Sticker Shock - How much more would you pay for a 4 Series coupe?
There have been threads on how expensive the 3er has become, even in comparison to the direct competitions (MB C-Class, Audi A/S4, etc.). Some have subscribed to this notion while the others have dismissed it.
With the rumored transition to the new moniker, 4er, the coupe version is about to get a price hike according to Motor Trend (article here). This will undoubtedly add more fuel to the heated debate about BMW's recent pricing practice if it is true.
If it is $5k more than the sedan counterpart, would you still be interested in a coupe ($60k for a loaded coupe)? Or how about $65k for a loaded grand coupe?
With the rumored transition to the new moniker, 4er, the coupe version is about to get a price hike according to Motor Trend (article here). This will undoubtedly add more fuel to the heated debate about BMW's recent pricing practice if it is true.
Quote:
| Currently, a BMW 328i coupe starts about $2300 more than the 328i sedan, but that gap could grow to nearly $5000 when the new 4 Series models arrive, a pricing structure that would mimic that of the Audi A4 sedan and A5 coupe. The Gran Coupe could potentially add another $4500 to the price of the coupe, while the retractable-hardtop convertible – a car that’s said to have a more compact folding mechanism – could add the difference once more. |
Recent BMW News
Latest Forum Discussions
September 26, 2012, 9:05 am
This totally makes sense given the break up in the 3 series to a 3/4 series. I equate it to the 5 series and 6 series with the price differences but I would also expect more styling and features on the 4 series as well. Given the continued price increases, I could very much see a 60k coupe but I still think people will buy it. Their biggest seller will continue to be the 3 series sedan but introducing a slightly higher end 4 series fits with what they have been doing recently.
September 26, 2012, 9:18 am
September 26, 2012, 9:49 am
BJ
September 26, 2012, 10:27 am
Your post is an outrage and affront to mankind.
The very mention of price is a cry for help. You shill, for Audi or Merc.
We are not duped by your attempt to reason. BMW knows that price is a talking point of less capable style, unable to argue merit and status.
>SNIFF<
.
September 26, 2012, 2:00 pm
depends upon interior. if upgraded with more content the price bump is ok.
September 26, 2012, 2:37 pm
A $5000 MSRP increase will require a $5000 standard equipment content increase and interior features/layout improvements, IMO. Otherwise this will be another BMW with heavy rebates to move as it is happening too often lately.
September 26, 2012, 3:34 pm
The very mention of price is a cry for help. You shill, for Audi or Merc.
We are not duped by your attempt to reason. BMW knows that price is a talking point of less capable style, unable to argue merit and status.
>SNIFF<
.
On another note, I can't recall seeing one post from you (CALWATERBOY) that I agreed with, or that didn't seem random, pointless, and (to use your word) unnecessarily outraged.
September 26, 2012, 3:45 pm
On another note, I can't recall seeing one post from you (CALWATERBOY) that I agreed with, or that didn't seem random, pointless, and (to use your word) unnecessarily outraged.
CA
September 26, 2012, 3:48 pm
On another note, I can't recall seeing one post from you (CALWATERBOY) that I agreed with, or that didn't seem random, pointless, and (to use your word) unnecessarily outraged.
WHO's unnecessarily outraged?
September 26, 2012, 4:01 pm
CA
Well, I guess I agree with him in the sense that I think BMW knows it can get away with charging a little extra, because it's BMW.
September 26, 2012, 5:26 pm
Most of the 335is/335i coupes that are on the dealer lot near me are in the high 50's. Id imagine they'd still sell well passing that 60k mark loaded up.
I love the look of the current coupe, it has great lines. An all time favorite, too bad the dealer is too stubborn (foolish) to give me a deep discount on a '12, I'd have taken it.
September 26, 2012, 6:12 pm
BJ
September 26, 2012, 6:49 pm
Ok I don't want this to turn into an economic debate but you guys do realize that our dollar has lost almost 50% of its purchasing power since 2000 right? You realize that the Fed's balance sheet has grown to over 3 trillion right? That we passed 16 trillion in federal debt. That the Fed just announced they will be buying 40 billion of mortgage securities a month without an end in sight? That is money printing out of thin air going after finite goods. Let just say we are lucky we can get BMWs at 50K because I am certainly ready to lease my next diesel X5 at a 70K price in a year and 4 months and the next 335i in 3 years at 70K again....if I am lucky. Just saying.
September 26, 2012, 6:50 pm
The way it's going, it looks like the 4er will be competing against the MB E-series coupes, not the C.
I personally think that the current e92 is already in the upper bounds of being a semi-affordable luxury/sporty coupe. One positive impact it may have is making the F32 a bit more exclusive.
The very mention of price is a cry for help. You shill, for Audi or Merc.
