3 Series (E90) Entry model E90 U.S. bound???

[Deutsch]

Today I was on Ventura & Topanga Cyn Blvd. and I saw a Titanium Silver E90 w/ a different wheel style than anything I've seen before on the E90 3er, at least here in the U.S. I didn't catch a model denotation on the rear as is typical on these cars. I did notice however distrubution plates on the rear. I'm very suspicious of what this particular model is since it was heading towards my home town where BMW does a lot of testing.

 

[warot]

I doubt you'll see anything below a botton of the line inline 6 to be honest. Those cars are barely breaking the $30k. I doubt BMW will go any lower than that.

Any of these wheels look familiar?

 

[siko]

Well Canada gets a 200 hp 323i as entry-level... so maybe that's what you saw!?

 

[warot]

Well Canada gets a 200 hp 323i as entry-level... so maybe that's what you saw!?

I actually think that those are great bargains. You still get BMW's famous inline 6, however the option list isn't exactly long.

 

[siko]

I actually think that those are great bargains. You still get BMW's famous inline 6, however the option list isn't exactly long.

True on both accounts... but you can't expect too many options for an entry-level model.

 

[DocM]

I seriously dont like the way americans market european models.
For instance in Europe you can get a 320i with almost all the availabe options and colors...not so with base models in the US or canada.
Another thing I dont get i why they dont offer 4 cylinder models in the US and canada, I really think that there is demand for such a car especially if the price is right.
the performance of the new 4 cyl is more than acceptable and i'm sure it gets more than decent milage so what gives?

 

[Matt530i]

I think BMW doesn't offer 4 cyl engines in Canada/US because they are inconsistent with their brand image in North America. When you buy a BMW you expect a higher performance vehicle and most North Americans have been conditioned to believe that a 4 cyl engine can't and won't deliver the same performance as a 6.

 

[siko]

I think BMW doesn't offer 4 cyl engines in Canada/US because they are inconsistent with their brand image in North America.

Spot on!

 

[warot]

I think BMW doesn't offer 4 cyl engines in Canada/US because they are inconsistent with their brand image in North America. When you buy a BMW you expect a higher performance vehicle and most North Americans have been conditioned to believe that a 4 cyl engine can't and won't deliver the same performance as a 6.

Exactly. If they do that, they will be in the Accord prices. However, I don't get why some of the color options aren't offered. What is up with that? And also M-pack has to be bought separately.

 

[Deutsch]

I doubt you'll see anything below a botton of the line inline 6 to be honest. Those cars are barely breaking the $30k. I doubt BMW will go any lower than that.

Any of these wheels look familiar?

None of those wheels look familiar whatsoever. I'll look a pic up and post them A.S.A.P.

Of course I know BMW NA isn't going to sell a 4 cylinder model, they've reiterated that sentiment countless times, especially w/ all the N.A. 1er talk. I'm more than sure that if anything, it was indeed a 323, which wouldn't be a bad idea, but that's only if they don't plan on offering any 1er models here at all.

 

[Giannis]

the entry model here is the 316, with a 1.4l 4cyl engine. Then we have 318 and then 320 (150hp)...