The $80,000 BMW M3

[Skullbussa]

I typed out a long response to Uli HH in another thread and decided it was off-topic for that thread and wanted to start it, instead, in here.

Current suggestions are that if the F80/F82 M cars follow suit of their M5 big brother, that we could be looking at $80k USD for a healthy-optioned M3.

This is dangerous for BMW in the American market.

$80k for a car that will be, to many eyes, virtually indistinguishable from its $30k+ cheaper cousin (328) is not a car that will be very marketable in the US, a country where many people who choose to spend $80,000 will want every other person to know just how much money they spent on a car.

Cost-effeciencies gained by using a slightly modified version of the N55 powerplant must be handed down to the consumer. Further, charging outrageous sums for "luxuries" such as iPod integration and Bluetooth, technologies that are now common on virtually every new inexpensive car sold, must be stopped. ( I travel very often for work and every single Ford, Hyundai, and Chrysler I have driven recently have superior iPod/iPhone integration to a E9x 3-series).

Furthermore, BMW cannot continue to rely upon heavily-subsidized lease rates to make BMWs affordable to people who are in the "99%". This is creating negative long-term effects on the brand image as there is little pride of ownership, a sense of trepidation in owning these vehicles beyond their warranty and maintenance window (which is only encouraged at the dealership by sales, unfortunately). Instead, to make these cars more affordable, BMW should focus on new methods to balance the luxury and sportiness of these cars. The market DEMANDS that BMW ups its performance of the F80/82 cars but does it also demand that additional luxuries (beyond premium fit/finish/paint/leather, etc) continue to be piled-on? I'm doubtful.

BMW simply cannot continue to try to match Cadillac/Mercedes/Lexus luxury as well as chase base 911 Carerra performance. To do so demands a car that is rocketing in cost. $80,000 is NUTS. For the enthusiast, like most of us, it is a very, very hard decision to make to buy a new F80/F82 over a very gently used 911 Turbo, GT-R, and a wide variety of other sub-Exotics that offer more compelling performance.

[dcg71]

lol... you'll get no sympathy from the rest of the world. Try $180K.

[richardg]

I will say I agree with the OP a lot. I have been told you can find a v8 r8 at that price. Then again that would be used and not new. Something I would consider but the power to weight isn't much better than the e92m I have now. Plus I don't care that much for AWD. Anyway I digress. This will be my first brand new vehicle I purchase new so naturally the less it costs the happier I would be. I do think that whole upward trend in the 3 has is a tough pill to swallow, but I am not surprised in the least bit. BMW is in the business of making money, and I hope they do so they can keep on making cars. I don't think they will have much of a hard time selling the car at that price but if it's 80k when it releases, near the end of it's product cycle it's going to be 90k. And that is assuming there is no 9k ceramic option. Ultimately myself and the rest of US citizens can't really complain as we have very cheap fuel and cars. It's just the rising costs of living. back when the e36m was out if you said that in 10-12 years a fully loaded m3 was 75k they would think you were crazy and yet that is what an e92m costs these days. I guess we have to make more money, or vote against it by not buying it.

[Rissei]

Even now, there is a ~$15K spread between "stripper" M3s and "loaded" M3s. I have never heard the "loaded" M3 people complain about how you can get an M3 for so much less, thus diluting brand equity.

My guess is that F80 will start at ~$60k, while F82 will start at $65k. $15k of options for any car is a *lot.* As an enthusiast, ditch the full leather and EPS .

[dhoggm3]

$180K? Really?

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Rissei

Even now, there is a ~$15K spread between "stripper" M3s and "loaded" M3s. I have never heard the "loaded" M3 people complain about how you can get an M3 for so much less, thus diluting brand equity.

My guess is that F80 will start at ~$60k, while F82 will start at $65k. $15k of options for any car is a *lot.* As an enthusiast, ditch the full leather and EPS .

As a poser I will likely get the F82 loaded.

[dcg71]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

$180K? Really?

Yes, unfortunately. Drive away price here for a current e92 M3 is $167K. Not hard to get it up to ~$180K with a few options. Our currency is at parity with the USD, in fact its worth slightly more. So yes, moral of the story - if you move to Australia, bring your car with you

[valeram]

Originally Posted by dcg71

Yes, unfortunately. Drive away price here for a current e92 M3 is $167K. Not hard to get it up to ~$180K with a few options. Our currency is at parity with the USD, in fact its worth slightly more. So yes, moral of the story - if you move to Australia, bring your car with you

How are you mate?
It is the added tax that makes the big price difference.

[BMWJ]

It'll be marketable... watch it be $80k and sell more than the current e9x.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by Rissei

Even now, there is a ~$15K spread between "stripper" M3s and "loaded" M3s. I have never heard the "loaded" M3 people complain about how you can get an M3 for so much less, thus diluting brand equity.

