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-   -   Updated BMW 3-Series launched (F30 LCI); gets M Sport variant (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/172700-updated-bmw-3-series-launched-f30-lci-gets-m-sport-variant-3.html)

BMW has priced this badly given that the new A4 as well as the XE are just around the corner. They needed to have built up momentum on this before those models hit the market, and with this pricing, they are unlikely to do so. If Jaguar prices the 177KW Petrol model of theirs reasonably well, it will turn into a massive success and sink the 3 series unless the 3 can offer substantial price gains.

I just noticed in the spec sheet that the Luxury line now comes with Sport+ mode which was not the case previously. Paddle shifters , LED lights being added is good, lack of a reversing camera even now is really bad !! Estoril blue colour shade in Msport seems nice in pictures. Its nice to see few more exterior colour options in the facelift. I have always been a big fan of the saddle brown interiors, I was also hoping they would give a few more options in the leather upholstery.

At this price what they're basically saying is to customers is:

"Hang on a bit, we don't really want to sell the 3 series for the next 3-6 months. Wait just a bit and then buy this 3 at the heavily discounted price. If you're in a tearing rush, you could also consider buying the 520d at just a little more money or the bigger GT for less money.

Alternately of course you could buy the much nicer looking C at similar or less money.

Happy to help!"

Saddle brown interiors are now exclusive to M-Sport and Luxury variants.

Another minor but a nice touch to the LCI - the cup holders in the front get sliding function rather than a lid that comes off loose in the hand.

So,

I've decided to go in.

Always liked the 3. rear seat comfort is quite good. I feel they have managed to sneak quite a few significant upgrades. 0-100 in 7.2 is not bad. a good balance for me, and the wife and kids.

first entry into the trinity. starting budgets tight.

Any numbers on what kinds of cash discounts to expect is reasonable?

was offered the older 3 at about 5L cash discount in November. I am not aware of any transactions above 5 or more total discounts.

want your thoughts on whether a 3L cash discount for the new 320d prestige (Base model), Is a good deal?

- Nucliomaniac

Glad that you liked the 3 and congrats in advance, have completed 4000 with mine and i still can not wipe the grin off my face when i floor the pedal in sports mode.

Don't think that this is the right time to buy the car, BMW would offer meagre discount currently as they have recently launched it. I purchased mine in october - 320D prestige and got discounts around 7 lakhs off on road.

To my knowledge the discounts in Oct Nov on old 3 were much more - maybe 7-9 lakhs. I can't imagine why it should be lower now. It's also last year's stock so should get heavy discounts.

Not sure if prestige variant has all the upgrade goodies. If the add ons are not that much for prestige you could consider the older prestige perhaps.

I'd say go for it, unless you can wait till March, when you may get slightly bigger discounts (maybe a lac more). Though don't expect the 7-10 lac discounts which were available a few months ago on the pre facelift 3.

BTW, in the case of the lci I would say wait a bit and pick up the sport or luxury line. The features added are too many to ignore, which was not the case in the pre lci, like the sport automatic transmission and with paddle shift, and the full idrive with navigation.

Sport+ Mode was part of all cars (excluding Prestige) - I think it continues to be so. It is just sport mode with traction control switched off.

I thought the sport+ mode was in the initial lot of cars which was subsequently removed quietly. Did I miss something?

If I was in the market for a BMW 3 Series, I would definitely go the LCI. The updated suspension, which supposedly brings back some of the BMW 3'ness that the F30 had lost, and the new B47 engine, which is not just about being 0.3 or 0.5 secs quicker to a 100 makes it worth it. The B47 is also supposed to be a lot more refined and quieter. So the LCI has two major mechanical advantages over the pre LCI and its not just cosmetic touches. It also helps that its better equipped too.

BMW has confused the market with huge discounts in December, which doesn't stay a secret thanks to forums like T-BHP :). According to info that I've got, discounts are quite low as of now on any car. Probably we'll see some more discounts in March, but I don't think we'll see the kind of discounts they were offerrng in Dec. In Dec they were not only trying their best to put up numbers for 2015, but also clearing stocks for the LCI launch. So it was a combined effect of these two factors that led to huge discounts.

Thanks Santosh,

any more information would be welcome, as it's hard to figure out the maximum discounts one can extract.

have paid the booking amount and reserved probably the first LCI in Kolkata.

they are assuring a delivery date in the 3rd week of February.

I do intend to do a full update once I get my hands on the beauty.

another question, Melbourne Red, or Imperial Blue?

and black vis a vis beige, sensatec interiors

- Nucliomaniac

Color, I like them both but the interiors, I'm very much against the beige interiors. Definitely black for me or any other choice if available.

However, I think the black interiors go better with Red than the Blue.

I am in the market for new BMW 3 series but little confused. I am offered a discount of 6.4 lakhs on existing 3 series (sports version) and ex-show room would cost around 34 lakhs in Chandigarh. Is it a good deal or shall i wait for LCI? Also, how about a pre owned 5 series (2014) for same price?

New one man. I have done the research.

There is no comparison, What would be good to know, is how much discount you could get on the new one.

Santosh's comment on the new B47 engine is critical. A new engine, is a significant upgrade in my opinion. Haven't driven the LCI 3, but the older F30 wasn't exciting enough. I didn't particular like the handling too much. Hoping the handling, suspension upgrades make the wait worth it.