[RichReg]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

So a car with 4 doors will be priced less that a car with two doors? Can you explain the logic behind that, sir. And backing it up with an example or two of precedence where BMW has used this pricing strategy in the past would go a long way towards convincing me.

3 Series Coupes have historically cost a bit more in base price than their sedan counterparts, but make up for it by having standard fold-down seats & sports suspension, which you must pay extra for on sedans.

Originally Posted by Dukenole

By the way, e90speed, who has a well-deserved reputation on this board, has pointed out that the 330i remains in Europe and SA after the 335i is introduced. Why would they keep the car there but remove it from the US market?

Apparently BMW has a drag-race mentality (similiar to many others) that has been brought upon by the torque-hungry U.S. market. As such, there is simply no more room for the 330 when they will be selling a 335.

BTW, my BMW salesman recently drove a 335 and said that his initial impression was that it made him feel like he was a bat out of hell off the line.

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

Stressdoc, I'm new to the board. Got my 330i 5 weeks ago and have been enjoying the hell out of it.

So a car with 4 doors will be priced less that a car with two doors? Can you explain the logic behind that, sir. And backing it up with an example or two of precedence where BMW has used this pricing strategy in the past would go a long way towards convincing me.

By the way, e90speed, who has a well-deserved reputation on this board, has pointed out that the 330i remains in Europe and SA after the 335i is introduced. Why would they keep the car there but remove it from the US market?

Maybe its just like the S class MB... Its still the S500 even though it has the 5.5L engine?

[stressdoc]

The coupes have always been about 1k+ more than the 4dr sedan in the 3-series.
The 328 is exclusive to the NA market. Europe and some other lucky areas will get the new N53 DI 3.0l engine in a model that will be marketed as a 330. They will continue to get the 2.5l N52 in the 325.
I think you mean E90fleet.

[akhbhaat]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

So a car with 4 doors will be priced less that a car with two doors? Can you explain the logic behind that, sir. And backing it up with an example or two of precedence where BMW has used this pricing strategy in the past would go a long way towards convincing me.

No problem.

1989 325is (coupe) = $28,950
1989 325i = $25,450

1995 325is = $33,500
1995 325i = $32,450

2000 323Ci = $28,990
2000 323i = $26,990

2004 330Ci = $36,800
2004 330i = $35,200

And so on and so forth. These were sourced from my memory and the BMW 3 series Enthusiast Guide, though any reputable automotive website (Edmunds, MSN Autos, etc) should have them on hand as well.

The logic behind this can be debated. BMW apparently regards the coupe as a premium niche model, versus the sedan which sells in much greater quantities. The best support for this (besides the pricing) is the fact that the coupes typically have more standard equipment than their sedan counterparts. In the past, the coupe was clearly the more sporting alternative (e.g. the E30 325is had a limited slip differential, while the 325i sedan did not), but in recent years the difference has become more cosmetic (and perhaps utilitarian) than anything else.

[Jay_328]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

So a car with 4 doors will be priced less that a car with two doors? Can you explain the logic behind that, sir. And backing it up with an example or two of precedence where BMW has used this pricing strategy in the past would go a long way towards convincing me.

BMW 101 ...coupes cost more than sedan.

You purchased your car 5 weeks ago. Did you pay MSRP?

[stressdoc]

I think the point is made. No salt necessary. No regrets necessary for anyone lucky enough to be driving any form of E90 at any price either. Like Dukenole (is that like a FSU Blue Devil?) said, he is enjoying the out of it.

[Dukenole]

Thanks for that info. I was not aware of it. It makes that the coupe would cost more if it came with more stuff standard but it is not obvious that that will be the case with the 335i coupe and sedan. In fact, in the press releases of the coupe I have not read anything that sets the coupe apart from the 330i sedan other than the engine and slightly different headlights.

[foofighter]

all this arm chair talking is great and confusing the hell out of me...we wont know till it's official...so since the 335 coupe is coming in september...we can expect official pricing when? July?

