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Comments
Best Regards,
Shipo
Shipo, Happy Kwanzaa to you too.
I do like the BMW a la carte ordering method, but in the future, some "value adjustment" pricewise may be necessary if the competition keeps improving the way it is.
-Bret
bretaa - good point about the price adjustment. It's already happened. An '04 325 performs very close to a '98 328 but it is at least 5 grand cheaper even 6 years later. If it weren't for the competition, BMW would still be charging a huge "prestige" premium ;o)
marks1970 - They cost a lot because you are probably comparing loaded used 3-series to new strippers. Most 3-series sold in the U.S. are pretty much loaded because that's what the dealers usually have sitting on the lot. You're rarely going to see a stripper manual with vinyl seats sitting on a dealer lot. Those are special ordered and their owners tend to hold on to them. Frankly, the 3-series hold their value so well, it almost makes no sense to buy a used one, esp. if you could do a European Delivery. Some 15-yr old E30 M3s are still selling for half their original price - absolutely amazing IMO!!
The rising euro has definitely had an effect on the price of a the new E60. As a German company, BMW does all its accounting in euros, meaning in order to maintain its high profit per vehicle it must sell the cars for more US dollars.
I think the E60 5er went up in price to prepare us for a price increase on the E90 3er to allow for the 1 series to come in (with I6s) and not get too close in price when you "load it up" to the 3 series.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I wonder how long BMW can continue to keep their price discrepancy now that there is more competition in their segment (ie, IS300 and G35 [both of which should be even better in their second incarnation]).
Of course, if the pricing of the new 5-series is any indication then they seem to be raising their price points.... for no apparent reason:
- most international companies using hedging strategies to offset fluctuations in currencies, so the dollar's depreciation against the Euro doesn't seem to be the driver (no pun intended); and
- Japanese manufacturers generally price their vehicles at or below the previous year's price AND increase margins (due to their improved operational efficiences)
Also, for whoever was asking: the new 3-series is supposed to be out in 2005... I believe this is listed in the "Future Vehicles" section of edmunds.
1) Standard manual (no lumbar adjustment)
2) Standard power (no lumbar adjustment)
3) Sport manual (no lumbar adjustment)
4) Sport power (no lumbar adjustment)
I've read that if you have lower back problems you really want to avoid the standard seats (manual or power).
"Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding ordering options on the X3. The 8-way power adjustable front seats are available as a option on the X3 2.5. The 8-way adjustable front sport seats with 2-way manual thigh support is also available as an option within the Sports package. The 4-way lumbar support for front seats is only available for the X3 3.0 within the Premium package."
I believe this holds true for 3 series sedans and wagons. So, to get lumbar back support, you need to get the 3.0 with the premium package. Or, as I like to think of it, it costs $6,000 to get lumbar in a BMW. 'Sup with that?
ButMyWife
Regards,
kyfdx
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I'll pass that to my friend in his S2000 appliance he'll get good laugh at that...
I don't mind buying a used BMW, but it seems I can get a newer one for cheaper. Is this right?
i wonder how long the european car manufacturers can hold prices low. at 1.24 odd $ fro every euro, i've seen the euro rise about 28 % in the last year and some months. unless bmw and mb and audi.. and and others don't do something drastic, their bottom lines are going to hurt fast, despite all the hedging and stuff that's done in the markets.
But then again, each category/make of vehicles is a passing fad, time and again.
prattster:
I hear ya man, though i dont own a honda, if i'd a choice to replace wife's 4 seat convertible with any car for the sheer excitement factor, it'd be with the japanese gadget called honda s2000.
ksso
I'm enamored with the new cars. I think BMW got it just right.
- is NOT available for 325i or 325xi
- is available for 330i and 330xi as part of the optional Premium Package
- is NOT available for 325Ci
- is available for 330Ci as part of the optional Premium Package
- is NOT available for 325CiC
- is available for 330CiC as part of the optional Premium Package
I'm assuming this holds for the touring wagons, too.
So only the 330i buyers who also spring for PP get lumbar. A most expensive option?
ksso
-Paul
haha
About the self-dimming mirrors, I tend to agree with you that it's unnecessary, but people tend to be impressed by the most silly things...
I was in the Best Buy parking lot this weekend, and a new RX330 was right smack in front of the store when the (kind of prissy) owners activated the auto trunk opener and closer. It was like the community's spotlight was on these folks. My girlfriend and I virtually laughed out loud at how silly it was, but the other 30 or so people in the parking lot watching looked awed... You could almost hear the collective "WWWOOOOWWW!!!" I think, given this neighborhood, Lexus just sold 15 RX330's based on that scene alone...
BMW has a tough task, to offer pure driving excitement and focus but still have enough sybaritic features to attract the casual luxury owner. BMW is a mass marketer, after all, and can't really afford to be the Lotus of luxury cars.
-Bret
BTW, is it just me or are those things scary slow?
I've had autodimming mirrors in my cars the last 5 years. One vehicle had an autodimming drivers mirror. They are not gadgets, but valued accessories for driving at night. 1) I wish the BMW drivers mirror dimmed and 2) I would like to be able to turn it off.
I wouldn't even want an auto closer on a BMW. It adds unnecessary weight and 10 years down the road some schmo is going to be stuck with the lifgate in the up positions.
ksso
Thanks
AJL1000
The original issuer and marketing company goes bankrupt and the reinsurance was limited. Reinsurer's liquidation proceeding are in the Cayman Islands.
http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/23098179.html
Best Regards,
Shipo
Is he right about this? Reading about the car online before it was delivered, I read that that dealer is supposed to call you prior to delivery to program the car based on your preferences. But that never happened.
Before the car is delivered the dealer should allow you to make selections that are programmable so your car is set up the way you want. In many situations, the default settings are what most people want, but you should have the choice. I don't remember all of the choices, but my dealer did provide the sheet of paper showing the options at time of delivery. I only wanted one change (auto door locking) and the dealer programmed it when I stopped in later. Some dealers charge extra for reprogramming.
Or the 325 works differently than the 330ci.
ButMyWife
Anyway, I noticed that some, but not all, of the '04's had one of those antenna dongles on the rear of the roof. Looking at the stickers, it seemed to go along with the Premium Package. A salesman later came out and confirmed that. He said that the "BMW Assist" service (similar to OnStar, apparently) comes with the '04 3-series along with the Premium Pkg, with a year's free subscription to the service. I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere else. Anyone know about it?
In any case, I sure wish I could get mine without that antenna wart, which in my opinion just doesn't look right.
ksso
ksso
sometimes you are the windshield
sometimes you are the bug
:-)
oops, nm
ksso