Jeremy Clarkson Tests the New BMW 335i

[Tave]

According to the BMW Canada site, it's $49,900 for the sedan and $51,600 for the coupe verson of the 335.


Still, $68K is a lot more.

$51,600 is without any options, tax, title, or delivery. I just visited the same site and built my own 335 coupe, optioned out, and it stickered for $66K. Add everything else, and it would be way over $68K.

Let's face it guys, the guy bought his car for the same price as everyone else does. It's not like he got ripped off or anything; he paid what it costs.

[SVT666]

Oops.  My mistake.  I thought I saw the prices listed as exactly the same.

[SJ_GTI]

FYI, cars tend to be much more expensive in Canada. I paid over 50k CAD for an A4 1.8T Quattro a couple of years ago (after taxes and such, and it was about 2k off sticker). Another 18k for a fully loaded 335i sounds about right.

[SVT666]

FYI, cars tend to be much more expensive in Canada. I paid over 50k CAD for an A4 1.8T Quattro a couple of years ago (after taxes and such, and it was about 2k off sticker). Another 18k for a fully loaded 335i sounds about right.

Very true.  When our dollar dropped to $0.63 American our car prices skyrocketed so that the manufacturers were making enough.  Now that our dollar is worth $0.88 (or whatever it is) the prices didn't come down to match the exchange rate and cars can cost as much as 20% more here after the exchange rate is factored in.

[Rupert]

Very true.  When our dollar dropped to $0.63 $0.063 American our car prices skyrocketed so that the manufacturers were making enough.  Now that our dollar is worth $0.88 $0.088(or whatever it is) the prices didn't come down to match the exchange rate and cars can cost as much as 20% more here after the exchange rate is factored in.

More like it!

[Tave]

Now that our dollar is worth $0.88 (or whatever it is) the prices didn't come down to match the exchange rate and cars can cost as much as 20% more here after the exchange rate is factored in.

Maybe that's true with other models or manufacturers, but the difference between the American 335 coupe and the Canadian is only 8%.

[Lebowski]

FYI, cars tend to be much more expensive in Canada. I paid over 50k CAD for an A4 1.8T Quattro a couple of years ago (after taxes and such, and it was about 2k off sticker). Another 18k for a fully loaded 335i sounds about right.

What's to stop anyone from buying a car from the states?

[SJ_GTI]

What's to stop anyone from buying a car from the states?

Not much.

You do have to own the car free and clear (ie have the title). They will charge you taxes when you impoirt it though. For Montreal sales tax was around 15% when I bought my A4. I think its about 14% now. There are probably some other import taxes and such as well.

[SVT666]

Not much.

You do have to own the car free and clear (ie have the title). They will charge you taxes when you impoirt it though. For Montreal sales tax was around 15% when I bought my A4. I think its about 14% now. There are probably some other import taxes and such as well.

Duty as well.

[SVT666]

Maybe that's true with other models or manufacturers, but the difference between the American 335 coupe and the Canadian is only 8%.

BMW 335i in US ($40,600 USD) = $47,389 CDN
BMW 335i in Canada = $51,900 CDN

To buy a base 335i in Canada is 9.5% higher.


Mustang GT in US ($25,625 USD) = $29,910 CDN
Mustang GT in Canada = $33,800

To buy a base Mustang GT in Canada is 13% higher.

[Tave]

BMW 335i in US ($40,600 USD) = $47,389 CDN
BMW 335i in Canada = $51,900 CDN

To buy a base 335i in Canada is 9.5% higher.


Mustang GT in US ($25,625 USD) = $29,910 CDN
Mustang GT in Canada = $33,800

To buy a base Mustang GT in Canada is 13% higher.

I don't know where you are getting your rates from, and it isn't a huge difference, but the number I got for an American ($40600) 335 in Canadian dollars is $47,816.65. Also, the base MSRP of a 335 coupe in Canada is $51,600. It was mentioned before on this same thread and comes directly from BMW's own Canadian website. It's indisputable. If you do the math with those figures, it comes out to a 7.4% difference.

Do you have any examples of cars that cost 20% more in Canada than they do in the U.S.?

And really, it doesn't surprise me that the Mustang is much cheaper in America than Canada, considering it's an American product. It should be cheaper here. I think the Bimmer is more indicative of the price disparity, because it's an import in both countries.

For reference, here is the exchange calculator I used:

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency

It claims that my rate is today's current rate.

[SVT666]

I don't know where you are getting your rates from, and it isn't a huge difference, but the number I got for an American ($40600) 335 in Canadian dollars is $47,816.65.

The exhcnage calculator I used claims today's rates as well ($500 on this much money ain't much)

Also, the base MSRP of a 335 coupe in Canada is $51,600. It was mentioned before on this same thread and comes directly from BMW's own Canadian website. It's indisputable. If you do the math with those figures, it comes out to a 7.4% difference.

You're going to nitpick over $300 on $50,000?  Fine, but it still works out to 7.9%.

Do you have any examples of cars that cost 20% more in Canada than they do in the U.S.?

Not at the moment, because I'm not going to calculate the differences for every single car.  The 20% figure was listed in an article in our local paper.

And really, it doesn't surprise me that the Mustang is much cheaper in America than Canada, considering it's an American product. It should be cheaper here. I think the Bimmer is more indicative of the price disparity, because it's an import in both countries.

How far away do you think Canada is?  We pretty much share an economy, and we may as well share a currency like Europe does.

[Tave]

The exhcnage calculator I used claims today's rates as well ($500 on this much money ain't much)

The rate I have is $1 USD = $1.1777 Canadian. Like you said, it's close enough to not matter.

You're going to nitpick over $300 on $50,000?? Fine, but it still works out to 7.9%.

