[StealYourFace]

Still confused, can a buyer in NA get a wagon, with a stick? Are all the wagons going to be xi and auto tranny?

Confusing.

[sonicbimmer19]

You guys know next generation 320i will be front-wheel drive, right? (no source, just my own speculation)

[gator15]

Originally Posted by dmontic71

I don't think it will sell well in the US. The price difference is minimal, and I don't think the real world fuel economy will be significantly better than the turbo (driven lightly). So what's the point in this market?

I think it will be a huge success. It allows BMW to compete for those buyers that are looking for the brand name and do not care much about engine power. The 328i has tended to be about 4-5k more than its direct competitors. The 320i allows BMW to compete for the buyers who simply cannot afford a 328i and as a result, are buying the C250. Sure, the 320i will be a tad bit slower than the 328i, but do you think those people that are buying simply for the roundel care about engine power? Sure, not many enthusiasts on this board will be interested in the 320i, but that is why BMW will continue to offer the 328i and 335i.

[300hp]

I agree with the above post. The 328i is already powerful car, quarter mile in the low 14s is pretty impressive. The 320i is by no means slow. BMW quotes 0-60 @7.1 but it will more likely be on the mid to high 6s. That's where some E9xs where.

BMWs approach is no different to Porsches with their offerings. Panamera, panamera S, gts, turbo, turbo s. they should bring over the diesels as well

I was looking at the specs, the 320i weighs 3,200lbs. GM was in the press today announcing they have the lightest car in this class, well move over GM, here comes the 320i.

[Berardi3]

Wow finally an affordable 4 door just wasn't crazy about the x1

[justinnum1]

wtf!? lol

you can get staggered summer tires on a 320i but not a 328 or 335 lulz

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by dmontic71

I don't think it will sell well in the US. The price difference is minimal, and I don't think the real world fuel economy will be significantly better than the turbo (driven lightly). So what's the point in this market?

The point is leaving it to the dealers to take advantage of buyers who couldn't give enough of a shit about the single exhaust to ask any questions about how the 328i is better. Have you ever been to Los Angeles? Dealers offer incredible lease deals on base 328i's that they ordered from the factory in bulk. This new model only makes their jobs easier, and its perceived better value compared to the 328i will keep customers engaged in the possibility of driving a BMW for the cost of leasing a nicely spec'd Kia Optima. These customers want options (not frills i.e. the omission of the HUD) before performance, and that its performance is equivalent to the old 325i--if not better--justifies its competitive edge in the U.S. market among pseudo-enthusiasts.

[Fugly M3]

BYO is available online. The optioning for this car is SOOOO much better than the BS lines the other cars have. It has the basic sport pack- m sport suspension, m steering wheel sport seats, 18s, black headliner. why can't the regular car have this? I say well done.

[smashhell]

Originally Posted by jackaleyess

Haha!! This is the entry level in Malaysia. Come with bi-xenon and navi and also electronic seat and other goodies. Priced at $80k.

Not our fault. Blame your government for the 300% tax.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by cuiter23

...These models will appeal to the casual driver who just needs to get from A to B safely, comfortably, in a premium car.

And just who exactly needs to get from A to B in a premium car? LOL

[cuiter23]

Originally Posted by tony20009

And just who exactly needs to get from A to B in a premium car? LOL

looks like we all do

[DrivenByE30]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

No offense to those that like and/or own the cars but imho the regular 3 series, 1 series, X3 and X1 are extremely overpriced

I confirm with you, they ARE extremely overpriced !

BMW is making a boat load of margin profit ! It's no wonder that 2012 has been their must financial successful year of all time !

[BMWinGE]

Originally Posted by 300hp

I agree with the above post. The 328i is already powerful car, quarter mile in the low 14s is pretty impressive. The 320i is by no means slow. BMW quotes 0-60 @7.1 but it will more likely be on the mid to high 6s. That's where some E9xs where.

BMWs approach is no different to Porsches with their offerings. Panamera, panamera S, gts, turbo, turbo s. they should bring over the diesels as well

I was looking at the specs, the 320i weighs 3,200lbs. GM was in the press today announcing they have the lightest car in this class, well move over GM, here comes the 320i.

