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-   -   BMW 320d & 328i (F30) : Official Review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/126290-bmw-320d-328i-f30-official-review-10.html)

Simply because the base models of the F30 are just not worth it (when it comes to features), luxury plus is too expensive & the 328 is not available off the shelf.

I suspect the F30 will have Diwali discounts soon & should finally get the sales rolling :thumbs up

BMW has this time simply priced the new 3 very high. Merc and Audi seem to offer much better VFM, features, etc. at prices at least 15-25% lower. At the same time they are discounting the 5 and X1, so when 80% want the badge only, the new 3 does not seem to stand much of a chance. They have now introduced a base 320i - 2L with power/torque equivalent to c200 1.8L at ex-showroom of 28.50L, but it is so basic as compared to c200, that again there seems to be no interest in it.

There isn't any mention of F30 320i on the BMW India website. Is this a dealer information as 'soon to be launched'?

Correct , when people are upgrading from their Skodas or Corollas they are targeting the premium badges like the MBA'a (i.e. Merc / BM / Audi )

So for most the criteria of selection is " Discounts Only "

Likewise between the C/3/A4 the preference will shift for the A4 or the C as they both have also recently got a face-lift & also offered with discount or some low emi scheme.

Things will surely change " IF" the F30 Corporate Edition launches ( hopefully some time late next year or 2014 to counter the launch of all new C Class )

:thumbs up

Also not sure regarding the launch of 320i ? Can you share more details

Soon to be launched, dealer info. Same as base 320d but with 2L petrol. Ex-showroom 28.5, almost 10% cheaper than base 320d. No other trimlines for the petrol. BMW are also launching 520i - 2L petrol 5. It seems that they just want to match Merc/Audi model for model rather than really bothering about the consumer or any attempt at differentiating themselves.

As Harbir says, BMW are diluting their own essence and if they commoditise themselves like this, buyers will simply go for what is the discount flavour of the month or then perhaps not bother to move beyond the Koreans and Japs.

I have been researching about the F30. Today when I spoke to the Sales Representative in Kolkata OSL Prestige, he told me BMW has discontinued the Luxury Plus Variant. And yes the 320i is available at an ex-showroom of 28,50,000.

The other changes include Hifi Loudspeaker System in the Sports line and the Luxury Line along with electrical glass roof.

The sport line and the luxury line remain at the same price point 32,90,000 ex-showroom.

I am attaching the October Specification sheet also.

Not fair !

People who have got the delivery of their 320d sport/luxry line are going to be :Frustrati

Thanks for the update. BMW realised that they were so highly priced against the competition that they had to bend. Good additions at the same priced. Early adopters always seem to pay a higher price.

328i price has to come down next since theoretically there should not be such a high price difference for only the engine and few additional features. Though I am still tempted for the 328i, practical difference of 7-8L (without even considering discounts) or so over the 320d sports/luxury appears very high.

Hey sorry I didn't see this. But its not official, do check out the last few posts. Its unlikely BMW will do the upgrade for you, but wait for a bit I'm sure there will be some aftermarket upgrades available which are plug and play.

Forgot to mention the source of the info - s350l-e240

I have been keeping in touch with this thread. What do you mean by plug and play? Does this not void the warranty. Where is a good place I can get mods for the car in chennai? Like black grills or a better speaker system?

Plug and play meaning it involves no cutting or wires
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...-Sedan-12-F30/
Its in development but should be ready soon. Also its a bit pricey.

Grilles you can get from the BMW dealer itself for around 10k.

Spoke to the Sales Rep. at BMW Kochi regarding this. He said:

1. There maybe a slight hike in prices to incorporate these features. He didn't seem very sure of this though.

2. BMW plans to increase prices of all their models by 5-8% by Dec end/early Jan. Has anyone heard of this?

I can get the grills from Vancouver, where I live when I am not in Chennai. However, I find it riduculous that they have now discontinued the luxury plus and added the features that i wanted, the speaker system and the glass roof, so soon after I bought it. Is there no way they can compensate or is there anyway I can get them to install a system so my warranty isn't voided. I think even with plug and play, my warranty goes bad. Right?

The 'Black Grills' are available from BMW for Rs.5806. Changing these are quite easy.

Modifying the speaker system could be a complicated job, from what I've read. Apparently, the wires are coded etc.

Easiest mod I figured is to add an external amplifier and a Sub-woofer in the boot (most of the wiring is in there). Once the bass-end load is removed from a speaker, they should shine in the mid-range and top-end. I'm not sure, how complicated replacing speakers would be, but I for one surely don't want things to rattle once the job is done or eventually due to the added sound pressure. Your seats would probably have to be removed to replace the 4" woofers under the seat.

From an audiophile perspective of the Hi-Fi System (sadly not the HK system, which I thought it would be), the top and mid-range is quite okay on the provided speakers. I like the imaging and the sound-stage as well. The bass and lower-mids is where it gets muddy and most of the transients are smeared.

You should send out a mail to BMW folks stating your displeasure. Even if they decide to compensate you by giving a 50% discount on doable stuffs, you are good. Have a try please. With plug n play, warranty will be intact.