2011 BMW 3 Series pricing, specs revised for Australia

Article
Gallery

By Tim Beissmann | April 08th, 2011

BMW Australia has upgraded the specification and pricing of a number of models in the BMW 3 Series range.

The price adjustments apply across all four body styles – Sedan, Touring, Coupe and Convertible.

The mid-spec 325i model now comes with the Exclusive Innovations package as standard. The package includes BMW’s Navigation System Professional, voice control, high-beam assist, bi-xenon headlights and automatic folding mirrors with anti-dazzle function.

Sales of the BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring have decreased 31.2 percent this year, falling at around double the rate of the rest of the $60K-plus medium segment.

The 3 Series is now the third most popular vehicle in the segment, behind the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. In the first quarter of the year, the 3 Series held a 20.3 percent share of the market, trailing the C-Class at 29.6 percent and the A4 on 21.3 percent. The Audi has been the big mover of the trio, with its market share up almost five percent compared with it position at the end of 2010.

The 3 Series Coupe and Convertible models are officially listed in the $80,000-$200,000 sports segment, and again they trail the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe/Convertible and the Audi A5.

At this time last year, the 3 Series was the leader in the segment but sales have since dropped 28.4 percent, compared with a less dramatic 6.5 percent loss from Audi and a strong 4.9 percent gain from Mercedes.

The all-new sixth-generation BMW 3 Series will be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, replacing the current model that won the World Car of the Year award back in 2006.

2011 BMW 3 Series manufacturer’s list prices (revised models only):

Sedan

325i Innovations – $71,900
325i M Sport Innovations – $76,700
335i M Sport – $108,200
M3 – $141,700
M3 Pure Edition – $131,700

Touring

335i M Sport – $112,600

Coupe

325i Innovations – $80,850
325i M Sport Innovations – $86,050
335i M Sport – $113,750
M3 – $155,000
M3 Pure Edition – $145,700

Convertible

325i Innovations – $94,600
325i M Sport Innovations – $101,100
335i M Sport – $126,900
M3 – $173,350

andronicus

Its a pity they got rid of the pronounced ridges running along the bonnet from the badge up to the windscreen. This makes it look a little more like the model before the current gen.
Overall….I think I like the slightly more angular front end treatment of the current model. Never thought I’d say that but yeah….

Grammar Nazi

They’re still there, but on the sedan and estate only – there isn’t a front-on shot of these on the page.

andronicus

Ah yes, you are correct.

Smoothcall

I think it’s aged well but the 3 is suffering for a weak level entry petrol engine. The A4 and C class turbos offer much better driveability in their base models.

Jimmy

Yeah you could be right about that. The entry level diesel on the 320d however is nothing short of a revelation – best in class.

David

It would be good to know what the previous prices were for each model to see the actual differences across the board.
http://www.jocman.com Runnaln

325i Similar Spec in UK where GST is 17.5% is under $42k AUD we pay 72K. BMW (Like all the German Brands) and the dealers are ripping us off somthing rotton, for these South African Vehicles.

Perhaps you could get them to explain.

http://torquehonda.com.au Wil-son

Runnain, the 6 cyl and turbo diesel models come out of Germany, it’s only the 320i that comes from SA and even the engine is built in the UK at Hams Hall.
Also, yes to some degree the importers(these 3 are factory run) do squeeze us on price, but dont forget we have more than just 17.5% GST!
As a Guide>> We have an estimated 10% to 20% Import Duty that the importer pays, plus Luxury Car Tax @ 33%(over $57,466) plus 10% GST plus the dealer margin, plus the importer margin which is at least 20% of the list price.Also, because we are a small volume player, we pay a premium. Population helps a lot as they look at return on investment in each country. Like marketing, set up costs, crash testing etc. I’m not saying it makes it all ok, but it may help understanding why we do pay a premium. M-Benz is renowned, and proud, that that they make the highest of all manufacturers of 45% on every new car made. BMW just under 30%
Anyway i hope the new 3 series crushes AUDI and BENZ in sales when it comes out…and it should!

eightiesman

True. There’s a lot of reasons. The little taxes play a part, somewhat. But the biggest contributor is the manufacturer’s pricing – they do it because people still buy them despite the markup. It’s not really about the taxes.

But everytime I hear it’s because of the LCT I cringe. I guess the arithmetic skills of readers/general population on this site aren’t too flash-hot. You can’t triple prices by imposing 10% GST, 33% LCT, 10% import duty… heck you can’t even double it.

