[Slalom]

Since being wowed by the 3 GT (I went in planning to buy a touring or an X3) I have watched a lot of reviews of the 3 GT.

Almost all start by saying that they do not like the 5 GT. Then they apologize for saying that they do like the 3 GT. They find it to be practical and yet it is not an uninspired family car.

As with the 2002, I believe that BMW has set a new paradigm. A practical, fun to drive family car. Not an estate (station wagon) not really a hatchback and most certainly not an SUV, it is a new style. It is a style that grows on you.

[Mike_L]

They're embarrassed to like it. Its "cool" to bash them and their styling, and people don't really care how about good of a car it is. Peer pressure.

[FunRevn]

Originally Posted by Slalom

Since being wowed by the 3 GT (I went in planning to buy a touring or an X3) I have watched a lot of reviews of the 3 GT.

Almost all start by saying that they do not like the 5 GT. Then they apologize for saying that they do like the 3 GT. They find it to be practical and yet it is not an uninspired family car.

As with the 2002, I believe that BMW has set a new paradigm. A practical, fun to drive family car. Not an estate (station wagon) not really a hatchback and most certainly not an SUV, it is a new style. It is a style that grows on you.

I agree. We love our new GT. IF you buy into the concept, BMW has a lock on you. The Car is amazing especially with the adaptive suspension. We have the 335 MSport and it's really like a blend of several great cars rolled into one.

[markbridge]

Before I ordered the car I, too, looked at all of the reviews (there aren't many, interesting enough). I noticed they all started the same way, "Remember how gawd awful the 5GT is? Well, the 3GT isn't that bad....etc"

Critics don't know what to think of the 3GT. As far as I'm concerned, BMW simply built the perfect Saab, an AWD hatchback. And I always wanted a Saab but was afraid of it's reliability.

My favorite review was the six month review at AutoExpress:

[KneeDragr]

Ive watched a few longer test videos on YouTube where they really love it and are sad to see it go.

[limal45]

Originally Posted by Slalom

Since being wowed by the 3 GT (I went in planning to buy a touring or an X3) I have watched a lot of reviews of the 3 GT.

Almost all start by saying that they do not like the 5 GT. Then they apologize for saying that they do like the 3 GT. They find it to be practical and yet it is not an uninspired family car.

As with the 2002, I believe that BMW has set a new paradigm. A practical, fun to drive family car. Not an estate (station wagon) not really a hatchback and most certainly not an SUV, it is a new style. It is a style that grows on you.

i know what you mean, most of the reviewers on you tube don't like it - even saying it has a fat arse - idiots, the bmw video was good and sold it well.

[B5rider]

the ONLY reason I hate my GT is because it might be keeping BMW from bringing the 5 series wagon stateside. I would sell my kidney for an F11 M-sport!
Other then that, I love the size, comfort, and the hatch. I wish they hadn't cheapened the cabin, but that's true across the entire lineup. Coming from the previous sport cabin which had electronically adjusted headrests, thigh cushions, and steering wheel I feel the materials are one step lower , along with the build. These are not deal-breakers, but small things you notice after driving earlier BMWs. BMW has strong brand loyalty, and I feel they should be progressing forward not backward in terms of their interior materials and amenities.
The looks are proportioned correctly when fitted with the bigger wheels. I actually like the GT better than the sedan because the hood is a tad long for the sedan and wagon bodies.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by B5rider

the ONLY reason I hate my GT is because it might be keeping BMW from bringing the 5 series wagon stateside. I would sell my kidney for an F11 M-sport!

I would sell my GT and my M3 and my Z4 if I could get an M5 Touring with a manual gearbox in North America. Heck, I would move back to Europe. But sadly, they do not seem to be the M equivalent to a Unicorn.

So for now I will content myself with the GT MSport. Oh I would be happier if a 6 speed had been available on this side of the pond, but alas the BMW marketing types do not believe that we want that. Perhaps in a few years with CETA we will have the full range.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by Slalom

So for now I will content myself with the GT MSport. Oh I would be happier if a 6 speed had been available on this side of the pond, but alas the BMW marketing types do not believe that we want that. Perhaps in a few years with CETA we will have the full range.

The marketers are correct. North Americans don't buy manual transmissions. They had a measly 8% take rate last year (8 cars for every 100 sold, 80 for every 1,000), including cars that only offer them. If you watch the videos, even in those they tell people to get the automatic. Its simply better in every single way. Its not worth making the order forms more complex to make people living in the past happy. They're trying to cut back on different combos, not add more.

[B5rider]

Originally Posted by Slalom

I would sell my GT and my M3 and my Z4 if I could get an M5 Touring with a manual gearbox in North America. Heck, I would move back to Europe. But sadly, they do not seem to be the M equivalent to a Unicorn.

So for now I will content myself with the GT MSport. Oh I would be happier if a 6 speed had been available on this side of the pond, but alas the BMW marketing types do not believe that we want that. Perhaps in a few years with CETA we will have the full range.

Yeah, I think they would need to be powered by pixie dust and fairy's dreams in order for them to come to North America.

[Richbot]

8% at an average transaction price of around $30k (depressed due to smaller higher volume cars from the average overall in the mid 30's) is around $34 Billion in gross receipts from US sales of manual transmission equipped vehicles.

8% is nothing to sneeze at. That's more than the entire US market share of some big names in the industry. As MT is increasingly nt a cheaper option to run and buy, it is increasingly also a personal preference and people who want it will follow the clutch pedal where it is offered.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by Richbot

8% at an average transaction price of around $30k (depressed due to smaller higher volume cars from the average overall in the mid 30's) is around $34 Billion in gross receipts from US sales of manual transmission equipped vehicles.

8% is nothing to sneeze at.

$34B probably barely pays for the engineering and federalization.

[Richbot]

You'd be wrong about that too. It's profitable to sell manual cars here and will remain so for decades to come.

[Mike_L]

Not nearly as profitable as automatics. At an 11.5:1 ratio, your $34B is compared to $391B. Ferrari decided it wasn't worth it. Same with Mercedes, Lexus, McLaren, Lamborghini and most recently Aston Martin. You can bet as time goes on, more and more automakers will follow their lead.

[Slalom]

The days of "federalization" are numbered. The European automakers have a great deal of influence in setting the negotiation mandates for free trade agreements. This means that European safety and emission certificates will have to be accepted by the US and Canadian governments. The duties will also be scrapped. So the only impediment in a few years will be spare parts inventory costs.

CETA automobile commitments start to take effect in 3 years time. The TTIP (US-EU) is moving quickly in the same direction.

[Billfitz]

As to the original question, I think too many reviewers are influenced by on-line comments made by pundits. I also think that the majority of those pundits aren't even old enough to drive, let alone able to afford a new BMW. Sure, the GT doesn't look as nice as a 428, let alone a 650, but it's a mighty long way from ugly. The same goes for the performance. It's not going to win a Formula 1 race, but I didn't buy mine to race Formula 1.
Is my 328GT perfect? Nope. But it's close enough.

[Ian_Phil]

I read loads of reviews, watched loads of video. I went through the whole dealership of cars 3 saloon, 3 touring, 5 touring. Having had lots of estate cars I wanted something practical but different. The 328 GT MSport filled all the boxes for me. 1000 miles in and loving it