[Desert_Fox]

A car that handles great with a pathetic engine to match. Well atleast I know what we're getting stuck with for loaner cars at the dealer

[roundle]

This engine has been around in Europe for a while:

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en/new-vehicles...1/engines.html

If I had to buy a 4-pot Bimmer, I would rather have a 318d or 320d.

[Cisitalia]

BMW did this to compete with the Cadillac ATS 2.5l and low end 2.0T models.

[bmrm396]

Originally Posted by ///N54

if there is no M-sport available why does the picture of the interior have the M package...

ya, whats that all about?

[Frencholivier]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

So in 5-7 years you will still pay 51-52k for a no option 328?

Well an average inflation at 2% per year calculated over 7 years gets you a 15% increase, perhaps more if the price of raw materials increase by more than 2% (quite possible). Then add more standard features and the price of the next-gen 3-series seems likely to go up by 20%. Less if you accept deflation in Europe or that you get 'Chinese delivery' on it.

[chrisv_335EBII]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

So in 5-7 years you will still pay 51-52k for a no option 328?

In 2001 the 325i started at $26,990.
In 2001 the 525i started at $35,400

As you can see a lot changes in 10-15 years when to comes to car prices.

It is possible the 328 will start in the 40K starting range in 7 years. It all depends on what happens inflation, safety, emission, mpg standards etc.

You see the same trend for all cars. I remember in 2001 you could buy a Civic for around 11k. They are not 15-16K starting out (Not 100% sure. I havent looked at them in years). The same for accords. They use to start in 18K range and now they start in the 24-25K range.

This is the nature of inflation and the ever increasing list of "standard" features etc.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Then create an entry level product without simply moving the existing cars 'upmarket.'

Yes, it is an entry level product. I get that. But don't place this where the 328 was, and simply charge more for the 328 and 335 (which is what the pricing has done).

Look at where the 2007 E90 328 MSRP was: $33,175. Look at where the 2014 320 MSRP is. Notice something eerily similar?

You can't tell me that inflation (during the recession) has gotten to the point where there is now a 4k premium over what it used to be.

Actually, that's just about what inflation would do. $33,175 in 2007 is $36,834.56 in 2012.

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc....007&year2=2012

Generally, inflation adjusted, car price tends to drop during its life cycle as the model gets older, and then shoots back up to the same level when there is a full model change. If anything, it's either that or it actually drops compared to the previous model when adjusted for inflation.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by ///N54

if there is no M-sport available why does the picture of the interior have the M package...

Originally Posted by bmrm396

ya, whats that all about?

It says right in the first post:

*Sport package available including 18-inch wheels with summer tires and increased top speed limiter, sport seats, M Sport suspension, M steering wheel and anthracite headliner.

[yamazaho]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

You would drive BMW out of business. Wagons wont sell in the US and hatchbacks would also have a hard time. Bringing the 320i to the US is a profit driving move.

This will be one of the most common 3-series on the road soon

I have just returned from Taiwan (my hometown) and MOST of the 1ers I see are the sports hatch. To me those hatch looks fantastic and I don't see how I would not want one of those. 1ers are small enough that the sports hatch body makes it still look nimble and fun, I rather find the coupe version boring and ugly.

[ZooMMM]

This means rest of 3er line up going up market... Higher prices for everything else.

[宝马.e90]

You'd think you would see a lot of 320's on the road but here in Canada, I haven't seen one. All I see are 328's. The 328 is still going to be the volume seller, while the 320 will be there just to reap any additional sales they can against the ATS 2.0. Don't see a problem here.

As for price, I don't really see a problem. Yes it sucks that prices have gone up from the E90 but so have prices of Mercedes and Audi and BMW has generally always been overpriced anyway. Everybody hear preaches that BMW is a luxury brand. Guess what? Luxury isn't supposed to be affordable. It makes no sense to say the current 3-Series isn't worth it's current, because the E90 wasn't worth whatever price it was listed at either.

People are only complaining now because with the state of the economy, the pricing is starting to get out of reach. I'm not saying I'm not affected by these price changes, I am. I wanted to replace my E90 with a F30 335 but even with limited options, it's going to cost around $60k so now I'm forced to look elsewhere, whether it be an E90 335 or another brand.

