[darkside]

I haven't been on this board recently as I changed my mind and bought a 550i a couple of weeks ago. I got a very strong feeling the engines were going to be changing, and I did not want an expensive optioned out 330i only to have a new engine in the near future. The dealership understood and a 550i I had been coveting was available so that is what I am driving now. A totally different experience. Not as nimble but a ton of luxury and torque. The breakin period is really difficult as the 4.8 liter engine revs so fast you can be over 4500 rpms (supposed to keep it under this for 1200 miles) before you have a chance to look down to see where you are at. And there is power everywhere, a much different experience than my e46 M3 I drove for 3 years.

Today I was at the dealership and they had a big meeting where they were informed that the new engines will start in the coupe in June, and then the sedan next September. Evidently, the 335 will have 310 HP, and while it was not confirmed it will be turbo, it was mentioned not to badmouth turbos. So I guess it will be.

This will not make the current cars any less of a car. They are great cars. Just seems a little odd to me to change engines so soon. If I were a normal car owner it wouldn't matter to me. But I am not.

[cshama]

I am looking to get a new BMW through european delivery. I was offered a new 325i with sports package for $29k -$500 over base ED invoice. In fact 4 dealers offered me that deal after I emailed them. ( that surprised me that they should be so eager - maybe the Christmas season)

However this new 335i really intrigues me - a 310hp 3 series seems pretty exotic to me. Is the 335i basically confirmed to be sold in less then a year. Will the price be the same as the 330i. Does anybody else have hard info? And why are they telling the dealers so far in advance? Any more info appreciated.

[jmcphillips1]

I am getting a 330i (should be in my garage by next weekend) and I am very glad to hear about the 328 and 335 because change is inevitable. I know the current engines are both new but they will get used in another car somewhere. Now I get to look forward to trading in my 330 in 3 years for a 335 coupe. The new-ness will be gone and I can get a good deal

[Arby 330]

i had ordered an optioned out 545 this summer, but the dealer told me they wernt sure when they would get one more alocation for a 545. I knew BMW was going to be stopping production of the 545 and move to the 550 so i chose to get the 330 instead... im not sure if my parents would have gone for the 550.. i dont think they liked the idea of me having a more expensive/nicer car than them in the first place.. and with the bigger engine and extra $ that hurt my chances even more of them actually ordering it. I think a 70,000$ luxery sedan is a little rediculous too, im only 17...

[needashower]

Folks, I think this information (fact or otherwise) makes for some great deals on the new 325/330. I see it as an opportunity to get better pricing on a new car. Anyone else, seeing the market on these cars softening because of the 335 info? I was at a dealer last week that flat out denied the possibility of the 328/335. I think he may be getting nervous about word getting out. Random thoughts on a cold night in Chicago.

[TwinPowerF30]

if the 335 sedan in 06 sept cost the same as the current 330, i think it would be pretty pissing

the 328 will still be slower than a 330i, so if the 335 costs more, then i don't think there should be any regrets for buying a 330

are they replacing the 330 or adding the 335 to the line?

[wyrm11]

thanks for the news darkside.

This just confirms what SpeedFreak! said on these boards several weeks ago. I know a lot of folks have been in denial about it, but I think it's time to accept that it's going to happen. By this time next year, we'll have both the coupe and sedan versions of the 335.

[Tine]

Originally Posted by wyrm11

thanks for the news darkside.

This just confirms what SpeedFreak! said on these boards several weeks ago. I know a lot of folks have been in denial about it, but I think it's time to accept that it's going to happen. By this time next year, we'll have both the coupe and sedan versions of the 335.

Yeah, and 335(c)i will feature either:
1. full (European) version of 3.0L I6 two-stage turbo
2. detuned (US) version of turbo
3. uptuned/ upgraded 3.0L I6 NA engine

Still not decided by BMW AG. All three versions are developed, but marketing depts of BMW AG and BMW NA have to decided what to bring to the US. The decision will be made in very early 2006.

