Is E60 price increase a trend?

Prices on the 2004 E60 5-series have gone up quite a bit over 2003, and I haven't seen much talk about it here at bimmerfest. When I saw sticker prices on a couple 530s, it struck me the prices were higher than I was used to seeing, but I didn't realize to what degree.

It seems prices have gone up between $3,000 and $7,000, depending upon options and who you believe. I don't have great info on 2003 pricing, but reading some posts over at roadfly has me convinced that the increase was substantial on the 6 cylinder cars.

If BMW is moving the 525 and 530 up in price and introducing the 1-series at about $25k, is a similar big price increase in store for the E90 3-series?

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...3836447&page=6

have a 2001 530i (see the sig below for equipment). The car stickered for $47,985. A 2003 530i equipped the same would sticker for $49,245. The difference is just about the price of sport seats in 2001.

A 2003 540i/6 with my options would sticker for $59,345. (This seems ti include the gas guzzler tax.)

A 2004 530i/6 would sticker for $53,545.

A 2004 545i/6 would sticker for $61,145.

How can the 2004 530i, with an "old" engine (3 model years is all, I admit), command a $4,300 premium, while the 545i, with a new, more powerful, and more economical engine, command only a $1,800 premium? Part of the V-8 "savings" is the elimination of the gas guzzler tax, of course.

From my standpoint, I would be getting Xenon lighting in the V-8 car, which I didn't have on my 2001. Relatively speaking, while the price is a young fortune, it seems almost like a bargain.

The 530i prices seems so out of whack that I keep wondering if I'm misreading the 2004 price sheet.

2001 530i manual, Anthracite / Gray, Sport-Premium and Convenience pkgs, folding rear seats, sunshades, and Nav.

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...3903209&page=4

checked out BMW's website and "built" a 530 6 spd w/ common options, i.e. Premium, sport packages, xenons, and stereo upgrades, etc. Before I knew it the list price was just shy of 55K!!! My '02 530 was a full 7K less. Yes, there are some add'l features, but not nearly enough to justify the price. Call me a troll, but at damn near 55K I expect way more then meager horsepower, useless electronic gizmos like iDrive and controversial styling. I could buy a 540 for about this with 300 hp only 2 months ago & still can at some dealers. In fact, for a few thousand more I could get an MB E500 which, while not as sporty, has far more power and is available w/ AWD. What is wrong w/ BMW?? Putting aside the styling issues, I do not see how a "mere" 530 is worth that much money. Its simply too little car for the price. At this rate what will a 545 cost? 65K? As much as I hate to say it, but after 4 BMWs I may need to start looking at other marques like MB. Sad, really as I always thought of myself as a potentially lifetime BMW owner.

No comments?

Everyone knew how much 5-series prices increased?

I'm leaving and not coming back...no one appreciates me.

I knew that BMW increased the prices in Germany but had no idea that was also the case in the USA.

The E90 will definitely be more expensive than the E46.

Does anyone know how much an E30 325, E36 325 and E46 325 costed back then when they were launched ?

Originally Posted by PhilH

Prices on the 2004 E60 5-series have gone up quite a bit over 2003, and I haven't seen much talk about it here at bimmerfest. When I saw sticker prices on a couple 530s, it struck me the prices were higher than I was used to seeing, but I didn't realize to what degree.

It seems prices have gone up between $3,000 and $7,000, depending upon options and who you believe. I don't have great info on 2003 pricing, but reading some posts over at roadfly has me convinced that the increase was substantial on the 6 cylinder cars.

If BMW is moving the 525 and 530 up in price and introducing the 1-series at about $25k, is a similar big price increase in store for the E90 3-series?

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...3836447&page=6



http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...3903209&page=4

I was wondering the same thing this last Saturday when I saw the sticker price of a 2004 530i. With Premium Package, Logic 7, automatic, Zenon and PDC was $52000 and change. I do not see where this increase is coming from (aluminum parts maybe?) when the real improvements are still optional (Active steering, ARS), the interior is cheap and at a base of $45,000 still they do not give you standard leather.

I think that the E90 is next in line to be 'improved' this way...

Maybe we're starting to see the effect of weaker dollar against euro/deutschemark? Where as before, price increases in Europe are usually buffered by the fact that U.S. dollar is stronger (at least the past few years), but now finally the adjustiment comes as a bigger percentage because the currency is no longer "hedged" and we're seeing the effects of the economic down-turn here in the U.S. finally catching up?

Originally Posted by PhilH

I'm leaving and not coming back...no one appreciates me.

We're all too caught up in the "do you like bimmerfest" OT controversy

Originally Posted by Technic

I was wondering the same thing this last Saturday when I saw the sticker price of a 2004 530i. With Premium Package, Logic 7, automatic, Zenon and PDC was $52000 and change. I do not see where this increase is coming from (aluminum parts maybe?) when the real improvements are still optional (Active steering, ARS), the interior is cheap and at a base of $45,000 still they do not give you standard leather.

I think that the E90 is next in line to be 'improved' this way...

Could be. DOesn't seem like they're really adding a whole lot in terms of features or quality on these new models.

Originally Posted by PhilH

No comments?

Everyone knew how much 5-series prices increased?

I'm leaving and not coming back...no one appreciates me.

$49,970 ---> $55,320 is not exactly $7,000. That is the difference between a 2003 and 2004 530iA equipped with Steptronic, Xenons, Premium Sound, Premium, Sport and Cold Weather Packages.

Note that the 2004 model includes these enhancements--
-Active Roll Stabilization and Adaptive Steering on the Sport Models. Look at the outrageous price BMW is charging for these two options alone in Canada. I have a feeling that BMW is making everyone share the cost of this technology, whether they go SP or not, since the increase in SP is only $1,000 for MY04. (vs. $2700USD for the Canadian "Dynamic Drive" package including the same features)
-The Premium Sound Package now includes a CD changer-- it did not in the 2003 E39.
-The xenons are adaptive, and the car has bi-xenons.

