[Axe77]

Originally Posted by ecclipse78

I was in the same dilemma as you a year ago.

Thanks for that extermely helpful response.

FYI - I'm really not in the market for this anywhere in the near future (having just bought my latest upgrade). Had I known about this offer at the time I purchased my car I would certainly have considered upping the budget. Also, I simply can't help thinking of my next purchase from the moment that I'm done with the existing one.

[Sn1p3r]

Nice marketing move by BMW.
IMHO:
They have forced a customer to
a. Come in the showroom - the sales people utilization will be far better
b. Think twice before making payment for Accord/Superb.
c. Create a confusion between a petrohead and his lifestyle as back seat driver.
d. Also ambiguity in minds of people wanting to buy petrol cars for shorter mileages done than the diesel buyer who do long distance travel.

My point is BMW 3 is made for young family with one or no kids and europeans driving fast on highways. On the contrary, in India it adds snoot value and bragging rights while people stuff 5 relatives in the back seat while listening to radio (not 100% true). To me they are experimenting on volume business and feeling the market pulse for a we Indians think BMWs are luxury/thirsty and diesel is the only way to save money after making a mistake.

All in all Honda/Toyota/VW/Skoda will suffer 100% but how many will be interested to buy one will still be a point to talk about. I hope they do the same to 320i I will wait.

[thegman]

Hi All,
do we have confirmation on whether the car comes with cruise control with the 6speed AT?

1.5L for the xenons is quite a lot. Aftermarket will definitely be cheaper. Does the car have the all-day running illuminated rings in the headlights like the other models?

Thanks!

[rxpaul]

The BMW is worth getting just for the driving dynamics. RWD, Longitudinal mounted engine. I used to own an E36 earlier while working in the Middle East. BMW is just Numero Uno. there is no way a Toyota, Honda or even a Skoda could compare. You juts can't have that much fun in a RICE car.

The negatives - higher maintenance costs and our bad roads, horrible traffic sense which will not allow you to drive the BMW the way its meant to be driven !

[ecclipse78]

Originally Posted by thegman

Hi All,
do we have confirmation on whether the car comes with cruise control with the 6speed AT?

1.5L for the xenons is quite a lot. Aftermarket will definitely be cheaper. Does the car have the all-day running illuminated rings in the headlights like the other models?

Thanks!

The 320d executive comes with the 6 speed AT.

However, there is no cruise control in any of the 3 series sold in India.

Yes, it does have the corona rings with halogen headlamps.

[thegman]

Originally Posted by ecclipse78

The 320d executive comes with the 6 speed AT.

However, there is no cruise control in any of the 3 series sold in India.

Yes, it does have the corona rings with halogen headlamps.

hey,thanks!

Since you own the 320d, can you give me an idea of the yearly maintenance/service costs of the same? Do you own the 2009 model?

[ecclipse78]

Originally Posted by thegman

hey,thanks!

Since you own the 320d, can you give me an idea of the yearly maintenance/service costs of the same? Do you own the 2009 model?

I might not be the right person to do this as:

1) I travel for almost 15 days a month, hence my cars don't really run much.
It's been a year now and I have barely clocked 3000 kms on the 320d and 530d each.

2) For both my cars, I took the BSI Ultimate Service package for 5 years. So, I have'nt really spent anything till date and don't think I need to either.

To give you an idea, a friend who has a 530i was charged close to 35k for a basic service, which covered an oil change.

I would say that you keep aside 35 to 50K aside for service costs, if you clock around 15000 km a year.

[SkyWalker]

Originally Posted by GTO

BMW 320d : 22.95 lakhs
Skoda Superb 2.0 Diesel : 21.50 lakhs

See what I mean? The choice is obvious for those who love to drive.

Came to this thread late! Wow - great pricing by BMW. At a 1.5L difference i would gladly opt for the BMW for the brand, driving experience. Yes, the Superb would be a better option for people looking at features and comfort.

Like Sahil pointed out they could have avoided the runflats and passed on the benefits to the user (i heard they contribute to a harsher ride). I wont worry about leather though - its easy (and cheaper) to rectify it after market.

Its really nice to see BMW being so aggressive in the market. With BMW beating Merc in overall sales last year, other German competitors would be felling the heat!

[sandeep108]

BMW had to resort to this pricing since the new Merc C class is eating it for breakfast. I can see the new C class wherever I go. But a new 3 series? Very very scarce.

[indra_slk]

Just booked one of these today in white. Will be getting it by next week. Will post pictures.

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by indra_slk

Just booked one of these today in white. Will be getting it by next week. Will post pictures.

Nice. Congratulations !! Eagerly look forward to seeing pictures of the car with the new alloys design.

[oops]

Originally Posted by ecclipse78

2) For both my cars, I took the BSI Ultimate Service package for 5 years.

How much extra did you pay for that package for 320d and 530d separately?

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by oops

How much extra did you pay for that package for 320d and 530d separately?

In case you want current prices for the 320d, it's 2.2L for BSI and almost 3.0L for BSI Ultimate. Difference being, with ultimate, I think some repairs or something is covered even beyond the warranty period.

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by oops

How much extra did you pay for that package for 320d and 530d separately?

Originally Posted by flyingspur

In case you want current prices for the 320d, it's 2.2L for BSI and almost 3.0L for BSI Ultimate. Difference being, with ultimate, I think some repairs or something is covered even beyond the warranty period.

An update to the above post. These are prices I got in Dec '09.

BMW 320d Highline :-

OTR Mumbai :- 36.48L
BSI Plus :- 1.32L (3y/60k) 1.94L (3y/90k) 1.45L (5y/60k) 2.20L (5y/100k)
BSI Ultimate :- Add about 60-70k to the above figures.

BMW 520d :-

OTR Mumbai :- 43.59L
BSI Plus :- 1.40L (3y/60k) 2.06L (3y/90k) 1.41L (5y/60k) 2.23L (5y/100k)
BSI Ultimate :- Add about 60-80k to the above figures.

[imp!]

Is there any hope that the 320D will come in a manual transmission? I consider it appalling that BMW and Audi who are trying to compete as the enthusiasts luxury pick don't sell manuals over here.