Key Takeaways
- BMW is considering the M3 Touring for US introduction, but only with the next generation.
- The M5 Touring’s sales in the US will determine if the M3 Touring is worth homologating for America.
- M5 Touring will get a roof rack that can handle 186 mph.
- M2 is the most popular model for M Performance upgrades.
It was just over four years ago when BMW began teasing the M3 Touring for the first time, and ever since, Americans have been clamoring for it. A petition was started in September 2020 and gained plenty of momentum through 2021, but even with over 49,000 signatures by the middle of 2022, BMW was steadfast in its decision not to send the longroof M3 to our shores.
Interestingly, it was a similar communal effort that saw the Audi RS6 Avant introduced to the North American market in recent years. Speaking of, a direct rival to the current RS6 wagon is the new M5 Touring, which will be sold in America, and if it does well, says Vice President of BMW Product Management Andreas Meyer, the M3 Touring could soon follow. Editor-at-Large Jared Rosenholtz was on the ground at Monterey Car Week this past weekend, and he got the following comment from the executive:
“[The] current M3 Touring is already in its life cycle, so it would be very unlikely that we bring it to the US, but if [the] M5 Touring does well enough, maybe the next generation [of the M3 Touring] could come [to America].”
– Andreas Meyer, BMW Vice President of Product Management Americas
Why The G81 M3 Can’t Come To America, And Why Its Replacement Could
BMW’s argument for not offering the M3 wagon to Americans is that it would be simply too costly to homologate this singular model with its very specific buyer type. Although it shares most of its componentry and design with the M3 Sedan that is already sold in America, the processes to make a car legal for sale in America (including crash evaluations and emissions tests) must be followed with a new chassis design and body style, and with no US-spec non-M 3 Series Touring to help spread these costs, the M3 Touring would have been way overpriced. BMW wasn’t even certain that the M3 Touring would be a hit in Europe, so risking it in America was always off the cards.
Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.
Related
America’s First-Ever BMW M5 Wagon Is A 717-HP Beast
The first-ever BMW M5 Touring in America has finally arrived. Is it worth the weight?
With BMW now positive that European customers are happy to purchase high-performance wagons, it can try to steal American sales from Audi with the M5 Touring, targeting an existing customer base rather than hoping to attract buyers to a new niche with the M3 Touring, but America is still an uncertain market. It was no doubt costly to make the M5 wagon legal in America, and BMW wants to be sure that it’s just as popular as X5 M and X6 M SUVs. If it is, the automaker may be willing to design the next M3 Touring with America (and American safety regulations) in mind from the start. Because the next M3 Touring is likely to be electric, this should be relatively easy.
Other Interesting News From BMW M
The conversation soon turned to the present and the near future, with Meyer telling us that the M5 Touring will get a roof rack that can withstand speeds of up to 186 mph. The system will be supplied by a third party but will be available to order through BMW. Speaking of accessories, Meyer also told us that the M2 has now overtaken the M4 as “the best car for M accessories.” This is the first time that the M2 has been available with such extensive cosmetic upgrades through the M Performance Parts catalog, and buyers of the G87 have embraced the tuner lifestyle by modifying their cars with as many off-the-shelf upgrades as possible. It seems that despite negative reactions to certain styling decisions, the house of BMW M is stronger than ever.
Related
Ultimate Wagon Showdown: BMW M5 Touring Vs. Audi RS6 Performance
The Bavarian super-wagon showdown you’ve always dreamed of.
