BMW 5 series

[Saint]

it costs about 350,000 ringgit (USD 100,000)in malaysia, how much is it in USA?[:D]
people like me, a lecturer, has no chance to buy one!
[s(]
I drive Proton Wira, national car, cost about 10,000 USD.

[Zantra]

Chalk me up with one of the poor souls unable to indulge in such luxury. I couldn't see spending that much on a car unless I was a millionaire.

[RageSk8]

$40,000-$57,000
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=6852&page_number=2

[Saint]

Originally posted by RageSk8
$40,000-$57,000
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=6852&page_number=2

our car prices are more expensive than USA because the government imposes a very heavy tax on imported cars to protect the national car.

[Monique]

http://www.rtl.nl/automotor/rtlautowereld/rijtesten/bmw_5.xml

520i: €46.750 = $54,561
530i: €54.500 = $63,606
530d: €56.350 = $65,765

(1 € = 1.16709 $)

Btw, did you know that all (well, almost) Dutch taxi cabs are Mercedez-Benz? The luxury! You pay the price though, when you need the ride..

[Adrian Baker]

Originally posted by Monique
http://www.rtl.nl/automotor/rtlautowereld/rijtesten/bmw_5.xml


Btw, did you know that all (well, almost) Dutch taxi cabs are Mercedez-Benz? The luxury! You pay the price though, when you need the ride..

Is that why they have all those 'free to ride' white bicycles in Amsterdam - for those who can't afford the taxis?

[Monique]

Mostly because that is the best way to get around the city I guess.. they now also have taxi-bicycles :) one guy will sit in front and power the thing and two people can sit in the back, mostly I tourist thing though.

[dduardo]

Malaysia sucks for imposing such high tariffs.

Saint, are you planning on purchasing a new car? If so, is $10k US around your limit. If this is your budget, then I would go with a honda, toyota, or buy another proton.

A luxury car in the US, usually starts at $30k US. If you do have the opportunity to buy or test drive a bmw, it is an amazing ride. The handling and acceleration are spectacular. When you first try to drive, you'll be pulled back in your seat because the pedal is so sensitive.

I had many friends with honda civics, and they where good cars. Personally, I had a toyota and it was a reliable car.

[Saint]

Originally posted by dduardo
Malaysia sucks for imposing such high tariffs.

Saint, are you planning on purchasing a new car? If so, is $10k US around your limit. If this is your budget, then I would go with a honda, toyota, or buy another proton.

A luxury car in the US, usually starts at $30k US. If you do have the opportunity to buy or test drive a bmw, it is an amazing ride. The handling and acceleration are spectacular. When you first try to drive, you'll be pulled back in your seat because the pedal is so sensitive.

I had many friends with honda civics, and they where good cars. Personally, I had a toyota and it was a reliable car.

our government imposes 200% tax on imported cars, therefore it is so costly that only businessmen can afford to buy it!
I can only rent it from AlvisRentaCar! [:D]

A 7-series BMW cost about 700,000 ringgit (~200,000USD),
[8)] !

[Saint]

In malaysia,
Honda accord costs USD50,000
Jaguar costs USD230,000.
Honda Prelude (sporty) USD 55000
Lotus Elise USD 60,000
Scary!!!

[Saint]

Mercedes has almost the same price as BMW.

[Rockazella]

Saint, you want an import? How about a slick new 92 saab9000? It only has 210,000miles. This things a steal for anything under, oh...$35,000?[:D] I originally didn't want to let it go for anything under $60,000, but for you I'm willing to bend.

If your interested leme know soon, this things hot! I've lost count of how many offers it's gotten.

[dduardo]

Saint, I guess its time to move to another country then. I can't believe a jaguar would cost 230k USD. What model is it. In the US you can get a jaguar x-type for 30k USD or an s-type for 45k USD.

I'm starting a fund to purchase an aston martin vantage. If anyone is willing to donate you can email me. Hopefully you guys will generous enough I can buy one when I'm 25 or so. The car is a mere 200k USD. Or maybe I should just wait until im 40 and get a maclaren f1 for 1 million USD.

