[redsoxx]

In 2005, I purchased an e46 330i sedan. Options were: Xenons, automatic, leather, cold weather package. MSRP was around $41,400. I'm going to do some estimating here...so don't hold me to exact numbers.

Let's say I had wanted an identically equipped e46 330i coupe. Add around $2000. Let's say I had wanted AWD (if it had been offered at the time)...add another $2000. This additional $4000 is an approximation based on the current base price difference of $4700 between the 328i sedan and 328xi coupe. And...let's say I had wanted the premium package instead of leather, as a stand alone option. Add around $1800. So, the approximate sticker price of this car (I know, X drive wasn't available, but I'm estimating it's cost if it was) would have been around $46,200.

I just recently purchased a 2008 328xi coupe. Options were automatic, premium package, cold weather package, ipod/usb adaptor. This car has everything my above, theoretical, car would have had and more.

It has 5 more horsepower than my 330i had. Remember...in 2005 the 330 had 225hp and the 325 had only 186hp (as it was a smaller six).The new engines are lighter and achieve better gas mileage. It has more options than my theoretical car would have had as the premium package (in 2005) did not include the universal garage door opener, bluetooth or power folding mirrors. And you only got 1 year of BMW assist included, as opposed to four years. I also have an ipod/usb adaptor.

Sticker price of my 328xi coupe: $43,875. That's over $2300 CHEAPER!!!!!!!!

Now...I know some of you will say...."Well...he had the top 3 series model in the 330 and he's comparing it to the entry 3 series model in the 328." But....the bottom line is that I now have a car that is bigger, more modern ,more powerful, more fuel efficient and better equipped than my last BMW. And it cost less money.

Compare apples to apples and, I guess, prices have dropped??????

[TheLegend]

As time goes on, products get updated and products get better. Your reasoning is flawed, if 3 years go by and the cars arent improved the designers should be fired. Theres a reason why cars depreciate like crazy, theres always something newer and better around the corner.

[redsoxx]

But that's just it...the product was updated. The engines are newer...offer more power...get better fuel economy. The engine in my 328xi has more power and better fuel economy than in my 330i. The option packages are updated. With the premium package, I now have universal garage door opener, bluetooth and 4 years of bmw assist. The car was enlarged. I now have more room than an e46 coupe. The styling has been updated, etc...etc....etc.....

It's a better product with more power, better economy and more options along with more modern and exciting styling for less money.

How is that thinking flawed...those are the facts.

[TheLegend]

The flawed thinking is not how the 328xi is superior to your 2005 330i. It's comparing a 2008 44k car to a 2005 46k car and saying your getting more for your money now like it's a big deal.

I mean if you want to compare prices you gotta compare prices to vehicles of current, g37s, is350, a4, etc etc. Compare the option vs price of those vehicles rather comparing it to a vehicle thats 3 years old. Different time, different standards, different comparison, Different bang for the buck, Different priorities.

But as always different strokes for different folks.

[TheLegend]

The flawed thinking is not how the 328xi is superior to your 2005 330i. It's comparing a 2008 44k car to a 2005 46k car and saying your getting more for your money now like it's a big deal.

I mean if you want to compare prices you gotta compare prices to vehicles of current, g37s, is350, a4, etc etc. Compare the option vs price of those vehicles rather comparing it to a vehicle thats 3 years old. Different time, different standards, different comparison, Different bang for the buck, Different priorities.

But as always different strokes for different folks.

[SolidSnake2634]

new cars with same or more options are almost always cheaper compared to loaded car from a few years back because production costs get cheaper and stuff becomes standard and etc.

[SLCGoonski]

i bought a 42 inch plasma tv 4 years ago for $3000...and now they're under $1k...

/thread

[redsoxx]

The plasma TV example makes my point. You can now get a bigger, better plasma TV for less than you paid a few years ago.

Then....the same applies to BMW. You can get the base 3 series coupe that is now superior to the top model 3 series of a few years back. You get a completely redesigned model with more room, sexier styling (subjective), more power, better mileage and more options for less than you paid a few years back.

I'm making this point because everyone is complaining about BMW prices and saying that they are going through the roof.

A 2005 330i coupe with auto/premium and cold weather went for about $45000. If you were ready to buy that car and I said to you.......I'll redesign the entire car...make it bigger, give it more modern styling.....update the chassis and engine.......give it more power.....give it better fuel economy......add more options to your premium package such as bluetooth, garage door opener and 4 years of assist....AND......I'll make it all wheel drive......AND THEN......I'll drop the price....you would have said ....WOW...where do I sign?

[Dave4501]

Redsoxx,

I agree with all your points comparing the price of your 05 330 to the current 08 328 coupe.

But, I still think BMW is walking a thin line with their price increases from 08 to 09. Just consider how much you saved if you bought an 08 E92 over an 09 E92. Right now, I'm not sure buyers won't be more easily swayed to buy used or to shop another brand.

I don't think you can in the same way compare BMWs to plasma TVs or laptop computers which always drop in value each year. With those types of appliances, it always pays to wait.

Still, I agree with your overall premise.

[CurlyFatAngry]

There are always two or more factors, some of them go in opposite direction. Inflation goes up which means that 2300 in the 2005 would translate to a little less now in 2008. Second point is technology is getting cheaper by the month, simple example is iPods and HDTVs. Compare the price of Gigabyte on the iPod 3 years ago to the one released yesterday.