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BMW 4-Series & 320i

3-series interior is fractionally larger than a Civic - significantly smaller than a Accord. $45K for a 328i with tech, automatic, and convenience package is a tad ridiculous.

But - these things are flying off the lots with BMW sales steadily increasing.
 
If they get rid of the ridiculous bumpers and fender vents, they'll have a good-looking car on their hands, but the "concept" in those photos is trying way too hard.

ZV
 
This is totally going to be the sorority girl/spoiled rich teenager/look at me I got my first real job lease queen
 
Throckmorton said:
Why did they push the cab so far forward on the 4 series? It now has the same FWD proportions as the Honda Accord coupe
Click to expand...

Car's not even close to being "cab forward." The base of the windshield is well behind the front wheels.

"Cab forward" != "reduced front overhang"

ZV
 
Zenmervolt said:
Car's not even close to being "cab forward." The base of the windshield is well behind the front wheels.

"Cab forward" != "reduced front overhang"

ZV
Click to expand...

They moved the cab forward relative to the front wheels, or at least the doors which is visually what matters. Really a coupe should have the door placed closer to the rear wheels than the front, or at least equidistant. If you look at old musclecars and GT cars that's how they are. The E36 coupe was close to equal with the door only slightly shifted forward. E46 and onward were more cab-forward, but the new 4 series is even more so!

And they increased front overhang, which makes it look even more like a FWD car. Or an Audi...
 
Fmr12B said:
3-series interior is fractionally larger than a Civic - significantly smaller than a Accord. $45K for a 328i with tech, automatic, and convenience package is a tad ridiculous.

But - these things are flying off the lots with BMW sales steadily increasing.
Click to expand...

The point of the car is not to have a large interior, it's to be a RWD sport sedan/coupe.
 
I think BMW is getting crazy with their pricing. My wife had a 2006 325i. Great car. Sweet inline 6 and great handling for $35k.
Since then we had two kids and she wanted something a little bigger and I want to get a boat so it had to tow. She tested the X3 and the Audi Q5. Bottom line is she liked the way the Q5 drives a lot more, more car like. Plus it's a lot less expensive and has a higher towing capacity.

I have an A3 and am really enjoying it and will probably get another one when the next one comes out with the MBQ platform.

The 320 and the 1 series were good ideas with bad execution in my opinion. Cars always seem to get larger and more complicated. The 1 series is the same platform as the 3 with the ends trimmed a little. How about a 1 series that is actually significantly lighter and less complex than the current 3?

And the 320 I just don't get. What they turn down the turbo boost and it costs $4k less?
 
Hulk said:
I think BMW is getting crazy with their pricing. My wife had a 2006 325i. Great car. Sweet inline 6 and great handling for $35k.
Since then we had two kids and she wanted something a little bigger and I want to get a boat so it had to tow. She tested the X3 and the Audi Q5. Bottom line is she liked the way the Q5 drives a lot more, more car like. Plus it's a lot less expensive and has a higher towing capacity.

I have an A3 and am really enjoying it and will probably get another one when the next one comes out with the MBQ platform.

The 320 and the 1 series were good ideas with bad execution in my opinion. Cars always seem to get larger and more complicated. The 1 series is the same platform as the 3 with the ends trimmed a little. How about a 1 series that is actually significantly lighter and less complex than the current 3?

And the 320 I just don't get. What they turn down the turbo boost and it costs $4k less?
Click to expand...

The 320i has no turbo
 
Throckmorton said:
The point of the car is not to have a large interior, it's to be a RWD sport sedan/coupe.
Click to expand...

Most luxury cars in the Northeast are sold with AWD (one of the largest markets). Point being, I don't think people buy them because they have RWD or handle well, but because they're status symbols.

I'm sure the 320i will increase sales, but I wonder how many current 328 customers (who buy it because it's the entry level BMW) will trade down.
 
Throckmorton said:
The 320i has no turbo
Click to expand...

Oh really?

"The new 320i is equipped with the same N20 engine that powers the 328i: a direct-injected, four-cylinder force-fed by a single twin-scroll turbocharger. While the engine makes 240 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque in the 328i, the 320i is rated at 180 horsepower at 5000 rpm, and produces 200 lb-ft of torque from 1250 rpm."

ZV
 
Zenmervolt said:
Oh really?

"The new 320i is equipped with the same N20 engine that powers the 328i: a direct-injected, four-cylinder force-fed by a single twin-scroll turbocharger. While the engine makes 240 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque in the 328i, the 320i is rated at 180 horsepower at 5000 rpm, and produces 200 lb-ft of torque from 1250 rpm."

ZV
Click to expand...

Interesting... I guess they just have less profit margin on it
 
ND40oz said:
It has a different trans, different drive shaft, different diff, smaller brakes, they're saving money in other areas as well.
Click to expand...

its got slightly different pistons from what i read and a few other things.

That said its just so they can have a chepaer car to sell.

If you configure a 320i base to be like a 328i base the cost difference is around $2000 (328i has a folding rear seat, dimming mirrors, power seats, homelink and a few other things you have to add back).

i guess it is more their plan to beat back the lower priced CLA and A3 sedan / stripper A4 CVTs. Will be interesting to see if tuners can put most of the power back on it as the N20 engine has underrated in the 328i as it is.

320i for example has a lot of options you cant get for any price (can't get the trim lines, things like glossy outer trim, can't get paddle shifters, not as many tech options etc), and for some reason you must take it with wood trim and some other weirdness but i'd say it'll probably replace the base 328i for most "i just need a bmw and i want it to cost just barely more than a v6 camry" buyers.
 
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