The BMW M5 Touring is the automaker’s first performance wagon in the US in a very long time – but it’s already proven to be a huge success. During the first few months of 2025, demand for the M5 Touring has surged It outperformed the sedanWhich puts it on track to become one of BMW’s most popular performance models by the end of the year.
This success raises an obvious question: Why did BMW bring the M5 Touring to America before the M3 Touring? According to BMW M president Frank van Meel, the company believed the M5 wagon would have a greater impact.
talking to BMW Blog At the recent Japanese Mobility Expo, Van Meel called it a “logical decision”, noting that the M5 Touring was the “safe bet” between the two cars. BMW expected its sales to outsell the M3 Touring, and so far that bet seems to have paid off.
That’s not to say that an M3 tour of America is (or has been) completely off the table. In fact, BMW seriously considered bringing the smaller performance wagon to the United States first.
Van Meel admitted that the company “wasn’t brave enough” to drive the M3 Touring, noting that executives had doubts about how well it would perform in the US market. Given the struggles that wagons have been having lately, especially those of a similar size to the 3 Series, it’s easy to see why.
However, there is still reason for optimism. BMW executives hinted last August that if the M5 Touring proved successful, they would consider launching the M3 Touring in the United States as well. This will likely happen with the next-gen model, so fans may need to be patient.
For now, enthusiasts can still enjoy the M5 Touring, although it will cost a little more for 2026. BMW has raised the initial suggested retail price to $123,900, an increase of $2,400 over last year’s model.
