Minimum Standard of BMW

[achee]

Last week, I accompanied my friend to PML as he was comtemplating of buying a E90. I got a shock when I saw the basic BMW 320i. It comes with manuel air-con, synthetic leather seats, normal halogen headlight, manuel seat adjustment, no CD player etc.

BMW cars have been classified as 'luxury sedan', 'sports sedan' , 'executive sedan' etc. Nowadays some Japanese cars are probably more well equipped than the basic BMW 320i. Perhaps PML is trying to lower the cost of BMW to make it more affordable by sacrificing some standard. Is this standard justifable for the car to be called 'luxury sedan'?

What are the minimum equipments a 'luxury sedan' must have?

 

[ac323]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

Hi achee,

i think the car (BMW) being called (Luxury Sedan) is probably due to the brand itself and not so much of whether the car comes with any accessories like Xenon Light, Electronic seats, Memory seats or even Bodykit and beside the brand most of the Bimmer owner buy a Bimmer is becuase of the drive than anything else (speaking from my own experiences). And on the part of basic BMW 320i, i supposed this is another way that PML of lowering the price to attract more potential Bimmer owner so if the owner wants more acessories like electronic seat, Xenon light, this will be additional charges and thats where PML can make more $$$....
if i am not wrong brand like Merc and Porsche is also the same...got basic model then the rest is plus plus plus with all the accessories and then the whole car will become very ex.......

i am pretty sure the basic 320i logically speaking should come with a CD player, can't be no CD player it is probably a 6 cd changer at the boot. (quite standard for all Bimmer) - (i think so, any bro here has got any experience on this.....)

Hope this help...

Cheers.......

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

IMHO, the only 3 series that qualify as a luxury sedan is 335i. But even 335i does not have loudspeakers for a price tag of close to $200k!

 

[ac323]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

Hi ktnpl,

Yes 335i is the ultimate man........no loudspeaker (maybe PML not installing a good system is because they wanted the owner to hear the roaring twin turbo plus engine sound?

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

Hi ac323

The roads are jam packed on most days hence not much chance to hear the engine roar lol

Would it make more sense to spec up the 325i or buy a 335i?

If I spec up the 325i, my wish list would include

upgrade 16" wheels to 17" or 18"
add logic 7 loudspeakers
install i-drive

I wish PML would bring in stock cars with option for luxury version, like what BM does for Lexus to give buyers more choice.

BMW performance + Lexus luxury = what buyers like me need => more market share

 

[beemerluv]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

I've owned a couple of beemers and there are two things I am never satisfied with
1) rims
2) sound system

when will PML at least get the above right? Audi now has B&O. porsche has Bose (optional) and soon Burmester. BMW?

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

I've owned a couple of beemers and there are two things I am never satisfied with
1) rims
2) sound system

when will PML at least get the above right? Audi now has B&O. porsche has Bose (optional) and soon Burmester. BMW?

My sentiments exactly...to add on, Fairlady has Bose, Lexus has Mark Levinson

SE asked me to go aftersales market but I prefer factory fitted as I am not into modding cars.

All my stock cars have served me well hence I stand by my principle of not modding the cars.

 

[ac323]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

try 325i highline should be fine if power is not so important if not 335i is the choice.....

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

try 325i highline should be fine if power is not so important if not 335i is the choice.....

325i highline from PI right? I was told PI not importing sedan at the moment. Also I prefer PML for peace of mind.

 

[sszone]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

they just dun make BMW like they used to.
to me projector headlights should be standard specs that bmw should have but they have cut it down till u can find basic 320 models with lights that look like vios headlight. even the japanese cars are much better equipped than these so called basic bmw models.....imagine pay 100k+ for that....i rather buy a jap car then.
totally lost the old touch they had with the cost cuttings those guys did.

 

[ac323]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

PI dun bring IN highline version only PML.......

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

PI dun bring IN highline version only PML.......

