BMW bumps its prices for 2009
High commodities prices and the unflattering value gap between the Euro and U.S. Dollar are forcing a lot of European automakers to bump their prices here in the States. We told you a few weeks ago that BMW was planning on raising the sticker price on many of its products, and now we're starting to see the extent of the damage. The price changes range from an increase of $600 on a 128i to $1,400 on an M6. The 335i received several MSRP increases, with the sedan going up by $800, the coupe by $1,200, and a raise of $1,300 for the convertible. The 328i sedan, meanwhile, rose $700 to an MSRP of $33,400.
Options also went up in price, as the dual clutch on the M3 has gone up by $200 making it a $2,900 option. The sport package for the 335i sedan and coupe has risen by $450, and some standard equipment like the Logic 7 Sound System has been nixed for 2009. Beginning in October, iPhone integration can also be had for $150. Since $150 is almost the price of the phone, that one smarts just a bit. To see more 2009 BMW pricing (except for the new 7-Series), hit the read link below.
[Source: BMW Blog, photo by rahims | CC 2.0]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 5:04PM (8/21/2008)
Why even buy a BMW when you can have a Genesis with all the options you'll ever need? I don't care if I get thumbs down, because BMW is overrated. Everything else is a waste of money IMHO- unless 379 horsepower is too little for you.
The 3 coupe is raised 1200 dollars? For what? A new paint color or something?
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why not the LS2LS7? 5:36PM (8/21/2008)
I don't even particularly like BMWs and I'm marking you down.
paul34 5:48PM (8/21/2008)
You're so right, Torrent. BMWs are such a waste of money.
OBVIOUSLY, it is FAR smarter to simply get a 86 Buick, turbo the hell out of it, and have a bajillion horsepower. So duh, I just made a car that's like a bajillion times better than a BMW!!!111~~~~~~
Tourian 6:06PM (8/21/2008)
I voted him down too and I think BMW's are overrated. They have earned some/most/a lot of their reputation though and it certainly hasn't all been duplicated by the Genesis right out of the gate. I'm not impressed by the Genesis beating the Lexus GS, which is the worst and worst selling sedan in Lex lineup. It would probabaly whoop a Caddy STS just as bad or worse. LEt's see it go up against the heavy weights of the market: the 5 series and the E class before we declare Hyundais pending world domination.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:09PM (8/21/2008)
I'll take an '86 Buick Grand National over most BMWs.
Russell 8:20PM (8/21/2008)
I really hope the they continue to raise prices, so all the import buyers pay for their traitory.
UH2L 5:06PM (8/21/2008)
BMW's are nice, (although many people just buy them to look cool), but they make way too many features optional and so for what you get, I don't think they're worth it. Then you have to deal with service and repair costs when the vehicle is out of warranty...
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dewey 5:08PM (8/21/2008)
and I thought it was expensive before...
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fobunited 5:22PM (8/21/2008)
Did you not read the first sentence of the article? Commodity prices and the growing gap between the Euro and Dollar is causing the growth in price.
It costs BMW more to build a car and sell it in the United States than a year ago.
As far as BMW vs. other cars with more options for less money, that's up in the air. There is something about the way BMWs drive that is not easily foudn in other cars. Take Lexus with their IS350 for example. Sure it is more comfortably equipped, but it lacks the driving characteristics of a 335. I'm sure we'll see soon, but I'm sure the same will apply to the Genesis.
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psu48187 5:39PM (8/21/2008)
That's a very valid point, and I'm not debating that. Having said that, it's not like BMWs were reasonable before.
Besides Infiniti will happily sell you a G37. It is just as capable.
dewey 8:46PM (8/21/2008)
I am not arguing on that point. Mine is this: commodity price increased and devalued dollar affects all auto makers, thus most are raising their price. However, not all can do it at this level. BMW can because, well, they can. But just like gas, there will be a point when the consumer would just say nope.
At least I am as I am not made of gold
psu48187 5:35PM (8/21/2008)
I understand market demands, but you really have to wonder if the 335 is worth the steep price penalty over the upcoming 7 speed 328hp G37 Sedan.
No wonder so many people lease BMWs. Audi and MB are just as bad with their pricing too. The Japanese and Koreans may not have the prestige, but they sure do offer a lot of car for the money. Cars that don't require a second job to maintain once the warranty runs out either.
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Seoultrain 8:48PM (8/21/2008)
Mind of badge whore: "Why would I spend $35k on a car no one notices when I can get a BMW for just $10k more? Must... stretch.. budget..."
Mind of hardcore enthusiast: "Holy crap, why are these cars so expensive? damn, I'll just have to bite the bullet because it's worth it. I'll just cut out all the useless options."
Mind of sensible enthusiast: "Woah, I'll let the posers have their Bimmers. I'll wait until depreciation takes care of those chumps and get a 335i coupe in a few years. Or maybe if I really must have new, I'll get a G37 that's 95% as good for 80% of the price."
why not the LS2LS7? 5:37PM (8/21/2008)
I'm not surprised the 335i got a big bump. They're everywhere here, selling like hotcakes. Like gold-plated hotcakes.
There's no way another $1K on the price (average) is going to crimp sales of the 335i right now.
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dejal 8:24PM (8/21/2008)
Most likely "leasing like hotcakes"
60% of them are leases.
Ligor 5:41PM (8/21/2008)
I guess there is infiniti for those of us just not able to make that BMW price fit our budget.
a 328i for $34k of the coming G37 for $33k (with manu standard features that are options in the BMW, and power and performance rivaling that of the 335i)??
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psu48187 5:54PM (8/21/2008)
I'm sure there are many of folks that have obtained current Infinitis other than them being cheaper than a comparible 3 series. The company has a very solid lineup of cars these days, none of which should be looked at as a 'poor mans' anything.
JEziquiel 6:06PM (8/21/2008)
I love that photo!
Regardless of increased commodity prices, what makes a more expensive BMW unappealing is the lack of durability. Assuming all imported vehicles get hit by the rising cost conundrum, those which are constructed badly (regardless of the driving experience, and I do love the way bimmers drive) become an increasingly fraught ownership prospect.
What I wonder is what is so magical about the BMW drive that other manufacturers fail to emulate it? Conversely, why exactly aren't these well thought-through machines paragons of durability as well?
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BrettInLJ 2:32PM (8/22/2008)
Another indicator of the widening gap between the rich and the poor in this country and the dwindling of the middle class. Costs of everything are going up, and wages are not (keeping "inflation" at bay).
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hidden_hunter 8:41PM (8/21/2008)
Damn I wish our BMW's were that cheap here in AU, thanks to our retarded government they added even more tax to "luxury cars" (even cars like a toyota tarago or landcruiser are "luxury" according to those morons) a 4cyl (yes 4cyl) 3 series with cloth starts at US$50k
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