The most important new feature of the 2006 3-series?

For so long the BMW 3-series has been ruling the roost and rightly so.

Just when the competitors start to move in, the 3-series shifts to a higher gear.

But when the 2006 model arrives next year, it will be faced with competitive models that are better than ever.

The competitors in today's landscape are offering great designs, features, performance and amazing 'bang for the buck'.

We've been fortunate to have a glimpse at the 2006 BMW 3-series on ours and other websites with the leaking of 'The Brochure'.

Although we don't like to pass final judgement on a car that we have not seen in person, it appears to us that the traditional design advantage they get every time a new 3-series shows up, will not be so with this car.

It's not bad looking, it's just not light years ahead of the competitors, like it has been with previous cars.

Put the 06 3-series next to a G35, C-class, TL and others and the design advantage is not so evident anymore.

And what they give you for the money is nothing short of spectacular.

So the question in our mind that begs to be asked is...Is it time for BMW to LOWER the price of the next 3-series?

Of course, if price was the same most people would take the BMW.

You and I know that none of the competitors cars will drive as good as the next 3-series.

So it boils down to, is the 3-series worth the price premium it commands today?

Our suggestion to BMW is to cut the premium of the 3-series by 50% and add more features to the car so it's an easy decision for customers to step up.

What are your thoughts?

Are we right?

Should 001 be running BMW's marketing department?

Aron - 9/2/2004 11:32:43 PM

+1 Boost

BMW dealers are notoriously arrogant and BMW's are over-priced. Yet the 3-series are still in demand despite a statistcally better Infiniti at lower prices and competent competition from Audi, Lexus, Mercedes, and Acura. This helps the resale value which in turn eases the initial purchase premium pain. The danger (as evidenced by the largest and oldest inventory in history at my dealer) is over-producing. That's a clear recipe for forcing BMW to cut the premium, also cutting resale. Just ask Porsche, who gave us too much of a good thing with the 996 Carrera and shot itself in the foot. BMW is next, just watch....

niktee - 9/3/2004 5:11:28 AM

+1 Boost

I think a lot of you folks are mis-understanding 001's idea. He is suggesting BMW cut 50% of the Premium which is approx. 10% more that BMW charges for their products. For example, on a $40,000 3-series, that would be aprrox. 4to 5,000 dollars. He is suggesting, if I am interpreting correctly, is cut that portion in half.

wac77 - 9/3/2004 5:40:08 AM

+1 Boost

Make more of the options that are standard in a TL standard for the 3 series as well without fully adding the price of those options to the list price. That will effectively reduce the premium to some extent.

But I don't think this will happen. Even with so much competition, I think the new 3-series will be in great demand.

Spoonie_G - 9/3/2004 10:14:34 AM

+1 Boost

I agree with 001Buster. I owned a 1998 Audi 1.8t and currently own a 2001 BMW 330i. The Audi's body had cleaner welds and the doors had beefier hinges than the BMW. When I opened the door or trunk/hood of my Audi, the hinges and trunk struts looks like jewelry. The BMW welds and hinges doesn't appear to be any better than a Toyotas. I have to admit the BMW is more reliable than the Audi but when is comes to exterior and interior build quality Audi has BMW beat. My next car will probably be the re-designed A4. The current BMW interiors (5 and 3) leave me cold. The new BMW interiors are cost cutting button less bores.

The 3-series is an OK vehicle but is not worth the premium that they charge over faster more powerful vehicles. Maybe $2k or $3k more but not $7k more

e46wagon - 9/3/2004 9:42:43 PM

+1 Boost

We own an e46 3-series and a G35. Both cars have clear personalities, but the undeniable fact is that the G35 has 90% of the performance and refinement of the BMW, without its chronic failures of major components: control arms, window regulators, etc. Infiniti also improves problematic components, instead of selling you the same crappy part over and over. I think the Germans should be really worried about the next generation G35, and the Lexus IS replacement could be a threat as well. About the only things BMW does better than the driving experience are marketing and maximizing profit. It'll be interesting to see if they're enough to maintain the mystique. Personally, I wouldn't pay a premium for that little blue and white badge (bought mine used).

Steve - 9/4/2004 4:06:08 PM

+1 Boost

Time will tell whether BMW can maintain its pre-Bangle glory, because the 3 series is their bread-winner. Personally, I am uninspired by BMW to part with my money, even though my garage currently enjoys the company of three BMWs (all owned, all pre-Bangle).

BMW can charge what they want as long as sufficient number of buyers pay the price. While BMW looses customers like me, it appears that there are sufficient numbers of people who either tolerate unattractive design and features over usability (e.g., iDrive), or they actually like what BMW has become.

Remember, there are still people buying Pontiac Aztecs, and there are still virulent Corvair and El Camino fans on this planet.

Steve - 9/4/2004 4:06:08 PM

+1 Boost

StunGun - 9/4/2004 8:46:41 PM

+1 Boost

Bart, it's the BMW design team's goal, not 001's. Take a look at the 6 Series, and you'll soon agree. What any BMW fan can hope is that the mngt at BMW start listening to the majority and start changing back to cars people like walking up to. 001 isn't looking for their demise, he and every one else is trying to save them.

StunGun - 9/4/2004 8:46:41 PM

+1 Boost

quiturbichin - 9/6/2004 11:08:56 PM

+1 Boost

Personally, I don't think that this "brochure" is the real brochure, probably BMW just having some fun with the public.

As a BMW owner, my opinions might be a little biased, but.....everytime another car company came out with competition for the 3 series, BMW has responded exceptionally well (i.e. IS300 didn't exactly live up to the hype as being a 3-series killer)

Yes, the new G35 is a great competition for 3-series, but everyone knows that the new 3-series will suprass it in almost every aspect. And a few years later, the new G35 will come closer once again. And it will go back and forth like this. 3-series is the benchmark, everyone knows it and tries to copy it. (maybe infiniti will bring back the G20 to compete with the 1-series)