CAR WARS, PRICE Edition! Has BMW Priced The 2-Series TOO High Against The 2015 Audi A3 And 2014 Mercedes CLA?

Yesterday marked an important day for not one, but two, German automakers. Audi and BMW released pricing information on their all-new entry-level luxury vehicles set to hit US shores in the not-too-distant future.

Considering this is expected to be an emerging class — in terms of sales volume — it is a BIG deal.

BUT there's one little problem, for BMW at least. The all-new 2014 2-Series has a base price of $33,025 for its 228i. Now if you look at the compelling competition, you'd note that the already-in-showrooms, 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 starts at $29,900 and is supposedly off to a helluva start according to the dealers we've spoken to. Oh, and the all-new 2015 Audi A3 will ALSO start at $29,900.

With that kind of set up, it already seems as though BMW is starting behind the curve, wouldn't you say? Particularly when you keep in mind that it will only be had with two doors.

So, we're left scratching our heads and wondering why BMW came in SO high. Yes, we understand it features powerful motors, excellent transmissions and rear-wheel drive but is it really worth the premium? Keep in mind, most buyers will be buying for the badge and NOT for a heightened driving experience.

What would YOU put in your driveway if it was YOUR hard-earned dollars at play?

scenicbyway12 - 10/25/2013 9:32:12 PM

+6 Boost

RWD coupe vs. FWD sedans, and in the Audi's case much less power, so no.

Car4Life - 10/28/2013 12:26:59 PM

0 Boost

CLA wins, combination of 4 doors(although limited headroom) and the sleek look of a coupe. Power wise, its right in between the A3 and 2 series. And when it comes to the badge appeal, the Benz just wins.

Mercedes hit it on the nose with this one and wont cannibalize C Class sales because the CLA is too impractical to be cross shopped with its big sister.

carloslassiter - 10/25/2013 11:10:29 PM

+5 Boost

1. Coupes cost more than sedans.
2. A 1 series sedan would be the competition for the CLA and A3.

JRobUSC - 10/26/2013 8:15:42 AM

+3 Boost

"I'm anti-BMW and enjoy/am paid to create nonsensical threads to flame bait people on pointless anti-BMW topics."
-Agent00R

BMW doesn't have "a problem", little or otherwise, with the pricing of the 2-Series. It doesn't have a real competitor in the luxury segment, and in addition to looking great and (presumably) driving as well as it looks, it's less expensive than any coupes currently sold by Audi, Benz, or Infiniti. There will be a front wheel or all wheel drive 1-Series sedan coming to compete with the front and all wheel drive CLA and A3. And if it looks even remotely like the 2-series BMW won't have any more trouble selling them than Audi and Benz will selling theirs.

ParadoX - 10/26/2013 11:27:06 AM

+3 Boost

We will see how the sales turn out over the next couple of years. My suspicion is that this segment is big enough for everybody.

MattDarringer - 10/26/2013 2:45:59 PM

-3 Boost

The REAL problem with the A3/CLA/2 Series is that their ONLY impact will be to cannibalize sales from the A4/CLA/3 Series. The 2 Series is just a chopped down 3 Series for virtually the same price on the lot, so it's a product of sheer idiocy. Moreover, NONE of these will sell for anything even remotely near the base price. $40K is much more likely. The problem is that by virtue of price these are near premiums not premium and the Buick Verano and Regal, Lexus ES/IS, Kia Optima, Passat and CC, etc are in a very similar price band.

Of the three Germans, the Audi is the one most likely to be successful because it is tasteful. Once people get past CLA's ghetto bling exterior and the brothel-like interior (give it 6 months), Mercedes will have to incentivize it--like they incentivize ALL their entry models--to move product. The BMW will be marginal because it is not a sedan and it is cramped. As a sports coupe, the 2 Series has to contend with the BRZ, FRS, 15 Mustang, 370Z, and Genesis coupe and it simply is not special enough to stand out.

WelcomeLexusIS - 10/26/2013 2:51:36 PM

+3 Boost

Nope, price of 228i is not too high at all. If you think about it, one might conclude that the base A3 with the lower powered 1.8 turbo might be a bit overpriced. Upgrading to the 2.0 turbo in the A3 will easily put it over $30K. Either way, the base price for the RWD 240 hp 228i seems like a bargain to me. Sunroof and leather seating surfaces are nice in a base model, but do not compensate for a reduction in dynamic power and handling capabilities. Might be better to compare the Acura ILX with the base A3 since they seem more alike with both being FWD drive cars. Although, I believe the base ILX comes with a better engine performance wise.

WelcomeLexusIS - 10/26/2013 3:01:38 PM

+3 Boost

For badgewhores (i.e., those who could care less about what they can't see), yes the 228i will cost too much. For driving enthusiasts, not at all.

BimmersNme - 10/27/2013 8:47:13 PM

+2 Boost

"Of the three Germans, the Audi is the one most likely to be successful because it is tasteful."Says who? YOU? LOL...The new 2 series is gorgeous and is going to sell massively. I'm certainly going to buy one!

GermanNut - 10/28/2013 3:33:21 PM

-1 Boost

The A3 sedan wins out of these 3 vehicles. It offers the most competitive base price, most standard equipment and the best quality interior of the three. Add to that the prestige of the Audi brand and you have yourself a clear winner in this entry-level segment.

Expect U.S. sales to skyrocket in Q2 2014 for Audi as the A3 sedan finally arrives on U.S. shores.

quizz - 10/29/2013 1:34:12 PM

+1 Boost

A few points why I would pay the $45,000 premium (not much of one honestly) for the M235i:
1. Hardware upgrades are all about performance/durability that you feel when driving
2. BMW is the last car company to manufacture a high performance straight 6 production engine. If you value the unique harmonics of a naturally balanced engine, then you only have 2 choices: straight 6 or V12 (which is just 2 straight 6 side by side). Since the cheapest production V12 is an Aston Martin Vantage, I'll go with the BMW's offering.
3. This is what the M3 was in the 80/90's, a small/light/nimble handling terror. Consider the curb weight of the 1988 6er was 3200 lbs. and the curb weight of the new 4 series at 3500 lbs. Seriously, this M235i is what the M3 is supposed to be, even if it's expected to be 3200 lbs. A person lusting after a 1995 M3 should not be shopping the M4, but looking at the M235i as they share more similarities than the M4.