Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2013 BMW 320i xDrive; Day 1

[carcrazed]

Those badge snobs/whores make sure that BMW has enough money to create the new M3, M4(?), M5, M6, etc... It's all good.

[wing]

Nope.  Not everyone needs 300hp.  Actually I'm enjoying the car quite a bit.  It may be a little pricey though.

[aquadorhj]

Engine not struggling, in fact it is too fast, I'm constantly speeding everywhere.

It does sound like a diesel on the outside but not inside.  Lots of hate here.

Because its an almost $50K car with 180 horsepower and the engine sounds agricultural. Do you not agree that this is a car only for badge snobs??

BMW DI turbo's have been super powerful thru-out.   recall Edmunds 328 Dyno chart?  it made 240 WHP, not crank.   so this guy probably makes 180 Wheel HP.  which means it would be making at least 210 HP at crank.

I don't want to make fun of people choosing 323's  or 320's instead of 328's and 335's.     for most people, buying 335 makes no sense at all.  it is way too powerful for non-enthusiasts to even know or enjoy.

[Fobroader]

Engine not struggling, in fact it is too fast, I'm constantly speeding everywhere.

It does sound like a diesel on the outside but not inside.  Lots of hate here.

Because its an almost $50K car with 180 horsepower and the engine sounds agricultural. Do you not agree that this is a car only for badge snobs??

BMW DI turbo's have been super powerful thru-out.   recall Edmunds 328 Dyno chart?  it made 240 WHP, not crank.   so this guy probably makes 180 Wheel HP.  which means it would be making at least 210 HP at crank.

I don't want to make fun of people choosing 323's  or 320's instead of 328's and 335's.     for most people, buying 335 makes no sense at all.  it is way too powerful for non-enthusiasts to even know or enjoy.

Ok, thats fine and all, but a car making under 200 horses for $50k to me at least in unnaceptable. Especially when said car sounds like it comes from the John Deere catalogue. Not saying buy an M3 or nothing, I just thing BMW can do better.

[Fobroader]

To put it in perspective, that's Boss 302 money.

  I like the way you think. "Hmm...do I want some half assed, tractor sounding BMW that will impress......people that dont know about BMWs or do I want one of the most kick ass vehicles on the planet??" Hmmm. Not that anyone in their right mind is going to cross shop these two, but yeah, that really puts how overpriced the BMW is.

[evil_twin]

This thing IS overpriced (IMO), but it's also a case of a loaded up media-spec car presenting a poor value comparison.  People are also including every PDI and licensing fee in the BMW price (and then further rounding up to an even $50k) and not doing so for their chosen comparison car.

As an example, you can option a 320i sedan (non AWD), starts at $36k add the modern line (as in the article) or sports package (18 in wheels, leather, sportseats) and have a pretty nice RWD sedan for <$40k MSRP.   

Still wouldn't be my choice, but I think that's at least a reasonable option for someone who doesn't have serious sporting pretensions and/or is realistic about the driving they do.

[Blueprint]

Did a build and price on an X1, found out it needs zero options, msrp around 36k$ with the previous-gen 3-Series chassis, 1-Series front end, full-hp 4 banger, 8 speed slushbox AND awd ... no wonder the X1 outnumbers the newer 3-Series around Montreal!

[nlm]

$45,400 is after delivery fees, don't forget to add those into your prices when comparing. 

You should probably exclude the delivery or note the MSRP plus delivery. Most people provide off-hand quotes based on msrp sans delivery so it might be more equal footed (is that a word?) to exclude delivery. Just look at this thread on day 1!!!

[Vanstar]

It gets worse, I realized this morning I have NAV.  So that will add more to the price.  How much?  No idea as BMW's website requires java.  I spent an hour last night just to get that to work, and I'm not going to try on my linux box at work.   What a pain!

This car is $39,900 base price the Modern package is only $2,500.  $45,400 is after delivery fees, don't forget to add those into your prices when comparing.  A similarly equipped IS250AWD (premium package) is the same price.

BMW has the worst website I have ever experienced. Most of the time it simply doesn't work.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

It gets worse, I realized this morning I have NAV.  So that will add more to the price.  How much?  No idea as BMW's website requires java.  I spent an hour last night just to get that to work, and I'm not going to try on my linux box at work.   What a pain!

This car is $39,900 base price the Modern package is only $2,500.  $45,400 is after delivery fees, don't forget to add those into your prices when comparing.  A similarly equipped IS250AWD (premium package) is the same price.

BMW has the worst website I have ever experienced. Most of the time it simply doesn't work.

I thought it was just me because I run NoScript. It is a mess.