[stressdoc]

There are significant differences in the chassis and some suspension bits. The coupe is a lower volume, more exclusive marketing niche. Regardless of the amount of options it has had versus the sedan, the coupe has always been priced higher. Expect 1.6 - 2.5k more for the E92.

[Dukenole]

Jay, I paid $1,400 above invoice, which is pretty good for NC considering Hendricks owns about half the BMW dealerships. Yeah, coupes cost more...if it comes with more stuff, which is not readily apparent in this case. If you can prove otherwise, please do so.

Now let me ask you a question: did you settle for a 325i because you couldn't afford the 330i? I've been nothing but respectful but if you want to act differently I can dish it as good as anybody, Jay, so I'll leave it up to you.

Stressdoc, yeah, I'm a diehard Nole fan having grown up in Tallahassee but I'm on the faculty at Duke so I support the Blue Devils as well. Please, no lacrosse team jabs! ;-)

[Daneel]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

Stressdoc, I'm new to the board. Got my 330i 5 weeks ago and have been enjoying the hell out of it.

So a car with 4 doors will be priced less that a car with two doors? Can you explain the logic behind that, sir. And backing it up with an example or two of precedence where BMW has used this pricing strategy in the past would go a long way towards convincing me.

By the way, e90speed, who has a well-deserved reputation on this board, has pointed out that the 330i remains in Europe and SA after the 335i is introduced. Why would they keep the car there but remove it from the US market?

Dukenole, the E46 coupe was about $1000 more than the E46 sedan. It included the sports suspension as a standard feature, just like the E92 has the sports suspension standard.

Also, the 328 and the 335 sedan are both more or less confirmed at this point. Not only Greginaz, but multiple people have seen production sheets of the 328 SEDAN and 335 SEDAN to start production THIS september (not a year later or anything like that).

Finally, there have been no "reports" of a $42k base price of the 335 coupe. The only thing FOR THE US has been guestimates and speculations based on the military pricing brochure that was posted a few weeks ago, and completely irrelevant pricing based on European and Asian markets (which do not correlate to US prices, no matter what "percentage" calculations you perform, since the model lineup in Europe and Asia are completely different to the US model lineup).

[wyrm11]

Originally Posted by RichReg

BTW, my BMW salesman recently drove a 335 and said that his initial impression was that it made him feel like he was a bat out of hell off the line.

That's what I like to hear!

[Daneel]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

Thanks for that info. I was not aware of it. It makes that the coupe would cost more if it came with more stuff standard but it is not obvious that that will be the case with the 335i coupe and sedan. In fact, in the press releases of the coupe I have not read anything that sets the coupe apart from the 330i sedan other than the engine and slightly different headlights.

Dukenole, read the press release for the 335 coupe that was released on April 21. It clearly states that the sports suspension will be standard on both the coupes. Also, read the options list that was posted a few days later. Same thing. Finally, Greginaz recently (today or yesterday) posted the detailed US brochure for the coupe; again, sports suspension standard.

[Jay_328]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

Jay, I paid $1,400 above invoice, which is pretty good for NC considering Hendricks owns about half the BMW dealerships. Yeah, coupes cost more...if it comes with more stuff, which is not readily apparent in this case. If you can prove otherwise, please do so.

I have no need to prove anything to you. It's common knowledge here, coupes cost more. End of story.

Now let me ask you a question: did you settle for a 325i because you couldn't afford the 330i? I've been nothing but respectful but if you want to act differently I can dish it as good as anybody, Jay, so I'll leave it up to you.

I did not settle for a 325 coupe, could have easily bought a 330 sedan for perhaps a grand or two more. It's funny how some assume the lowly 325 owners are all wishing for a 330. You're barking up the wrong tree, pal. Your displaced analogy does not apply here. One more thing, if you consider my light hearted ribbing "dishing it out and being disrespectful" I highly recommend for you to ignore my posts and I'll do the same with yours.

Stressdoc, yeah, I'm a diehard Nole fan having grown up in Tallahassee but I'm on the faculty at Duke so I support the Blue Devils as well. Please, no lacrosse team jabs! ;-)

Oh yeah, I am a WAHOO! You know we all think we are better than other people. Lighten up, Geez!

