[sdhotwn]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

So I am curious now. If the new 3 series is finally a perfect size for you, what didn't work with regards to the old model 5 series for you? It's the logical progression.

Well, timing and perception are probably the most accurate answer. I find the 3 series to be more sport oriented, and thus prefer it as I'm an autocrosser and enthusiast in general. I say timing, because the last time the 5 Series was the size of the current 3 is (Length of 182 inches) was in 1996 (183 inches, followed by 188, 191, and current of 193). So the 5 has always been much larger even though people like to regularly say that the 3 is as big as a five.

So the 5 hasn't been as small as my 3 in a very long time, and then it's typically much more expensive as well. I've just come in to a point in life where I can afford these cars in the first 5 years or so of their life, and the 5'er is still a bit out of my reach in many cases. So that factors in.

[Chihuahua]

In summary:

No one wants a MINI. No one wants an X6. Very few people want an X1.

At this rate, MINI won't live to see 2020.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by sdhotwn

Well, timing and perception are probably the most accurate answer. I find the 3 series to be more sport oriented, and thus prefer it as I'm an autocrosser and enthusiast in general. I say timing, because the last time the 5 Series was the size of the current 3 is (Length of 182 inches) was in 1996 (183 inches, followed by 188, 191, and current of 193). So the 5 has always been much larger even though people like to regularly say that the 3 is as big as a five.

So the 5 hasn't been as small as my 3 in a very long time, and then it's typically much more expensive as well. I've just come in to a point in life where I can afford these cars in the first 5 years or so of their life, and the 5'er is still a bit out of my reach in many cases. So that factors in.

Thank you for the detailed response! As an enthusiast I would be all over the E34M5 over a new 3 series of any variety and that was the root of my question. I wonder how many of us dinosaurs (preferentially speaking) are around.

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by GMe90

I do think that the 2-series is overpriced. The 228i should start at below $30k, so that you can buy a nicely equipped one for less than $35k. A nicely equipped M235i should be $42k max.

WHile I wont disagree with this statement and maybe EVERY BMW is overpriced, but after taking delivery of my 435 GC and lamenting the things it DOESN'T have for the 65k I paid (Ventilated seats, better sound system etc...)
I will say that driving it is simply fantastic and so it goes with the 2 series- the M235 is just fantastic in every way and at 52k doesn't have ventilated seats, BLIND SPOT monitoring, a sound system thats as good as a Nissan Sentra etc... but oh my does it drive sweet- power to spare excellent handling and feels planted for such a small car. There is a price to be paid for that.

If the M235i is 42k loaded Id buy one just to have!!

[GMe90]

Originally Posted by Ze4eMCe

WHile I wont disagree with this statement and maybe EVERY BMW is overpriced, but after taking delivery of my 435 GC and lamenting the things it DOESN'T have for the 65k I paid (Ventilated seats, better sound system etc...)
I will say that driving it is simply fantastic and so it goes with the 2 series- the M235 is just fantastic in every way and at 52k doesn't have ventilated seats, BLIND SPOT monitoring, a sound system thats as good as a Nissan Sentra etc... but oh my does it drive sweet- power to spare excellent handling and feels planted for such a small car. There is a price to be paid for that.

If the M235i is 42k loaded Id buy one just to have!!

Agreed. But you hit the nail on the head. If you could get an M235i for $42k, I bet the sales would go up quite a bit. Sure the profit on the individual car suffers a bit, but the increased volume in sales more than makes up for it. I think there is a mental block for a lot of consumers when the car starts approaching $50k.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Thank you for the detailed response! As an enthusiast I would be all over the E34M5 over a new 3 series of any variety and that was the root of my question.

Me too. Avus blue please. That's back when an M car truly was an M car.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

It's too expensive.

Agree 100%. If BMW built a 220i and priced it in the mid to upper 20s I'd buy it. a $50K 2 series is lunacy.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

so the 2-series can barely outsell the final year of the 1-series which had ceased production already. what a flop.

You are clueless, you may want to include one fact to make a statement like that. Virtually no inventory at dealers all year and all dealers had an allocation system.
There is no convertible yet for a 2 series, at least half the sales in the south will be convertibles. I can't remember the last 1 series coupe I saw but I see a ton of 1 series convertibles. Sales will be up at least 30% next year when the convertible arrives especually since the 4 convertible is big and no manual is offered now.

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

Agree 100%. If BMW built a 220i and priced it in the mid to upper 20s I'd buy it. a $50K 2 series is lunacy.

Well yes but 50k is for an M235- not your average small car.
I do agree that they should have a 220i in the upper 20;'s and your wish
may come true- the 35k semi stripped 320i is really a very nice car and worth it I say- if you dont option it up too much- same engine in the 2 and under 30k will be a huge hit.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

You are clueless. Virtually no inventory at dealers all year.

There was no inventory of 1 series either. It's because they aren't ordering them.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Agreed. But you hit the nail on the head. If you could get an M235i for $42k, I bet the sales would go up quite a bit. Sure the profit on the individual car suffers a bit, but the increased volume in sales more than makes up for it. I think there is a mental block for a lot of consumers when the car starts approaching $50k.

i would already have an m235 if it was well equipped for 42..

[vladberca]

You'll not find a BMW that cheap. Also you have the lowest prices anyway.

[hlmiii]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I'm not some butthurt 1-Series fanboy who's upset they axed his model.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

In summary:

No one wants a MINI. No one wants an X6. Very few people want an X1.

At this rate, MINI won't live to see 2020.

Depends on if you believe MINI, they claim it's more due to lack of supply rather than lack of demand.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/06/n...cation-report/

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by X3paul

i3 its the only bmw i would buy in the current lineup

Things you will never hear in the US...

I've seen i3's in dealer showrooms and cringe whenever I see one.

[sdhotwn]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Thank you for the detailed response! As an enthusiast I would be all over the E34M5 over a new 3 series of any variety and that was the root of my question. I wonder how many of us dinosaurs (preferentially speaking) are around.

For a daily driver and long trips I prefer the newer cars for tech and comfort. From an enthusiast standpoint, hell yeah on an E34M5

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by sdhotwn

For a daily driver and long trips I prefer the newer cars for tech and comfort. From an enthusiast standpoint, hell yeah on an E34M5

Yeah I get you there, last 500+ mile road trip we took I felt maybe it was time for a "road trip car" vs taking the 1. But it's so good to drive. Hard to make that choice for me, especially if there are good roads at the destination.