E90 equipment level differences between Europe and the US

rob72 · 08-15-2006, 04:07 PM

Here are the things I noticed the US gets standard, that are not typically present on continental European models. This is based on the 325i.

+ Sunroof
+ Sensatec/Leatherette (vs cloth)
+ walnut wood trim (vs Titan Matt)
+ professional audio system
+ automatic climate control (vs manual AC)
+ cup holders
+ rain sensor
+ #156 wheels (vs #154)

I also suspect the US gets the following standard...
+ movable front armrest (vs fixed armrest)
+ HIFI loudspeakers (vs standard audio)

In addition smaller engine BMW 3-series models, not sold in the US are missing more stuff..

320i/320d
- Door handles in black plastic
- no light packet (door handles, vanity mirror, etc)

318i/318d
- Door handles in black plastic
- no light packet (door handles, vanity mirror, etc)
- no Front fog lights
- steel wheels with hubcaps

JSpira · 08-15-2006, 04:38 PM

Correct and good analysis AFAIK but U.S. does not get moveable armrest. Not even as an option.

hkj · 08-15-2006, 05:41 PM

Well, I think BMWNA tries to maintain a luxury image for BMW cars so cheaper/less equiped versions of BMWs are not sold here.

But, they also took away features to avoid "diluting" the brand here. e.g. the M-sport package and front PDC are not available on US 3 series.

-hkj

ages944 · 08-15-2006, 09:50 PM

I thought you could order M-Sport. If not as an option, then aftermarket through the dealerships?

ksfrogman · 08-15-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ages944

I thought you could order M-Sport. If not as an option, then aftermarket through the dealerships?

Correct-o-mundo! You cannot order your car this way in the U.S. yet.

froman · 08-15-2006, 11:20 PM

They just started adding a lot of that stuff as standard in the last few years. When the E46 323i first came out in '99, you had to pay extra for fog lights, cruise control, alloy wheels, wood trim, and sunroof (I think, not sure about that one). Competition from Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura finally pushed them to make it all standard.

breakfast101 · 08-15-2006, 11:47 PM

BMW Marketing team are launching E90 318i in my country.
They use the same engine (N46) but detune it to 129hps......

The things that make me envy is that the car comes with BiXenon Headlights and automatic folding side mirrors......:mad:

climkt · 08-15-2006, 11:51 PM

i think a bmw e90 with 129hp is definitely not the 'ultimate driving machine'. minimal power should be 150hp for this weight of car.

NaTuReB0Y · 08-15-2006, 11:52 PM

I wanted cloth seat!

My dealer laughed at me.....

Chesmu · 08-15-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

I wanted cloth seat!

My dealer laughed at me.....

From what I've seen in this forum, a lot of people laugh at you.
You probably wanted a steel cage in the trunk, and a picture of Hulk Hogan glued to the side view mirrors.

Gripster · 08-16-2006, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob72

Here are the things I noticed the US gets standard, that are not typically present on continental European models. This is based on the 325i.

+ Sunroof
+ Sensatec/Leatherette (vs cloth)
+ walnut wood trim (vs Titan Matt)
+ professional audio system
+ automatic climate control (vs manual AC)
+ cup holders
+ rain sensor
+ #156 wheels (vs #154)

I also suspect the US gets the following standard...
+ movable front armrest (vs fixed armrest)
+ HIFI loudspeakers (vs standard audio)

In addition smaller engine BMW 3-series models, not sold in the US are missing more stuff..

320i/320d
- Door handles in black plastic
- no light packet (door handles, vanity mirror, etc)

318i/318d
- Door handles in black plastic
- no light packet (door handles, vanity mirror, etc)
- no Front fog lights
- steel wheels with hubcaps

Not only that, but we pay a lot less than everyone else. When I was in the UK last week, I priced out a 330i at bmw's UK site. Then I converted to US $. It's ~$60k for a 330i Ouch! We get all the extra's and pay so much less than other countries.

NaTuReB0Y · 08-16-2006, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moocow

From what I've seen in this forum, a lot of people laugh at you.
You probably wanted a steel cage in the trunk, and a picture of Hulk Hogan glued to the side view mirrors.

Hulk Hogan? Even my grandma could beat him up........

smeff · 08-16-2006, 12:51 AM

One thing I noticed is that front PDC is not available on US Spec 3ers. I wonder if that has to do with the construction of the US front bumper vs the Euro spec?

hkj · 08-16-2006, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeff

One thing I noticed is that front PDC is not available on US Spec 3ers. I wonder if that has to do with the construction of the US front bumper vs the Euro spec?

I think it's a deliberate attempt by BMWNA to distinguish the 5-series and above from the 3... Just my guess.

-hkj

rob72 · 08-16-2006, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gripster

Not only that, but we pay a lot less than everyone else. When I was in the UK last week, I priced out a 330i at bmw's UK site. Then I converted to US $. It's ~$60k for a 330i Ouch! We get all the extra's and pay so much less than other countries.

