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New BMW convertible hard top competitor

9K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  C70drvr 
#1 ·
#4 ·
Re: New BMW convertible hard top competitor (e1618978)

Quote, originally posted by e1618978 »
When you compare cars £1 = $1 - due to the extra taxes and crap in England. For example, the S60R starts at $35,000 in the US and £35,000 in England.

Your point?

I don't quite understand the logic here. The BMW shown is going to be 33,000 Pounds PLUS tax. IN ADDITION, The pound is worth between one and two US dollars, so without doing the math, the $63,000 figure given is going to be in the ballpark.

Maybe try explain your logic a little more.

Brad Cole
 
#5 ·
Re: New BMW convertible hard top competitor (V70 Brad)

Quote, originally posted by V70 Brad »


Your point?

I don't quite understand the logic here. The BMW shown is going to be 33,000 Pounds PLUS tax. IN ADDITION, The pound is worth between one and two US dollars, so without doing the math, the $63,000 figure given is going to be in the ballpark.

Maybe try explain your logic a little more.

Brad Cole

My point is that, time and time again, I have noticed that the US price (in dollars) is about equal to the UK price (in pounds). There is already some tax built into that 33K pound price - taxes other than sales taxes that get added before the list price is calculated.

Wait and see, I will be right - the car will come out here with a base price of $40K or so (same as the current base model convertible - there is no way that the price is going to jump from $39K to $66K). And the price in Sweden will be $70K, because they have the same big taxes as the UK.
 
#6 ·
Re: New BMW convertible hard top competitor (e1618978)

Quote, originally posted by e1618978 »


My point is that, time and time again, I have noticed that the US price (in dollars) is about equal to the UK price (in pounds). There is already some tax built into that 33K pound price - taxes other than sales taxes that get added before the list price is calculated.

I just checked the exchang rate. The British Pound closed today at 1.90 US dollars for each British Pound. There isn't THAT much tax built into the 33K price.

I also did some further research into car prices in the UK versus prices for the same car in the States. The Bentley Continental GT starts at 116,000 Pounds in the UK and starts at $163,000 in the US. The Bentley Arnage starts at 160,000 Pounds in the UK and $212,000 in the United States.

The point is: the one British Pound to one US Dollar correlation is a generalization that you are making that isn't an accurate predicter of US car prices.

Brad Cole

Modified by V70 Brad at 5:35 PM 10-28-2006

Modified by V70 Brad at 5:36 PM 10-28-2006
 
#7 ·
Re: New BMW convertible hard top competitor (V70 Brad)

It is a reasonably accurate predictor when you look at lower priced cars - all you looked at were mega-luxury cars built in England. There is no way a 325 convertible will be anywhere near 62K.

212/160 = 1.325, 165/116 = 1.4, way less than the exchange rate. So I will modify my rule of thumb, 1 pound = something between $1 and $1.40 depending on the price of the car, standard option packages and other factors. I already pointed out a car where $1 = 1 pound, the S60R.

Even if we use the highest rate you listed of 1.4, that still makes the 325 convertible $46K, much less than $62K.
 
#8 ·
Re: New BMW convertible hard top competitor (e1618978)

BMW has never been known for offering value priced cars to the American market. I still expect the C70 to be more than competitive price / content wise.

I'll shut up and let somebody else talk now...

Brad Cole
2000 V70 SE
 
#10 ·
Re: New BMW convertible hard top competitor (V70 Brad)

Quote, originally posted by V70 Brad »


I just checked the exchang rate. The British Pound closed today at 1.90 US dollars for each British Pound. There isn't THAT much tax built into the 33K price.

It's because the base prise in Europe even without the taxes is already a lot higher than in the US.

(Bentley is not a normal contructor, they don't have to lower their price to sell their cars.
 
#11 ·
My local BMW dealer said that the 325i will be in the mid $50,000 and available April or May. Just look at what a BMW Non hardtop convertible costs--mid 50's. It will be a beautiful car and a great driving machine. The 325 (now 328)i is, like all BMWs, a car built for driving. The Volvo is nice but really cannot compare nor should it try. For $10,000 more than the Volvo, you can get the BMW (with service warranty). For $10,000.00 less you can get the EOS and/or the GT6. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting my Pearlescent White 6 speed C70 to be delivered in the Spring!!!!
 
#13 ·
Re: (kzam)

Quote, originally posted by kzam »
My local BMW dealer said that the 325i will be in the mid $50,000 and available April or May. Just look at what a BMW Non hardtop convertible costs--mid 50's.

Current prices:

325Ci base: 40,295 fully loaded (manual trans): 42,945
330Ci base: 45,595 fully loaded (manual trans): 49,195
M3 conv base: 57,295 fully loaded (manual): 59,045

I don't see how you can price a 325 convertible in the mid-50s (unless you are talking about European prices, or "BMW individual" custom leather and paint).
 
#15 ·
Re: (e1618978)

Quote, originally posted by e1618978 »

Current prices:

325Ci base: 40,295 fully loaded (manual trans): 42,945

What do you consider "fully loaded"?

Here are the base and options prices from BMW's website:

Base .................. $40,295, incl. destination
Metallic paint ............ 475
Leather ................. 1,450
Cold weather Pkg .... 750
Prem Pkg ............... 1,200
Prem Sound ............. 750
Navigation ............. 1,800
Sports Pkg ............. 1,200
Adaptive Xenons ...... 800
Rear Side airbags ..... 385
BMW Assist (SOS) .... 750 (included in Prem Pkg)
Rear Park Assist ....... 350
Heated Seats ........... 500 (included in Cold Weather Pkg)
Auto Trans ............. 1,275

A manual transmission car with just metallic paint and leather is priced at $42, 220. Premium pkg, xenons, cold weather pkg, and premium sound pushes the total up to $45,720.

Fully loaded with all available options, including auto trans, the total exceeds $50K.

Modified by Calhon at 11:43 AM 11-1-2006
 
#16 ·
I called the BMW manager again today and he said he was told that it would be in the mid 50's. Also, remember this is rear wheel drive. In Central Oregon, a convertible is good 6-7 months a year and most of the BMWs here are the xi--all wheel drive. The new convertible will only be rear wheel.
 
#18 ·
Re: (e1618978)

Quote, originally posted by e1618978 »
I got my numbers from the http://www.bmwusa.com "build you own 325Ci" page.


I see that BMW has the new convertible up on the BMWusa website. However, it is not listed under the "build your own" feature yet.

Accornding to tbe BMWusa web page, the new car is going to be available as a 328i and as a 335i.
 
#19 ·
Re: (e1618978)

Quote, originally posted by e1618978 »
I got my numbers from the http://www.bmwusa.com "build you own 325Ci" page.

base 40,295
standard black paint
natural brown leather
sport package
total 42,945

All I missed was metallic paint, automatic transmission and optional wheels. I don't know where you got your price list, but it does not match the "build your own" numbers.

Your numbers match my price list exactly:

Base ------------ $40,295 incl. destination
Black Paint ------------- 0
Leather ----------- 1,450
Sports Pkg ------- 1,200
Total ----------- $42,945

Not surprising, since we're using the same source.

You probably missed the other options I listed because you didn't click on the Safety, Convenience and Entertainment tabs under the Options menu. The tabs are at the bottom of the page.

Modified by Calhon at 5:49 PM 11-2-2006
 
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