BMW is going to slow production of its slower selling V8 engines in favor of more fuel efficient engines, but now the automaker is close to a decision concerning offering 4-cylinder engines in the 1 and 3-Series models in the US.
In addition to the decreased V8 production BMW is also going to phase out 6-cylinder production at its Munich plant in favor of 4-cylinders. BMW plans on producing 240,000 4-cyl engines a year at the plant.
A 4-cylinder in the 1-Series could give the model the boost it needs in the US since the 1-series has failed to take off due to the fact that it is priced to close to the larger 3-Series. As more consumers begin to demand 4-cylinder engines it makes sense that BMW once again offer a 4-cylinder in the 3-Series as well. The 120i and 320i sell well in Europe and BMW’s project director Oliver Friedmann believes the 4-cylinders will do well here as well.
BMW has no plans to offer 4-cylinder diesels in the US.
Full Story: Inside Line
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Comments (17)
As long as BMW doesn't make the 4-cylinders ugly (like the 1 series) and the performance isn't too low, it will probably sell well.
Posted by Optimummind | September 3, 2008 9:48 PM
Posted on September 3, 2008 21:48
Don't make something like a 318ti again.
Posted by Peter | September 3, 2008 10:28 PM
Posted on September 3, 2008 22:28
Sadly my 2.2L Cavalier could out run a 318i.
I'm all about having choices, but realistically a 4 banger doesn't work in America for a beamer. I would say a large percentage of BMW's are sold as statis items. And a 4 cylinder isn't really going to help your rep. Maybe if it was a hybrid?... Who knows maybe do something like 2.0T from VW/Audi...
Posted by Brian | September 4, 2008 12:02 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 00:02
that should be a one-nano second decision.
Posted by lowest iq | September 4, 2008 2:31 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 02:31
Nissan Sentra owners welcome the return of the 318ti. (The last batch must have worn out already, 'cause I never see them any more.)
Posted by bubba551 | September 4, 2008 6:18 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 06:18
Just bring the 118d.
Posted by mf | September 4, 2008 7:37 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 07:37
The first M3 was a fourbanger and kicked some serious arse. It's still my favorite car...
Posted by soulproprietor | September 4, 2008 7:48 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 07:48
BMW has hit about as low a price point as they possibly can given their labor costs in Germany.
That's why the cost difference between the 1 series and 3 series is only about $4k. I don't think offering a 4 banger is going to help much.
Posted by JB | September 4, 2008 8:58 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 08:58
@ JB
I think you're also forgetting about the incredibly weak US Dollar. It's been inflating like crazy sine Bush took office, while EU money has increased in value. The US economy is FUBAR. We need to bring back low paying manufacturing jobs and give them to the Mexicans.
Posted by Noya | September 4, 2008 9:39 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 09:39
Four-cylinder Beemers will sell fine in the US, as long as they are priced reasonably. A four-cylinder 1 series should not be priced much above $27K, however.
Posted by WS | September 4, 2008 10:21 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 10:21
@ Noya:
The dollar has nothing to do with it. Yes it's weak, and yes our government caused that (and government means republicans AND democrats), but that's neither here nor there. All of these manufacturers are competing in the same market, so the blow caused by the weak dollar hits everyone the same. Big effect to you and me, but not among competitors. in the marketplace.
Much of Europe, including Germany, has the most expensive and most unproductive labor force in the entire world. That's why the least expensive cars that BMW sells are almost $30k. Europe is forced to have import tariffs to be able to make this operation work. IIRC, the import tariff that Denmark has on vehicles is 100%. That's how you can actually have a workforce that gets 6 weeks vacation a year, numerous federal holidays, and almost no way for workers to be fired, all mandated by the government.
The flip side to that is that when you try to sell in another market outside of your own, you have to eat those costs. Note that VW is the only manufacturer selling relatively inexpensive cars, and that's because those aren't built in Germany. So you won't see any $15,000 BMWs running around like you will from the Japanese or Americans. The high labor cost forces them to build an upscale vehicle to more easily dissolve those costs in the price.
Posted by JB | September 4, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 11:22
Even more appealing for the D-bags whom waste their money on cheap luxury cars.
Couldn't resist, my opinion is already well documented for the 3-series, and their drivers.
Posted by SlowandMellow | September 4, 2008 7:37 PM
Posted on September 4, 2008 19:37
Well where I live I don't see many people driving BMW's who aren't doing it for the image. And frankly that demands at minimum a 328 (which might be the cheapest you can get now?)
I see the occasional 7 series and lots of 5 series. And yeah, I'd say D bag. Now granted a few people can afford these cars, enjoy them, and are not D bags, but I hold those people as the exception.
Much like whenever I see someone doing something stupid while driving, 99% of the time they are driving a Honda.
(ALL of my accidents, minor or major have occurred with someone driving a Honda).
Frankly I'll buy the whole BMW driving machine concept. But with parts and labor as much as they are on the cars, I'd rather not. I guess that's why you see very few 10+ year old BMW's.
Posted by Brian | September 4, 2008 11:47 PM
Posted on September 4, 2008 23:47
@JB,
No. A weak dollar relative to the Euro means that Americans pay more for European-built cars and Europeans pay less for American-built cars.
@Brian,
I drive a (2001) 330i and care very little about image (traded my Infinity on a Corolla, after a few years decided I wanted better breaking and more comfort for long trips.. fell in love with the BMW's handling.
@everyone
With 2.0L 4-cylinder turbos exceeding 200bhp, I think one would be an excellent match up with the 1-series (even as a performance engine) and 3-series (a modern 4-turbo puts out as much HP as the 6 in my older 330i).
Posted by JerryL | September 5, 2008 7:00 AM
Posted on September 5, 2008 07:00
If you look at 10+ year old 3 series used cars, it seems like the majority of them are 318s, so I don't see why a 4-cylinder wouldn't sell now. Though the 3 series has definitely increased in size/weight.
Posted by gm0n3y | September 5, 2008 11:50 AM
Posted on September 5, 2008 11:50
@gm0n3y:
While I see plenty of 10+ year old Japanese cars (and even American trucks), for some reason all the Euro cars that I see are 2000 or later (with the exception of the weekend only Porches I see.)
Posted by bubba551 | September 7, 2008 1:21 PM
Posted on September 7, 2008 13:21
Really? I see a lot of old BMWs where I live (Vancouver, Canada), and very few Porsches. A quick search on Craigslist in Vancouver shows 14 pre-2000 BMWs posted just today. Of those, 4 are 318s, 2 are 328s and 1 is a 325 (the rest are 5 series, Z3s). So given this small sample, more than half are 318s.
Posted by gm0n3y | September 8, 2008 2:35 PM
Posted on September 8, 2008 14:35