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by Ethirtynine

The new 5.5L S-class is called S550

Not in europe...

[chonko]

Originally Posted by Dawg Nuts

. My rep also stated that he didn't think pricing on E90 335 would be much more the E90 330i, maybe $1500 - $2000, because as he said, "there is too much competition in the sport sedan market and BMW doesn't want to lose any market share.

Yep- competition is fierce in this segment like I have mentioned several times. I strongly believe they are taking note of the competition and will keep the 335i sedan within the pricing range.
I think $2k will be pushing it though- I hope they keep it about $1k-$1.5K.

[WA_Bimmer]

Perhaps a stupid question, but if the coupe is going to be called 335i, and if a sedan will come out apparently also called 335i, is that consistent with how BMW labels their sedans v. coupes? Would that cause confusion?

I thought that the 325i and 330i would be sedans, while 328i and 335i will coupes. Thus, one would be able to differentiate between the coupes and sedans.

[chonko]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

So you are saying that for the first time in the history of BMW that a model will last only one model year? The 335i coupe is reported to be priced around $41-42K, so the sedan will be priced at least as much. That means that there will be about a $9K gap b/w the 325i and the 335i sedan. The majority of 3 series sales already goes to the 325i. With this huge of a gap in price and I think an overwhelming majority of people will settle for a 325i.

I think there's a lot of wishful thinking on the price of the 335i. My guess is that there will be 335i sedan, but it will not replace the 330i. The 325i and 330i will stay-- perhaps one or the other will get replaced by a 328i sedan in a year or two-- and the 335i sedan will be priced much higher than these other cars, around $5-6k more, a base sticker around $42k.

1. Nope, the Sedan is always priced below the Coupe.
2. The 325i will be replaced by 328i.
3. Wishful thinking maybe, but they are logical reasoning taking market forces into account. It will absolutely be silly of BMW to price the 335i out of the competition range.
4. The 335i will replace the 330i. Don't forget business is war, and BMW will not lose a market it created by pricing its top non-m 3 series out of the market.

[Dukenole]

Daneel, from the April 2006 issue of Car & Driver:

"The 335i is expected to carry a base price of at least $42,000."

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...-and-info.html

[Dukenole]

Truce, Jay, just givin' you a taste of your own medicine. ;-)

And guys, sorry if I made an entrance like a bull in a china shop. I'm definitely opinioned and will challenge people but I mean no disrespect. I really enjoy this community.

[chewbaka]

Originally Posted by Dukenole

Daneel, from the April 2006 issue of Car & Driver:

"The 335i is expected to carry a base price of at least $42,000."

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...-and-info.html

If you do a basic search I remember a thread discussing that article. The consensus is that C&D pretty much makes up whatever number they feel like. There's been instances of their inaccurate quotes in the past and when official figures are released proving them wrong, their old articles mysteriously disappear from their website. Also, that article was a while ago, right when the coupe was announced. Since then, there's been a lot more information released, from European pricing to leaks from posters with insider information. But as always, we won't know until the official release, within the month.

And Dukenole, I'm new here like you and with due respect, your attitude is a little grating. Challenging people to prove this and prove that on every little thing. People on this forum are here because they enjoy discussing the 3series and help out others where they can; they don't owe you anything. And I agree with the previous poster. He was simply making a jab since there's plenty of bitter 330 owners here who resent the new 335. I don't think he was dishing out disrespect.

[drkeng]

by WA_Bimmer
Perhaps a stupid question, but if the coupe is going to be called 335i, and if a sedan will come out apparently also called 335i, is that consistent with how BMW labels their sedans v. coupes? Would that cause confusion?

I thought that the 325i and 330i would be sedans, while 328i and 335i will coupes. Thus, one would be able to differentiate between the coupes and sedans.

A good way to tell will be that the coupe will have 2 doors, one on each side. The sedan will have four total, two on each side. The coupe front is usually sportier looking, too. From the pix going around, the back lights are different and the coupe will have LED's again in back.

As far as the car mags go, the spy pix here have been more accurate than Car and Driver's artist renderings.

Happy 6-6-6 day