Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2017 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2012

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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: $46,145

Ford Explorer Limited   
Difference: $3,250

Lowest Total Invoice: $44,097

Ford Explorer Limited   
Difference: $1,448

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year201720172012
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimLimitedPlatinum328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Base Price $41,675 $53,235 $37,500
Base Invoice $39,800 $50,839 $34,680
Cargo cover 130 130  
Panoramic sunroof 1,595    
Adaptive cruise control 1,150   2,400
BLIS Plus Inflatable Rear-Seatbelt Pkg. 650    
Obstacle detection, rear     750
Navigation system     2,150
Premium Package     1,900
Cold Weather Package     900
Steering-linked headlights     900
Satellite radio - one year subscription     350
Proximity key     500
Auto-dimming headlights     250
Roof rails     100
App support     250
Metallic paint (extra cost)     550
Cargo cover 124 124  
Panoramic sunroof 1,515    
Adaptive cruise control 1,094   2,135
BLIS Plus Inflatable Rear-Seatbelt Pkg. 619    
Obstacle detection, rear     685
Navigation system     1,955
Premium Package     1,730
Cold Weather Package     820
Steering-linked headlights     820
Satellite radio - one year subscription     320
Proximity key     455
Auto-dimming headlights     230
Roof rails     90
App support     230
Metallic paint (extra cost)     500
Options (change) 3,525 130 11,000
Options (change) 3,352 124 9,970
Destination 945 945 895
Total Price $46,145 $54,310 $49,395
Total Invoice $44,097 $51,908 $45,545

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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: $8,750
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $6,704
Model Year201720172012
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimLimitedPlatinum328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Engine280hp I4365hp V6230hp I6
TransmissionT6T6M6
DrivetrainFWDAWDRWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)390, 12500, 12180, 8
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20225/45-17
Total Price$46,145$54,310$49,395
Adjustments for Features-5,500-11,2400
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$40,645$43,070$49,395
Cost Above Minimum$0$2,425$0
Total Invoice$44,097$51,908$45,545
Adjustments for Features-5,256-10,7430
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$38,841$41,165$45,545
Cost Above Minimum$0$2,324$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year201720172012
ModelExplorerExplorer3-Series
TrimLimitedPlatinum328i
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Transmission and Drivetrain 
6-speed manually-shiftable automatic$1100$1100 
6-speed manual  $150
FWD$0  
AWD $1700 
RWD  $0
Accessories 
AC power outlet$100$100 
Active noise reduction $0 
Hands-free trunk or liftgate$100$100 
Keyless entry keypad$50$50 
Power liftgate$350$350 
Power-adjustable pedals$125$125 
Remote app  $25
Remote start$150$150 
Semi-automated parking system $500 
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$200 
Cross-traffic warning, rear$100$100 
Curve control$50$50 
Forward collision warning$200$200 
Hill descent control $250 
Inflatable rear seat belts$200$200 
Knee airbag, passenger$75$75 
Lane departure prevention, steering-based $200 
Lane departure warning $200 
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 
Wide-view front camera$150$150 
Cargo Management 
Air-conditioned storage compartment  $50
Cargo area partition net  $40
Cargo net$40$40 
Class III trailer hitch $250 
Liftglass or two-piece tailgate  $150
Overhead sunglass holder$25$25 
Trailering equipment (7 wire) $150 
Climate Control 
Automatic air recirculation  $100
Heated windshield washer nozzles  $15
Rain-sensing wipers $175$175
Rear HVAC unit$400$400 
Residual heat  $50
Variable intermittent wipers$75  
Exterior 
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)$250$250 
Deep-tinted rear windows$275$275 
Rear spoiler$200$200 
Tow hook(s), front $40 
Wheel-lip moldings$75$75 
Infotainment 
Android Auto support$100$100 
Apple CarPlay support$100$100 
DVD-compatible player  $0
iPod integration  $100
Media drive  $15
Satellite radio$200$200 
Satellite radio - one year subscription  $250
Surround sound$250$250 
Telematics service, such as OnStar  $200
Traffic + travel information$25$25 
Traffic information  $25
USB port$25$25 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming headlights $200$200
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror  $75
Headlight washers  $50
Large color reconfigurable instrument cluster display$250$250 
LED headlights, single projector or low beam only$750$750 
Mirror tilt-down in reverse  $25
Steering-linked headlights  $150
Xenon HID headlights  $500
Seats and Interior Trim 
Cooled or ventilated front seats$300$300 
Door sill trim plates$100  
Floor mats$75$75 
Illuminated door sill trim plates $200 
Leather door panel trim $250 
Leather-wrapped steering wheel$150 $150
Manual recliner, second row seats$75$75 
Massage, driver seat $100 
Massage, passenger seat $100 
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat $150$150
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat $150$150
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100  
Power lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$100  
Power-stowing third row seats$1000$1000 
Tailgating position, third row seats$50$50 
Upholstered instrument panel, leather $1000 
Wood trim $300$300
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel $150 
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Alloy wheels$350 $350
Machined alloy wheels $350 
Sport suspension (upgrade) $0 
Transmission 
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controls$100$100 
Total Value of Features$9,695$15,435$4,195
Value of Feature Adjustments$5,500$11,240$0
Value of Feature Adjustments-5,256-10,7430

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year20172012
ModelExplorer3-Series
Body4dr SUV4dr Wagon
Wheelbase112.6 in108.7 in
Length198.3 in178.2 in
Width78.9 in71.5 in
Height70.0 in55.8 in
Curb Weight4,458 lb.3,463 lb.
Fuel Capacity18.6 gal.15.9 gal.
Row 1 Headroom41.4 in37.4 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room61.5 in55.4 in
Row 1 Hip Room57.3 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom40.6 in41.5 in
Row 2 Headroom40.6 in38.0 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room61.0 in55.1 in
Row 2 Hip Room56.8 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom39.5 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 Legroom33.3 in0.0 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
21.0 ft324.8 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.9 ft324.8 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
81.7 ft358.0 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

BLIS Plus Inflatable Rear-Seatbelt Pkg.
FeatureValueRequested?
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75Yes
Blind spot warning system200No
Rear cross-traffic detection100No
Inflatable rear seat belts200No
Total Requested7513%
Total Not Requested50087%

Option Package Details
BMW 3-Series 328i

Obstacle detection, rear
FeatureValueRequested?
Obstacle detection, rear250Yes
Obstacle detection, front150Yes
Total Requested400100%
Total Not Requested00%
Steering-linked headlights
FeatureValueRequested?
Steering-linked headlights150No
Xenon HID headlights500Yes
Total Requested50077%
Total Not Requested15023%
Navigation system
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
DVD-compatible player0No
Voice control for nav and audio100Yes
Traffic information25Yes
Media drive, large15No
Telematics service, such as OnStar200No
Bluetooth cell phone link100Yes
SMS text-to-speech reader25Yes
Bluetooth audio streaming25Yes
Remote app25No
Total Requested87578%
Total Not Requested24022%
Premium Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat150Yes
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat150Yes
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75Yes
Compass0Yes
Power-folding mirrors50Yes
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror75No
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200Yes
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat50Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power height adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power tilt adjuster, driver seat50Yes
Power recliner, driver seat100Yes
Power recliner, passenger seat100Yes
Total Requested157595%
Total Not Requested755%
Cold Weather Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Heated front seats200Yes
Heated second row seats200Yes
Heated steering wheel100Yes
Headlight washers50No
Second-row 3-section 3-person split bench150No
Total Requested50071%
Total Not Requested20029%

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