[arbitrage]

Originally Posted by tankengine

no the sports package comes with paddle shifters and auto :mad:

Are you sure about this. I would highly doubt that you can't get 6spd with sports package. That would be bizzare. Especially because the sports pkg in US can be in 6spd or auto w/ paddles. Also coupes have standard sports suspension so sports pkg is really just for the awesome seats and non runflats. Makes no sense that you couldn't get it with 6spd. Especially when we're talking BMW :rocks:

[climkt]

I had 2 cars in UK and nevertheless, found the 5 seater capacity of the e36 coupe very useful and practical. i guess this would be the main reason why I would not buy the coupe now if i were shopping for a new 3 series this year instead of last year.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by arbitrage

Are you sure about this. I would highly doubt that you can't get 6spd with sports package. That would be bizzare. Especially because the sports pkg in US can be in 6spd or auto w/ paddles. Also coupes have standard sports suspension so sports pkg is really just for the awesome seats and non runflats. Makes no sense that you couldn't get it with 6spd. Especially when we're talking BMW :rocks:

From reading the US press release I interpret the options as sport suspension is standard on the coupe (regardless of transmission). If you want the paddles shifters you need to be buying a 335 and choose both auto and sport package (sport steering wheel & seats).

[wyrm11]

Originally Posted by CALIF65GM

Check out the Montego Blue thread in the Pictures Forum. It's very nice too.

I like Montego to look at, but I think it might be a bit too loud for my tastes. I want a sporty ride, but I don't want to completely sacrifice the classiness either.

I'll deinitely check it out in person though.

[tctic]

If you are going to have Nav, PP, SP, steptronic, bluetooth, metallic paint and park distance control. I don't think you can get it for CAD$60K. You can't even get the E90 330i optioned like that at MSRP. I'd be surprised if you only have to pay $60K for all those on a 335i Coupe.

An E90 330i's cost:
Base: CAD$47900
Metallic Paint: $800
SP: $2800
PP: $4200
Nav: $2900
Steptronic: $1400
Park Distance Control: $450
Bluetooth: $1100

That totals up to $61550MSRP. That's not including all those levy and delivery charges and tax.

[tctic]

Originally Posted by findtom

However, looking at the base price of the cars doesn't always give the true picture. The 325i in Canada comes standard with equipment that is optional and adds to the price in the US (i.e. xenons).

Even with the Xenon and split-folding rear seats as standards in Canada, we are still paying a significant premium over the people in the US. Wood/Aluminum trim not standard, PP does not include as much 'goodies', SP and any other options are priced even higher.

[victri]

Originally Posted by climkt

I had 2 cars in UK and nevertheless, found the 5 seater capacity of the e36 coupe very useful and practical. i guess this would be the main reason why I would not buy the coupe now if i were shopping for a new 3 series this year instead of last year.

There are reasons why it's a 2+2. Perhaps the transmission did not allow for enough space to have 3 seats in the back. Perhaps it's to differentiate the coupe from the sedan. Perhaps it's for specifically targeting a particular market segment. If their products overlapped too much, it'll cannibalize sales from other products.

I used to own a 1992 500E. Imagine people's surprise when they see only 2 seats in the back of a 4 door sedan! I would feel that the car is more purpose built because it's a 2+2. I rarely have anyone seating in the back. I'd be buying this car for my needs (myself, my girlfriend, and our 2 little dogs), not so much to chauffer people around. If I needed more seating/space, I'd opt for the 3 or 5 series sedan or wagon.

[kyazh]

Many new cars are adapting this strategy. Even the Nissan Maxima, a full size sedan has an option for 2+2 seats

[climkt]

hi victri, which part of asia are u from? just curious. initially i was razor close to buying a new winning blue mazda rx-8 last year but my wife did not like the 2+2 concept as she felt a saloon size car should be able to carry 5 passengers, hence we bought the SG e90 instead.

[victri]

Originally Posted by climkt

hi vitri, which part of asia are u from? just curious. initially i was razor close to buying a new winning blue mazda rx-8 last year but my wife did not like the 2+2 concept as she felt a saloon size car should be able to carry 5 passengers, hence we bought the SG e90 instead.

I'm currently in Singapore like you, but I'm moving to NC (USA) next year, so I'm here at the forum doing some research on my next car purchase. That's the problem with Singaporeans; everything has to be practical. Also, the price structure of cars here make it crazy to buy anything just for the fun factor. Your E90 (320i or 323i?) in Singapore can almost buy you a base M5 in the US.

[climkt]

hi victri, paid a whopping 138k sin. for my basic 320i manual (special indent). would have considered a Lexus IS250 manual but Borneo Motors/ toyota and a lot of other marques do not entertain special indent for manual cars. We , manual car drivers are really discriminated against in Singapore, unlike UK or USA.

