[xG35c]

Especially given BMW gives you virtually NO additional content in the coupe for your $5500 (OK, 1" larger wheels). Cadillac which supposedly copied the BMW 3/4 series marketing plan with the ATS only asks about $2k more for their 320HP V6. Given the 2.0l is "sufficient" I'm having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it for "more than sufficient". Than again, $50k+ for a 4 cylinder? What's going on, German automaker greed?

[diablo2112]

In the sedan version, there's several nice additions with the 35i engine upgrade. Xenon lighting package and alarm, for example.

[daberlin]

Years ago, my eldest son asked me why tickets to my favorite rock band cost so much money. My answer was simple to him as it is to you. 'Things cost what people are willing to pay for them'. BMW has many smart marketing people on staff and they know people like me (us?) will pay a premium for high performance. You are welcome to rationalize this injustice as a cost vs. options issue, but I would say that's apples and oranges.

[focal]

get over the 4 cylinder issues BMW 50k

it's a 220+hp engine with a great power band. it performs and is relatively economical. It's a modern engine that performs, period!

The world market has been driving 4 cylinders for years. Last I look Hyundai has a 270hp 4 cylinder, VW has a 270hp 2.0L turbo, MB has a 300+ hp version in their CLA45. The latter engine definitely is higher performance than the i6 in the E9x 328i.

The 3.0L N55 will have a nicer engine note, sweeter mid range, poorer economy and you're paying for that.

I don't equate price with having more cylinders. if engine displacement and cylinder count meant so much, we'd consider the Tau V8 in a R-spec Genesis. Or we'd all have old school muscle cars.

Modern regulations means we're getting so much more out of petrol engines, to the point we're obsoleting 1st generation hybrids or diesels from the early 2000's. That's progress. The trickle up effect unfortunately will not see 12 cylinder direct injection turbo's, but the newest 8cyl turbo's really outperform a NA 12 cyl from years past.

you loose sound and sweetness of more cylinders, but progress in absolute speeds is still relevant. Just like how 8AT can outperform the 6MT and give better economy.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by daberlin

Years ago, my eldest son asked me why tickets to my favorite rock band cost so much money. My answer was simple to him as it is to you. 'Things cost what people are willing to pay for them'. BMW has many smart marketing people on staff and they know people like me (us?) will pay a premium for high performance. You are welcome to rationalize this injustice as a cost vs. options issue, but I would say that's apples and oranges.

^ This.

It's the same reason that I pay certain prices for wines and bourbons that I prefer.

[falar]

If you build a 328i and load it up and a 335i and load it up you'll see the price difference is actually very small because of all the standard features that come with the 335i.

So really the question is "If they are so close in price why get the 328i?"

[CHCCubs]

Originally Posted by focal

get over the 4 cylinder issues BMW 50k

it's a 220+hp engine with a great power band. it performs and is relatively economical. It's a modern engine that performs, period!

The world market has been driving 4 cylinders for years. Last I look Hyundai has a 270hp 4 cylinder, VW has a 270hp 2.0L turbo, MB has a 300+ hp version in their CLA45. The latter engine definitely is higher performance than the i6 in the E9x 328i.

The 3.0L N55 will have a nicer engine note, sweeter mid range, poorer economy and you're paying for that.

I don't equate price with having more cylinders. if engine displacement and cylinder count meant so much, we'd consider the Tau V8 in a R-spec Genesis. Or we'd all have old school muscle cars.

Modern regulations means we're getting so much more out of petrol engines, to the point we're obsoleting 1st generation hybrids or diesels from the early 2000's. That's progress. The trickle up effect unfortunately will not see 12 cylinder direct injection turbo's, but the newest 8cyl turbo's really outperform a NA 12 cyl from years past.

you loose sound and sweetness of more cylinders, but progress in absolute speeds is still relevant. Just like how 8AT can outperform the 6MT and give better economy.

Totally agree, the N20 in my current car is a much better motor than the N52 I6 in my previous E90, the only slight exception being the sound.

[ft1330]

When I bought my 335i, comparing the 328i vs. the 335i with the options I wanted, the 35 was only $3k more, plus with a ton of additional goodies. So to me it a was a no brainer. And I love that I have the 6 cylinder.

[64-bit]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

In the sedan version, there's several nice additions with the 35i engine upgrade. Xenon lighting package and alarm, for example.

Lets not forget the moon roof, which for a bmw should be standard anyways.

[Carnut12]

I just bought a 335i today, the price difference was $4100, but that included $2000 cash back on the 328i and $1250 on the 335i so the actual difference was $3350.

Don't forget the 335i also gets upgraded leather, that is why the premium package is $1000 cheaper.

I would bet you get back every dollar on resale so in the end it really did not cost you any more than the 328i.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by xG35c

Especially given BMW gives you virtually NO additional content in the coupe for your $5500 (OK, 1" larger wheels). Cadillac which supposedly copied the BMW 3/4 series marketing plan with the ATS only asks about $2k more for their 320HP V6. Given the 2.0l is "sufficient" I'm having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it for "more than sufficient". Than again, $50k+ for a 4 cylinder? What's going on, German automaker greed?

This question has come up quite a bit since the F30 came to market.
Base price difference is greater due to the engine AND the other items that come standard in the 335i that you need to add to the 328i in order to make a full assessment of price.

If you only want a base model, then the choice is 328i base no options, or 335i which comes with some standard items such as sunroof and xenon lights, larger wheels/tires, and larger brakes.
You can add the sunroof and xenons to the 328i easily.
To get the larger brakes and wheelsl/tires you can add them with a package.

I just configured a 328i Msport and 335i Msport with premium pkg's, same trans, same wheels, Msport brakes, etc... and the MSRP difference is
$3900.
The config I did makes both variants near twins except for the engines.
So, basically the N55 3.0 is $3900 more.

