Pricing

[swamp2]

OK we are getting fairly close to a US price announcement. I thought it was time for another poll. What will the base price, excluding delivery, taxes and of course all options be?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by swamp2

OK we are getting fairly close to a US price announcement. I thought it was time for another poll. What will the base price, excluding delivery, taxes and of course all options be?

I was guessing 55-57k, but the tide has me raising that a bit. I still think under 60K, though (delivery probably pushing it over).

[abhagat]

I voted with my heart, not my mind =(

[masmole]

Well I voted with my mind. My convoluted often befuddled mind. I say no more than $57k base msrp, possibly lower. There's a reason why BMW has skimped on standard features and offered cloth seats on the base US car: to make it more attainable for more of its target consumers. And to those that care less about how much it'll all cost, BMW will also be gracious enough to nickel and dime you with options galore so that you may buy a $70k+ fully-optioned M3 should you desire to. No doubt the base M3 will be priced to sell, but it will also be priced to take advantage of the typical US customer who have a natural tendency to check everything on the options list, complain momentarily from sticker shock, then go ahead and buy the damn car anyway. A base "stripper" M3 will be attractively priced at around $55-57k because it will need to compete with the likes of the C63, IS-F, the better-equipped (standard feature-wise) but more expensive Audi RS4, and on the lower end of the spectrum, the prettier-looking new S5 which although underpowered will undoubtedly be cross-shopped with the M3 (I know I did) since it's a relative bargain at a base price of $50,500 already nicely equipped. That's a hell of a lot competition.

I believe such a pricing scheme (low base msrp, high fully-optioned msrp) will make for a harmonic exchange of funds from the consumers to BMW. Just my $0.02.

[mesier1111]

Originally Posted by masmole

Well I voted with my mind. My convoluted often befuddled mind. I say no more than $57k base msrp, possibly lower. There's a reason why BMW has skimped on standard features and offered cloth seats on the base US car: to make it more attainable for more of its target consumers. And to those that care less about how much it'll all cost, BMW will also be gracious enough to nickel and dime you with options galore so that you may buy a $70k+ fully-optioned M3 should you desire to. No doubt the base M3 will be priced to sell, but it will also be priced to take advantage of the typical US customer who have a natural tendency to check everything on the options list, complain momentarily from sticker shock, then go ahead and buy the damn car anyway. A base "stripper" M3 will be attractively priced at around $55-57k because it will need to compete with the likes of the C63, IS-F, the better-equipped (standard feature-wise) but more expensive Audi RS4, and on the lower end of the spectrum, the prettier-looking new S5 which although underpowered will undoubtedly be cross-shopped with the M3 (I know I did) since it's a relative bargain at a base price of $50,500 already nicely equipped. That's a hell of a lot competition.

I believe such a pricing scheme (low base msrp, high fully-optioned msrp) will make for a harmonic exchange of funds from the consumers to BMW. Just my $0.02.

Nicely stated. Perfect actually.

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by masmole

Well I voted with my mind. My convoluted often befuddled mind. I say no more than $57k base msrp, possibly lower. There's a reason why BMW has skimped on standard features and offered cloth seats on the base US car: to make it more attainable for more of its target consumers. And to those that care less about how much it'll all cost, BMW will also be gracious enough to nickel and dime you with options galore so that you may buy a $70k+ fully-optioned M3 should you desire to. No doubt the base M3 will be priced to sell, but it will also be priced to take advantage of the typical US customer who have a natural tendency to check everything on the options list, complain momentarily from sticker shock, then go ahead and buy the damn car anyway. A base "stripper" M3 will be attractively priced at around $55-57k because it will need to compete with the likes of the C63, IS-F, the better-equipped (standard feature-wise) but more expensive Audi RS4, and on the lower end of the spectrum, the prettier-looking new S5 which although underpowered will undoubtedly be cross-shopped with the M3 (I know I did) since it's a relative bargain at a base price of $50,500 already nicely equipped. That's a hell of a lot competition.

I believe such a pricing scheme (low base msrp, high fully-optioned msrp) will make for a harmonic exchange of funds from the consumers to BMW. Just my $0.02.

Well done... I too believe the base price will fall close to mid 50s. The cost will be in the options.

[ruff]

Originally Posted by masmole

Well I voted with my mind. My convoluted often befuddled mind. I say no more than $57k base msrp, possibly lower. There's a reason why BMW has skimped on standard features and offered cloth seats on the base US car: to make it more attainable for more of its target consumers. And to those that care less about how much it'll all cost, BMW will also be gracious enough to nickel and dime you with options galore so that you may buy a $70k+ fully-optioned M3 should you desire to. No doubt the base M3 will be priced to sell, but it will also be priced to take advantage of the typical US customer who have a natural tendency to check everything on the options list, complain momentarily from sticker shock, then go ahead and buy the damn car anyway. A base "stripper" M3 will be attractively priced at around $55-57k because it will need to compete with the likes of the C63, IS-F, the better-equipped (standard feature-wise) but more expensive Audi RS4, and on the lower end of the spectrum, the prettier-looking new S5 which although underpowered will undoubtedly be cross-shopped with the M3 (I know I did) since it's a relative bargain at a base price of $50,500 already nicely equipped. That's a hell of a lot competition.

