motor

irrational_i · 02-19-2005, 11:58 AM

I saw this in front of my house(South Africa) today. Pity I don't have a decent camera, only my cellphone. The Director of BMW lives close to me. If I get a proper camera from somebody I will try take better pics.

It is a disguised new BMW 3-series.
Seems very similar to the previous model with a slightly different nose treatment.

Can't see too much, but should be enough to get the idea.

RC45 · 02-19-2005, 01:08 PM

LOL @ the [RXY 762 GP] License plate... looks like trying hard to look sophisticated and eurocratized... Gauteng Province is the GP I guess...

Good old TJ or just a XXX999T seemed uniquie enough.

Interesting that the test vehicle has an actual label on the door.. hehe

BMW AG on Wednesday announced that Wolfgang Stadler will succeed Ian Robertson as managing director of BMW South Africa on 1st February 2005.
It was announced earlier that Robertson will be leaving South Africa to assume the post of Chairman and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, in Goodwood, UK.

If this is Mr Robertsons house... sure hope he gets better digs in Goodwood..

Wutputt · 02-19-2005, 02:21 PM

It's a bit strange they are still testing a camouflaged test vehicle, since the first production models are already delivered and driving around over here. But still a fine 'spy' catch

RC45 · 02-19-2005, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Wutputt

It's a bit strange they are still testing a camouflaged test vehicle, since the first production models are already delivered and driving around over here. But still a fine 'spy' catch

Well - it would be the final testing for right hand drive models... and probably in prep for mass export to China.

TT · 02-19-2005, 02:31 PM

Pretty nice catch dude

Originally Posted by Wutputt

It's a bit strange they are still testing a camouflaged test vehicle, since the first production models are already delivered and driving around over here. But still a fine 'spy' catch

Already hitting the dealership? I thought the official launch for Europe was Geneva motorshow.. ence still not sold, did I miss something?

Wutputt · 02-19-2005, 02:33 PM

^^
The new 3-series is already in the dealerships over here and some of them are already delivered to their customers (but only leasing cars)

Originally Posted by RC45

Well - it would be the final testing for right hand drive models... and probably in prep for mass export to China.

That didn't crossed my mind, but it makes perfectly good sense!

TT · 02-19-2005, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Wutputt

^^
The new 3-series is already in the dealerships over here and some of them are already delivered to their customers (but only leasing cars)

Originally Posted by RC45

Well - it would be the final testing for right hand drive models... and probably in prep for mass export to China.

That didn't crossed my mind, but it makes perfectly good sense!

Wow, interesting ideed! Here it's not yet time, I suppose it will be righ after the motorshow next month

5vz-fe · 02-19-2005, 02:40 PM

^^ :shock: really?? that quick? I was in the Toronto Car Show yesterday (yes, they suck), and BMW didn't even bring one over ....

TT · 02-19-2005, 02:44 PM

BTW, I just checked and Geneva will be the world premiere so it is very weird to know it is already sold in an European country :bah: this is the first time I see it happen actually

Wutputt · 02-19-2005, 02:52 PM

It's idd very strange. I've seen only one on the road so far, but I didn't had my camera with me. But a friend of mine has also seen one and has taken some pics with his cell phone. I'll ask the pics, and I'll upload them. Maybe they just delivered a few first ones to discover early problems?

As for the dealership in which I know an E90 already is standing. It's a dealership owned by the BMW importer, maybe that explains it.

TT · 02-19-2005, 02:55 PM

Well the ones on the road could be for late evaluations üurposes, and the one at the dealer for advertising indeed. I really doubt they are delivering them to customers already. leasing or not

acs power · 02-19-2005, 04:09 PM

BTW, I just checked and Geneva will be the world premiere so it is very weird to know it is already sold in an European country this is the first time I see it happen actually

A guy in Sofia had the SLR McLaren before the world premiere. Actually his was the third car produced and I saw the car on the street before the premiere

Wutputt · 02-19-2005, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by TT

Well the ones on the road could be for late evaluations üurposes, and the one at the dealer for advertising indeed. I really doubt they are delivering them to customers already. leasing or not

But why would they test them in Belgium? I know we have some bad roads

But BMW hasn't a test centre over here. I also was quite astonished when I saw pics of them and saw one later on in person on the road.

Here are those pics a friend of mine took (spotted on a parking lot at an oldtimer fair):

These are some other pics some other guy took at a parking lot of a shopping centre:

And a BMW delivery train with also some E90's on it, spotted somewhere near Antwerp:

I can't be 100% sure of course but, it seems to me they are just delivering the first ones already.

blah · 02-19-2005, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by everso

wow. Honda have really stepped things up with this new Civic!

because we all know AUDI is just so damn original, and every one of there cars is unique from the other.

TT · 02-19-2005, 04:42 PM

Thrilling stuff

of course they deliver them to stock centers way before the delivery start, but the ones driving around are for sure there, so I don' tknow.. either for BMW emplyees to sample them before starting to sell or simply a jump start

BTW, an E60 M5 was spotted by somebody here at JW on the road outside a disco or something like that, so I guess such things could happen