[Frencholivier]

Originally Posted by yamazaho

I have just returned from Taiwan (my hometown) and MOST of the 1ers I see are the sports hatch. To me those hatch looks fantastic and I don't see how I would not want one of those. 1ers are small enough that the sports hatch body makes it still look nimble and fun, I rather find the coupe version boring and ugly.

and this is related to the 320i because...?

[DUI Elite]

Originally Posted by yamazaho

I have just returned from Taiwan (my hometown) and MOST of the 1ers I see are the sports hatch. To me those hatch looks fantastic and I don't see how I would not want one of those. 1ers are small enough that the sports hatch body makes it still look nimble and fun, I rather find the coupe version boring and ugly.

Because in the US, a hatchback draws memory to station wagons, which in American pop culture were always depicted as "lame"

In Europe, they're very popular. I wish I could have one myself actually.


I don't see what the difference is between this and a 328, but it will definetly become the most popular 3 series sold in America. Tons of people who only want the badge, and not the driving pleasure.

BMW is losing its credibility as a performance driven company with the enthusiasts. The cars are just expensive for no reason now..

I recall that the general conception of Euro cars is that BMW is for the driving enthusiast, while Merc's (especially) and Audi's are for those looking for the creature comforts / luxury.

BMW is turning into Lexus. All luxury, no fun or inspiring cars.

[speed12sil]

Originally Posted by Frencholivier

and this is related to the 320i because...?

Not to sound like a troll, but at least he owns a BMW...

[Cisitalia]

Originally Posted by speed12sil

Not to sound like a troll, but at least he owns a BMW...

Good one! But at least he is hopeful and he may now be able to get one.

[yamazaho]

Originally Posted by Frencholivier

and this is related to the 320i because...?

Excuse me??? I did start out with a reply about 320i, back on first page post #7.

Originally Posted by yamazaho

I don't see the need for 320i landing in the US at all other then being another cheaper alternative of the 3 series. I rather see different body variations such as the touring and 1 series 3-door/5-door hatchback available!!!!

And I was just replying to another quote shown here...???

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

You would drive BMW out of business. Wagons wont sell in the US and hatchbacks would also have a hard time. Bringing the 320i to the US is a profit driving move.

This will be one of the most common 3-series on the road soon

So excuse my lil trolling away from the topic???

Originally Posted by speed12sil

Not to sound like a troll, but at least he owns a BMW...

Originally Posted by Cisitalia

Good one! But at least he is hopeful and he may now be able to get one.

I actually owned three BMWs before I sold my E90

[palpatine_us]

What this may mean is that the six-cylinder engine is going away from the 3 series lineup. Now, you'll have two 4 cylinder engines- a higher output and a lower output. In the US typically 2 variants of the three are offered.

Also, if the M version will have a 6 cylinder engine, all the more reason to remove the six from the normal lineup.

Not to mention the cost savings of using only 4 cyl engines.

[Frencholivier]

Originally Posted by speed12sil

Not to sound like a troll, but at least he owns a BMW...

true, and still , sorry

[malter2.0]

120hp less, 2 cyl less, 1L of volume less and gets more or less the same mpg as 335i.

What a pointless car.

either bring a 320d or dont bring this underpowered garbage to dilute the brand further. ridiculous.

[328inGE]

With the performance and price of the new 328i, I kind of expected something like this.

[宝马.e90]

Originally Posted by palpatine_us

What this may mean is that the six-cylinder engine is going away from the 3 series lineup. Now, you'll have two 4 cylinder engines- a higher output and a lower output. In the US typically 2 variants of the three are offered.

Also, if the M version will have a 6 cylinder engine, all the more reason to remove the six from the normal lineup.

Not to mention the cost savings of using only 4 cyl engines.

I don't think so. I think most models will eventually receive the 4-cylinder (where applicable, 7-Series, X5/X6 won't ever see a 4-cylinder engine), but the performance model (M models) or highest trim (335) will retain the inline-6.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by ATS

The fuel consumption figures are really disappointing. BMW was able to de-tune the N20 engine (60hp less) and they can't get it to be more fuel efficient?

What the hell happened with the Efficient Dynamics BS they keep shoving down our throats?

It's to get the MSRP down to compete with cars like the ATS 2.5, the MPG is not the issue.

It physically is likely 99% identical to the full output N20. I also bet it does not make 180hp, but more like 200+.