But there is NO 3.5L I6 NA engine as SpeedFreak! claims!

Next week: more news about 3-series coupe and new turbo engine.

[Robin_NL]

Tine, I agree with you.

[cntlaw]

If it looks the 3 litre coded 330i will cease and be replaced by a detuned 3 litre coded 328i ; the 3.5 litre coded 335i should be 15% more expensive than the current 330i.

[Tine]

Guys, there will be NO 3.5L inline 6 engine!

[stressdoc]

A 15% price increase? Base MSRP over $42,000? That would set a huge gap between the pricing of competitive cars like the Audi A4 and Lexus IS350. That level of increase would be unprecedented in a period of monetary stasis (Euro/$). We are at $36.6k now. 10% would put it at $40.3k, which I think is a lot for the market to bear. I would bet on something south of 40k. I am not sure of all the costs involved with the new turbo -- lot of engineering and warranty issues -- but they would be distributed across the range. IMO turbos and diesels are the future, and the sooner the future gets here the better for us all. I am really tired of the my V8 is bigger than your V8 SUV lo-tech gas hog rut we have been stuck in the past 5-10 years. It has been like some sort of insane potlatch, demonstrating how wasteful we can be.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

If it looks the 3 litre coded 330i will cease and be replaced by a detuned 3 litre coded 328i ; the 3.5 litre coded 335i should be 15% more expensive than the current 330i.

How did you come up with a 15% price increase?

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

How did you come up with a 15% price increase?

No special reason. IS350 is a lousy Japanese car with fake 300hp.
Audi A4 does not have 300hp. Mercedes Benz C350 only have ~270hp and W203 is fading out in a year. I am not convinced that BMW will do a charity to give you guys a 2007 E90 model 310hp car for half of a M3 price. You either have to buy the 255hp 330i now, a detuned 328i ~238hp or wait till close to start of 2007when a 4-door 335i is available The NA 310hp 335i is only available as a 2-door coupe in 2006.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

the 3.5 litre coded 335i should be 15% more expensive than the current 330i.

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

How did you come up with a 15% price increase?

Originally Posted by cntlaw

No special reason. IS350 is a lousy Japanese car with fake 300hp.
Audi A4 does not have 300hp. Mercedes Benz C350 only have ~270hp and W203 is fading out in a year. I am not convinced that BMW will do a charity to give you guys a 2007 E90 model 310hp car for half of a M3 price. You either have to buy the 255hp 330i now, a detuned 328i ~238hp or wait till close to start of 2007when a 4-door 335i is available The NA 310hp 335i is only available as a 2-door coupe in 2006.

I am guessing the price increase will be much less based on history and what the market will bear.

2000 328i (2.8L 193HP) MSRP $33,400US
2001 330i (3.0L 225HP) MSRP $33,990US
Increased $590US – an increase of less than 2% over the previous year. It is likely we will see more than a 2% increase in price but my guess is any increase will still be in the low single digits.

The changes from 2000 to 2001 included a new engine with 32HP bump for a meager $590US increase in base price. The people on this forum seem to think the 335 will have 310HP. If they are correct that will be only a 55HP bump from 2006 to 2007.

2006 330i (3.0L 255HP) MSRP $36,600US
A 10% increase puts the new base price over $40K and a 15% increase puts the base price over $42K. I can’t foresee BMW increasing the MSRP by $5400 (15%) even with a more powerful engine. If history can tell us anything I think the re-badged cars will increase by single digit percentages. Anything more and BMW, who already charges more than the competition (excl. MB), will price themselves out of the market. A large price increase will put them in competing markets with the low end of the mid luxury market... no longer competing with the entry level luxury autos.

The coupe base price has always been more than the sedan but only by less than 3%. And the coupe comes with some options standard that the sedan has optional.

[user1]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

I am not convinced that BMW will do a charity to give you guys a 2007 E90 model 310hp car for half of a M3 price.

