[Accounting4Speed]

I was putzing around the internet, since I never really do anything at work anyway and came to this little conclusion.

If you look at the current competition coming out of Europe, mainly Audi, their current model lineup for the A4 include: 2.0t, 3.2, S4, and RS4. Looking at the output of these cars you've got 200, 255, 340, and 420 bhp. So where is BMW in all of this. 325 and 330 (currently) with 215 and 255.

Based on this information, it looks like BMW has a hole in their product line compared to Audi. BMW's top car is always the M, so figure the M3 to take on the RS4 directly. So that car to take on the S4, most logically the rumored 335. Makes sense based on the comparison. Plus, despite complaints about not offering the e46 M3 4-door, BMW might yet again snub us 4-door lovers and give us the 335 but no M3.

Of course this is all just a guess, but I have a hard time not believing what i'm saying.

[shuzmaker]

It's all about marketing!

That's business baby!

Yes, I heard the same thing from reliable sources (BMW reps) 335 will be coming out late next year.

325 will ultimately be labeled 328 or 330!

DoH!

[stressdoc]

Did you hear whether the 335i would be coming out late next year to the USA?

[lux.sh]

You got to be kidding. If this is true, I am going to cancel my order for my 330i.

BMW better not screw us over like this. Value of current 325/330 will
drop massively. I just hope this is random theory.

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

You got to be kidding. If this is true, I am going to cancel my order for my 330i.

BMW better not screw us over like this. Value of current 325/330 will
drop massively. I just hope this is random theory.

It is kind of upsetting to me as well, but I'm not cancelling my order because I doubt I could afford this new 335i. I know everyone doubts me but I believe it will start ~$45k.

[stressdoc]

I do not think the value of the 325 or 330 would be diminished by the introduction of the 335i. To the contrary, I think part of the marketing logic of getting the 335i to the USA as quickly as possible is to shore up the "sports" mystique of the 3-series, which is hurting from competition from Audi, MB, Infinity, and Lexus. It is not good for the 3-series to have the rep of being the slow one -- I know, I know, speed is more than 0-60 times, but go to any of the forementioned competitors' dealerships and you will hear nothing but how their cars are faster than BMWs, and they have the stats on 0-60 times & HP to back it up. This is not good for the E90. We need a flagship ASAP.

Our guesstimates of +5k over MSRP for the 330i are probably close. I am still clinging to the hope that I can get one without any options (assuming it comes with some equivalent to the M-sport pack) on an ED at invoice +1k for under 40k.

[ward]

don't be retarded,

just because a new model comes out doesn't mean your car isn't worth anything anymore, new models and revisions come out all the friggin time

BMW's have pretty good resale, even the E46, even the 325 if a 328 comes out

give me a break

[blackE90]

i think what Nikki is saying makes alotta sense...i mean cmon people bmw always makes you pay that premium for those extra ponies...just look at how much the performance package added onto the e46

regardless, the 335i will probably be worth it and i think alot of the current owners (present company included) wished they waited it out

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by blackE90

i think what Nikki is saying makes alotta sense...i mean cmon people bmw always makes you pay that premium for those extra ponies...just look at how much the performance package added onto the e46

regardless, the 335i will probably be worth it and i think alot of the current owners (present company included) wished they waited it out

I'm basing it on the fact that I believe it will compete with the S4, so it should be priced accordingly.

[blackE90]

Originally Posted by Nikki

I'm basing it on the fact that I believe it will compete with the S4, so it should be priced accordingly.

why couldn't it compete with something cheaper

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by blackE90

why couldn't it compete with something cheaper

?

you mean the 330i should be more than the S4?

[blackE90]

no i mean they should all be cheaper in general i was being sarcastic

like as if the 335i was competing with the g35 or something along those lines

[Nikki]

oh ok, lol.

[ZenDriver]

I've said it before and I'll say it again- In the US, the present 325 will be dropped and replaced by the current 330, which will loose it's standard equipment package. In 12 months, you will be able to buy either a 330i or a 335i.

There is precedent for this sort of change- the E60 is less the 2 years old and is getting the newly refreshed 325/330 motors. The E46 was bumped up, engine wise, shortly after introduction from the 323/328 to the 325/330- right when the coupes came out. The E36 got a massive engine upgrade when the M50B25 was replaced with the M50B25 Technical Update, which added dual stage VANOS on the intake side.

