[Sedan_Clan]

Interesting!

[LeMans E90]

I love when these pissing matches take place on here. Great way to pass time up on a Friday at the office.

With that said, that interior does look rather "blah". Then again, at the price point that this vehicle will command, I suspect that most consumers will be considering the entire package before making a purchase decision. I find it hard to believe that "I hated the iDrive Controller" will be the sole reason one wouldn't buy the 4GC.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

Don't spill your coffee on that iDrive knob!



Base price on a 535 is $53,100. It's $76,000 for a 640GC - That $23,000 spread means that there is a whole different target market for each car.

Base price on a 335 is $42,800, $36,500 on a 328. I just don't think BMW can get away charging $60,000 base for a 4 series GC. I'd guess more like a $5000 to $7500 premium over the F30. Which means the spread will be smaller and the chance to cannibalize F30 sales will be more real.

No question that this is an obvious risk for BMW; I have no doubt they have considered it carefully. I just have no idea what their conclusions might have been.

Well, considering they're putting the car into production, I would guess that they concluded cannibalization of sales would not be a problem. Even if the GC stole sales away from the regular 3 series, who cares? That's still a BMW being sold.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by Remonster

Even if the GC stole sales away from the regular 3 series, who cares? That's still a BMW being sold.

They would probably look for incremental sales at least equivalent to the R&D costs of an additional model.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

A baby 5er (528i) costs US$47,000 and a 6GC starts at US$76,000. Thats a 62% increase.

- The entry level engine for the 5 series is not available for the 6 series. This introduces an artificially large price gap between the two. The gap is potentially even larger in countries where the 520i is sold. Don't expect BMW to put a 4 cylinder in the 6 series any time soon.

- There are standard equipment differences (6 has more content to start) that also contribute to the price gap.

- The 5 and 6 series feature more differentiation in the interior than the 3 and 4 will, assuming these spy shots are showing us the truth.

I think it is extremely unlike that the 428i coupe will start at over 50k, even if the selection of one of the four "lines" becomes compulsory with this model (which I suppose I'd give a 50/50 shot). The 428i GC, then, might possibly tip things above 50k to start, but I would not necessarily guarantee that. I could see them putting it just slightly under.

In any case, once optioned up, this will not be a cheap car, but neither is a 335i today. Even a 328i can go well above 50k.

[ron_jeremy]

This 4GC is going to be a hit for sure.
A more upscaled 3 with more premium.
The 6GC is just stunning, and i expect great things, Even greater in fact than it's bigger brother, less premium naturally, but more sporty!
Can't wait to see it!
BMW have alot of exciting thing up it's sleeve these days, love it!
Bring it on!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Technic

The F30 interior is not a $70,000 interior. It is not even a $50,000 interior. That's the problem.

I agree the F30 interior has some pain-points (*cough* pop up screen *cough*), but I think the new 3 is maintaining sales momentum vs. its predecessor, no? So, from BMW's point of view, I suppose they got it right.

You're right though - it's true that the interior has to look as good in a $80k M3 as it does in a $40k 328i (or $45k 428i vs. a $85k+ M4 GC as the case may be). But, once you get into the high performance world, it seems that more people are more likely to put less importance on the interior aesthetics. BMW takes full advantage of this fact.

[Antares]

The main "pain point" in F30 is that climatic control; cheap plastic unit sticking out of the console. Cheap european brands have something similar.

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

- The entry level engine for the 5 series is not available for the 6 series. This introduces an artificially large price gap between the two. The gap is potentially even larger in countries where the 520i is sold. Don't expect BMW to put a 4 cylinder in the 6 series any time soon.

- There are standard equipment differences (6 has more content to start) that also contribute to the price gap.

- The 5 and 6 series feature more differentiation in the interior than the 3 and 4 will, assuming these spy shots are showing us the truth.

I think it is extremely unlike that the 428i coupe will start at over 50k, even if the selection of one of the four "lines" becomes compulsory with this model (which I suppose I'd give a 50/50 shot). The 428i GC, then, might possibly tip things above 50k to start, but I would not necessarily guarantee that. I could see them putting it just slightly under.

In any case, once optioned up, this will not be a cheap car, but neither is a 335i today. Even a 328i can go well above 50k.

I see what You're saying but seeing the incredibly price hike on 6GC, i was predicting what the 4GC will go for.
I doubt it will start at less than US$50,000

[ManiacGT]

Interior looks average so far.. Disappointing..

[SCOTT26]

I would like to point out that the car seen here is still a prototype and therefore uses non- standard fit and finish as the early development process involves the mechanical aspects of the car before we get down to production ready quality. I should point out also that these cars after there initial development stages are completed will be recycled and crushed.

Advanced and early prototypes actually use recycled parts such as seats and dashboards as they need a temporary solution when actual cars are still progressing through the design stages.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

They would probably look for incremental sales at least equivalent to the R&D costs of an additional model.

i'd figure it really won't cost that much more to design a 4GC given it is still mostly the same.


mercedes when they made the CLK (now e-class coupe) supposedly made $10k more per car if someone bought a CLK over a C sedan.

if anything , you probably get the best value buying the cheapest member of a platform from BMW. so the F30 is probably the car where BMW makes the least money per unit. or the f10 528i.

its kind of like if you bought a regular 911. someone who buys a GT3 RS is paying a lot of incremental dollars to support your platform.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by hans007

i'd figure it really won't cost that much more to design a 4GC given it is still mostly the same.


mercedes when they made the CLK (now e-class coupe) supposedly made $10k more per car if someone bought a CLK over a C sedan.

if anything , you probably get the best value buying the cheapest member of a platform from BMW. so the F30 is probably the car where BMW makes the least money per unit. or the f10 528i.

exactly; milking the customers; however since the circle of such buyers is limited, the real value remains in quantity products that keep the best value/money; F10, F30,...

[claykin]

Originally Posted by georgere

BMW has been aggressive with raising their prices. At the same time their designs become more and more average. I don't get it. What happened to the bad ass cars they were making until recently?

This is exactly what happens when you create more models, try to fill tiny niches, and lose focus. BMW is slowly becoming a jack of all trades and an expert at none.