Agreed. Its not like BMW just provided a shell of the car with some embarrassing engine specs. A 7.1 sec 0-60 time is no slouch, and its competitive with the other brands base models.

And the price difference between the 320i and 328i is almost identical to the difference in the 328i vs 335i. If there is any negative, it might be that it takes some sales from the 328i, but I think overall it will add to BMWs total sales.

[termigni]

nice package. it is a direct competitor for Audi A4 2.0T that Audi has been offering for more than a decade.
makes perfect sense in our current economy.

[Jaime_E90]

Originally Posted by cuiter23

This is a smart move by BMW in the US market. Entry level 323i (E90s) and 320i (F30) have been successful in the Canadian market for quite some time now. These models will appeal to the casual driver who just needs to get from A to B safely, comfortably, in a premium car.

Agreed!

[lesha]

if this was 320d with some 40mpg+ fuel rating i'd be all over this one, but i could see how this can be very successful, majority of bmws i see on the road are not driven by fan boys and forum regulars, girls and soccer moms who wants a bmw will go bananas for the 320

[dboucher30]

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

You guys know next generation 320i will be front-wheel drive, right? (no source, just my own speculation)

From my understanding FWD is only being planned for the 1 series. I would hate for BMW to bring FWD to any 3 series. The day they do that will be the day Audi, Mercedes and possibly Acura step up to welcome BMW to their slumber party

[elrey21]

My 2012 F30 328i BASE Leatherette with only the Tech Package, Moonroof, and Heated seats had an msrp of 42k .... discounted to 37k .... considering you can have some decent options like Nav, Xenons, and Sport Package, 18" Wheels, Enhance BT, Moonroof for an MSRP of 39K and get a deal at lets say 35K. You can have a better equipped minus the Turbo engine of course vehicle and lease for around $300 a month. Customize it to your liking as far the exterior and be winning in the eyes of everyone around you. Not bad IMO for the casual driver or someone who wants to get into the BMW lifestyle because once your in you only go up.

[J Tiberius]

Originally Posted by elrey21

My 2012 F30 328i BASE Leatherette with only the Tech Package, Moonroof, and Heated seats had an msrp of 42k .... discounted to 37k .... considering you can have some decent options like Nav, Xenons, and Sport Package, 18" Wheels, Enhance BT, Moonroof for an MSRP of 39K and get a deal at lets say 35K. You can have a better equipped minus the Turbo engine of course vehicle and lease for around $300 a month. Customize it to your liking as far the exterior and be winning in the eyes of everyone around you. Not bad IMO for the casual driver or someone who wants to get into the BMW lifestyle because once your in you only go up.

The 320 is still a turbo 2.0 liter and will have tuning potential.

And, as you say, once folks enter the BMW family they will only go up from there.

[Jamesons Viggen]

At least the 320 nomenclature is accurate for once lol.

[elrey21]

Originally Posted by J Tiberius

The 320 is still a turbo 2.0 liter and will have tuning potential.

And, as you say, once folks enter the BMW family they will only go up from there.

Yeah i realized that after doing some more research on it. I meant to say less powerful engine in reality. Since tuning is available it is not bad for those on a budget to still have a great driving car with reasonable power. Ill be recommending to it friends that consider my 328i too expensive for their pockets.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by gator15

I think it will be a huge success. It allows BMW to compete for those buyers that are looking for the brand name and do not care much about engine power. The 328i has tended to be about 4-5k more than its direct competitors. The 320i allows BMW to compete for the buyers who simply cannot afford a 328i and as a result, are buying the C250. Sure, the 320i will be a tad bit slower than the 328i, but do you think those people that are buying simply for the roundel care about engine power? Sure, not many enthusiasts on this board will be interested in the 320i, but that is why BMW will continue to offer the 328i and 335i.

It's a car that, in your own word, would be "a tad bit slower than a 328i". So if someone goes for the former, that's just for the badge, and the latter, because he is an enthusiast?

That's a lot of judgement on other people from someone who apparently only cares about power. There are Germans who have owned nothing but BMWs for their entire lives with none of them having over 200HP, and they would laugh at you for calling them badge whores.

The amount of penis fencing on this board based on the last two digits of their car's model number is just mind boggling.