Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2008 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2011

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Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series Price Comparison (MSRP)

The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences. Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.

Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series Invoice Comparison

Lowest Total Price: $34,770

Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer   
Difference: $9,505

Lowest Total Invoice: $32,088

Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer   
Difference: $8,857

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200820082011
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimEddie BauerLimited328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Base Price $29,245 $32,395 $37,150
Base Invoice $27,273 $30,178 $34,380
Sun and Sirius Package 560 560  
Luxury Package 1,290    
Navigation system 1,995 1,995 2,100
Audiophile Package 510    
Cargo cover 90 90  
Obstacle detection, rear 295   750
Premium Package     1,900
Satellite radio - one year subscription     350
Roof rails     100
Heated front seats     500
Metallic paint (extra cost)     550
Sun and Sirius Package 476 476  
Luxury Package 1,097    
Navigation system 1,696 1,696 1,910
Audiophile Package 433    
Cargo cover 77 77  
Obstacle detection, rear 251   685
Premium Package     1,730
Satellite radio - one year subscription     320
Roof rails     90
Heated front seats     455
Metallic paint (extra cost)     500
Options (change) 4,740 2,645 6,250
Options (change) 4,030 2,249 5,690
Destination 785 785 875
Total Price $34,770 $35,825 $44,275
Total Invoice $32,088 $33,212 $40,945

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While we strive for accuracy, the site is not error-free, and prices can change at any time.

Dealer Price Quotes

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Request free, no-obligation Ford Explorer dealer quotes or BMW 3-Series dealer quotes from dealers using our car quote form.

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TrueDelta Value Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $8,535
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $7,960
Model Year200820082011
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimEddie BauerLimited328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Engine210hp V6210hp V6230hp I6
TransmissionA5A5T6
DrivetrainRWDRWDRWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)190, 7190, 7180, 8
Tire (rear if not all the same)245/65-17235/65-18225/45-17
Total Price$34,770$35,825$44,275
Adjustments for Features0-250-970
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$34,770$35,575$43,305
Cost Above Minimum$0$805$0
Total Invoice$32,088$33,212$40,945
Adjustments for Features0-232-897
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$32,088$32,980$40,048
Cost Above Minimum$0$892$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year200820082011
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimEddie BauerLimited328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Transmission and Drivetrain 
5-speed automatic$900$900 
6-speed manually-shiftable automatic  $1100
RWD$0$0$0
Accessories 
Keyless entry keypad$50$50 
Power-adjustable pedals$125$125 
Remote app  $25
Remote window/roof operation  $15
Tilt steering wheel, manual$150$150 
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual  $250
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats  $0
Brake assist  $50
Full-size spare tire$225$225 
Obstacle detection, front  $150
Rollover sensor$50$50 
Tires, run-flat  $150
Cargo Management 
Air-conditioned storage compartment  $50
Cargo area partition net  $40
Class II trailer hitch$200$200 
Trailering equipment (4 wire)$125$125 
Climate Control 
Automatic air recirculation  $100
Heated windshield washer nozzles  $15
Interior air filter  $0
Rain-sensing wipers  $175
Rear air vents$100$100 
Rear air vents with manual controls  $150
Variable intermittent wipers$75$75 
Exterior 
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)  $25
Deep-tinted rear windows$275$275 
Panoramic sunroof  $1200
Rear bumper protector$40$40 
Running boards$350$350 
Sunroof$900$900 
Wheel-lip moldings$75$75 
Infotainment 
CD changer, in-dash$325$325 
CD player  $125
HD radio  $50
iPod integration  $100
Media drive  $15
Satellite radio$200$200 
Satellite radio - one year subscription  $250
SMS text-to-speech reader$25$25 
Telematics service, such as OnStar  $200
Traffic information  $25
USB port$25$25 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror  $75
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror  $75
Interior ambient lighting  $150
Mirror tilt-down in reverse  $25
Power-folding mirrors  $50
Turn signals on or near mirrors  $25
Seats and Interior Trim 
Center armrest(s), second row  $50
Floor mats$75$75 
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$50$50 
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat  $150
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $150
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100$100 
Power recliner, passenger seat  $100
Wood trim  $300
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels$350 $350
Chrome-clad alloy wheels $600 
White-letter tires$0$0 
Total Value of Features$4,790$5,040$5,760
Value of Feature Adjustments$0$250$970
Value of Feature Adjustments0-232-897

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year20082011
ModelExplorer3-Series
Body4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Wheelbase113.7 in108.7 in
Length193.4 in178.2 in
Width73.7 in71.5 in
Height72.8 in55.8 in
Curb Weight4,441 lb.3,463 lb.
Fuel Capacity22.5 gal.15.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom39.8 in38.5 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room59.0 in55.4 in
Row 1 Hip Room55.4 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom42.4 in41.5 in
Row 2 Headroom38.7 in38.0 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room58.9 in55.1 in
Row 2 Hip Room55.5 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom36.9 in34.6 in
Row 3 Headroom37.4 in0.0 in
Row 3 Shoulder Room53.1 in0.0 in
Row 3 Hip Room45.3 in0.0 in
Row 3 Legroom34.9 in0.0 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
13.6 ft324.8 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.9 ft324.8 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
83.7 ft358.0 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

Sun and Sirius Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Total Requested1100100%
Total Not Requested00%
Luxury Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Automatic climate control, front200Yes
Heated mirrors25Yes
Heated front seats200Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200Yes
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Power-adjustable pedals125No
Dual-zone climate control125Yes
Total Requested115090%
Total Not Requested12510%
Audiophile Package
FeatureValueRequested?
CD changer, in-dash200No
Unbranded, 190W, 7 speakers (with subwoofer)350No
Total Requested00%
Total Not Requested550100%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Sun and Sirius Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Satellite radio200Yes
Total Requested1100100%
Total Not Requested00%

Option Package Details
BMW 3-Series 328i

Obstacle detection, rear
FeatureValueRequested?
Obstacle detection, rear250Yes
Obstacle detection, front150No
Total Requested25063%
Total Not Requested15037%
Premium Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat150No
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat150No
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Telematics service, such as OnStar200No
Bluetooth cell phone link100Yes
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75No
Compass0Yes
Power-folding mirrors50No
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror75No
Remote app25No
Power height adjuster, driver seat50Yes
Power tilt adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power recliner, driver seat100Yes
Power recliner, passenger seat100No
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200Yes
Power height adjuster, passenger seat50Yes
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Total Requested115058%
Total Not Requested82542%
Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Voice control for nav and audio100Yes
Traffic information25No
Media drive, large15No
Total Requested70095%
Total Not Requested405%

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