What's New for 2012: All Makes
2012 BMW 1 Series: There are no changes to the 2012 BMW 1 Series, though Bluetooth is now standard along with iPod/USB. Floor mats are also standard. The 1 Series M Coupe will not continue into 2012.
2012 BMW 3 Series: There are no significant changes to the 2012 BMW 3 Series while we wait for the all-new 3 Series due out in 2013. The 2013 3 Series will get a turbocharged four-cylinder.
2012 BMW 5 Series: Big news on the 5 Series front as the 528i drops its inline-6 for a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 developing 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. So it's down two cylinders, but up 30 lb-ft of torque. Fair trade. That new motor is hooked to an eight-speed automatic.
BMW xDrive all-wheel drive will also be available for the base 528i; it is currently only offered on the 535i and 550i.
2012 BMW 6 Series: All-new for 2012, the BMW 6 Series brings some serious firepower in the form of a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 making 400 hp. It needs the additional power, as the BMW 6 Series has gotten bigger and fatter for 2012.
What was one of the ugliest cars on the road has been replaced by a sharply tailored full-size luxury coupe that just happens to have big power and BMW driving dynamics.
2012 BMW 7 Series: It's only minor changes for BMW's big dog, as the 2012 7 Series gets new 19-inch wheels, a rearview camera, premium stereo and a USB/iPod adapter as standard equipment.
2012 BMW M3: The ultimate family car, the 2012 BMW M3 Sedan gets the axe for 2012 for being too good at too many things. Also, poor sales.
The remaining coupes get a standard anti-theft alarm, floor mats, iPod/USB, Bluetooth and BMW Assist. And, in BMW's words, "Convenience package is replaced by Convenience package 2 and now requires Premium package 3. Package prices are unchanged." That's a deal-breaker.
2012 BMW M5: The M5 returns in early 2012 with a twin-turbo 552-hp V8 twisting out 502 lb-ft of torque. The all-new M Car is scheduled to get a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, but we've seen BMW testing a 2012 M5 with a manual transmission. Expect that to be announced shortly after the car's introduction.
2012 BMW X3: After a complete overhaul in 2011, there are only minor changes to the X3 for 2012. These include black high-gloss standard interior trim, standard floor mats, optional premium sound and an Anthracite headliner on the Sports Activity package.
The x3 xDrive35i gets a standard panorama sunroof and the Sports Activity package (which, you've just read, gets an Anthracite headliner!) and comes with double-spoke 19-inch wheels.
2012 BMW X5: After some new engines and some new exterior bits last year, there's little new for BMW's big SUV for 2012. A power tailgate finally graces the standard features list, as do a USB port and roof rails. It's still expensive, but now you get slightly more.
2012 BMW X5 M: Standard USB. Standard power tailgate. Standard 555-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.
2012 BMW X6: There are no major changes to the 2012 BMW X6. Interior options through BMW Individual will be available starting in October and will feature a range of higher-end treatments like Merino leather dash and upholstery, exclusive paints like Citrin Black and Ruby Black and trims like carbon woven leather, eucalyptus red brown wood and piano black.
Further refinements include standard Bluetooth, USB and an optional split-folding rear bench that seats three.
2012 BMW X6 M: Combine the additional stuff for the X5 M and the X6 and you get the 2012 BMW X6 M. USB, power tailgate, five seats, 555 hp.
2012 BMW Z4: The 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i is set to be the first BMW in the U.S. with a four-cylinder when it comes to market with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter that the 2012 528i will use.
No other changes.
Add A Comment »
jrobusc says:
07:51 AM, 12/30/2011
smallfield,
"No more M3 sedan... NO!!!!!!
The new 5 is too big and heavy. I was hoping the 3 would increase in size just a little, lose some weight and offer an M model to be a M5 substitute.
My auto purchase foiled again by the Germans."
The M3 sedan is only going away because the existing 3-Series sedan is being replaced by an all-new one in February. There will be a new M3 sedan about a year the regular 3-Series debuts. And the new 3-Series will in fact get slightly larger (identical essentially to the E39 5-Series), and lose a little weight (about 88lbs). It will also be more powerful in 328 and M3 guise. So your auto purchase has not been foiled, you just have to wait until (likely) early 2013 for the new M3 sedan. Or you could get a 335 in February, or a 335i M Sport around June.
arond says:
02:37 PM, 12/03/2011
Let's cover some of whats wrong with this article,
"There are no significant changes to the 2012 BMW 3 Series while we wait for the all-new 3 Series due out in 2013. The 2013 3 Series will get a turbocharged four-cylinder."
Wrong, the new 2012 3er is the US showrooms in Feb of 2012 (sedan only), only missed by a year, you mean the coupe that will be a 4er
"The ultimate family car, the 2012 BMW M3 Sedan gets the axe for 2012 for being too good at too many things. Also, poor sales."
Wrong, the M3 Sedan was discontinued because the 3er sedan was discontinued.
"The M5 returns in early 2012 with a twin-turbo 552-hp V8 twisting out 502 lb-ft of torque."
Wrong, 560 BHP and 500 lb-ft (from BMW press release.
Thats just a casual glance, you guys don't get paid for this do you?
rmartinez007 says:
02:06 PM, 11/04/2011
"What was one of the ugliest cars on the road (BMW 6-Series)has been replaced by a sharply tailored full-size luxury coupe that just happens to have big power and BMW driving dynamics.
Wow. To me, it was one of the nicest coupes. The only one that looks better than an 850.
incyphe says:
03:49 PM, 09/08/2011
@bestjinjo thanks for the link. That's a terrible news for 6 cylinder junkies. I hope to read a good comparison between 2011 528i vs 2012 528i soon.
bestjinjo says:
01:52 PM, 09/08/2011
@ incyphe,
Looks like Volvo is ditching their 5 and 6-cylinder engines entirely
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111090636346/volvo-to-kill-six-cylinder-engines-develop-new-platform
The way of the future is 4 and 6 cylinder engines. There is no doubt E350 will shift to 4 cylinder too.
Audi is already selling 2012 A6 with a 4 cylinder.
smallfield says:
07:11 PM, 09/07/2011
No more M3 sedan... NO!!!!!!
The new 5 is too big and heavy. I was hoping the 3 would increase in size just a little, lose some weight and offer an M model to be a M5 substitute.
My auto purchase foiled again by the Germans.
carpaul1 says:
06:40 PM, 09/07/2011
I like the new six series. After the disaster of the Bangle era of the old six series, this is a great improvement.
I still have a hard time deciding which was the worse disaster of the Bangle era, the seven series or the six series?
But I still think Bangle was good for BMW, he gave them shock therapy, and the old five series is so much sexier than the new five
carsgalore says:
05:17 PM, 09/07/2011
@blackdynamite1
That burp would be the garbage that you like to spew on these forums as of late. Not sure why you swallowed the bitter pill but try to go back to being a true car enthusiast that you were before instead of the LFA-Life Partner you have become.
carsgalore says:
05:15 PM, 09/07/2011
@xorbe
I agree, but just to clear any confusion ..I was trying to figure out why BD was commenting about the LFA on an article about BMW. I got long in the tooth because BD seems to think the LFA matters when an article is posted about BMW and their changes!
it was kinda funny at first, then BD got sensitive.
carsgalore says:
05:10 PM, 09/07/2011
@bestjinjo
I agree with everything you said and you are right about car lineage and history. The LFA does not have any of that at all. very good points!