[lux.sh]

I still think this is VERY stupid.
At least hold one more year and come out as 2007 model maybe in spring of 2007.. so the current 06 330 owner can enjoy somewhat.

and what about the E92 coupe.. its going to have well over 300hp?
BMW never really stepped up to win in horsepower race..
this is my first bimmer and now after I place my order they decide to do this?

I can careless of what dealer salesman say, they don't know anything.
Did BMW -OFFICIALLY- announce this?

[ZenDriver]

I still think this is VERY stupid.

Why?

BMW is about to offer significantly increased performance at the same price or just a smidge more. It's called progress.

BMW always bumps the engines for the Coupes when they come out, usually 18 months after the sedans. This is the way things have always been done- you Sedan owners do all the bug testing for the Coupe types.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Mr.Abulia

I find this relatively hard to believe; it doesn't seem likely that BMW would introduce new engines for the 330 and 325 for one model year only (particularly if its only two half model years). It is much more likely that if there is a refresh, it would happen a couple of years into the e90 lifecycle, perhaps for MY2008 or MY2009. Only time will tell, of course.

Meanwhile, let's look at the facts: the 335 has been rumoured to be a new model altogether, available likely as a MY2007 vehicle, and may or may not make it to North America. This would not be a replacement, but an additional model above the 330 in the 3-series lineup. Further, the current 330 is an inline 6 3.0l with approximately 255 ponies. I see no way that a 328 would be released with exactly the same engine specifications. It just makes no sense.

Edit: The E46 hit US dealers in Oct. 1998, US production began Sept. 1998. The E46 328 & 323 (which was a 2.5 litre) were only producced for two models years, 1999 & 2000 before they were replaced by the 330 (June 2000 production) and 325 (Sept. 2000 production). Also, keep in mind that the 323Ci & 328Ci were produced for only one year (2000) before the 325Ci and 330Ci were replaced them.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by RichReg

The E46s debuted in the form of a 323 & 328 in late '98 as '99 models.....the 330 came in April of 2000, then the 325 in October of 2000.

Actually 330's hit US dealers in July 2000 as my 330 was produced the first month of production - 06/00.

[jcslp15]

yay for the coupes, jk, i need the coupe to come out in the next 10 months because i need to start driving again. Although i dont think thats going to happen =(

it would be nice if they had 335ci but hell i'd be happy with just a 330

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by SCA

Actually 330's hit US dealers in July 2000 as my 330 was produced the first month of production - 06/00.

My mistake....it was the convertible that came out in April of 2000.

[JonnyCrash]

Originally Posted by SCA

The E46 hit dealers in dealers in Oct. 1998, US production began Sept. 1999. The E46 328 & 323 (which was a 2.5 litre) were only producced for two models years, 1999 & 2000 before they were replaced by the 330 (June 2000 production) and 325 (Sept. 2000 production). Also, keep in mind that the 323Ci & 328Ci were produced for only one year (2000) before the 325Ci and 330Ci were replaced them.

Well, I've been wrong before, and I will be wrong again... but I really doubt that I'll be completely wrong this time. I cannot believe that BMW will bring out a 328 with 355hp at the 325 price point in just one year. Even getting rid of all the additonal kit that comes on the 330 right now, BMW owners would really know they had been hosed, and it would generate incredibly hard feelings. I know that the 5 series are getting new engines 2 years in, and I know the e46 had early engine upgrades, but unless I'm sorely mistaken, neither of these cases was the base unit pumped to exactly the same hp as the former premium unit.

Now, if BMW DOES pull this off, I will be quick to snap up a 328i! I guess waiting until the second model year may pay off for me after all. But until I see something official on this, I'm not going to believe it.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Why?

BMW is about to offer significantly increased performance at the same price or just a smidge more. It's called progress.

BMW always bumps the engines for the Coupes when they come out, usually 18 months after the sedans. This is the way things have always been done- you Sedan owners do all the bug testing for the Coupe types.

Why? Because it is stupid. Or better yet, its just basically
pissing on first year buyers.

is 335 for sedan too or just the coupe?
becaues if it is first the sedan, they could've done it from the
beginning, what is the point of putting 325/330 first when they
know they are going to get rid of it few months later, and drop in
new motor?

I just don't understand. I understand the fact that they might
be doing this for marketing, but are they caring for their fellow
BMW owners at all? this is ridiculous. You might be sitting there
relaxed cause this is not happening to you.

But say you just got your S40, paid full price for it, and few months
later you realized turbo-charged S40R version is coming out for
similar price. What the hell would you do?

btw, what color is your S40? I only see couple s40 on the road..
My friend is about to buy a white one(T5).