And it’s definitely not because of RHD/LHD conversion issues – just compare with UK which is same side as ours.

They charge us a premium because they can.

Nick01

Well said eightiesman!

http://www.jocman.com Runnaln

I am pretty sure Import Tax is currently 5% not 10-20% if we were being charged the Uk price Luxury car tax would not be a factor, so you pretty much confirm its just us being ripped off.

Also I used to import RHD brand new cars from Belgium to UK as BMW UK and dealers were ripping UK Drivers off so we are ripped off double.

Ford

At least Lexus are all made in Japan. BMW, Mercedes, Audi vehicles the majority of them that they sell to us are made in south Africa, Egypt etc

I honestly hate German cars.. At least I admit it

F1MotoGP

Some German cars made outside of Germany. Egypt??? I never heard they making German cars! Which one??? Majority of German cars are mad in Germany!!
F1MotoGP

Lexus RX (2004–present)is made in Cambridge South Plant Ontario Canada

C

..not the ones for the Australian market.

Aleks

Most mercedes cars these days are made in germany. The only that isn’t that I’m aware of is the ML which is made in the US. People can say what they want that it doesn’t matter where the cars are build, but since Mercedes took their operations back to Germany they were like 5th or 6th on the JD survey and BMW way way down the list.

Aleks

Most of audi’s cars are also made in Germany, only the Q7 and TT are not made their.

Nick01

I honestly hate Ford cars. At least I admit it.

carlos

I think the Merc won on class and styling and Audi won on better styling over BMW and Lexus won on a 6 cylinder engine on the entry level vehicles. Therefore BMW definitely looses amongst the competitors.

QAZ

Mercedez and Lexus for me!

HJP

Still way overpriced. We have a stronger currency than the US so these cars should be sold at the same price or little less as they were sold in the US.
Ford

Mercedes S-class is made in these following places

Berlin, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
Toluca, Mexico
Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico City,
Cairo, Egypt
Bogor, Indonesia
Chakan, Pune, India
Bangkok, Thailand

In the other hand the Lexus LS is manufactured in the worlds most sophisticated production facility which is located in Japan.. Hence why the Lexus and especially the LS is the worlds finest automobile..

andronicus

Gees, thats stretching it quite a bit isnt it???

Talk about a longbow, the world’s finest automobile?
I think you will find some people who would disagree with you there starting with myself.

Yes it’s a good machine but worlds finest? You’re havin a laugh.

He’s havin a laugh.
Able

Lexus the finest ‘automobile’? Have you even glanced at an LX570? Every Lexus except the IS-series is ugly, period. They’re all just glorified Toyotas too!

And you notice how Japan has just had a major earthquake? Not smart for Lexus considering it’s their only LS production plant and now customers have to wait longer. Not smart at all and yet those in Indonesia wanting an S-class can have it much quicker. Single-minded Lexus and their followers!
eightiesman

To each his own. Finest doesn’t necessarily mean best looking, goes around corners fastest, etc. To me finest means the best built and the best put together car and to me the LS is right up there. It has the tightest manufacturing tolerances of any car on the planet.

Of course not everyone wants an isolated ride. But Lexus has defined their brand of luxury as that – isolated from NVH, light steering, etc. A newborn won’t feel the difference in harshness between his/her cot and sitting in the car. Lexus don’t see it as a fault because it’s what they sought out to achieve. In the normal world outside of car fanatics, not many people drive around corners at the limits. As such it has no ‘soul’ because to have ‘soul’ you need to make people feel excited to drive it, as such it needs to have feedback. Machines don’t really have soul, it’s our human interpretation.

Nobody plans facilities around the world because of earthquakes/major disasters, it’s not economical.

I have come to the conclusion that the people who say Lexus are glorified Toyotas have never driven/been in both. It’s like saying BMWs are glorified cars… what does it mean?

Sneek

Yup that’s right, the Lexus LS is the most sophisticated and advanced car in the world..

we’re serious about this—every car guy on the planet, just once, should experience the LS’s pro foundly isolated, tomb-like cockpit. It’s like dri ving to work in the Bodleian Library. Rest your left arm on the upper door sill, and you’ll hear your wrist watch ticking. Mat the throttle, and, yeah, there’s a distant V-8 snarl, but the muted whoosh could just as well be emanating from the trunk.