[Zantra]

I've test driven a Jag X-type don't waste your money. You can get the same ride from a 20k mid range car. BMW's and Mercedes are naturally cheaper in europe. Stick with hondas and toyotas. Those little cars run forever. And Duardo, if you're shooting for a DB7, you'd better start playing the lotto. What are they? About 200K last I checked? Why not shoot for a ferrari or a rolls? Better yet, just shoot for the Maybach- now THAT's a car[;)] Will set you back a cool half a mill

Mercedes an BMWs are nothing but status symbols. I can get get the same quality from a 20K car as with a 40-50K car. (can you tell I can't afford one?;)

[Zero]

Buy a Lotus Elise...*grins*

[Monique]

Maybe you can try raising money by modifying peoples pictures by mail.. [8)]

And yes, BMWs are amazing, my family had one for a couple of years and it is like sitting in an airplane (without the turbulance) the ride is so smooth! The acceleration is really nice too, as well as the steering. Now we have a car I can't even remember the name of *thinks real hard* Volvo! Thats it, a volvo :)

I once almost owned the following car, from Citroen:
http://www.beaucars.nl/classic/ZJ-XB-98.jpg
The roof can be taken off :) can't imagine driving that one in the States, the cars over there are monstrous! :P

[Andy]

Mercedes an BMWs are nothing but status symbols. I can get get the same quality from a 20K car as with a 40-50K car. (can you tell I can't afford one?;)

Are you crazy? Having recently started working for Mercedes i can assure you that if you buy a brand new Mercedes then you will be amazed by just how luxurious there are, the ride is incredibly smooth and the steering is quality, the acceleration isnt too bad either. Im not sure about the BMW's but they cant be much worse or better than Mercedes.

[dduardo]

Originally posted by Andy
Im not sure about the BMW's but they cant be much worse or better than Mercedes.

I have a BMW 3 series and the accleration is very good, especially on the highway when i switch from automatic to sports to manual with steptronic.

My parents have a jaguar s-type, but i don't like it because the handling is junk. It feels like your driving a bus. There is barely any feedback from the steering wheel. I prefer a stiffer wheel, where i can feel the turns, which the BMW does. It makes driving fun.

[edit] Monique, i don't know if you've seen Mr. Bean, but you should look into purchasing the blue 3 wheeled car.

[Monique]

Originally posted by dduardo
I have a BMW 3 series and the accleration is very good, especially on the highway when i switch from automatic to sports to manual with steptronic.

My parents have a jaguar s-type, but i don't like it because the handling is junk. It feels like your driving a bus. There is barely any feedback from the steering wheel. I prefer a stiffer wheel, where i can feel the turns, which the BMW does. It makes driving fun. [8)]

[edit] Monique, i don't know if you've seen Mr. Bean, but you should look into purchasing the blue 3 wheeled car. If I have seen Mr. Bean?? I grew up with Mr. Bean!!

[dduardo]

Originally posted by Monique
If I have seen Mr. Bean?? I grew up with Mr. Bean!!

Have you seen rowan atkinson live. It is just hilarious. I liked the sketch where he acts like a king with a physical defect.

Also, do you have the Whole Bean Dvd Collection. Maybe thats what you could buy with the 100 euros.

[Zantra]

Originally posted by Andy
Are you crazy? Having recently started working for Mercedes i can assure you that if you buy a brand new Mercedes then you will be amazed by just how luxurious there are, the ride is incredibly smooth and the steering is quality, the acceleration isnt too bad either. Im not sure about the BMW's but they cant be much worse or better than Mercedes.

Ya well I don't need to feel like I'm driving on an airplane. I just want to get from one place to another.

[Monique]

The king with the physical defect.. you mean the one without clothes on? I know a better one (maybe because I am female :P) do you know the one where he goes to the beach (very small, tiny one) for a swim.. the beach is very private so he thought he would just change there to his swim suit. Turns out a guy is sitting there.. So he goes through this whole ritual trying to change to his swimming suit.. finally he just puts the thing on over his pants and somehow removes his longpants in a very decent but surprising way from under that. I thought it was so clever! Ofcourse the guy sitting there turns out to be blind :P

Never seen him live, I have seen most of his shows on television, that was a long time ago though.. have the whole X-files collection.. not atkinson.. maybe I should.. can't buy it in an electronics store though..

[Saint]

After getting my PhD, i may plan to get a teaching job in US colleges, then i will drive better car ! [:D]

[dduardo]

Monique, the king with the physical defect is in his live performance, not in the mr bean series. (http://video.reviewindex.co.uk/reviews_uk/B00004CMOP.html) Unfortunetly, the production of the video has been discontinued and is hard to find, especially the american version.

The beach scene was very funny. I also liked the hotel scene where he gets stuck in between the old lady and old man in the stairwell.

