BMW Canada is nonsense

AzNMpower32 · #1 01-22-2009, 11:56 PM

BMW Canada is being stupid. They took away the sport package for the 2009 323i sedan, which is precisely what I'd want. They also took away the Bi-xenon headlamps (incl. adaptive function) and a couple colours. Now all that's left are luxury options like heated steering wheel and the 6-speed Steptragic transmission.

Last year, they took away the X3 3.0i (I know it as the 2.5si), which was a nice, middle of the ground X3.

I'm not really sure of the reasoning behind this.

It's coming to the day where I cannot buy a (new) car I like in all of North America.

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blondboinsd · #2 01-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

BMW Canada is being stupid. They took away the sport package for the 2009 323i sedan, which is precisely what I'd want. They also took away the Bi-xenon headlamps (incl. adaptive function) and a couple colours. Now all that's left are luxury options like heated steering wheel and the 6-speed Steptragic transmission.

Last year, they took away the X3 3.0i (I know it as the 2.5si), which was a nice, middle of the ground X3.

I'm not really sure of the reasoning behind this.

It's coming to the day where I cannot buy a (new) car I like in all of North America.

It's all utilization. You can't offer a million options that don't sell, it drives up the cost of the car and is dreadful for dealers. VW did this starting in 2008 when they moved like Acura to trimlines with 1-2 options total. That way when you visit a dealer it increases the chance of having your exact vehicle on the lot. It's simply reality, a-la-cart isn't best for mainstream cars. Face it, the 3 series is BMW's Camry. It's the bread and butter, it has to be cheap and available.

JCL · #3 01-23-2009, 01:29 AM

Looks like if you were going to emigrate to the Great White North you should have done it last year!

The 323 (which is a great car) is the loss leader. It sells for $34,900 here, $5k less than the 328. It is within $1k of the 128 coupe. They get the price down by every means possible, including restricting options. Then they run ads in the paper saying "Yes, it is true, you can own a new BMW for $34,900" Since the CDN dollar has moved $.25 (negative) against the US dollar in recent months, any tool they have they will use.

I looked it up and noticed that they are including alloy wheels. They used to use steel wheels and wheel covers on this model. Alloys were an option. Now, there is one wheel choice, 2 interior colours, four metallic paint colours (all at extra cost), and just about no options. If you want more options, you buy a 328.

You can still move here. We are fully dedicated to metric and would make you feel right at home

xx3 · #4 01-23-2009, 01:33 AM

Well think about it.

This gives them the incentive to push you into a higher 3 series (more $$ in their pocket) if you do pick a higher model.

I'd guess that most 323i buyers didn't go for the sport model anyway. Less inventory to keep track of, again lower cost for BMW...

SANguru · #5 02-01-2009, 08:04 PM

sounds like somebody didn't pay attention in econ 101 class...

Thunder22 · #6 02-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

BMW Canada is being stupid. They took away the sport package for the 2009 323i sedan, which is precisely what I'd want. They also took away the Bi-xenon headlamps (incl. adaptive function) and a couple colours. Now all that's left are luxury options like heated steering wheel and the 6-speed Steptragic transmission.

Last year, they took away the X3 3.0i (I know it as the 2.5si), which was a nice, middle of the ground X3.

I'm not really sure of the reasoning behind this.

It's coming to the day where I cannot buy a (new) car I like in all of North America.

hold on, is this only in Canada? why do you care? you live in the US don't you?

Meiac09 · #7 02-02-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

you live in the US don't you?

for now...

ya know, most people try to buy cars here to bring them to canada...

X5rolls · #8 02-02-2009, 03:36 PM

BMWs cost more in Canada - a friend of mine who lives there and I were looking at them last year - if I remember correctly, the costs were 20% + more MSRP than the states. Not sure if BMW subsidizes for the US like Porsche or there are tariffs for BMW.

I suspect since they sell far fewer in Canada they limit the options/models to keep in line with costs on a per unit basis.

JCL · #9 02-02-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5rolls

BMWs cost more in Canada

True. You should have heard the moaning last year when our dollar was at par with the US, people feeling they were getting ripped off. They were, but it goes the other way as well. Now that we have dropped 20% it has gone quiet on the private import front. BMW (and others) have to deal with a smaller market, higher cost of doing business, and exchange rate fluctuations.

I was looking at a Mini Clubman S this weekend. $38k plus taxes, and I skipped half the options in the configurator.