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Wagon Enthusiasts In America Could Be Treated By a New Option in The Near Future

BMW might be convinced that there’s demand for a fresh long-roof in the States.

White BMW 320d station wagon rear with black diffuser, dual exhaust, and black alloy wheels on a rural road.BMW
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By Chris Chin

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American wagon fans may be in for a treat in the near future. New reports suggest that BMW could be sending us Yanks a new long-roof in the coming years.

And it won’t be just some crazy expensive, high-performance model, like the M5 Touring. Enthusiast forum BimmerPost and site BMWBlog learned the Munich-based automaker is canvassing the idea for something more approachable after experiencing profound sales success with the M5 Touring.

Because of its impressive sales after launch, BMW is convinced there may be a solid business case for more wagons in America.

BMW sees the wagon demand in America

Two BMW station wagons, one light blue and one red, parked in front of a modern glass building with a rust-colored exterior staircase.
A new BMW wagon may be on the horizon for American customers.
BMW

According to the post on BimmerPost, the anonymous source said BMW USA is considering options for more wagons in the US. Specifically, the “G51” 3 Series Touring.

The German automaker recently revealed the next-gen 3 Series in the form of the all-electric i3. Although it’s just the electric version, the gas-powered and hybrid versions will follow shortly in the near future, all with the same sheet metal and interior design.

In addition to the standard 3 Series and hybrid models, BMW will also reveal the next-gen G51 Touring wagon. It’s been standard practice for decades.

Red BMW station wagon and blue BMW sedan parked on a flat open area with mountains in the background.
We might’ve missed out on the current and outgoing G21 3 Series Touring, but the next-gen G51 may change that.
BMW

Because a new 3 Series Touring is on the horizon, BMW is considering its availability in America.

“We are seeing continuous demand. We also saw customers petitioning for the M3 Touring, bringing it to the U.S,” BMW North America’s vice president for product management, Michael Keller, previously said to media. “There is momentum in the market. These are all indications where we continue monitoring the market and trigger the right discussions.”

Although BMW also just recently introduced the latest 5 Series Touring, executives didn’t mention its consideration for the US.

Could America get the 3 Series Touring back?

Silver BMW 330d station wagon driving on a road with blurred background.
The F31 3 Series Sport Wagon was the last standard wagon BMW sold in America.
BMW

The sixth-generation F30-based 3 Series was the last standard wagon BMW sold to the States. BMW sold the F31 wagon here as the 3 Series Sport Wagon in both gas and diesel form between 2012 and 2018.

It was sold as the 328i with a gas turbo-four, which later morphed into the 330i after its LCI mid-cycle update.

The diesel wore the 328d badge. Both of the gas and diesel versions of the F31 were available with xDrive all-wheel drive.

Dark gray BMW station wagon driving on a road with blurred desert landscape in the background.
The E61 5 Series Touring was the last 5 Series wagon BMW sold stateside.
BMW

Before the F31, BMW sold the E91 and E46 3 Series Touring generations stateside. The E61 5 Series Touring also saw US dealer space from 2004 through 2010. That was the last time we got a 5 Series wagon.

Since then, America hasn’t had the option for a BMW long-roof. That was, until the M5 Touring arrived and proved everyone wrong about demand for wagons here in America.

Silver BMW 530i station wagon parked on a road with green bushes in the background.
Hardcore BMW fans will argue that the E39 5 Series Touring was the best BMW wagon, ever.
BMW

Now, with the impending arrival of the G51, BMW may be preparing to send it across the pond to our shores. But don’t get too excited just yet, as BMW hasn’t made an official decision.

“We will look into Touring concepts where it makes sense for the U.S. market, because at the moment we are quite happy with the M5,” Keller remarked.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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