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

$49,970 ---> $55,320 is not exactly $7,000. That is the difference between a 2003 and 2004 530iA equipped with Steptronic, Xenons, Premium Sound, Premium, Sport and Cold Weather Packages.

Note that the 2004 model includes these enhancements--
-Active Roll Stabilization and Adaptive Steering on the Sport Models. Look at the outrageous price BMW is charging for these two options alone in Canada. I have a feeling that BMW is making everyone share the cost of this technology, whether they go SP or not, since the increase in SP is only $1,000 for MY04. (vs. $2700USD for the Canadian "Dynamic Drive" package including the same features)
-The Premium Sound Package now includes a CD changer-- it did not in the 2003 E39.
-The xenons are adaptive, and the car has bi-xenons.

And for the record, the person quoted that said he could get an E500 for the same price as the 530 is smoking something strong. A similarly equipped E320 to the 530 I optioned above would be $56,165 (Leather, CD Changer, Heated Seats, Xenons with Headlight Washers, Sport Package (E3), Value Package (E2-- Moonroof and Premium Sound).

Sure, a 'base' E500 could likely be had for the price of an optioned out 530i. But, that would also get you a 'base' 545i. Let's not compare apples to oranges, guys...

I would assume that BMW is trying to make space for the 1 series. As things stand now, there just isn't much room between the Mini and the 3'er.

Originally Posted by The HACK

Maybe we're starting to see the effect of weaker dollar against euro/deutschemark? Where as before, price increases in Europe are usually buffered by the fact that U.S. dollar is stronger (at least the past few years), but now finally the adjustiment comes as a bigger percentage because the currency is no longer "hedged" and we're seeing the effects of the economic down-turn here in the U.S. finally catching up?

Yeah, I think you're right. BMW has to report their earnings in Euros, so if the Euro appreciates 20% (as it has over the last couple years), and they want to maintain the same level of profitability, they have to raise prices 20% or so.

During the period 1999-2001, BMW's pricing was actually fairly reasonable. The price of a 325i in 2001 was actually not much higher than an E30 325i in 1990. I was looking at a 1990 copy of Popular Mechanics the other day, and I noticed an advertisement mentioning a 325is priced at $28,950.

[edited for spelling]

Originally Posted by aardvark

Yeah, I think you're right. BMW has to report their earnings in Euros, so if the Euro appreciates 20% (as it has over the last couple years), and they want maintain the same level of profitability, they have to raise prices 20% or so.

During the period 1999-2001, BMW's pricing was actually fairly reasonable. The price of a 325i in 2001 was actually not much migher than an E30 325i in 1990. I was looking at a 1990 copy of Popular Mechanics the other day, and I noticed an advertisement mentioning a 325is priced at $28,950.

... a 1993 318i US base price was $24,900, and the German Mark was $1.72 to the dolar (I know, I was stationed in Germany and bought a 318i thru military sales for $19,620). So the Euro/dolar exchange makes sense with the current price increases.

Originally Posted by PhilH

Prices on the 2004 E60 5-series have gone up quite a bit over 2003, and I haven't seen much talk about it here at bimmerfest. When I saw sticker prices on a couple 530s, it struck me the prices were higher than I was used to seeing, but I didn't realize to what degree.

It seems prices have gone up between $3,000 and $7,000, depending upon options and who you believe. I don't have great info on 2003 pricing, but reading some posts over at roadfly has me convinced that the increase was substantial on the 6 cylinder cars.

Interesting - BMW (UK) kept E60 prices to the same level as the outgoing E39.

E.g;

520i SE (E39): £25,225
520i SE (E60): £25,455

Price rises for other more powerful models are similarly slight.

I did note, though, that the kit count on the E60 didn't seem as generous as (a) the E39 or (b) BMW likes to admit (all its test cars are always loaded).

Perhaps the spec increase is the cause of much of the price rise? If the kit level is significantly higher, you have to factor that in.

Originally Posted by andy_thomas

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Perhaps the spec increase is the cause of much of the price rise? If the kit level is significantly higher, you have to factor that in.

That's what I recall being the dealer line when prices were announced. The increase was "only" $500 (or something) on an "equipment adjusted basis". In other words, including all the things that used to be options but now are standard, the price has gone up only $500.

It certainly changes the market for the car, however, to require a lot more dough. Too bad it's such a big jump all in one year.

The way I figure things, after inflation, I paid the same for my 2004 330cic as for my 1989 325ic, and I got all that extra equipment. I'm not sure the same can be said for the new 5ers.

I just priced out a 530 and it's not as bad as I thought . . . a wife equiped 530 which is basically making it a luxo cruiser without sport came in around $50k but if I optioned it out for myself your talking $53to $54k

The problem is some of the options are REALLY expensive . . . I played around a little bit and it's very easy to make a 530 come in around $55 to $57k

That is a LOT of money !!!

I really hope the E90 won't see such price increases or it looks like the S4 is going to be a huge bargain !!

Originally Posted by Alex Baumann

I knew that BMW increased the prices in Germany but had no idea that was also the case in the USA.

The E90 will definitely be more expensive than the E46.

Does anyone know how much an E30 325, E36 325 and E46 325 costed back then when they were launched ?

UK prices. Higher, perhaps, but as a comparison across models (all four-door):

E30: £14,000 (1985)
E36: £21,000 (1991)
E46: £24,000 (2000-3)

Adjusted for inflation (at av. 4.5% pa):

E30: £27,000 (today's prices)
E36: £31,000 (today's prices)
E46: £24,000 (today's prices)