[Saint]

http://star-motoring.com/research/specs.asp?id=175

A Jaguar XKR coupe, costs 1.2 million ringgit, about 340,000 USD.

http://star-motoring.com/research/

[Zantra]

ummm.. damn! That's more than most homes in the US cost- or a good percentage. Consider that only 30 percent of americans make more than 30K/year. If import taxes were that steep here, we as americans couldn't afford imports either. And umm.. even PHD professors barely clear 100,000/year- and that's with about 10-20 years experience. You couldn't afford a 300,000 auto even on that salary. Luckily the XJR's are about 98K US here.


I'd imagine in malaysia the per capita is not that good- based on what I know.

[resa3535]

Originally posted by Andy
Are you crazy? Having recently started working for Mercedes i can assure you that if you buy a brand new Mercedes then you will be amazed by just how luxurious there are, the ride is incredibly smooth and the steering is quality, the acceleration isnt too bad either. Im not sure about the BMW's but they cant be much worse or better than Mercedes.


I personally think both Mercedes and BMWs are way over rated and ridiculously overpriced. My parents drives BMW X5 and the mercedes S420 and it sucks... the handling is too stiff and the accelerator is too sensitive,it makes me paranoid just driving that thing... (maybe it's my driving, i don't know) On top of that as if the manufacturers haven't charged you enough for the car, you have to buy their products and parts such as brakes to fix your car (which is way expensive compare to cheap japanese parts). Luxury cars are just unnecessary expanses...it's just to get your money out of your pocket for things you really don't need... well atleast that's how I feel.
I think I would rather get something like a Mini Cooper... they're efficient and the gas mileage I heard is great.

[ray b]

mini - cooper is owned by BMW

buy used, there are as many fools selling cars as buying, just stay away from dealers, and learn what to look for
my first BMW was 400 us$ a 65 1800 4 door. the last a 635 that I got for 4000

the hunt is 1/2 the fun

[RageSk8]

Are you crazy? Having recently started working for Mercedes i can assure you that if you buy a brand new Mercedes then you will be amazed by just how luxurious there are, the ride is incredibly smooth and the steering is quality, the acceleration isnt too bad either. Im not sure about the BMW's but they cant be much worse or better than Mercedes.

Very true. My brother worked for a Jaguar/Saab dealership and has driven all of the different luxery cars - there is a huge difference. Amazingly, according to him and many others, Saab cars are a blast to drive, more fun than the 3-series (except the m3 of course) and the C-class. Jaguars are more the classic luxery cars, you can barely tell you are driving.

[Monique]

How we got our BMW: my dad used to own a garage, his hobby? Going to a scrapyard, look around for a total loss car being 1 or 2 years old at the time of the crash. Pick one which doesn't have much engine damage, buy it and restore it in his free time. Then sell the current car for good money.

[dduardo]

Originally posted by resa3535
My parents drives BMW X5 and the mercedes S420 and it sucks... the handling is too stiff and the accelerator is too sensitive,it makes me paranoid just driving that thing... (maybe it's my driving, i don't know)

I think its your driving. You probably don't have your foot in the right position. In the BMW you should have your heel touch the bottom of the pedal and accelerate by rotating your ankle forward, using your whole foot to provide the force. You are probable pressing the gas with your toes.

Personally I like the stiff handling. It gives me a sense of feedback and it is easy for me to "become one with the car."

[Andy]

I think I would rather get something like a Mini Cooper... they're efficient and the gas mileage I heard is great.

From what i have heard the mini coopers arent constructed very well at all and need alot of work done on them almost as soon as you buy them. How can you not like an S-420? if you think its too powerful then drive it slowly. Its got a 4.2 litre V8 if i remember rightly, not sure because i ahvent done much work on these yet, its definately a 4.2 litre engine, and has plenty of poke when you put your foot down, but you have to put your footdown to get it going. So i reckon its just you.

[Njorl]

Originally posted by Monique
How we got our BMW: my dad used to own a garage, his hobby? Going to a scrapyard, look around for a total loss car being 1 or 2 years old at the time of the crash. Pick one which doesn't have much engine damage, buy it and restore it in his free time. Then sell the current car for good money.

Your post reminded me of an old Johnny Cash song (written by w. Kemp), One Piece at a Time:

Well, I left Kentucky back in '49
An' went to Detroit workin' on a 'sembly line
The first year they had me puttin' wheels on cadillacs

Every day I'd watch them beauties roll by
And sometimes I'd hang my head and cry
'Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black.

One day I devised myself a plan
That should be the envy of most any man
I'd sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my hand
Now gettin' caught meant gettin' fired
But I figured I'd have it all by the time I retired
I'd have me a car worth at least a hundred grand.

