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Drove a 535 GT today, discounted from about $67k+ to $61k. 2010 535 with sports, cold weather and convenience packages. Nice ride. But I guess someone has figured out that a "grand touring" car that cannot safely be driven in a cold climate (thanks to the sports package) has a limited shelf life. The almost head guy at the dealership told me he had some "trunk money" for this car. I sure hope so.

Riddle me this: how can BMW sell a car with a "cold weather package" that cannot be driven in cold weather because of the tires on the car?

Apparently this little trunk monkey gets to jump to just one car, if you believe what I was told. So the dealers supposedly had to pick just one of their non-selling GTs for the trunk money. I suggest there will be many 2010 GTs with undesirable options resting on the lots as the 2011s arrive. Might get ugly, which is truly unfortunate. The 5 GT is a great idea. But the way BMW introduced it to the US, much like they did with the 335d, is totally brain dead, at least by American standards.

I remember why Audi fled the American market in the early 1970s. The sent many green painted autos over, because that is what sold in Germany. They didn't bother to do the research. At that time in the US green was the most disfavored color. I guess BMW shares the same arrogance, just passed down through the automotive grandchildren.

Lots of odd optioned 535iGT's here in California. A few without navigation, yet with added rear seat entertainment packages, some with strange combinations of packages that exclude niceties like rearview camera yet have rear seat climate controls and window shades.

We have two, a 2010 Alpine White and a 2011 Black Sapphire, both with Black interior. The 2011 has X drive and the Sports Package which came with all weather tires, making it the ideal vehicle for occasional trips to the mountains when there is inclement weather and light snowfall. When chains are required, I suppose cord or cable chains could be used since there is significant clearance in the wheel wells, although I would rather not. Incidentally, the Xdrive sports package gives you the luxury of the same size tire and wheel all around, rather than the staggered or offset sports configuration of the straight two wheel drive. Thus you can "rotate" the tires, something I could not do on my 328i with the Sport Package. Tires are 19" and the vehicle handles superbly. Why two of the same car you ask? Why not? We turned in two 328's and really liked the versatility of the GT. Not really a wagon, nor a sedan, nor a SUV or a crossover. It's...well...a..giant BMW

Lots of odd optioned 535iGT's here in California. A few without navigation, yet with added rear seat entertainment packages, some with strange combinations of packages that exclude niceties like rearview camera yet have rear seat climate controls and window shades.

We have two, a 2010 Alpine White and a 2011 Black Sapphire, both with Black interior. The 2011 has X drive and the Sports Package which came with all weather tires, making it the ideal vehicle for occasional trips to the mountains when there is inclement weather and light snowfall. When chains are required, I suppose cord or cable chains could be used since there is significant clearance in the wheel wells, although I would rather not. Incidentally, the Xdrive sports package gives you the luxury of the same size tire and wheel all around, rather than the staggered or offset sports configuration of the straight two wheel drive. Thus you can "rotate" the tires, something I could not do on my 328i with the Sport Package. Tires are 19" and the vehicle handles superbly. Why two of the same car you ask? Why not? We turned in two 328's and really liked the versatility of the GT. Not really a wagon, nor a sedan, nor a SUV or a crossover. It's...well...a..giant BMW]

Aesthetically and dynamically - quintessentially BMW - which is a good thing