Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Euro, BMW
BMW 1-Series coupe Euro-pricing slips, foretells U.S. MSRP?
While it's impossible to accurately judge the cost of vehicles in the U.S. based off pricing in Europe, Autocar gives us a brief glimpse of what to expect. According to the Brit website, the diesel-equipped models will span the financial spectrum between £21,585 for the 175 HP 120d to £26,290 for the 201 HP M-Sport 123d. Since we'll probably see none of the oil-burners here in the States, the one figure that stood out to us was £29,745. That's the price in pounds for the M-Sport equipped 135i.
Using some creative math, £29,745 is just under $60,000 U.S. at current exchange rates – far from what we'll pay when the 135i makes its way across the pond. For comparison, the 335i in the U.K. comes in at £31,550, or about $63,500 in U.S. dollars (again, at today's exchange rate). So if the base 335i here in the United States comes in at $38,900, then would it be safe to assume that the 135i should be under $35k? And if so, is that too close to the 3-series pricing to make it worthwhile? Our answer: Maybe. Although we bristle with excitement at the prospect of a small(ish) vehicle with a 300 HP twin-turbo'd straight-six, such a small pricing discrepancy might cause us to upgrade. What say you?
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Lucas 4:40PM (9/05/2007)
NEEDS to be under 30 base. Otherwise most people will ask why.
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Conor 4:46PM (9/05/2007)
The 128 (or whatever the entry level 1 -Series will be designated) will start considerably lower than 30k. If you are referring to the 135, read my comment below.
pe_tor 4:42PM (9/05/2007)
$35k starting for that tiny little thing, as delightfully quick as it may be, seems a bit steep and too close to the 3series. Even if a couple hundred pounds off takes a couple tenths off 0-60 vs. the 3series.
Now, if all the reviews say it handles much better than the 3 series, that could change things a little, but from what I've heard so far (regarding the new 3door hatchback 1series), the 3 series is still more composed and balanced.
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Conor 4:45PM (9/05/2007)
I'd be willing to bet that the top-of-the-line 1-Series may just undercut a base 3-Series. Although it sounds low, a 135i retailing for $31,500 would be a great business strategy for BMW. I would make the 1 a definite "entry" BMW. It would not be priced to compete with the 328i sedan, because the 328 will not come close to matching the 135 in performance, and the 328 buyer is a very different animal from someone looking at a 135. Also, 31k for the 135 would be low enough for people who live by the "Under $30,000" law when buying a car to consider reaching a little to get it. If you are looking for a BMW of recent vintage, with decent performance under 30k, the 135 might catch your eye. And it might just be good enough to justify the extra 2.5k (when taxes and destination are factored in.) That's just my thoughts
-C
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YouFaceTheTick 4:49PM (9/05/2007)
I'd expect 33k. That'd mean about 28k via european delivery...
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Dan 6:23PM (9/05/2007)
stop talking about european delivery. nobody does it.
Imp 10:14PM (9/05/2007)
Give it up already monkey, nobody cares about your ED ... at least 95% of the population doesn't do it.
Scott 10:25PM (9/05/2007)
Dan, it may not be common for the average joe, but bimmer fans *definitely* do the ED. It's like getting a vacation to Germany for free!
Big Socket 4:49PM (9/05/2007)
If this is over $30k fully loaded then I can't see many people buying. Why would I when I could get the 3 for a few thousand more? I can see the poseurs going for it but not normal people.
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Supercujo 8:14PM (9/05/2007)
But the 3-series is a big car now. About the same size as an early 90s 5-series. That, in my opinion, is too big to be chuckable. I remember driving a 1980 318i thought it was great fun, come forward to a 2003 320i I drove and it felt big.
The 3-series has left its 2002 roots behind and the 1-series has taken up the cause.
Sure, you will get people who will buy the 1 just to be seen in a BMW but there are the educated ones who know what a RWD performance bargain it is.