CHORUS
I'd get it one piece at a time
And it wouldn't cost me a dime
You'll know it's me when I come through your town
I'm gonna ride around in style
I'm gonna drive everybody wild
'Cause I'll have the only one there is a round.

So the very next day when I punched in
With my big lunchbox and with help from my friends
I left that day with a lunch box full of gears
Now, I never considered myself a thief
GM wouldn't miss just one little piece
Especially if I strung it out over several years.

The first day I got me a fuel pump
And the next day I got me an engine and a trunk
Then I got me a transmission and all of the chrome
The little things I could get in my big lunchbox
Like nuts, an' bolts, and all four shocks
But the big stuff we snuck out in my buddy's mobile home.

Now, up to now my plan went all right
'Til we tried to put it all together one night
And that's when we noticed that something was definitely wrong.

The transmission was a '53
And the motor turned out to be a '73
And when we tried to put in the bolts all the holes were gone.

So we drilled it out so that it would fit
And with a little bit of help with an A-daptor kit
We had that engine runnin' just like a song
Now the headlight' was another sight
We had two on the left and one on the right
But when we pulled out the switch all three of 'em come on.

The back end looked kinda funny too
But we put it together and when we got thru
Well, that's when we noticed that we only had one tail-fin
About that time my wife walked out
And I could see in her eyes that she had her doubts
But she opened the door and said "Honey, take me for a spin."

So we drove up town just to get the tags
And I headed her right on down main drag
I could hear everybody laughin' for blocks around
But up there at the court house they didn't laugh
'Cause to type it up it took the whole staff
And when they got through the title weighed sixty pounds.

CHORUS
I got it one piece at a time
And it didn't cost me a dime
You'll know it's me when I come through your town
I'm gonna ride around in style
I'm gonna drive everybody wild
'Cause I'll have the only one there is around.

(Spoken) Ugh! Yow, RED RYDER
This is the COTTON MOUTH
In the PSYCHO-BILLY CADILLAC Come on

Huh, This is the COTTON MOUTH
And negatory on the cost of this mow-chine there RED RYDER
You might say I went right up to the factory
And picked it up, it's cheaper that way
Ugh!, what model is it?

Well, It's a '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56
'57, '58' 59' automobile
It's a '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67
'68, '69, '70 automobile.

[resa3535]

Originally posted by Andy
From what i have heard the mini coopers arent constructed very well at all and need alot of work done on them almost as soon as you buy them. How can you not like an S-420? if you think its too powerful then drive it slowly. Its got a 4.2 litre V8 if i remember rightly, not sure because i ahvent done much work on these yet, its definately a 4.2 litre engine, and has plenty of poke when you put your foot down, but you have to put your footdown to get it going. So i reckon its just you.

I really like the mini coopers, from what i hear their decent cars... I don't know I'm not a mechanic
I drive a grand cherokee that's a v8 and it is not as sensitive as the s420. I just don't like them...

[Andy]

The E-420 should be quite a bit lighter so that would make a difference on the sensitivity of the throttle.

[Saint]

How much is the annual salary of a senior lecturer in university of USA?
Can achieve USD50,000 ?

If so, driving a BMW 3 series is not a problem.[:)]

[Andy]

Owning a 3 series shouldnt be much of a problem, it does depend on what model of 3 series it is though. An M-3 is considerably more expensive than a 318. But if you want a BMW or a Mercedes you have to get either the M series or the AMG-Mercedes. They are fantastic.

[Zantra]

What about the low end models? Now if I could get an "airplane performance" from a 30K entry level model, then I'd reconsider..

Maybe the 325i or the Z4 2.5i

[Saint]

you americans are lucky, because you can own good cars with cheaper price than us.

I'm looking forward to migrating there.[:D]

[Andy]

Maybe the 325i or the Z4 2.5i

Depends if you want a fast car, or a really fast car. and the Z4 isnt that nice anyway, looks nice, if your a woman or a hairdresser and handles quite badly as well, the 325i is much better, but you are making a mistake if you dont get out another mortgage to get the M-3 or an AMG.

[Zantra]

Maybe when get my MD[:D] Actually then I'll be looking at a lotus or a porsche.. somewhere in between now and then

[Zantra]

Originally posted by Saint
you americans are lucky, because you can own good cars with cheaper price than us.

I'm looking forward to migrating there.[:D]

Believe me when I say that if you take the economies into scale, not just anyone can swing what amounts to an 800 or 900 USD/month car payment. It's really an "upper middle class" auto, if not upper class.