Most people tend to options their BMW's with at least premium pkg's.
Go to the BMW site and configure each variant so that they have the same equipment and you'll then see that once you put in the same features the price difference is around $4000.

If you shop the dealer lot you won't get the right impression of the price difference because the dealer options their cars to reflect the local market.
In my area there are a lot of X-drives, and that reflects the Chicago area winters. Nearly all of the cars in these lots have heated seats as well to keep buns warm in the cold.

For loan or cash buyers $4000 is a good chunk of change if one doesn't need or want the larger engine. Then save the money and get the 328i.
If you want the greater power and better engine sounds, then get the 335i.

For leases the monthly difference for the added $4000 isn't a huge difference as you're only going to pay a percentage of the $4000 during the typical 36 month term. That's why leasers tend to load up the options as they aren't going to pay the full price for them.

Build each variant with the options and features you want, that will be a much better representation of the price difference.
Then drive the cars and you decide which engine is better for you, and then you'll know if the 3.0 is worth the premium upcharge.

With either one you're going to get a very nice BMW.
As others have pointed out, the 2.0 engine shouldn't be viewed based on cylinder count or size. You need to judge it on it's performance.
This is not 20-30 years ago when the mantra of "there's no replacement for displacement" moved people into larger engines to get good performance.
In this modern era for daily driving and utility there is a replacement for displacement. It's called modern engine management technology and modern turbo-charging. You're getting the same, and often better, performance in 2.0 liters than you would have gotten from a larger V6 just even 15yrs ago.
And, you're getting better MPG along with more comfort and collision safety.

Either engine is a winner. And the MPG difference, especially with the 8sp AT is minimal. BMW's and EPA's testing show the difference to be
23/35 for the 328i AT, and 22/32 for the 335i AT.
So the average is only about 2-3mpg. It's not as different as some think it is.

[Vitoco]

Well, don't come here and buy it then. In europe its +14k USD up from the 328i, and thats for the engine alone and nothing else. Sick, and nothing else.

[chiefneil]

As others have said, the difference was only 3-4k comparably equipped for me. Whether or not the extra hp, torque, and exhaust sound is worth 3k is a personal decision. For me it was a no-brainer. People spend thousands on exhausts, air intakes, tunes, etc chasing 10-20hp with equipment that's not covered under warranty.

3k for the smoothness and tradition of an I6, +60hp, a better sounding exhaust, better brakes, all fully covered under warranty and maintenance? Sign me up.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Carnut12

I just bought a 335i today, the price difference was $4100, but that included $2000 cash back on the 328i and $1250 on the 335i so the actual difference was $3350.

Don't forget the 335i also gets upgraded leather, that is why the premium package is $1000 cheaper.

I would bet you get back every dollar on resale so in the end it really did not cost you any more than the 328i.

The 335/435 does not get leather as standard. The 335 gets the moonroof standard, which accounts for the premium package price difference.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by xG35c

Especially given BMW gives you virtually NO additional content in the coupe for your $5500 (OK, 1" larger wheels). Cadillac which supposedly copied the BMW 3/4 series marketing plan with the ATS only asks about $2k more for their 320HP V6. Given the 2.0l is "sufficient" I'm having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it for "more than sufficient". Than again, $50k+ for a 4 cylinder? What's going on, German automaker greed?

BMW's relative pricing structure has not changed since at least the E46. In fact, adjusted for inflation, BMW prices have remained very stable for at least fifteen years. You actually get more for your dollar today than in years past.

I'm not particularly happy about the four banger. I wish BMW had kept their "unique" advantage and developed a small displacement turbo I6, but the fact of the matter is all the competition in this segment is using turbo four bangers in their "mass market"models.

[Carnut12]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The 335/435 does not get leather as standard. The 335 gets the moonroof standard, which accounts for the premium package price difference.

Odd my sticker shows Dakota Leather included, maybe the Sunroof is why there is a difference in Premium though.

[falar]

Originally Posted by Carnut12

Odd my sticker shows Dakota Leather included, maybe the Sunroof is why there is a difference in Premium though.

On my window sticker it shows that too but under the premium package.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by falar

If you build a 328i and load it up and a 335i and load it up you'll see the price difference is actually very small because of all the standard features that come with the 335i.

So really the question is "If they are so close in price why get the 328i?"

I just priced out a similarly optioned 328i and 335i. It seems you're right. The 328i's MSRP was $46,750 (USAA Price: $39,615). The 335i's MSRP was $50,500 (USAA Price: $43,845). However, it seems the incentives on the 328i are better at this time (larger option credit).

[falar]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

I just priced out a similarly optioned 328i and 335i. It seems you're right. The 328i's MSRP was $46,750 (USAA Price: $39,615). The 335i's MSRP was $50,500 (USAA Price: $43,845). However, it seems the incentives on the 328i are better at this time (larger option credit).

Are you buying or leasing?

If you lease then then you just $500 off with the USAA rebate and not the full $1500 for a three series.

[BMW FOREVER]

well...between the 328i and 335i...its a no brainer for me...see for yourself why that is the case...

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by falar

Are you buying or leasing?

If you lease then then you just $500 off with the USAA rebate and not the full $1500 for a three series.

I prefer to buy. It has to be a car that I'm willing to drive for 5-10 years.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

I prefer to buy. It has to be a car that I'm willing to drive for 5-10 years.

Same here. That's why I generally go for the engine I prefer, in my case the 335i. I also tend to pass up options that look like they might spell trouble in 5-10 years, e.g. Nav, HUD, etc.

If I was leasing I could see trying out a 328i for a few years, though.