[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by BenTrovato

Wagons were always ugly. It's only been a decade or so where the styling has been ramped up to the point where the e91 is a stunning machine. It will take some time to reverse the stigma of the 1994 "wagon" in people's minds:

The Caprice sedan of that era was even worse. Ugly is what it is, and many wagons are NOT ugly. Slap some of that fake bark on an E92 and see how lovely it isn't.

This is not ugly:

http://youtu.be/EITP6q85dAI

I have nearly always had wagons\hatches as my daily drivers, I have no use for sedans with tiny little trunks. If I am going to be impractical I will drive my coupe or one of my convertibles, Alfa Romeo GTV-6, Alfa Romeo Spider, and Triumph Spitfire, respectively. Otherwise it is the Swedish Brick (Volvo 945) or the 328iT once it arrives on these shores.

I wish the 328iT was more of a wagon, but it is enough added utility for what I will use it for. Ever tried to get 50TB of SAN in and out of a trunk? What use would the extra height of an X3 serve, other than to ruin the handling and worsen the economy? It's not like ANYONE is ever going to take one they own off-roading.

[JaysBlueE92]

as others have stated the weak NA engine is a big reason you don't see as many e91s here. I've always had a soft spot for wagons, but am even more interested in the debut of the X1

[rpiopio]

I too love wagons, but when I was young, my carpool mom took us to school in this:



It took me a while to like wagons...but I'm way over it now. I'm currently looking at a MT 328i brass-hat on the lot.

[Gregxi]

My brother inlaw has Volvo wagons and loves them. I would opt for a 3 or 5 series instead. but my wife loves her 4runner... me not so much.

The big 3 ruined the wagon in the states. They once looked cool, like this one.

[Hops128i]

However these vehicles got coined in the beginning, it's completely backwards. It makes much more sense to call the one which handles poorly, is very boxy, not as technically advanced roadwise, and sits high up a 'wagon'. And vehicle which is more fun to drive (sport), easier to handle in parking garages, easier to load a roof rack (utility), a SUV.

Somewhere on bimmerpost there's a M3 wagon someone converted. I'm totally baffled how someone would think it invokes a pedestrian, home maker image.

[tracygroom]

To me, the three series wagon is far better looking and better handling then any SUV (BMW or otherwise) or minivan I've ever driven, but, yes, Americans prefer the latter. Here in Portland there are quite a few three or five series wagons, but, of course, not nearly as many as those SUVs and minivans.

[tracygroom]

I love the pictures of the American wagons above. My dad owned a '66 Pontiac Catalina for 20 years.
Then there's that Pinto wagon... It competed with the Vega for the worst American car ever made.

[vjs]

According to Car and Driver, the cargo space of the BMW E91 is about 25%larger than the Infiniti EX35 and about the same as the Infiniti FX35.

The EX and FX weigh 200 and 600 lbs more respectively than the E91 and they are 4 and 13 inches longer than the BMW sport wagon.

I was considering the EX and FX but when I see their size disadvantage, the BMW seems like the clear value. Better gas mileage also for the BMW.

The Infinitis are nice vehicles and may be a tad faster than the BMW but the BMW rides lower and should handle better.

I wish a dealer near me had a new E91 on their lot to test drive. I am leaning towards the BMW the more that I research this.

Their exclusivity makes them attractive.

[vjs]

Do any dealerships have new E91s on their lots?

[jt335i]

Back in the 1970's, my mom had a 1973 Ford LTD wagon similar to this.
I was just a child back then, but I do remember riding in it, especially the long road trip from Virginia to Florida one summer.



It was a nice car and had a comfortable ride. That's all I remember. but I agree to what others have said.
It's popularity has dwindled since the 1970s as a result of many factors like U.S. culture and space, size, and power, but one of the big factors was the first introduction of the mini-van in 1984 by Chrysler and then followed by the SUV in the late 80's and early 90s.
Families these days have more things to lug around so they need more space and a more powerful engine to get around and therefor the station wagon is like a dinosar of the past.