I was told by SE that 325i only come in standard version and I need to indent for higher options. I will probably check with her again next week.

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

dont buy BMW. But the new Merc n Audi. Dont make the mistake I, and some others here, made.

I waiting for Brawn GP to make their production cars, then I am gonna lelong all my BMWs...kekekeke

 

[achee]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

they just dun make BMW like they used to.
to me projector headlights should be standard specs that bmw should have but they have cut it down till u can find basic 320 models with lights that look like vios headlight. even the japanese cars are much better equipped than these so called basic bmw models.....imagine pay 100k+ for that....i rather buy a jap car then.
totally lost the old touch they had with the cost cuttings those guys did.

You have a point there, I think the standard of BMW (in terms of equipments) has deterioriated. Even comparing with pre-facelift E90 (from 2005), anytime is better than the new basic E90 that PML is selling in their showrooms. Hope PML is aware that some customers do not modify their cars and some customers prefer factory fitted equipments. Most important, BMW's equipments must be at least on par with the more humble Japanese or Korean cars

 

[Zarata]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

Previous models seems to be og higher specs.... perhaps its best to buy the used highline models...

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

dont buy BMW. But the new Merc n Audi. Dont make the mistake I, and some others here, made.

Why is that so?

Most important, BMW's equipments must not lose out to the more humble Japanese or Korean cars

If PML does not bring in 325i highline in the near future, my next choice is Lexus IS250. Smooth and quiet, high low-end torque which is great for driving in Singapore's stop-go traffic, excellent equipment and features, highly affordable, best in reliability... and my wife's favourite.

If you find the ride staid, just switch to sports mode and it turns into a different animal.

Only downside is it is less stable during sharp cornering, headroom is lower and gear knob is too old fashioned.

 

[achee]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

I'm very impressed with the Evo, some cars comes with momo steering wheel, brembo brake caliper, full body kit, recardo seats, sabelt safety belt, Remus exhaust system or even a carbon fibre bonnet etc. Since BMW is classified as 'sport sedan', is there a market for a BMW sports model?

 

[wt_know]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

IS250 is indeed a great choice. However, the downside is the super tight rear space

Why is that so?

If PML does not bring in 325i highline in the near future, my next choice is Lexus IS250. Smooth and quiet, high low-end torque which is great for driving in Singapore's stop-go traffic, excellent equipment and features, highly affordable, best in reliability... and my wife's favourite.

If you find the ride staid, just switch to sports mode and it turns into a different animal.

Only downside is it is less stable during sharp cornering, headroom is lower and gear knob is too old fashioned.

 

[davidtch]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

You have a point there, I think the standard of BMW (in terms of equipments) has deterioriated. Even comparing with pre-facelift E90 (from 2005), anytime is better than the new basic E90 that PML is selling in their showrooms. Hope PML is aware that some customers do not modify their cars and some customers prefer factory fitted equipments. Most important, BMW's equipments must be at least on par with the more humble Japanese or Korean cars

In my view, d spec level of LCI E90 320 is lower than pre-LCI mainly due to economic downturn. However, E90 320 is bread & butter model of PML. In order to be competitive (in term of pricing), they hav to cut the option out to reduce OMV & maintain their sales volume.

On the other hand, BMW has always been known about its driving dynamic rather than its equipment. If ur fren looking @ d brand or its option, forget about d blue propeller.

I bought a 6 yr old E39 520. It has front & rear PDC as well as radio cassette tape. Why do i buy it? Because of its IL-6 & driving dynamic.

 

[ktnpl]

Re: Minimum Standard of BMW

Anyone knows if PML has brought in stock cars with highline version for immediate booking in the past? If yes, I might wait for them to do so when the economy improves so that there is less uncertainty in pricing. My SE asked me to book first (pay $10,000) and they will confirm final price 4 months later, which is ridiculous and crazy from customer point of view... almost giving up on getting a new beemer at least for now