CORRECTIONS!!!
Here are some things I've found between 2012 pricing and features, compared to
2013 pricing and features. I added some examples of how it affects pricing.
I've checked out the new 2013 model year 328i and 335i, and BMW has added some items as standard.
BUT, the base pricing has gone up on both 328i and 335i.
Prices below don't include the $895 delivery charge.
328i base price is now $36,500 up from $34,900.
335i base price is now $42,800 up $42,400.
Here's what is now added to the 328i as standard:
-Auto dimming exterior mirrors
-Auto dimming rearview mirror
-Universal garage door opener
-Power seats w/memory
-The above were part of the 2012 "premium pkg."
-Split & fold down rear seats
-That was part of a pkg. and a $475 stand alone option for 2012.
-Satellite Radio ****CORRECTION**** The new guide shows "Satellite radio preparation". Until we get clarification, it looks like satellite radio is included but not activated.
The "premium pkg" shows "Satellite radio with 1 year subscription". This option was part of the HK audio pkg in 2012, but it's been moved.
Xenon headlights appear to be a stand alone option in 2013, for the same $900.
HK audio upgrade has been reduced to $875. Satellite radio preparation, meaning unknown, is now standard on the base car.
Costs simply shifted to base price.
I built and optioned a 2012 328i sport line with the same options and features as an equally optioned 2013 328i sport line.
Price difference? $550!.
2012 model year, split fold down seats are a $475 option.
So, when comparing 2012 to 2013 pricing, make sure you add the split fold seats and the $475 charge in the 2012 build.
Equally optioned, including for new base items for 2013, a 335i is only $100 more. It's interesting that the 328i has such a high increase. One factor may be because now you can build a 328i at a lower price point if you don't want certain things. For 2012 to get some items you had to get others.
For 2013 you can leave things out and still get other items you may want.
Example: If you want a 328i with power seats and dimming mirrors but you don't want leather, now for 2013 you can have that. Power seats and dimming mirrors are standard features, so you don't have to get a premium pkg to get those items.
Basically, there are more configuration options it seems, and maybe that's how BMW still gets to make some extra profit. After all, the 328i is a higher seller than the 335i.
Overall, I say this isn't bad. If you option a 3 with the features most buyers want, then the price difference isn't much at all.
But, I posted before about "economy of scale", where if you add certain previous features at added cost, then adding those features to the base car and adjusting the price, should lead to a LOWER over price due to economy of scale. However, we're not seeing that here.
Equally optioned and equal features results in the 2013 328i costing about $550 MORE. But, since you can option better, overall price may be lower as you don't have to get and pay for things you may not want.
Given the slow growing strength of the Dollar, and the Euro not doing that great, I would have expected a better deal as features were added as standard.
In the 335i it too gets all those items as standard as well.
2012 335i sport line equally configured to a 2013 335i sport line:
2012 - $49,370
2013 - $49,520
$150 more for equal options.
For my config, which didn't include split fold down seats, 2012 MSRP is $48,895. So, it's a $625 increase, and I have to take the split seats now.
Adding some features as standard, actually INCREASED the overall cost for me, as I wasn't going to get the split seat option.
But, if you compare equal item for item, price increase for a 335i is only about $150. And, like the 328i, there are more combination that can be made where you can actually bring the price down.
Example: If you wanted the garage door opener and dimming mirrors, but no leather seats and don't care for comfort access, then you can save money by not having to get the premium pkg. at all.
Bundling features into the base car is great, but it has to come with a REDUCTION in overall cost not an increase.
No big deal really, as it's likely that most people option the split seats, so most will only see a $55 to $150 increase for a 2013.
Not too bad, but better for a 335i