Which is the figure I originally gave. I was under the impression that it was you who was nitpicking, because after I said:

the difference between the American 335 coupe and the Canadian is only 8%

You responded:

To buy a base 335i in Canada is 9.5% higher.

That said, it seems like I am arguing that the price difference is relatively small, while you are arguing that it is relatively significant (up to 20%). A figure skewed upwards supports your point instead of mine, and since that figure was wrong, I felt the need to point out the error.

Not at the moment, because I'm not going to calculate the differences for every single car.? The 20% figure was listed in an article in our local paper.
How far away do you think Canada is?? We pretty much share an economy, and we may as well share a currency like Europe does.

I sure as hell don't want to share currency with Canada if it will devalue the U.S. dollar, which is probable, considering Canadian money is worth? less. I also don't want Canada to piggy-back the U.S. economy just because it's a "close" neighbor. As I see it, we would be doing most of the work, and Canada would share the rewards.

The question of distance as it relates to imports/exports is incidental, other than in regards to transportation costs. Canada shouldn't enjoy a duty-free relationship with the U.S. just because it's near. Soveirgn borders are just that, even when they happen to be common ones.

IF Canada had an automotive industry, I would expect its cars to be much cheaper in Canada than in the U.S. That's just how it works.

[The Pirate]

I'm all for Canadian/US currency, that way I can carry loonies around with me.

[SVT666]

You do realize that not too long ago Canada's dollar was worth more then yours?  If the US economy continues the current trend and the national debt keeps climbing (especially with the war in Iraq), and our debt keeps dropping and the world demands for our oil reserves keep increasing, your dollar value will be below ours again soon enough.  Of course, this could all change if Canadians are stupid enough to vote the Liberals back in again (which we are).

[Tave]

You do realize that not too long ago Canada's dollar was worth more then yours?? If the US economy continues the current trend and the national debt keeps climbing (especially with the war in Iraq), and our debt keeps dropping and the world demands for our oil reserves keep increasing, your dollar value will be below ours again soon enough.? Of course, this could all change if Canadians are stupid enough to vote the Liberals back in again (which we are).

Of course the strength of an economy is not soley determined by the exchange rate of its currency, and I only used it as an example because that's the figure we were discussing.

I think anyone would be willing to admit that in an EU-type merger of the U.S. and Canada, Canada would be getting the better deal. When you "stack the chips" of the two economies, the U.S.'s pile is significantly higher. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me that a Canadian would want to combine the two, and play the same hands.

Why would the U.S. want to model its economy after the EU? That entity was created to give Europe more power in the global theatre. For all the U.S.'s problems, we still have an economy that competes well in that arena. We don't need such a relationship.

[Tave]

We pretty much share an economy,

I think that statement is erroneous. I think the fate of the Canadian economy is tied much closer to the fate of the United State's economy than vice versa.

[Lebowski]

You do realize that not too long ago Canada's dollar was worth more then yours?? If the US economy continues the current trend and the national debt keeps climbing (especially with the war in Iraq), and our debt keeps dropping and the world demands for our oil reserves keep increasing, your dollar value will be below ours again soon enough.? Of course, this could all change if Canadians are stupid enough to vote the Liberals back in again (which we are).

Not sure what you mean by "not too long ago" - the last time the CAD$ was worth more than the US$ was 1976.

[SJ_GTI]

Not sure what you mean by "not too long ago" - the last time the CAD$ was worth more than the US$ was 1976.

HEMI666 is 87 years old. To him that wasn't too long ago. 

[SVT666]

I think that statement is erroneous. I think the fate of the Canadian economy is tied much closer to the fate of the United State's economy than vice versa.

True, but we are YOUR largest trading partner too.

[SVT666]

Not sure what you mean by "not too long ago" - the last time the CAD$ was worth more than the US$ was 1976.

Well in the grand scheme of things, that's not too long ago.  The point I was trying to make is that things don't stay the same forever.  Things change, and there will be a time when the US will be asking for one currency across North America. 

[The Pirate]

Canada has lots of oil, maybe will invade you guys next! 


I jest, but I'm sure the thought has seriously crossed somebody's mind at some point...

[SVT666]

HEMI666 is 87 years old. To him that wasn't too long ago.?

Man, not too long ago Canada burned down the White House and kicked your collective American asses...in the war of 1812.

[1 BAD 7]

He does make bit of sense to me. I think BMW styling is never been overly flashy or too exotic. For its price you would expect far more flashy and exotic styling. But that is not what BMW is about. The BMW cars look modern and sporty but not flashy or exotic. The interior is always top quality with great materials and simple modern sporty look but once again it is not flashy.

But then BMW buyers are ok with it. They know their cars might not be the most flashy but they still are a blast to drive.

[JYODER240]

Man, not too long ago Canada burned down the White House and kicked your collective American asses...in the war of 1812.

Want a rematch? 

[r0tor]

Man, not too long ago Canada burned down the White House and kicked your collective American asses...in the war of 1812.

yet, we have hot girls in bikini's laying on the beach and you have polar bears... wonder what happened 

[SJ_GTI]

yet, we have hot girls in bikini's laying on the beach and you have polar bears... wonder what happened?

Actually one of the few things about Montreal I miss are the hot girls. Montreal has some of the sexiest girls on the planet IMHO.

[SVT666]

Want a rematch??

Sure, but let's put them on skates and give them hockey sticks.

[Tave]

Canada has lots of oil, maybe will invade you guys next!?


I jest, but I'm sure the thought has seriously crossed somebody's mind at some point...

Not mine, but I've thought about giving them North Dakota.

[omicron]

To buy a 330i sedan in Australia (because we don't yet have the 335i) costs US$76,843, which is 89% more than a US 335i sedan at $40,600.