We are not duped by your attempt to reason. BMW knows that price is a talking point of less capable style, unable to argue merit and status.
>SNIFF<
.
Well, I guess I agree with him in the sense that I think BMW knows it can get away with charging a little extra, because it's BMW.
I guess it could make the F30 a value play when compared to the F32.
This may also mean that the price of the M4 will be very close to that of the M5.
September 26, 2012, 11:21 pm
A feint wrapped in finesse. It is clear now that you are in the employ of VW Group, angling for nextgen Cayman.
Well done, enigma - the name has meaning. Your skillful move, a pall on 3 major competitors, is inspiration!
.
September 27, 2012, 4:39 am
Well done, enigma - the name has meaning. Your skillful move, a pall on 3 major competitors, is inspiration!
.
September 27, 2012, 8:50 am
The linked article as alot of could's and maybe's on the pricing. We won't know anything until BMW releases its pricing. About the only thing we can be sure of is that the 4-series convert. will be the most expensive of the lot.
September 28, 2012, 10:32 am
I'd pay it, but it would really depend on the car, the added value, and the reviews. There would have to be benefit, in some combination of performance, looks/style, and features.
October 1, 2012, 10:45 pm
Hmmm. Interesting dilemma. When I first shopped BMW I was interested in a 6, but I was one of those who just hated that it looked like the ass end was about to slide off. Just like the bustle butt Cadi Seville of old. Now that the styling has gone more mainstream I'm liking it again but am put off by the price. Either the price has gone up or I've come to my senses. Either way, 100 large for a comfortably equipped 6 seems a bit pricey.
So...I'm intrigued by the thought of a 4, it might work out for me just as my E92 335 gets a little tired. An 8-9K bump over the 3 wouldn't be a deal breaker by any means if the value is there. The problem could be that I'd have to shop it against comparably priced competition and there is quite some competition out there (in the price range, not neccessarily style point for style point).
October 1, 2012, 11:17 pm
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689488
BJ
October 2, 2012, 12:11 am
Maybe... History may be against BMW in this case though. The last significant price hike was with the Z4 (E89), which arguably moved up market, but sales lagged.
I love the E89, but I think BMW shot themselves in the foot on pricing it. I don't know how it's worked out for them profitwise, but they priced a large percentage of the Z4's previous buyers out of the market.
The F32 is still going to be a 3 Series coupe no matter what they call it. And the 3er is still BMW's mass market entry point. The F32/33 is not going to be in a "baby 6" kind of market segment. If they over price the F32/33 they may just find they've over estimated the U.S. market's willingness to pay. They are already pushing it, as is evidenced here by all the gnashing of teeth that goes on regarding the pricing of the F30 and went on before that regarding the pricing of the E9x models. It's one thing to do that with a niche market car like the Z4. I don't see how they can afford to do that with a mass market model.
The 3er sedan may be the numbers seller, but the 3er coupe is still what the U.S. market sees as the "flagship" 3er. I think BMW would be utterly foolish and just plain stupid to throw away more than 30 years of brand identity just to try to create some new naming/marketing convention out of thin air. It may make sense to them, but it will be lost on the average U.S. consumer. The 6er already has its own heritage. It's too late in the game to try to create a new hertitage for a car that already has one of the most storied heritages of all time.
October 2, 2012, 12:53 pm
+1
I love the E89, but I think BMW shot themselves in the foot on pricing it. I don't know how it's worked out for them profitwise, but they priced most of the Z4's previous buyers out of the market.
The F32 is still going to be a 3 Series coupe no matter what they call it. And the 3er is still BMW's mass market entry point. The F32/33 is not going to be in a "baby 6" kind of market segment. If they over price the F32/33 they may just find they've over estimated the U.S. market's willingness to pay. They are already pushing it, as is evidenced here by all the gnashing of teeth that goes on regarding the pricing of the F30 and went on before that regarding the pricing of the E9x models. It's one thing to do that with a niche market car like the Z4. I don't see how they can afford to do that with a mass market model.
The 3er sedan may be the numbers seller, but the 3er coupe is still what the U.S. market sees as the "flagship" 3er. I think BMW would be utterly foolish and just plain stupid to throw away more than 30 years of brand identity just to try to create some new naming/marketing convention out of thin air. It may make sense to them, but it will be lost on the average U.S. consumer. The 6er already has its own heritage. It's too late in the game to try to create a new hertitage for a car that already has one of the most storied heritages of all time.
October 3, 2012, 12:36 am
For reasons that are beyond my comprehension, coupes have always cost more than sedans. I have always assumed that it was a matter of what customers would be willing to pay. IMO, any sensible buyer would choose a sedan, but if they want something else they need to pay whatever the manufacturer wants to charge.
October 3, 2012, 1:25 am