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by victri

I'm currently in Singapore like you, but I'm moving to NC (USA) next year, so I'm here at the forum doing some research on my next car purchase. That's the problem with Singaporeans; everything has to be practical. Also, the price structure of cars here make it crazy to buy anything just for the fun factor. Your E90 (320i or 323i?) in Singapore can almost buy you a base M5 in the US.

A Singaporian needs no research when he buys a car in USA and a bimmer is too far low for him , am I right?

[victri]

Yeah. I used to drive a SL500 when I lived in Hawaii. Now I have a Honda in Singapore! Well, I'll be in graduate school in NC and have to be a little frugal. The car will be the only thing I have permission to spend on. I was looking at the IS350, but for a similar price, the looks, performance, handling and insurance costs for a 335i would answer all my questions. I don't have kids, and my 2 dogs can't speak to complain about the tight 2 seater in the back (IS350 back seat isn't all that great either), so I'm aiming for the coupe.

It's great to have threads like this so I can have a better idea what to expect.

[Dev330]

Originally Posted by victri

There are reasons why it's a 2+2. Perhaps the transmission did not allow for enough space to have 3 seats in the back. Perhaps it's to differentiate the coupe from the sedan. Perhaps it's for specifically targeting a particular market segment. If their products overlapped too much, it'll cannibalize sales from other products.

I used to own a 1992 500E. Imagine people's surprise when they see only 2 seats in the back of a 4 door sedan! I would feel that the car is more purpose built because it's a 2+2. I rarely have anyone seating in the back. I'd be buying this car for my needs (myself, my girlfriend, and our 2 little dogs), not so much to chauffer people around. If I needed more seating/space, I'd opt for the 3 or 5 series sedan or wagon.

Just a thought about the rear seating, when I read the BMW NA Press release, they state that the rear seats are much lower then before so that the low roofline does not affect headroom for the passengers?

This could be a reason

[climkt]

hi cntlaw, not quite sure what u are getting at? -' a bimmer is too far low for him'. i think we pay quite ridiculous money for base model cars here but prices have already nose dived in the last 5 years. in the 90s, a COE( certificate of entitlement)- the title right to own the car 2000cc was about 40k US now it is about 4k US.

[davinet78]

congratulations i guess you are the first who has bought the e92 335i

[victri]

Originally Posted by Dev330

Just a thought about the rear seating, when I read the BMW NA Press release, they state that the rear seats are much lower then before so that the low roofline does not affect headroom for the passengers?

This could be a reason

That's what I thought. It could be that the seats (and floorboard) are so low that they couldn't squeeze out more legroom for a middle passenger. In most 2+2 seater RWD, that middle part is taken up for the transmission tunnel (is that what it's called?). I'm not too sure about the coupe though.

Have you ever sat in the back of an IS? I tried sitting in the middle and my head hit the roofliner. And I'm only 5'6". Please slow down for that hump!

[tankengine]

Originally Posted by tctic

If you are going to have Nav, PP, SP, steptronic, bluetooth, metallic paint and park distance control. I don't think you can get it for CAD$60K. You can't even get the E90 330i optioned like that at MSRP. I'd be surprised if you only have to pay $60K for all those on a 335i Coupe.

An E90 330i's cost:
Base: CAD$47900
Metallic Paint: $800
SP: $2800
PP: $4200
Nav: $2900
Steptronic: $1400
Park Distance Control: $450
Bluetooth: $1100

That totals up to $61550MSRP. That's not including all those levy and delivery charges and tax.

Like i said, They dont know the price for 100% sure, so I still have to wait for the exact price

[arbitrage]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

From reading the US press release I interpret the options as sport suspension is standard on the coupe (regardless of transmission). If you want the paddles shifters you need to be buying a 335 and choose both auto and sport package (sport steering wheel & seats).

Yes this is exactly how I understand it too (maybe my post was confusing) However it seemed that from tankengine's post with the angry red face that he couldn't get a 6spd with sports pkg.

[thedean786]

Sweet God, 50K!?!?! Hell no....thats waaaaay too much might as well get a M3 or something else....

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by Dev330

Just a thought about the rear seating, when I read the BMW NA Press release, they state that the rear seats are much lower then before so that the low roofline does not affect headroom for the passengers?

This could be a reason

I’ve also read on this forum that the coupe being a different design than the sedan (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17671) incorporates a bulkhead behind the rear seat to give more rigidity. If this is true the 2+2 may be due to the bulkhead as well.

And speaking of that bulkhead and 2+2 rear seat, I wonder if the rear seat will be folding or stationary.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Dev330

Just a thought about the rear seating, when I read the BMW NA Press release, they state that the rear seats are much lower then before so that the low roofline does not affect headroom for the passengers?

This could be a reason

Here's a picture of the backseat, dunno if I can tell whether these are lower than the previous generation coupe, can anyone here?