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      01-14-2013, 01:37 PM   #75
BradF
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Drives: '06 E53, '08 E90
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Really. How much less does this engine "cost" BMW to manufacture than the N20? Probably not a lot - it's just detuned.

This is obviously BMW's way of bringing the 3-series downmarket. The 335 will be dropped when the new M3 hits, and the 328i will become the new 335 - with more power than the 320i to justify the price difference. Meanwhile, the 320i will become a lower margin, high volume car for BMW. In all, maybe not a bad strategy but further evidence that BMW continues to water down the brand and experience in favor of volume and profit. My guess is that on the LCI 328i, they'll finally fix that numb steering to further justify the price difference between the 320i and the 328i -- i mean, you gotta get something for that extra $4k besides a better tuned engine (which has no difference in manufacturing costs).
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