[Sahil]

The 328i with a sub 6 second timing to the ton sounds super but with our 91 octane fuel how much performance drop can we expect ? I expect this model to be a slow mover, I reckon it will begin discount incentives within months of it's launch.

BMW really need to spruce up the F10 series with a whole lot of goodies- better engines, alloys, equipment etc to justify the price. The new 3 is overall a better package at a cheaper price.

[elantracrdi05]

Originally Posted by Sahil

The 328i with a sub 6 second timing to the ton sounds super but with our 91 octane fuel how much performance drop can we expect ? I expect this model to be a slow mover, I reckon it will begin discount incentives within months of it's launch.

BMW really need to spruce up the F10 series with a whole lot of goodies- better engines, alloys, equipment etc to justify the price. The new 3 is overall a better package at a cheaper price.

Interesting point: If I remember correctly, the 520d and 525d were both offered at a discount of 2-3 lacs in Feb 2012 - don't know current status.

Also, if we look at the 3 series, the pricing may well be the key point. If you price the 320d too high, the 520d will be winning the battle since we think bigger is better!

If we look at the 'list price' of the current E90 Exclusive, the total costs would be roughly

32,00,000 - Ex-showroom
2,80,000 - Regn (approx. in Gurgaon)
1,00,000 - Insurance (approx.)

Total - approx. 37 lacs which will hit 40 lacs if we include the BSI Ultimate. (After discounts, the same was approx. 5-7 lacs cheaper on the outgoing model)

I doubt that they will be able to price it lower than that - but if the 520d was at approx. 38 lacs ex-showroom with a 2 lac discount = 36 lacs, then I for one would choose the 520d over the 320d since I would get a significantly larger car, more 'snob value' and that too at maybe a 10% premium.

All final views probably rest with S350L E240 since he seems to be in the know on all things BMW F30!

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by elantracrdi05

Interesting point: If I remember correctly, the 520d and 525d were both offered at a discount of 2-3 lacs in Feb 2012 - don't know current status.

The Feb discounts of 2-3 lacs are for the year ending and they normally happen every year. I had got 3.5 lacs of my e60 520d more than a year before it was being phased out. Discounts on the F10 5 will probably increase once the new 3 is here.

The F10 is pretty well loaded already, I really don't see how they will make it feel worth the price when the new 3 is here. Perhaps BMW India has to adopt the strategy from BMW China and offer a long wheelbase version of the 5 series.

Is there any confirmation on when the facelifted 7 series will arrive here? Whats the discount on the current 7?
Hope they finally replace the 730Ld with the 740Ld and also bring in the latest 750Ld. Given the rising price difference between petrol and diesel, I think luxury car makers too need to adopt the strategy of going all out on diesel engines.High time we get the performance diesels here.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by Mike89

I am sorry but i have to correct you on that one. Those two are totally different animal, despite sharing the same basic motor. The twinpower turbo makes all the difference. Comparing just the basic 0-60 of 5.9 for 328 and 4.7 -5.0 for 335 will tell you more than you need. Moreover, 335i is a tuner's dream car.
I have re mapped my 335i N54 and it is actually faster than most m3s out there. And all i ve spent on it is $500.
It is a great option to have it in india. I mean, i for one, would choose a 435i(coupe version for next gen 3 series) over an M3 coupe, simply because i can do what ever mods i want and it would still be about 15 lacks cheaper. And at the end of the day they both look quite similar. Moreover the F30 M3 is also going to be a straight 6 engine, So its not like people are giving up the V8 feel of the car.

I am not saying 335i is an alternative to M3 but its the closest thing you're gonna get for a lot cheaper mrp. And having driven a 335i for over 3 years, i still love the motor as much as i did when i first got it.

Agreed , the 335i is a tuners dream car. But with the launch of the F30 328i a lot has changed.
Yes, the creaminess & the sweet sound of the straight 6 cant be matched by the N20 engine.
But recently i was reading a review about the 335i vs 328i (F30 versions) camparo & they mentioned that sure the 335 is faster through the straights but the 328i feels more confident through the corners just cause the 328i ( N20 ) is 50 pounds lighter & the engine sits behind the front axle, making for a superb weight balance that the big-engine car just can't match.

BMW has made the 328 a better performer than the outgoing 328. They didn't make the 335 more powerful than the last one. ( A Power bump was well deserved for the 335 - but might have proven to be cannibalistic on the M3 ) so somehow now the 328i might cannibalize over 335i sales.

For me as individual i would go in for the 335i only if they offer a M/T (As it may be a CBU) otherwise its 328i all the way.

But at the end of the day both are awesome cars, so that matters

[elantracrdi05]

Originally Posted by Sahil

The Feb discounts of 2-3 lacs are for the year ending and they normally happen every year. I had got 3.5 lacs of my e60 520d more than a year before it was being phased out. Discounts on the F10 5 will probably increase once the new 3 is here.

The F10 is pretty well loaded already, I really don't see how they will make it feel worth the price when the new 3 is here. Perhaps BMW India has to adopt the strategy from BMW China and offer a long wheelbase version of the 5 series.

Here is where I feel lies the greatest issue for them. If the 520d gets discounted, the 3 series will feel the heat because whichever way you look at it, the 520d is better than the 320d - the space is better, the brand is better, the gearbox is the same (8 speed AT), the engine is the same (135 kw, 380 nm).

