Those 3 series sedans got a much needed facelift and look a little nicer than the Kia-esque rear they had before, but BMW's pricing has gotten absolutely asinine.
Want a 328i? Start at $35k, pay another $2k-$2500 for one of the "line" models, then pay a ridiculous $3,600 for the premium package, $1,450 for leather, $1,350 for the cold weather package, $950 for a good stereo, and they even pour salt in the wound by making you shell out $900 for Xenons that cars half the price have standard. Or, if you go the non-package route, the moonroof is $1,050, the heated front seats are $500, power seats are $995 (that's just an insult to the consumer to shell out a grand for power seats on an already $40k car), and the stereo will still set you back $950 and the Xenons still will cost you $900. Leather still comes in at $1,450, ouch.
As a final kick in the pants, they'll insult you to the tune of $475 for a freaking fold down rear seat. Incredible.
So I don't get any of that stuff standard on a $35k car, nor on the "Modern" line I paid another $2k for. Instead they tell me about how for $2k extra I get a color-accented key-fob among my other piddly upgrades. So what am I paying $40k for if I don't even get Xenons, leather, or a moonroof on a "luxury" car?
Sorry, but while I've had an E30 and an E36 myself, I have to say BMW has just gotten out of hand with their pricing. Nothing is included, and every option/package has way unrealistic prices. I can't stomach $3,600 for a "premium" package to give me things that should be standard on that level of car.
And to think, this is a 328i, not even a 335i. It wouldn't surprise me if those top out somewhere close to $60k.
It's like they just milk the brand name for all it's worth these days. And what's with all of a sudden charging $550 for metallic paint? I can understand paying more for a tri-coat, but paying an extra $550 for simple metallic paint that's been around for decades? Christ almighty, the only colors that are free now are black and white.