Greg

I have owned bmws since 1997. Relevantly, i bought brand new 325i sedan sport with innovations package, upgraded stereo and sunroof in 2007. I traded it in last year for a commodore ssv ute – no, it was not for financial reasons and I am not a tradie, im a lawyer – I have had the commodore for almost a year and I would never buy a BMW again – I couldn’t be happier with the Holden. I still shake my head about why I spent so much on bmws

john

your honesty is refreshing. not a badge sob and also helping aussie industry.
bangel

More fairy stories from the bottom of the garden , then again lawyers are good at that .

andronicus

You sir get the comment of the day award for that one.
ShockJock

What do you do for a living slanderer?

Able

There are nice people in this world (and indeed on this website) after all! I’m certainly not prepared to do the same with my 330d or Octavia RS, mainly because I already have a Triton (and soon to be Amarok) but I still admire you.
andronicus

Why the ute? Actual question, not looking to have a dig.

Just wondering why a lawyer would trade for a ute? Lifestyle reasons?

Pgr

i would have to agree that the Lexus LS is amazing piece of machine.. The word timeless is exaggerated these days, but the Lexus LS460 is truly timeless..

The S-class looks exactly the same as the photos when you see it in flesh.. But the Lexus LS460/600H looks so much better in flesh then in the photos..

The LS is a car with a design that is ageless, it has a very unique and sophisticated presence..
chnny

i wonder when the taillights of all current bmws would stop looking like the 3 series…5 years time? next gen models?
Chucky

Finally BMW have come to their senses and made the 325i better value for money. Unfortunately, its too little too late. I would rather get the Mercedes C250 Avantgarde which has a much better engine and is $5,000 cheaper.
lazza

Aaahhh.. BMW, the classic Kraut car where for the Aussie market, the dealerships bend you over, take turns in having their way with you to keep your mind busy from wondering why am I paying extra for ‘badge privelige’?!

Here’s a quick comparison, and I’ve used the high end models as it’s an easier base to start from:

UK Prices (on road prices):
BMW M3 Saloon (Base price): 53,125 GBP (~$83,000 AUD)
Merc C63 AMG: Doesn’t appear to be on the UK site, probably because the new one is just about to go on sale.
Lexus ISF (Base price): 58,350 GBP (~$91,000 AUD)
Audi S4 Saloon: 37,344 GBP (~$58,000 AUD)
Audi S5 2Dr: 42,965 GBP (~$67,000 AUD)
Audi RS5 Coupe: 58,725 GBP (~$92,000 AUD)

US Prices (on road prices):
BMW M3 Saloon: $55,900 USD (~$53,000 AUD)
Lexus ISF: $59,760 USD (~$57,000 AUD)
Mercedes Benz C63: $58,200 USD (~$55,000 AUD)
Audi S4 Premium Plus: $47,100 USD (~$45,000 AUD)
Audi S5 Premium Plus : $53,650 USD (~$51,000 AUD)
(No RS5 on the website).

Aust Prices (Redbook new car prices so non drive away price):
BMW M3 Sedan M-DCT: $149,000
Mercedes Benz C63 Sedan: $150,980
Lexus IS-F: $126,800 (2011 pricing should be coming)
Audi S4: $119,900
Audi S5 2Dr Auto: $138,900
Audi RS5: $175,300

The real stand-out is the Lexus. For the Aussie market, sensational value for money compared to the Kraut chariots. In the US and the UK the Lexus is priced more as it’s fully loaded with options so there’s significant bang for buck. Add the equivalent options to the Germans and the prices start to creep.

Nissan/Infiniti are about to come in to Australia. Bring on the luxo version of the GTR

You can’t deny the price disparity with our market vs. say the UK market which is closer to ours than the US. You can talk all you like about economies of scale, standard of living, housing, education costs etc. but I’d like to see the justification of double-priced Euro cars here.

Finally, sure we don’t have much of a choice… however consumers are getting a lot more savvy.
Greg

Um – I copped a bit of flak there but it’s not a fairy story / is true.

My 6 yr old and I go push bike riding / easy to carry bikes – I also coach my boy’s rugby team and we have heaps of gear including a fold down/up tent.

My other half has a ‘normal’ car so we use that for family things.

I’m not a Holden or ford diehard fan / just liked the commodore better .
Greg

Don’t get me wrong: BMW and Mercedes are magnificent machines, but I just don’t see them as value anymore after what Holden offer – not saying Holden is better, just saying for literally half the price (after BMW was optioned up and the ute was optioned up with sat nav etc) was a no brainer. Before anyone says it: yes, lawyer and no brainer is a tautology