Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2015 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: $44,570

Ford Explorer Limited   
Difference: $2,795

Lowest Total Invoice: $41,296

Ford Explorer Limited   
Difference: $2,414

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year201520152011
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimLimitedSport328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Base Price $38,200 $43,100 $37,150
Base Invoice $35,622 $40,191 $34,380
Cargo cover 130 130  
Panoramic sunroof 1,595 1,595  
Adaptive cruise control 1,150 1,150 2,400
Package 301A 2,600    
Package 401A   4,300  
Premium Package     1,900
Navigation system     2,100
Satellite radio - one year subscription     350
Obstacle detection, rear     750
Proximity key     500
Heated steering wheel     190
Roof rails     100
Heated front seats     500
Metallic paint (extra cost)     550
Cargo cover 114 114  
Panoramic sunroof 1,392 1,392  
Adaptive cruise control 1,004 1,004 2,135
Package 301A 2,269    
Package 401A   3,752  
Premium Package     1,730
Navigation system     1,910
Satellite radio - one year subscription     320
Obstacle detection, rear     685
Proximity key     455
Heated steering wheel     175
Roof rails     90
Heated front seats     455
Metallic paint (extra cost)     500
Options (change) 5,475 7,175 9,340
Options (change) 4,779 6,262 8,455
Destination 895 895 875
Total Price $44,570 $51,170 $47,365
Total Invoice $41,296 $47,348 $43,710

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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 Limited
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $6,605
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $5,944
Model Year201520152011
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimLimitedSport328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Engine290hp V6365hp V6230hp I6
TransmissionT6T6T6
DrivetrainFWDAWDRWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)390, 12390, 12180, 8
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20225/45-17
Total Price$44,570$51,170$47,365
Adjustments for Features-3,810-6,0100
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$40,760$45,160$47,365
Cost Above Minimum$0$4,400$0
Total Invoice$41,296$47,348$43,710
Adjustments for Features-3,530-5,5610
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$37,766$41,787$43,710
Cost Above Minimum$0$4,021$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year201520152011
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimLimitedSport328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Transmission and Drivetrain 
6-speed manually-shiftable automatic$1100$1100$1100
FWD$0  
AWD $1700 
RWD  $0
Accessories 
AC power outlet$100$100 
Keyless entry keypad$50$50 
Power liftgate$350$350 
Power-adjustable pedals$125$125 
Remote app  $25
Remote start$150$150 
Remote window/roof operation  $15
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual  $250
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power$350$350 
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
911 assist$25$25 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats  $0
Blind spot warning system $200 
Cross-traffic warning, rear $100 
Curve control$50$50 
Forward collision warning$200$200 
Hill descent control $250 
Inflatable rear seat belts $200 
Knee airbag, passenger$75$75 
Obstacle detection, front  $150
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system$0$0 
Rearview camera$200$200 
Rollover sensor$50$50 
Safety key$5$5 
Side curtain airbags  $350
Side curtain airbags, three rows$500$500 
Temporary spare tire$150$150 
Terrain selector $200 
Tires, run-flat  $150
Trailer sway control$25$25 
Vehicle health reports$0$0 
Cargo Management 
Air-conditioned storage compartment  $50
Cargo area partition net  $40
Cargo net$40$40 
Liftglass or two-piece tailgate  $150
Overhead sunglass holder$25$25 
Climate Control 
Automatic air recirculation  $100
Heated windshield washer nozzles  $15
Rain-sensing wipers  $175
Rear HVAC unit$400$400 
Variable intermittent wipers$75$75 
Exterior 
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)$250$250 
Deep-tinted rear windows$275$275 
Rear spoiler$200$200 
Wheel-lip moldings$75$75 
Infotainment 
Bluetooth audio streaming$25$25 
iPod integration  $100
Media drive  $15
Navigation, turn-by-turn$25$25 
Satellite radio$200$200 
Satellite radio - one year subscription  $250
SD Card slot$25$25 
SMS text-to-speech reader$25$25 
Surround sound$250$250 
Telematics service, such as OnStar  $200
Traffic + travel information$25$25 
Traffic information  $25
USB port$25$25 
Wi-Fi hotspot capability$0$0 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror  $75
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror  $75
Compass  $0
Large color reconfigurable instrument cluster display$250$250 
Mirror tilt-down in reverse  $25
Spotter mirror(s)$50$50 
Seats and Interior Trim 
Cooled or ventilated front seats$300$300 
Door sill trim plates$100  
Floor mats$75$75 
Heated second row seats$200  
Illuminated door sill trim plates $200 
Manual recliner, second row seats$75$75 
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat  $150
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $150
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100$100 
Power lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$100$100 
Power-stowing third row seats$1000  
Stowable third row seats $600 
Tailgating position, third row seats$50  
Wood trim  $300
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels$350 $350
Machined alloy wheels $350 
Sport suspension (upgrade) $0 
Transmission 
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controls $100 
Total Value of Features$8,095$10,295$4,285
Value of Feature Adjustments$3,810$6,010$0
Value of Feature Adjustments-3,530-5,5610

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year20152011
ModelExplorer3-Series
Body4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Wheelbase112.6 in108.7 in
Length197.1 in178.2 in
Width78.9 in71.5 in
Height70.4 in55.8 in
Curb Weight4,535 lb.3,463 lb.
Fuel Capacity18.6 gal.15.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom40.6 in38.5 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room61.3 in55.4 in
Row 1 Hip Room57.3 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom40.6 in41.5 in
Row 2 Headroom40.5 in38.0 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room61.0 in55.1 in
Row 2 Hip Room56.7 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom39.8 in34.6 in
Row 3 Headroom37.8 in0.0 in
Row 3 Shoulder Room50.8 in0.0 in
Row 3 Hip Room40.7 in0.0 in
Row 3 Legroom33.2 in0.0 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
21.0 ft324.8 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.8 ft324.8 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
80.7 ft358.0 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Package 301A
FeatureValueRequested?
Heated steering wheel100Yes
Tailgating position, third row seats50No
Power-stowing third row seats400No
Navigation system600Yes
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power100No
Cooled or ventilated front seats300No
Power recliner, passenger seat100Yes
Power lumbar adjuster, passenger seat50Yes
Power liftgate350No
Voice control for nav and audio75Yes
Total Requested92544%
Total Not Requested120056%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Sport

Package 401A
FeatureValueRequested?
Heated steering wheel100Yes
Blind spot warning system200No
Rear cross-traffic detection100No
Inflatable rear seatbelts200No
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200Yes
Power-adjustable pedals125No
AC power outlet100No
Proximity key250Yes
Power-folding mirrors50Yes
Interior ambient lighting150Yes
Navigation system600Yes
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power100No
Cooled or ventilated front seats300No
Power recliner, passenger seat100Yes
Power lumbar adjuster, passenger seat50Yes
Power liftgate350No
Voice control for nav and audio75Yes
Total Requested167553%
Total Not Requested147547%

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
Compass0No
Power-folding mirrors50Yes
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror75No
Remote app25No
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power height adjuster, driver seat50Yes
Power tilt adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power recliner, driver seat100Yes
Power recliner, passenger seat100Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200Yes
Power height adjuster, passenger seat50Yes
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Total Requested130066%
Total Not Requested67534%
Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Voice control for nav and audio100Yes
Traffic information25Yes
Media drive, large15No
Total Requested72598%
Total Not Requested152%

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