Aside from California, if you see someone driving a NEW BMW, you automatically assume they are a doctor, lawyer, or business owner.

[Andy]

You have to be well off where ever you live in the world to be able to afford a new Mercedes or BMW, not so much the Mercedes A class cos they are just cheap ****.

[David Mayes]

Originally posted by Saint
[]it costs about 350,000 ringgit (USD 100,000)in malaysia, how much is it in USA?[:D]
people like me, a lecturer, has no chance to buy one!


http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1484-1.jpg

Try this monster, Ford BA XR8, $51K AUS.
I consider this to be the best value sports/family car in the world+ check out the looks[:))]

Details@ options of XR8 (http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.research_specs?vehicle_code=20020925.1 5:43:07&sort_type=&current_rec=1&make_name=FORD&model_name=FALCON)

[Zantra]

unless that's a new model, that must be a euro only car.. kinda looks like the focus.. the focus runs about 15k USD base model. so ya, you're getting ripped off.. hehe

[Andy]

That looks like Focus cross with a subaru impreza.

[Zantra]

I fear at my current financial state, the only BMW or Mercedes I could realistically afford without sacrificing my lifestyle are the entry level models. I also feel like if I got one, I'd enjoy that "airplane feel" initially, but after 3 or 4 months I'd be wishing I hadn't spent so much money. But that's just me.

[David Mayes]

Originally posted by Zantra
unless that's a new model, that must be a euro only car.. kinda looks like the focus.. the focus runs about 15k USD base model. so ya, you're getting ripped off.. hehe

Hmmm, AUS=Australian Dollars.
My location is noted as Australia.
I think the XR8 is an AUSTRALIAN product.
Does the focus have a 5.4 ltr 260kw.

[Zantra]

ummm.. no.. unless it's maybe the focus SVT... this is defintely nota US model.

[David Mayes]

Originally posted by Zantra
ummm.. no.. unless it's maybe the focus SVT... this is defintely nota US model.

It's an AUSTRALIAN car built in AUSTRALIA, for sale in AUSTRALIA@NZ.

CAPEECH YET..?[g)]

[Zantra]

oops.. sorry I was preoccuppied with women troubles(not my own)

not a problem mate;)

But I wouldn't be surprised if that's a focus chassis.

[David Mayes]

Originally posted by Zantra
oops.. sorry I was preoccuppied with women troubles(not my own)

not a problem mate;)

But I wouldn't be surprised if that's a focus chassis.

OK...but the XR8 is 1760KG, the focus is probably about 1300-1400KG, I'd be surprised if they where the same chassis.
AFAIK, the XR8 chassis is built in Aus, and the focus is built in Europe and imported to Aus.

[Andy]

Does the focus have a 5.4 ltr 260kw.
WTF is that all about? we want BHP here not any funny money kw crap.

[theEVIL1]

a few friends have 5's and 7's. They tell me "Trade it before it hits 50,000 or get ready to spend serious $$ for maintainance.

Screw that..I will keep the Lexus.

[David Mayes]

Originally posted by Andy
WTF is that all about? we want BHP here not any funny money kw crap.

Look mate, if you're British and mentally ill, I can't help you...and for that matter, neither can Johny Wilkenson[:))]

KW=1.34HP.
260KW=400HP{approx}

[Andy]

Ha, u sad aussie bastard! we kicked your *** and the scoreline was very flattering to you, we should ahve had several more tries and with abit of luck (like you had all world cup) we would have.

[David Mayes]

Do England ever score tries..?
BTW, AUS 3 defeated Spain 1{Davis Cup}.

What was lucky about the way the Aussies played against NZ?
A=Nothing, the aussies played great rugby.

[Andy]

Do England ever score tries..?

We got one in the final. And although im not sure about this because i wa sunable to watch the game due to work, i beleive we scored 3 tries against you the last time we played, before the final.

[David Mayes]

Yeah, yeah.

Get ready for an Australian domination in F 07, as a supportive public get behind GOV@Corporate sponsorship to create new superteam.

WENDEL SAILOR IS THE BEST EVER{BIG DELL}

[Andy]

there will be more English there than french! but i have a feeling it will be New Zealands world cup that year. got some good young players(i think).

[David Mayes]

Originally posted by Andy
there will be more English there than french! but i have a feeling it will be New Zealands world cup that year. got some good young players(i think).

NZ are no longer psychologically prepared to win big events.