[Deutsch]

Just tooling around on BMWUSA.com building my own 328i sedan, it was way too easy to get the car to $40k w/ only the most basic of options, some of which should be standard(split fold rear seats. Other things are just overpriced). I think BMWNA should consider importing a 323 or something, because the 328 is way too pricey for a base 3er and they lack of a lot of convenient standard features that you don't have to pay for over at MB and Audi.

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

That's always the way with premium nameplates, you can count on 10K in options to get a car properly equipped. Check out what it costs to put a little metal flake in your paint. Funny how Nissan can offer a Altima coupe fully loaded up for just over 31K....compare that to a 128i. And I don't see a junk fee of $475 for metallic paint anywhere on the Nissan website.

I might have to get a 328i just so I can get in on that Atlantic Blue.

That's a proper shade of blue for a car.

"As clear as an azure sky of deepest summer" - Alex de Large, A Clockwork Orange.

[Deutsch]

Well here are prices for similarly equipped 3er, C-class and A4 sedans:

328i:

MSRP $32,400
Options and accessories $5,320
Destination charge $775
Total price as built* $38,495

Options break-down:

Packages/Options:
Sport Package$1,600STEPTRONIC Automatic Transmission$1,275Paddle Shifters$100Fold Down Rear Seats w/Ski Bag$475Power Front Seats w/Driver Memory$995iPod/USB Adapter$400______________________________________________ _________________

A4 2.0TQ Tip:

MSRP: 35,025.00
Audi A4

Powertrain 2.0 TFSI quattro 200 HP tiptronic 32,300.00
Exterior Quartz Gray Metallic 475.00
Interior

Seats: Standard seat

Upholstery: Leather seating surfaces

Upholstery Black, Dashboard Black-Black, Carpet Black, Headliner Platinum



Individual options:
2,250.00
Individual options: 2,250.00 S line sports package for US 2,000.00
iPod glove box interface 250.00


MSRP: 35,025.00
Note: S-line package comes with Sports suspension, aero trim, interior trim and detailing, paddle shifters, sunroof and 18" wheels and tires.
__________________________________________________ _____________

C300 sport:

M.S.R.P.* $31,975

Exterior Color (Metallic paint is optional, resulting in an additional price of $710)
Palladium Silver Metallic $710

Interior Color
Black1 $0

Wood Trims
Aluminum Trim $0

Options
18" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Wheels $1,000

Packages
P2: Premium II $2,750

7-Speed Automatic Transmission $1,440

Gas Guzzler Tax $0 Total $37,875


Note: Options such as split fold rear seats are only available in the P2 package which adds a host of other non-a la carte extras such as xenon headlights, etc. in addition to other features available in the P1 package.

[ichiban]

good comparison, what about the japanese competitors.:biggrin:

[ducati]

Originally Posted by Deutsch

Just tooling around on BMWUSA.com building my own 328i sedan, it was way too easy to get the car to $40k w/ only the most basic of options, some of which should be standard(split fold rear seats. Other things are just overpriced). I think BMWNA should consider importing a 323 or something, because the 328 is way too pricey for a base 3er and they lack of a lot of convenient standard features that you don't have to pay for over at MB and Audi.

I don't think so, although I'd like to see a sunroof delete.

I drove a completely base 328i with only one option: seatheat. It came in at $33.6k before negotiating. Easy to hit 32k.

That car came with:
1. power windows and locks
2. auto wipers
3. sunroof
4. auto climate control
5. aircon
6. nice cd stereo
7. steering wheel controls for audio/cruise
8. cruise control
9. auto headlamps

That is a really well equipped car. Base BMWs are not like this in their homeland--we get a lot of stuff baked in. BMWs "a la carte" option plans have always been a poor value for the consumer; BMW throws in a few options people consider "necessary" and prices inflate quickly. Ask yourself, though--do you need any of that? Try driving a base 3er sometime... I bet you'll find you don't.

I'd add the Sport Pack, but that's it.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by ducati

I don't think so, although I'd like to see a sunroof delete.

I drove a completely base 328i with only one option: seatheat. It came in at $33.6k before negotiating. Easy to hit 32k.

That car came with:
1. power windows and locks
2. auto wipers
3. sunroof
4. auto climate control
5. aircon
6. nice cd stereo
7. steering wheel controls for audio/cruise
8. cruise control
9. auto headlamps

That is a really well equipped car. Base BMWs are not like this in their homeland--we get a lot of stuff baked in. BMWs "a la carte" option plans have always been a poor value for the consumer; BMW throws in a few options people consider "necessary" and prices inflate quickly. Ask yourself, though--do you need any of that? Try driving a base 3er sometime... I bet you'll find you don't.

I'd add the Sport Pack, but that's it.

Of course if you ask do you really need that, it's gonna be no 99% of the time. I don't need a BMW. I can get away with a Honda Civic. But if I'm buying a $35k+ BMW I expect features associated with the price. To get a 328i with the level of equipment I expect from a entry luxury car there would be $10k in options.

[ducati]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Of course if you ask do you really need that, it's gonna be no 99% of the time. I don't need a BMW. I can get away with a Honda Civic. But if I'm buying a $35k+ BMW I expect features associated with the price. To get a 328i with the level of equipment I expect from a entry luxury car there would be $10k in options.

Interesting... I see your point and I agree.

Perhaps my perspective is skewed because of too many roll-up window cars with 55 mousepower, but the feature list I see above is remarkably full and complete. I'm quite shocked that folks don't consider that entry level luxury!

I guess expectations of entry level luxury nowadays are what I would consider a luxury car.

[drew2002]

BMW's profit margins are tremendous for options--they'd never consider giving these away in a base package. If dealers sold only base cars, they, and BMW would go out of business I bet. BMW has also invested heavily into a flexible ordering and manufacturing system so that you can have a myriad of possible feature choices a la carte. (See the MINI configurator)

I think that we as a car-purchasing population in general *expect* more options to be standard, because many of the Asian manufacturers will give you these "for free". But tell me, when is the last time you found these options:

Toyota Conceptia
[ ] 50-50 weight distribution
[ ] good steering feedback
[ ] rear wheel drive

-Andrew

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by drew2002

I think that we as a car-purchasing population in general *expect* more options to be standard, because many of the Asian manufacturers will give you these "for free". But tell me, when is the last time you found these options:

Toyota Conceptia
[ ] 50-50 weight distribution
[ ] good steering feedback
[ ] rear wheel drive

Infiniti G35? :iono: I know the G35 doesn't have perfect 50/50 weight distribution but it's very close and as long as it's RWD, you can't feel a few extra pounds over the front or rear wheels unless you're Mario Andretti.

[Khobin~]

Originally Posted by Deutsch

Just tooling around on BMWUSA.com building my own 328i sedan, it was way too easy to get the car to $40k w/ only the most basic of options, some of which should be standard(split fold rear seats. Other things are just overpriced). I think BMWNA should consider importing a 323 or something, because the 328 is way too pricey for a base 3er and they lack of a lot of convenient standard features that you don't have to pay for over at MB and Audi.

That's kinda funny...in Canada there's a 323 still :iono:

[ducati]

Originally Posted by drew2002

But tell me, when is the last time you found these options:

Toyota Conceptia
[ ] 50-50 weight distribution
[ ] good steering feedback
[ ] rear wheel drive

-Andrew

RWD is booming in popularity again. If Toyota's original specs for the "New Trueno" are even close, you'll get the above for under 20 grand.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Khobin~

That's kinda funny...in Canada there's a 323 still :iono:

Yeh, I know. Why you guys get one and we don't is anyone's guess... maybe Americans just love spending money they don't have on pricey cars???