Despite intense competition, BMW's 3 series continues to lead the compact luxury pack
10-26-05, 10:09 PM
#16
Speaks French in Russian
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Only thing is in this case, sales does not mean a better car. I'd get a 3 over a TL anyday. The TL has never come close to meeting or beating the 3 in any comparsion. Its a good car in its own right though
Personally I would pick the 3-series as well over the TL. But I will say it again, for a FWD near luxo car, you really cant get any better. Wonderful balance of sport and luxo.
10-27-05, 12:13 AM
#17
Originally Posted by TwiBlueG35
BMW 3-series has four body styles(sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon), five engine choices now(3.2L I6 333hp, 3.0L I6 255hp, 3.0L I6 225hp, 3.0L I6 215hp, 2.5L I6 184hp, excluding the ZHP E46 3 coupe's 235hp 3.0L I6), choices of RWD and AWD, and choices of who knows how many kinds of transmissions(6MT, 6AT, the old 5AT, SMG, etc), And yet they only move around nine thousands units a month. This is not bad, in fact very good. But not unbeatable. Acura TL has only one engine choices, one body style, two transmission choices, FWD only, it doesn't even offer packages or options except performance tires and navigation system. And still Acura dealers move in average six to seven thousands units of TL a month, now that is, in my opinion, way more impressive than 3-series as far as sales go. 3-series would be the real king of the class only when it could oversell all or most of its competitors combined. Right now it is simply a class leader by not a big margin.
The E90 sedan outsold TL. BMW moved 6414 E90 sedan with 4600 of those are 325i.
In other word the E90 325i and 330i outsold TL.
The 3 series coupe, convertible and M3 is not the main sales focus of the 3series. Hence your comment above is simply wrong.
Also TL does offer performance package, its called A-spec. It's a dealer installed option, but it is available. In addition, Acura also offers a 6 speed manual in TL.
In other word, E90 sedan outsold TL with only one extra engine. The rest are about even. (two transmission, and sports package offered).
If you add more performance to TL, it would not have sold well either. 330i is effective a $40k car. From pricing point the 330i is actually competiting against RL. Counting RL number into consideration, Acura moved about 8kl in price range of 30k to 45k. While BMW moved about 8300 none 3 3 series (also in 30k to 45k range).
If you look at number this way, you should be impressed with 3 series performance. At 40k plus, the E90 330i is competing against a bigger and more luxurious competitor such as low end GS and RL.
10-27-05, 12:55 AM
#18
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by chiawei
At 40k plus, the E90 330i is competing against a bigger and more luxurious competitor such as low end GS and RL.
10-27-05, 05:16 AM
#19
Super Moderator
He also forgot that the TL is not a spanking new model like the 3 series. The fact is that in the past several years, the best selling luxury name plate sedan in the US was either the TL or the ES300/330, not the 3 series sedan. They sold more 3 series cars in total in past years because of the availability of the coupe & the convertible which the others didn't have.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gojirra99
Car Chat
11
05-18-05 06:17 PM
