Thursday June 11, 9:58 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: BMW of North America, Inc.
BMW Announces 1999 3 Series Sedan Pricing
All-New Engineering and Design, Priced for Outstanding Value WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In August, BMW Centers across the U.S. will begin receiving their first shipments of the new 1999 3 Series sedans. As the latest in a long line of the company's signature sports sedans, these new four-door models are not merely all-new in engineering and design; they are also priced to offer BMW customers a remarkable value in terms of price and product content. In short, the new 323i sedan and 328i sedan are outstanding new cars, priced for outstanding value.
As the new ``entry level'' of BMW's sports sedans, the 323i sedan is base-priced at just $26,400, or $26,970 including destination charges. So far so good, especially when you consider that this is the lowest-priced BMW six- cylinder sports sedan since 1991. Another comparison puts the new 323i's value in an even more impressive light. Its predecessor, the 1998 318i, had a base price of $26,150, so nominally the new model is priced just $250 above its four-cylinder forerunner. For this increment the new model offers:
safety, more rear seating space and lower interior noise levels.
predecessor's four-cylinder engine of 138 hp. New engine technology includes an aluminum cylinder block, steplessly variable valve timing on both camshafts, and emission control to Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) limits.
vented disc brakes and Cornering Brake Control, a technology that enhances driving stability.
System for driver and front passenger, enhancing safety in side impacts.
These are just the highlights. Suffice it to say that this new '99 323i sedan, on a comparably equipped basis, is base-priced 6.4% under its predecessor. And this ``comparably equipped'' comparison refers only to features and equipment as such -- not the dramatic range of inherent advances built into the new model, such as the greater rigidity, refined suspension or increased passenger space.
Pricing for the ``upper'' model of the new Series, the 328i sedan, is also impressive. As before, the 328i's role in the line is to offer yet more performance, further upgraded chassis equipment, additional luxury and convenience features, and a selection of options that can take it further upscale if the owner so desires.
This the new 328i does, and then some. The 1998 328i had a base price of $33,100; the '99 model comes in at $33,400. For this extremely modest increment of $300, the new 328i offers all the key advances listed for the 323i, except that its new engine remains a 2.8-liter 6-cylinder unit. Naturally, the new 328i engine incorporates the same technology advances as that of the 323i; stronger torque in the low-to-medium speed range, quieter operation and the low-emission status are among its benefits. Again on a comparably equipped basis, the '99 328i comes in at 5.2% less than its predecessor.
Complementing the attractive base prices is an appealing range of optional equipment. Some highlights:
Whether the topic is base prices or options, the thrust is the same: With these two new 3 Series sedans, BMW has maintained its long-standing tradition of endowing new models with ground-breaking design and engineering advances -- while finding ways to offer the customer more value for his or her money. Helping make this remarkable accomplishment possible were a leaner project team and better internal communications at BMW's Research and Engineering Center in Munich, Germany.
Better cars at better prices: It's an unbeatable combination, and BMW believes that these new ``Threes'' will be even more unbeatable than their award-winning predecessors.
BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, at which point the company assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW automobiles in the U.S. from the previous private distributor. Motorcycle marketing and distribution was added in 1980. Since then the company's North American operations have grown to include marketing, sales and financial services organizations in the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California; and various other operations throughout the U.S. and Canada. BMW is represented in North America through a network of more than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United States and Canada. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the World Wide Web on the BMW homepage. The address is: <http://www.bmwusa.com>. SOURCE: BMW of North America, Inc.