Why not? The 530 is 74% less than the M5 and the 550 is 41% less than the M5. Makes sense to me having the 335 50% less than the M3.

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

2006 330i (3.0L 255HP) MSRP $36,600US
A 10% increase puts the new base price over $40K and a 15% increase puts the base price over $42K.
…
A large price increase will put them in competing markets with the low end of the mid luxury market…

The 525 is BMWs mid-level luxury auto starting at 42500. Putting a non-M 3 series sedan at 40000 to 42000 would be a bad move for many reasons. If this were the case it would be a coin toss on whether to get a 335i or 525i.

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by needashower

Folks, I think this information (fact or otherwise) makes for some great deals on the new 325/330. I see it as an opportunity to get better pricing on a new car. Anyone else, seeing the market on these cars softening because of the 335 info? I was at a dealer last week that flat out denied the possibility of the 328/335. I think he may be getting nervous about word getting out. Random thoughts on a cold night in Chicago.

I wouldn't necessarily assume he's getting nervous about disclosing some secret information you're not privy to. Maybe he was just being honest with you.

My dealer guy was adamant that there are no credible plans to bring the 328/335 to the United States. Either these reports of model changes are the result of multiply sourced mass hysteria or they are indeed true. Time will tell.

[SpeedFreak!]

June'06 SOP MY07 328Ci (235hp) 335Ci (310hpNA)

Sedan to follow in Sept.'06 SOP MY07

About a year later we should get the M3 w/ 4.0L V8 (just like the M5 minus 2 cylinders) with around 407hp and the 7spd SMG

That is ALL.

The Turbo (as it pertains to the US market) has been postponed indefinitely.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by SpeedFreak!

June'06 SOP MY07 328Ci (235hp) 335Ci (310hpNA)

Sedan to follow in Sept.'06 SOP MY07

About a year later we should get the M3 w/ 4.0L V8 (just like the M5 minus 2 cylinders) with around 407hp and the 7spd SMG

That is ALL.

The Turbo (as it pertains to the US market) has been postponed indefinitely.

SpeedFreak,

I bet you are getting really tiered of having to state the same thing, over and over again. It probably makes you want to...

[Tine]

Originally Posted by SpeedFreak!

The Turbo (as it pertains to the US market) has been postponed indefinitely.

Speed, BMW AG still haven't made any decision about that. No matter what BMW NA says. Decision is due in early 2006.
The following options are in consideration:

1. full version of 3.0L I6 turbo (330PS)
2. detuned version of turbo (I guess 310HP)
3. upgraded / uptuned 3.0L I6 NA engine

But certainly NO 3.5L I6 NA engine!

Btw, E92 3er Coupe press kit is ready and is being distributed. Embargo still on. Press release due in a week or so (late week #50 or early #51).

[SpeedFreak!]

Originally Posted by SCA

SpeedFreak,

I bet you are getting really tiered of having to state the same thing, over and over again. It probably makes you want to...

Yes... ... that would be me.


Just trying to keep the record as straight as possible.

[SpeedFreak!]

Originally Posted by Tine

Speed, BMW AG still haven't made any decision about that. No matter what BMW NA says. Decision is due in early 2006.
The following options are in consideration:

1. full version of 3.0L I6 turbo (330PS)
2. detuned version of turbo (I guess 310HP)
3. upgraded / uptuned 3.0L I6 NA engine

But certainly NO 3.5L I6 NA engine!

Btw, E92 3er Coupe press kit is ready and is being distributed. Embargo still on. Press release due in a week or so (late week #50 or early #51).

Your claims just get stranger and stranger. On one hand you claim that the decision... a rather large decision... has NOT been made... YET a Press Packet has already been finished and is being distributed.

Riiiight.

I assure you... ALL of you reading these post... these people don't know what the hell they are talking about.

I... for one... have never claimed to be 100% infallible. Any time you see people taking that rigid a position, without official clearance or documentation... BEWARE!