[wing]

$45,400 is after delivery fees, don't forget to add those into your prices when comparing. 

You should probably exclude the delivery or note the MSRP plus delivery. Most people provide off-hand quotes based on msrp sans delivery so it might be more equal footed (is that a word?) to exclude delivery. Just look at this thread on day 1!!!

It says right in the article.  Including Delivery and Fees.

We include it in all prices as this is now how all the manufacturers price out on their websites.  Also because it is more realistic since they insist on charging $2000 for pdi these days.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

It says right in the article.  Including Delivery and Fees.

We include it in all prices as this is now how all the manufacturers price out on their websites.  Also because it is more realistic since they insist on charging $2000 for pdi these days.

That's the way it should be. Freight and PDI are usually non-negotiable. It gives people a better idea of the reaming they're about to get.

[gotak]

I agree with people who say this thing is overpriced.

Maybe it drives ok but yeah the base 3 series was always marketed for people who cares about the badge more than the car. Which is odd because if all you care about is badge, feature and price (and not driving) what makes BMW stands apart from the others lux brands?

[Noto]

Yeah, the entry models have never been a value proposition - the old 323i was RWD only, had a 'crippled' version of a beautiful engine, and barely saved a few grand.  What's the point?

Oh, right..."I drive a BMW"

Yeah, I'm quoting myself - I'm just so wonderful.

Whilst I agree that this car should spark the value debate, I tend to agree with Wing that the car itself is fine.  I simply take issue at the gawking premium for the extra 2 drive wheels.  $35,990 for 320i RWD; $39,990 for 320i xDrive.  $4,000.  It's steep. 

At least Bimmer was nice enough to charge only $1,000 more for the 328d xDrive vs the 328i...both of which are about $7-8k more than the 320i xDrive...

[Snowman]

This thing IS overpriced (IMO), but it's also a case of a loaded up media-spec car presenting a poor value comparison.  People are also including every PDI and licensing fee in the BMW price (and then further rounding up to an even $50k) and not doing so for their chosen comparison car.

As an example, you can option a 320i sedan (non AWD), starts at $36k add the modern line (as in the article) or sports package (18 in wheels, leather, sportseats) and have a pretty nice RWD sedan for <$40k MSRP.   

Still wouldn't be my choice, but I think that's at least a reasonable option for someone who doesn't have serious sporting pretensions and/or is realistic about the driving they do.

Once again Evil is bringing a level head to this thread. I think a lot of people want to hate this car (for whatever reason) and are avoiding some of the truths. I also agree that's a little spendy compared to some other offerings but hey.

I agree 100%. Just because a car is out of their pay scale and have never driven a BMW it becomes a target for hate.

[Fobroader]

Yeah, the entry models have never been a value proposition - the old 323i was RWD only, had a 'crippled' version of a beautiful engine, and barely saved a few grand.  What's the point?

Oh, right..."I drive a BMW"

Yeah, I'm quoting myself - I'm just so wonderful.

Whilst I agree that this car should spark the value debate, I tend to agree with Wing that the car itself is fine.  I simply take issue at the gawking premium for the extra 2 drive wheels.  $35,990 for 320i RWD; $39,990 for 320i xDrive.  $4,000.  It's steep. 

At least Bimmer was nice enough to charge only $1,000 more for the 328d xDrive vs the 328i...both of which are about $7-8k more than the 320i xDrive...

This is id have no problem forking out the cash for a 328 or a 330, X or rwd, they go and sound like a proper "ultimate driving machine"....Ive heard the 320i at full song.......no, just no. The E90 335i coupe I drove was an excellent car, especially since there was a sports exhaust, that thing was well worth the money.

[rrocket]

Once again Evil is bringing a level head to this thread. I think a lot of people want to hate this car (for whatever reason) and are avoiding some of the truths. I also agree that's a little spendy compared to some other offerings but hey.

He didn't bring anything (no offense, Evil).  He merely said what everyone else has been griping about...the car IS too expensive for what it is.

[rrocket]

^^Don't lie.  We both know you'd buy your wife the new IS250 AWD F-Sport.  And save some$$$$.  And have more power. And reliability.

[rrocket]

I'd let her make the call - but my point was more to the understanding of where these types of cars fit it....Lexus, BMW, Benz, or whatever.......people who don't car so much about the power but want the other things.

It's a BMW. It's not going to come in a $24 999.

Otherwise that's why people buy Sonatas et al.

Maybe I misunderstood...but I thought the gripe about the BMW was that it was more $$$$ (and less value) than cars in the same class?

[PJ]

Not my sort of car but even I recognize you get more then just a hp number with this car.  Trim away some over priced options and you can get it close to some over priced economy cars.