Price bump for BMW’s 3 Series range

SWEEPING price rises have added up to $3000 to the cost of a BMW 3 Series luxury car – but buyers will get more standard kit for the extra outlay.

Most variants, including the relatively new entry-level 316i that arrived in Australia in June, are up by $1400, with the 316i now starting from $52,300 before on-road costs.

Prices for the diesel 320d sedan and both sedan and Touring versions of the 320i and 318d rise by $1400, with prices ranging from $57,800 for the 318d sedan to $64,000 for the 320i Touring.

The more generously specified 328i, in both sedan and Touring guise, is now $3000 dearer than before, with the sedan now retailing for $68,900, while the wagon starts from $72,900.

Other changes include a $2355 boost to the 335i sedan to $93,400, while the petrol-electric ActiveHybrid 3 is up by $2000 to $99,700.

Upgrades to standard equipment include the addition of BMW's Business navigation system on the 316i, 318d, 320i and 320d as well as the 318d and 320i Touring, while the 328i in both body styles now has navigation Professional as standard.

Cars matched with an eight-speed “sport” automatic rather than the standard transmission tune will come with launch control, which optimises traction when accelerating from a standing start.

Roller blinds for the rear windscreen and side windows are standard on top-spec 335i and ActiveHybrid 3, while those models and the 328i sedan and Touring can now be optioned with one of BMW’s “Lines” packages (Sport, Modern or Luxury) at no extra cost.

Adding one of the Lines to a 316i or 318d is now $616 cheaper and savings for the M Sport package range between $615 for the 316i and 318d to $1000 for the 335i and ActiveHybrid 3.

Lane departure warning, which kicks in if the 3 Series starts drifting out of its lane, is no longer a standalone option. Instead, it is now incorporated into the 'Driving Assistant' package that also includes a pedestrian warning and an alert that sounds if the driver is too close to the car in front.

BMW has dropped the price of some optional equipment in the 3 Series range, including a $384 reduction for active cruise control on all models bar the 316i and 318d.

The inclusion of head-up display is now $300 cheaper, depending on the variant.

BMW has also chopped $460 off the price of the hi-fi loudspeaker system or high-end harmon/kardon surround sound system which is currently optional on some models.

Pricing on BMW's recently-launched 3 Series GT range has not changed.

The pricing reshuffle is BMW Australia's third for the year, following changes to prices of the 1 Series hatch range in June and the 5 Series mid-size luxury range in July.

As well as equipment upgrades, some variants in both the 1 Series and 5 Series ranges benefited from price reductions, with German car-maker cutting the entry price for an M135i performance hatch by $7500.

Despite the minor price rise, the entry price for a 3 Series is still cheaper than that of the Audi A4 ($55,500) or Mercedes-Benz C-Class ($59,900), thanks to the introduction of the base model 316i earlier this year.

2013 BMW 3-Series sedan pricing*

316i (a)	$52,300 + $1400
318d (a)	$57,800 + $1400
320i (a)	$60,000 + $1400
320d (a)	$62,300 + $1400
328i (a)	$68,900 + $3000
335i (a)	$93,400 + $2355
ActiveHybrid 3 (a)	$99,700 + $2000

2013 BMW 3-Series Touring pricing*

318d (a)	$60,300 + $1400
320i (a)	$64,000 + $1400
328i (a)	$72,900 + $3000

*Excludes on-road costs.