Correct, although part of it is taxes also.
You have to remember that unlike the US, in Europe taxes are included in list prices, and our tax levels are very high. And in addition to sales tax, several countries have additional 'environment' taxes. For instance the Netherlands has this HUGE 'BPM' tax of 45.2% in addition to a 19% sales tax.

That later happens to hit me, since I work for a Dutch company, and am forced to have a Dutch company lease car.
A 320d Touring with Professional Navigation, metalic paint, wheels upgraded from #154 to 156, light packet, door handles in carrosserie colour, rear PDC and storage packet came to just over €51.000, which is like $65.000

booforty · 08-16-2006, 03:21 AM

How much is a 330i with sports and premium in the US? My UK 330i cost me the US equivalent of $64k - ouch!!

smeff · 08-16-2006, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkj

I think it's a deliberate attempt by BMWNA to distinguish the 5-series and above from the 3... Just my guess.

-hkj

Nope. German 3ers can be had with front and back PDC. I have test drove two of them.

booforty · 08-16-2006, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeff

Nope. German 3ers can be had with front and back PDC. I have test drove two of them.

Yep, mine has both front and rear PDC with graphical display on the i-drive screen

ES-Jet · 08-16-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beauforty

How much is a 330i with sports and premium in the US? My UK 330i cost me the US equivalent of $64k - ouch!!

I'd like to know that too. I bet a US 330i is probably a similar price to my UK 320d ES!

mkoesel · 08-16-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeff

Nope. German 3ers can be had with front and back PDC. I have test drove two of them.

Notice his post says "BMWNA". As in "BMW North America".

froman · 08-16-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

How much is a 330i with sports and premium in the US? My UK 330i cost me the US equivalent of $64k - ouch!!

...about $41K for 330i with sport & premium pkgs.

spydrz · 08-16-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beauforty

How much is a 330i with sports and premium in the US? My UK 330i cost me the US equivalent of $64k - ouch!!

Around $41,000 if I remember correctly.

08-15-2006, 04:07 PM	#1
rob72 /dev/random 31 Rep 353 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	E90 equipment level differences between Europe and the US Here are the things I noticed the US gets standard, that are not typically present on continental European models. This is based on the 325i. + Sunroof + Sensatec/Leatherette (vs cloth) + walnut wood trim (vs Titan Matt) + professional audio system + automatic climate control (vs manual AC) + cup holders + rain sensor + #156 wheels (vs #154) I also suspect the US gets the following standard... + movable front armrest (vs fixed armrest) + HIFI loudspeakers (vs standard audio) In addition smaller engine BMW 3-series models, not sold in the US are missing more stuff.. 320i/320d - Door handles in black plastic - no light packet (door handles, vanity mirror, etc) 318i/318d - Door handles in black plastic - no light packet (door handles, vanity mirror, etc) - no Front fog lights - steel wheels with hubcaps
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08-15-2006, 04:38 PM	#2
JSpira Freude am Fahren 339 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	Correct and good analysis AFAIK but U.S. does not get moveable armrest. Not even as an option. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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08-15-2006, 05:41 PM	#3
hkj Major 60 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Well, I think BMWNA tries to maintain a luxury image for BMW cars so cheaper/less equiped versions of BMWs are not sold here. But, they also took away features to avoid "diluting" the brand here. e.g. the M-sport package and front PDC are not available on US 3 series. -hkj
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08-15-2006, 09:50 PM	#4
ages944 Captain 99 Rep 990 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs iTrader: (0)	I thought you could order M-Sport. If not as an option, then aftermarket through the dealerships? __________________ BMW : Sine qua non Mods: Blacklines \| Rear Seat Power Outlets \| Rear Fog Lights \| Ashtray Garage Door Opener
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08-15-2006, 11:20 PM	#6
froman Private First Class 16 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2008 550i Sport Space Gray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	They just started adding a lot of that stuff as standard in the last few years. When the E46 323i first came out in '99, you had to pay extra for fog lights, cruise control, alloy wheels, wood trim, and sunroof (I think, not sure about that one). Competition from Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura finally pushed them to make it all standard.
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08-15-2006, 11:47 PM	#7
breakfast101 Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 320i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangkok iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320i [0.00]	BMW Marketing team are launching E90 318i in my country. They use the same engine (N46) but detune it to 129hps...... The things that make me envy is that the car comes with BiXenon Headlights and automatic folding side mirrors......:mad:
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08-15-2006, 11:51 PM	#8
climkt Bimmer Manual all the way 68 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: e90 320i manual Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: singapore iTrader: (0)	i think a bmw e90 with 129hp is definitely not the 'ultimate driving machine'. minimal power should be 150hp for this weight of car.
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08-15-2006, 11:52 PM	#9
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 341 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	I wanted cloth seat! My dealer laughed at me..... __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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08-16-2006, 12:51 AM	#13
smeff Private 3 Rep 83 Posts Drives: E90 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	One thing I noticed is that front PDC is not available on US Spec 3ers. I wonder if that has to do with the construction of the US front bumper vs the Euro spec?
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08-16-2006, 03:21 AM	#16
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	How much is a 330i with sports and premium in the US? My UK 330i cost me the US equivalent of $64k - ouch!!
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