My guess is that F80 will start at ~$60k, while F82 will start at $65k. $15k of options for any car is a *lot.* As an enthusiast, ditch the full leather and EPS .

Ill take the base f82 for 65k. Have my friend hook me up for wholesale, and Im set. Buying an M3 I dont give a shit if it has navigation. Give me a/c, iphone/music integration and Im set. Id take a base e92 m3 anyday. Manual please.

Honestly 80+k is pushing it a bit. As someone stated Ill take a used 911 turbo probably for less then that! Just sayin.

[SCBimmerKid]

Originally Posted by dd1981

Ill take the base f82 for 65k. Have my friend hook me up for wholesale, and Im set. Buying an M3 I dont give a shit if it has navigation. Give me a/c, iphone/music integration and Im set. Id take a base e92 m3 anyday. Manual please.

Honestly 80+k is pushing it a bit. As someone stated Ill take a used 911 turbo probably for less then that! Just sayin.

+1

[Raja Ventureshield]

i am sure bmwna has tons of people doing market study and will figure out what the market will pay for e82. Although bmw costs a lot, their lease is heavily subsidized to get people to drive their car. how in the world can someone drive a 50k bmw leased for 600$ a month.

The MSRP of a car is all of a fuzzy number these days.

[Skullbussa]

Originally Posted by dcg71

lol... you'll get no sympathy from the rest of the world. Try $180K.

And what kind of desirable cars can you also get for $180k? This isn't a post about high prices, this is about what *other* nice cars you can get for $80k USD.

And you do know that the median income in your country is significantly higher than it is here, right?

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

i am sure bmwna has tons of people doing market study and will figure out what the market will pay for e82. Although bmw costs a lot, their lease is heavily subsidized to get people to drive their car. how in the world can someone drive a 50k bmw leased for 600$ a month.

The MSRP of a car is all of a fuzzy number these days.

Exactly. Hell ill lease the m3 and then just opt to buy it for the residual and still have a lower payment the 1,000per month.

[dcg71]

Originally Posted by valeram

How are you mate?
It is the added tax that makes the big price difference.

Not bad mate Roughly $50K of the $180K would be tax. It's a kicker, but still doesn't account for the huge price difference. BMW Australia can probably be blamed for the rest.

Originally Posted by Skullbussa

And what kind of desirable cars can you also get for $180k? This isn't a post about high prices, this is about what *other* nice cars you can get for $80k USD.

And you do know that the median income in your country is significantly higher than it is here, right?

M3 is still my pick. Nissan GT-R is closer to $200K. 911 is quite a step up again.

Yes median income is higher, but I don't necessarily agree with significantly. Certainly not enough to justify the price differences. As a fellow enthusiast I'd love to see a more affordable M3.

[dhoggm3]

Sorry our Aussie friends get soaked like that. Glad you can still get yourself into an M3!

[aajami]

Unfortunately, Scott26 has said that M3 customers expect all the luxury items that BMW has been cramming into our cars, so I don't expect that to go away.

BUT GOOD NEWS! If rumors are to be believed, then BMW plans to happily charge you more for a more focused version of the F82 M4 that is lighter on the luxury options (and very likely costs less for BMW to produce than the standard "luxury" version).

[M3 Esq.]

Originally Posted by m3alabama

Most people buying new will consider 5k more a drop in the bucket from a loaded 74-75k m3 now.

Most people leasing who can't afford to buy still won't care as the lease payment on 80 or 75 k dollar car will be minimal and they are already overextending themselves and will be happy to do it by another 40 bucks.
we really can't complain about car prices here. MOST of the world has 2-5 times the price of luxury cars we do. We are very fortunate here.

I would pay 80 if the car is right for me. I think that sounds about right in 3 years

[m630]

The current e93 M is already over $83K so why would the new upcoming model be any less?

[SL%%]

Originally Posted by dcg71

lol... you'll get no sympathy from the rest of the world. Try $180K.

a BNEW M3 is at USD$170K for us in the Philippines so as the GT-R (grey market) USD$170K

a Ferrari 458 Italia in its barest form is at USD$561,000 and a loaded one is at USD$ 780,000

a Lamborghini Aventador just newly launched is at USD$975,000 (:

[m630]

Originally Posted by SL%%

a BNEW M3 is at USD$170K for us in the Philippines so as the GT-R (grey market) USD$170K

a Ferrari 458 Italia in its barest form is at USD$561,000 and a loaded one is at USD$ 780,000

a Lamborghini Aventador just newly launched is at USD$975,000 (:

Those are not car prices, those are taxes, dont blame the US because you live in a society that chooses to fund their society off the backs of car owners...

[richardg]

This is kind of off topic but I have been told by a friend who lived in China last year that Buick's are "the brand to have there?" Even more so than a BMW. I noticed you had a Regal so I thought I would ask. Oh and to bring things back on topic regardless of whether it costs 80k or not they will sell like hot cakes. I just hope they properly equip the car at that price.