[Gregxi]

^^^^
Was that the one with funny seat in the back that faced the rear window?

My neighbor's mom had one, we loved to sit and make faces at everybody behind us. to be 5 again

[jt335i]

Originally Posted by Gregxi

^^^^
Was that the one with funny seat in the back that faced the rear window?

My neighbor's mom had one, we loved to sit and make faces at everybody behind us. to be 5 again

I don't remember it having a rear facing back seat. I think it was on the wagons made by GM.

Ha ha! Yeah.
To be a kid again....

[Nalod]

SUV's have the rep to conquer mother nature and are more profitable than cars.

Audi q5 is less than similar A4 avant. Avant is 3 grand more than sedan.

Personally I wanted the e91 but could not fine a rear drive in stick. All X drives with Step. Great looking with new rail delete option.

Got my wife a new A4 Avant recently. I get compliments on the shape and style of it far more than my coupe.

Im sure the young guys around here don't quite get it.

In europe you see more 3 series wagons and Avants than sedans.

[coco savage]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

For many people there are major tax advantages for buying an suv.

The stigma of the wagon is definitely the main reason for people not wanting wagons, but I didn't live through the 'family wagon' years in this country. I think they are cool, especially a wangon that is a sleeper like an ///M or AMG wagon, or CTS-V or RS

tax advantage in the us for a suv?

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by coco savage

tax advantage in the us for a suv?

Yes, for business and self employed people (anything over 6000lbs gvw)

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by JaysBlueE92

as others have stated the weak NA engine is a big reason you don't see as many e91s here. I've always had a soft spot for wagons, but am even more interested in the debut of the X1

Hmm, I see more E90 sedans on the road with the "weak" NA motor than 335i with their potent HPFPs.

The reason you don't see more E91s is folks who would rather drive SUVs.

Tom

[Jeller]

How has no one posted the "family truckster" yet



The sweetest wagon ever !

[gdwenger]

BMW NA also may be forcing you into a SUV by not allowing you to install a hitch on your E91.

Yes, I know they are available but not without voiding most of your warrenty repairs.

[roundle]

Originally Posted by BenTrovato

Wagons were always ugly. It's only been a decade or so where the styling has been ramped up to the point where the e91 is a stunning machine. It will take some time to reverse the stigma of the 1994 "wagon" in people's minds:

I would not knock the Buick Roadmaster's then-standard 300HP/300FT LBS of 'merican love. In '96, when I was learning to drive, I had access to my mom's 95 Roadmaster--the last year of the traditional GM wagon. In addition to hitting its top speed of 103MPH in what felt like 5 seconds, it was great at smoking its 195/75/16 tires, hauling 3 ton boats and, later in its life, my beer fridge to University. Oh, also, with both the back seat and the "way back seat" folded down, it slept 4. Awesome.

[plugboots]

BMW NA also may be forcing you into a SUV by not allowing you to install a hitch on your E91.

Yes, I know they are available but not without voiding most of your warrenty repairs.

Huh?
I had a hitch on my 2007 that is going on my 2011, and for 101K miles of the 2007's life there was never a warranty issue. The hitch was a NON-issue.

SUVs suck to drive, plain and simple, and most people don't care.

[Want]

Originally Posted by JaysBlueE92

as others have stated the weak NA engine is a big reason you don't see as many e91s here. I've always had a soft spot for wagons, but am even more interested in the debut of the X1

Yes, by that logic 328 e90 should barely exist in n/a. In Canada (opposite land?) I see more 323s than 328s.

Majority of north americans think wagons are ugly, regardless of engine or trim.

[ManMachine]

#1. People still buy CUVs/SUVs for image, and for ride height (so their views don't get blocked by other SUVs)

#2. The light truck loop hole set up by the U.S. government. CUVs/SUVs are subject to less stringent fuel economy standards.