I believe such a pricing scheme (low base msrp, high fully-optioned msrp) will make for a harmonic exchange of funds from the consumers to BMW. Just my $0.02.

Well, I believe your two cents are right on other than I am with Gregg in thinking the tide is turning against the M3 with reasonable pricing and BMW will probably try to use some fancy smancy marketing ploy by pricing it like 59,999, so we will be able to to tell everyone we got her for under 60k. Just so happens to be, we will fail to mention gas guzzler tax, destination charges, fees this and fees that, and more taxes and license, which will put it close to the mid 60s. And without checking a single option. But hey, we did get her for under 60 k now didn't we. Reminds me of those who return from Vegas and always say they come out ahead on the poker tables. Then I wonder, who really is financing all the mega resorts in the barren desert.

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by ruff

I am with Gregg in thinking the tide is turning against the M3 with reasonable pricing and BMW will probably try to use some fancy smancy marketing ploy by pricing it like 59,999, so we will be able to to tell everyone we got her for under 60k. Just so happens to be, we will fail to mention gas guzzler tax, destination charges, fees this and fees that, and more taxes and license, which will put it close to the mid 60s.

+2

[swamp2]

Don't let any of the magazine folks, who actually regularly speak with BMW NA folks, fool all of us so much more "in the know". The recent mags have all been predicting in the 60s.

MT recently estimated $65k base.

[paulyd]

Originally Posted by ruff

Well, I believe your two cents are right on other than I am with Gregg in thinking the tide is turning against the M3 with reasonable pricing and BMW will probably try to use some fancy smancy marketing ploy by pricing it like 59,999, so we will be able to to tell everyone we got her for under 60k. Just so happens to be, we will fail to mention gas guzzler tax, destination charges, fees this and fees that, and more taxes and license, which will put it close to the mid 60s. And without checking a single option. But hey, we did get her for under 60 k now didn't we. Reminds me of those who return from Vegas and always say they come out ahead on the poker tables. Then I wonder, who really is financing all the mega resorts in the barren desert.

haha, classic ruff response...

I voted $59k, anything with a 6 is a psychological dagger.

[Davo2003]

I'm with masmole...if stuff like premium audio and CA are only in packages this proves his point and what I was thinking. I have been leaning hard towards buying a stripper and just making it a weekend car basically...but when I remember how much I love CA and premium audio, I start thinking DAMMIT I WANT...and BMW knows this. I bet they have a freakin chart that shows what percentage of us will order a specific package just to get one or two of the options inside the package, knowing full well many package items for many of us are just unnecessary...my 2 cents.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by Davo2003

I'm with masmole...if stuff like premium audio and CA are only in packages this proves his point and what I was thinking. I have been leaning hard towards buying a stripper and just making it a weekend car basically...but when I remember how much I love CA and premium audio, I start thinking DAMMIT I WANT...and BMW knows this. I bet they have a freakin chart that shows what percentage of us will order a specific package just to get one or two of the options inside the package, knowing full well many package items for many of us are just unnecessary...my 2 cents.

of course, this is why they are asking our sales guys to call us and ask us what packages and options we want.

[Keto]

Originally Posted by ruff

Just so happens to be, we will fail to mention gas guzzler tax, destination charges, fees this and fees that, and more taxes and license, which will put it close to the mid 60s. And without checking a single option.

Yes, because every car commercial I see quotes prices that are AFTER tax, title, license and guzzler. Oh, and "nicely equipped," not base.


/sarcasm.

[Phoenix 21st]

got a funny feeling that it will be $67k. No science, just my 2 cents.

[j|rz44]

ah. i voted for a loaded one...
base i think will be about 60k.

[Technic]

IMO:

Sedan = $55,000
Coupe = $57,000
Cabrio = $67,000 (leather standard)

Options will add some $12-$13,000 to those base prices (the Technology package alone could be ~$6000 just because the Enhanced Audio at some $1800 is required, M-DCT could be some $2600-$3000), plus a gas guzzler tax of some $2-$3000.

[lucid]

Swamp, what happens if it comes between 59 and 60?

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by swamp2

OK we are getting fairly close to a US price announcement.

We are?

[Tobizach]

Originally Posted by Epacy

We are?

+1 are we?

Anywho Im updating my speculation to low 60's.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Technic

IMO:

Sedan = $55,000
Coupe = $57,000
Cabrio = $67,000 (leather standard)

I'm with you on this one.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Epacy

We are?

Was thinking the same thing.

I do appreciate swamp's optimism however.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Tobizach

+1 are we?

JMHO. With dealers taking/placing orders we have to be getting somewhat close, no?