Eric 9:02PM (9/05/2007)
ABSOLUTELY AGREE. Way too many people on these blogs and forums think like the performance minded buyers they are and not the average buyer. The $3-$4k difference is not that much for most people who buy BMW. The average BMW buyer is not the 19-26 crowd who do their shopping based on 0-60 times and lowest price point; they are the good income, "status symbol" buyers. If a typical buyer is standing on the lot and sees an E46 styled 1-series sitting next to an E92 3-series and the dealer says they both as fast but the 3-series will run $3k more, they'll opt for the 3-series.
If BMW wants to steal any sizable market share with the 1-series they'll have to price the 135 close enough to $30k to capture buyers who couldn't stretch to $40k for the 335i, but can stretch for the 135. Otherwise, placing the two that close does nothing but cannibalize 335i sales. Only way this is good for BMW is if BMW's cost structure is much better on the 135 than the 335 so their margins are better on those 19-26 year old buyers who only go for base price + 1-2 options.
DaJinius 4:50PM (9/05/2007)
I was seriously contemplating this vehicle, but at a based of $35k, there is no way I would touch it. Perhaps if the 135i was a much more focused performance vehicle (focus on weight savings, LSD and aggressive suspension tuning), instead of a smaller 335i, I may consider it. However, I would be looking elsewhere when a equippeed 135i will easily approach or surpass 40k. I guess we'll have to see how well optioned the 135 will be. I'm actually in the market for the 30-40k price range..., so this news is highly disappointing. Love live the E30 M3 :)
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Josh 4:51PM (9/05/2007)
Pricing is wayyy too close to that of the 335i. The 135i looks like a really great car, however the thing that would really draw a lot of people (including myself) to such a great car would be the attractive pricing that was reported when news of the car first broke (i.e.- under 30k).
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Aaron Bluestone 4:54PM (9/05/2007)
my guesstimate would be 25-28K base for the smaller motor and 32-34K base for the turbo motor. fully loaded at around 40K. this way they don't cut into the 3 series even through there is an overlap (loaded 1 vs. stripped 3)
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Steve 4:54PM (9/05/2007)
Expect 27k for the 128i with 230hp and $34-35k for the 135i M sport. Keep in mind this already has a sport package (M tuned) and other bits so it's hardly sparsely appointed.
The 335i Coupe starts for over 40k in the US, the sedan is 38k. Don't expect to see a huge price difference like you do between a 3 and 5 series. The 1 and 3 are too close and BMW can't shave that kind of money from it. hell a well option Accord is going to run you over 30k.
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SherbornSean 5:00PM (9/05/2007)
BMW should differentiate the 1 from the 3 by focusing on driving rather than luxury. Vinyl, manual seats, no sunroof and NO iDRIVE. Keep the price low to attract buyers new to the brand.
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SPG 5:07PM (9/05/2007)
Even between the USA and Canada the pricing is always skewed greatly. BMW is smart enough to know how few people would pay sixty for a small BMW when this segment is getting packed with decent competitors.
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Mike 5:25PM (9/05/2007)
Is £29,745 with VAT included maybe?
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SSBR 5:26PM (9/05/2007)
Way too expensive for the 1-series. For the price of 35k you can get other alternatives (G37, IS250 or 328i). I understand it has twin turbo and can probably our run its bigger brother the 335i, but the point is its a 1-series. BMW should remove some of the options to get the price a little lower. I think asking for $28 is the maximum.
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srivendel 5:27PM (9/05/2007)
It looks like most posters haven't really investigated the 1-Series very thoroughly. Have any of you checked out the brake set-up? How about six-piston fixed calipers in the front and four-piston fixed in the rear? That's waaaaay beyond the brakes on the 3-Series, and probably better than the always-underbraked M3.
True, the 135i doesn't weigh a lot less (200 lbs) than the 335i, but it's a much more focused car in terms of size and attitude.
Finally, look at what else is out there for $34k. VW R32, Evo, STI, 350Z... the 135i will be competitive with all of these cars in terms of performance, and trumps them for cachet and desirability. If you want a 3-Series, buy one! But if you want a more focused driver's car, the 135i is worth every penny.
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