The current list price of the 320d Exclusive edition is 32 lacs and that of the 520d is 38 lacs. If the discount of 2.5-3 lacs is factored for the 520d, the car comes within reach of the 3 series buyer immediately. Either the 320d will be offered for less than the outgoing model or the 520d will stop giving discounts - I feel that the latter will be the strategy.

On the second point you make, the Chinese market also gets a 3 series with an extended wheelbase too! That the Indian market has been ignored from this aspect is shocking because most Indians in this price bracket will employ a driver and these cars are low on space for the back seat. I think this may well be a matter of time before we get it too.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by elantracrdi05

the 520d is better than the 320d - the space is better, the brand is better, the gearbox is the same (8 speed AT), the engine is the same (135 kw, 380 nm).

I think you are making comparisons to the old 3, I was referring to the new 3 series. I have seen the new 3 series and it is almost 80% if not more of what the 5 offers in all aspects, including space !

I do not ever see the long wheel base 3 coming to India, I don't think BMW India is compelled to offer it but with the current situation they need to re-think their strategy for the 5er and the long wheel base might just be the best option.

[elantracrdi05]

Originally Posted by Sahil

I think you are making comparisons to the old 3, I was referring to the new 3 series. I have seen the new 3 series and it is almost 80% if not more of what the 5 offers in all aspects, including space !

Sahil, I was referring to the new 3 - The current F10 520d and the F30 320d will be competitors if the pricing of the 520d is discounted. I agree that the 320d will be 'fresher' but to compare it to the 520d and further to assume its better is probably a fallacy. Also, as you stated its 80% there with respect to space - people in India may not mind paying just another 10% for the balance 20%. No offense! Just my 2 cents here.

[Lakshman1645]

Hi,

Just to clear some doubts, there is no modern line in the F30 at the moment.

The 320d will be available in the Base, Sport and Luxury line.
The Luxury line will have two trim package options. With sunroof and high version i dirve or no sunroof and low version i drive. 17" wheels, luxury leather seats, xenon lights and a chrome package are standard.
The Sport line will have a low version i drive and no sunroof. 17" wheels (pattern is different from the Luxury line), sport leather seats, xenon lights and exterior sport trim is standard (basically whatever is chrome on the Luxury line is black in the Sport line). Red interiors are an option.
The Base line will also have a low version i drive and no sunroof. 16" wheels, imitation leather seats and halogen lights are standard

The 328i will initially be available only in the Sport line.
High version of the i drive, sunroof, 18" wheels, sport leather seats, xenon lights and exterior sport trim are standard. Red interiors are an option.

Currently the 328i is the only F30 in the India line up which will be available in red. Red maybe available later on other variants as well.

There is no 6 cyclinder petrol or diesel F30 for the time being. 335i will be a CBU.

[reddevilgautam]

Does anyone know what sort of discounts are the BMW showrooms giving on the outgoing 3 series Dynamic / Exclusive? Have called the sales guy tomorrow for a test drive / price quote.

[petroguzzler]

BMW seems to be losing its plot with their current designs. All their post Bangle'd designs lack the athletic and the typical Menacing BMW stance. They all look like barges. The E90 was a far better looker than the F10 which looks like a Jap or Korean sedan.

[elantracrdi05]

Originally Posted by reddevilgautam

Does anyone know what sort of discounts are the BMW showrooms giving on the outgoing 3 series Dynamic / Exclusive? Have called the sales guy tomorrow for a test drive / price quote.

I think the Exclusive will be upwards of 3-4 lacs + discount on insurance + free Secure though you may not get the colour scheme options on leather / body paint. As I recall, very few Exclusives remain.
The Dynamic will have enough options and again discounts may be in the range of 2.5-3 lacs

Whatever you do, negotiate hard over a period of time - let them sweat it out before you say yes to anything.

Happy buying!

[reddevilgautam]

Originally Posted by elantracrdi05

I think the Exclusive will be upwards of 3-4 lacs + discount on insurance + free Secure though you may not get the colour scheme options on leather / body paint. As I recall, very few Exclusives remain.
The Dynamic will have enough options and again discounts may be in the range of 2.5-3 lacs

Whatever you do, negotiate hard over a period of time - let them sweat it out before you say yes to anything.

Happy buying!

Ok was hoping for more discounts on the dynamic Could you advise whether I should go for this right now or wait for the new 3 series to be launched and take my chance with any old models left at that time, when possibly the discount will be much higher?

[rishi_kapoor]

Originally Posted by reddevilgautam

Ok was hoping for more discounts on the dynamic Could you advise whether I should go for this right now or wait for the new 3 series to be launched and take my chance with any old models left at that time, when possibly the discount will be much higher?

Haggle for a 5.5-6 lac discount on Dynamic (all inclusive) and you can walk away with it. Very few 320d E90 kits are left with dealers so don't wait more. Exclusive is almost sold out.

[reddevilgautam]

Originally Posted by rishi_kapoor

Haggle for a 5.5-6 lac discount on Dynamic (all inclusive) and you can walk away with it. Very few 320d E90 kits are left with dealers so don't wait more. Exclusive is almost sold out.

ya thats what the sales person also told me. However they are offering me only 3 lacs discount, and am aiming for atleast 6...

[rishi_kapoor]

Originally Posted by reddevilgautam

ya thats what the sales person also told me. However they are offering me only 3 lacs discount, and am aiming for atleast 6...

sent you a pm, reach out to me, I will give you pointer on discounts.