BMW Standard Spec....

[FiestaST]

Is about to get a fair bit better....

BMW South Africa says it will offer more standard equipment on all models produced from July 2016.

According to the local arm of the Munich automaker, every BMW built from now on will feature four new additions to the standard kit list.

The first is the brand’s Navigation System Business, which employs a 6,5-inch black-panel monitor with a high-resolution colour display, dynamic route guidance (with automatic alternative routes available), and a two-dimensional map or combined arrow and map display.

The system also includes BMW Radio Professional, a CD drive and the iDrive Controller. Models near the top of each range, though, will come with the so-called “Professional” navigation system instead, which offers a range of extended, more advanced features.

Next up is BMW’s ConnectedDrive Services, which provide owners with access to numerous services and on-board applications. The third addition to the standard equipment list is Real-Time Traffic Information, which keeps the driver supplied with up-to-the-minute traffic data.

And, finally, BMW South Africa says it will no longer be charging extra for metallic paintwork (excluding, of course, BMW Individual Paintwork or special requests).

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/bmw-sa-adds-more-standard-kit-across-local-range/

 

[Archer]

Adding things as standard does not mean the standard price won't go up

 

[Pho3nix]

LOL guess this is how they will argue the price increase since these options weren't cheap either.

 

[The_Traveller]

Our local douche bags would still list these features as "extras" ...

 

[FiestaST]

Adding things as standard does not mean the standard price won't go up

Lol that's why I said nothing about price...just putting this fact about spec...

 

[FiestaST]

German premium brand cars have a reputation for being rather skimpy when it comes to standard features, something no doubt aggravated every time a potential customer looks at the huge options lists available.

That said, BMW has just bucked that apparent trend by adding some standard features that one would normally expect to find on that aforementioned options list, and the upgrade applies across the entire BMW range.

New standard features:

Navigation System Business

ConnectedDrive Services

Real Time Traffic Information

Metallic Paintwork (excl. Individual options and special requests)

The basic navigation system

The Navigation System Business is linked to a 16.5cm high-resolution colour screen and offers conventional route guidance on a 2D map and also offers alternative routes. It forms part of the iDrive system and BMW Radio Professional.

The fancier BMW Navigation System Professional offers 3D design, photo-realistic pictures of sites on route and better all-round navigation due to it being linked to the wheel and steering angle sensors. The latter system is standard on all M cars, as well as various 40i and 50i models.

Keeping you in the know

Also added to the standard features count are two features that keep you informed and connected.

The Real-Time Traffic Information system provides up-to-the-minute traffic information with "precise details" on the location and duration of hold-ups.

The ConnectedDrive Services aim to make life more convenient with a range of services and apps for everything from weather info to office and social media functions to booking a service online.

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/bmw-adds-standard-kit-across-range-2043441

16.5cm ~ 6.5'

 

[SauRoNZA]

Our local douche bags would still list these features as "extras" ...

BMW seem to support the local market very well.

I (as well as every international I relayed this to) was very surprised recently to find that on the motorcycle side of things not only do we get top spec models only, but even then they are priced better than based models in UK, US and Germany itself.

Compared to other local premiums brands they are significantly cheaper, whereas internationally the same bikes will be almost the exact same price.

I still don't know why this is...but it is.

 

[satanboy]

Adding things as standard does not mean the standard price won't go up

Name one thing that has reduced in price in the past few years.

 

[biometrics]

Name one thing that has reduced in price in the past few years.

Capped ADSL.

 

[satanboy]

Capped ADSL.

/points and laughs

 

[airborne]

Probably something to do with unified user experience and connectivity, most older people would probably opt out of the gizmo's and that may perhaps harm the BMW brands entry into our always on digitally connected world.

Wouldn't be surprised if its also motivated by user metrics being uploaded to the mothership by default with the onboard nav/computer/entertainment system, also for roadside assistance diagnostics etc, service reminders and courtesy info being relayed from the dealer direct to your car etc, not sure how sophisticated BMW's systems are.

 

[FiestaST]

^ yup

A few months back the Euro markets had the standard Satnav 6.5" system upwards for all new models sold

 

[HavocXphere]

Compared to other local premiums brands they are significantly cheaper, whereas internationally the same bikes will be almost the exact same price.

I still don't know why this is...but it is.

SA is a traditional BMW stronghold. First BMW plant on non-German soil? Rosslyn...north of Pretoria. The Execs also LOVE rotating to ZA...English speaking, they get paid Euros while spending in ZAR and there is a German school too.

As for price...I think you've got it the wrong way round...the 3 series would be cheaper too compared to intl if there wasn't so much enthusiasm for buying them.

we get top spec models only

Its a lot of paperwork to clear anything for local use...so in a market like ZA they just do 1...and economics work best for the top one.

 

[SauRoNZA]

SA is a traditional BMW stronghold. First BMW plant on non-German soil? Rosslyn...north of Pretoria. The Execs also LOVE rotating to ZA...English speaking, they get paid Euros while spending in ZAR and there is a German school too.

As for price...I think you've got it the wrong way round...the 3 series would be cheaper too compared to intl if there wasn't so much enthusiasm for buying them.


Its a lot of paperwork to clear anything for local use...so in a market like ZA they just do 1...and economics work best for the top one.

Nah I was talking about bikes specifically.

I don't know about the cars.

Bikes are still imported and not built here. But yes we are high on the ranks.

 

[HavocXphere]

Nah I was talking about bikes specifically.

I don't know about the cars.

Bikes are still imported and not built here. But yes we are high on the ranks.

Thats kinda my point - I'd expect both cars and bikes to be cheap (read: CoL adjusted)...but all the tenderpreneurs are buying 3/5/7s. Leaving just the bikes at "fair" CoL pricing. Or put differently bikes are fairly priced & cars are overpriced.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Thats kinda my point - I'd expect both cars and bikes to be cheap (read: CoL adjusted)...but all the tenderpreneurs are buying 3/5/7s. Leaving just the bikes at "fair" CoL pricing. Or put differently bikes are fairly priced & cars are overpriced.

Yeah I got your meaning.

But as the bike market goes BMW sells more than anyone else so you would expect the same unfair pricing.

 

[HavocXphere]

Yeah I got your meaning.

But as the bike market goes BMW sells more than anyone else so you would expect the same unfair pricing.

hehe...maybe. Still think BMW has more tenderpreneur value on the car side than it does on the bike side (where its a bit more 1:1 comparison against say the Japs)

Still...if I remember I'll ask the chaps next time I see them on bike pricing.

 

[midnightcaller]

I was hoping to see carpets as a standard offering

I dunno why the dealers are always adding and charging for carpets.

 

[reactor_sa]

BMW seem to support the local market very well.

I (as well as every international I relayed this to) was very surprised recently to find that on the motorcycle side of things not only do we get top spec models only, but even then they are priced better than based models in UK, US and Germany itself.

Compared to other local premiums brands they are significantly cheaper, whereas internationally the same bikes will be almost the exact same price.

I still don't know why this is...but it is.

It's only the motorrad side that's cheaper.
As to why this is, I'm not sure, but it probably has to do with remaining competitive with other manufacturers. They're already more expensive than almost every other bike brand here (the exception being some Harley's, and some of them Ducatis).

 

[FiestaST]