re: No more 4 bangers in the U.S.

[Ron Katona <ron3b@xxxxxxxx>]

Jeff Lin wrote:
[...]
> The 318ti, unfortunately just did not sell in big numbers.  In fact the much
> more expensive //M3 outsells the 318ti by a wide margin.  There is limited
> demand for this car in the U.S. which is even more apparent by the 3 yr
> lease residual value of 50% compared to 60% for a 6 cylinder 3 series.
> That's good news if you want to buy a used 318ti, but highlights the appeal
> for the 318ti in this country.

Of course, that's been a hot topic on the 318ti digest several times.
There are many opinions, but I think all you have to do is look at the
dealer lots to see why the car didn't sell better. 318tis are hard to
find with 5-speeds! As Brett said, they kind of suck wind with an auto.
There are people who have to have the auto for one reason or another,
but unlike an M3 or 328, the ti really has trouble pulling the slushbox.

What it means is that dealers see a bigger market for a small entry
level Bimmer with autos than 5-speeds. Probably 95% of the owners on the
ti list have the manual gearbox, but they (just like this list) don't
represent the reality of the US market. The fact is that the market for
high revving 5-speed small sporty cars with great handling and brakes is
very small. The market for an entry level "Luxury" make car with an auto
was bigger, but the ti didn't compare well there either when you stacked
up standard features and price.

You're right, 318tis are great used car bargains right now. It's still
hard to find a 5-speed though. One thing that I think the ti has going
for it is that E30 318/325/M3s are getting older and harder to find. In
ten years, I imagine there will be quite a few tis running around as
dedicated track cars as E30s become too difficult to maintain for
constant track use. The M3 motor conversion tis will be popular as well.
There should be a plentiful supply of tis and they take to mods well
with a chassis that can easily handle much more power than stock. These
cars are great track cars and their lasting place in BMW history will be
as the track beater of next century rather than the sales success of
this one. You should be able to build a very cheap and fun track car in
the year 2005 with a 1995 318ti.

Too bad BMW didn't hit the marketing hot button with the ti, but I'm
kind of glad they didn't - made it easier to get a good deal on mine.
I'm looking forward to the next Compact with the 6 cylinders, but I also
hope BMW brings a 4-banger back to the US market.

BTW, what do you all think about the Honda S2000? RWD, 240 hp from
1997cc naturally aspirated, and (holy sh*t) a 9000 rpm rev limit! Now
that's a small sporty 4-banger I'd love to get my hands on. To tell you
the truth, I think I like this car better than an M Roadster (ducking
for cover...)
- --
Ron Katona

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