[JamieA]

I recently posted this response in the thread "Is it worth the wait"

328i makes sense to me... the Americans have the detuned 3.0l engine in their 325i because the 2.5l engine did not meet the tougher emissions standards there. Europe has apparently gone that way too (at least as I saw in the UK when browsing there recently), and the 125i indicates to me that BMW are phasing the 2.5l out, which is a pitty because I think it is a honey.

Anyway, psychologically 3.0l instead of 2.5l makes a difference, and it has the same power but more torque than the 2.5, so driving will potentially be different. Will help in the fight against the IS250 and new C Class.

From a positioning point of view 328i badge makes sense over 325i because it fleshes out the hole between the 325i and 335i.

Anyway, my $0.02 worth... interested to know what others think...

It was in response to discussion as to what the new model will be in the E90 range will be. I thought that it would make an interesting topic of discussion in it's own right, so I thought I would break it out into a thread.

What do you think?

[astra]

I'd be interested to see where BMW is going with this...

To me, the 323/8 were always out earlier on in the model's life, and the 325/30 came along later

[JamieA]

Yes, they have done it the "wrong" way round this time haven't they?

[BMW //MPOWER]

I never really saw the point with the present 323i and 325i set up, with them both having the same engine just tuned differently. So logically the 323i, 328i, 335i gives some good segmentation between each level.

Also come facelift time they can simply use the tuned up engines and have the range in another logical set up, 325i, 330i and 335i.

I honestly can't see why they ever bothered with the 323i, why didn't they just bring the 320i coupe & cabrio here instead if they wanted and entry level one, it's sold (almost) everywhere else in the world....