffeur driven option amongst buyers and the 3 was the self drive performance oriented.

With the LWB, suddenly chauffeur driven owners will start looking at the 3 series over the C class.

[CARDEEP]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

This is probably the smart thing to do and will do far better than the 3GT they were unsuccessfully peddling to customers.

As Sahil mentioned, BMW's biggest issue will be killing the 5 series with this. The only reason to buy the 5 would be the 530D else the 330i and 320d will be better than the 5 series with same motors.

This will hurt Mercedes the most. From the segment, it was clear the C class was the luxury chauffeur driven option amongst buyers and the 3 was the self drive performance oriented.

With the LWB, suddenly chauffeur driven owners will start looking at the 3 series over the C class.

IMO this is directly positioned against E-Class LWB. I doubt it may affect 5-Series sales as the segment has little to do with underpowered engines, rather snob value, which a lower segment vehicle doesn't possess.

[dragracer567]

The only thing I would complain about is the name. "Grand Limousine" sounds extremely cheezy! Perhaps just name them 320 Ld and 330 Li like the 7 series.

I wonder what's stopping Audi from bringing in the A6 L as well!

[Big Smoke]

From what I speculate, this longer 3 series would actually eat away sales from the Skoda Superb.

You see, customers who are looking for a chauffeur driven car less than 50 lakhs have no choice apart from C-Class, 3 Series or Superb. And it was a no-brainer to pick the Superb (barring used car option).

So now even if the longer 3 series retails for about 55 lakhs (max.), the Skoda Superb has serious competition.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

From what I speculate, this longer 3 series would actually eat away sales from the Skoda Superb.

You see, customers who are looking for a chauffeur driven car less than 50 lakhs have no choice apart from C-Class, 3 Series or Superb. And it was a no-brainer to pick the Superb (barring used car option).

So now even if the longer 3 series retails for about 55 lakhs (max.), the Skoda Superb has serious competition.

Good point, but i dont think this will affect the Superb as much as it will wake up Toyota to price the Camry better/closer to the Superb now. The reason the Camry could be priced where it is currently is because there was a large gap between the Superb and 3;which didn't offer much rear space. Now the game has changed and I hope Toyota wakes up as the small number of sale that they had could also vanish.

I hope BMW significantly improves the under thigh support for the rear seat now that there is a lot more legroom on offer. Germans have always skimmed on the rear seat under tigh support to make the legroom look more. I don't think the E LWB did a great job with this either, the under thigh support is yet inadequate and the seat bottom cushion could have been longer/bigger.

Can we expect the facelift 5 series to also come in LWB?

[sgm]

Originally Posted by Axe77

LWB alone is not enough. With my experience with the LWB based 3 GT, I would only add two things:

1. Make sure the seat is a little deeper for better underthigh support.
2. Make sure the seat recline is set such / is adjustable to ensure its not uncomfortably upright.

These two factors are critical for the LWB to deliver the comfort that they aim to provide. The 3 GT frankly failed on both these aspects.

BMW should also add the following comfort features
1) Lumbar support for front seats
2) Rear and side curtains sun shades (this was present in F30 but removed in G20)

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by sgm

BMW should also add the following comfort features
1) Lumbar support for front seats
2) Rear and side curtains sun shades (this was present in F30 but removed in G20)

Good points, also add:
1. Cooled seats (why not?)
2. Smart armrest with media controls
3. Rear headrest displays
4. Reclining seats

That will make it a perfect vehicle.

[Sahil]

Here is a pic of the real BIG change

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Here is a pic of the real BIG change

A BIG sunroof . Excellent, will make the interiors look much more airy.