Should I get a BMW or Audi?

[wobbles]

Hi, what's the current deal? I love deal, as a lady. Any deal for 5 series?

I think bro CK318ci is referring to the fact that the current model 3 series (E90 designation) will soon be superseded by the NEW 3 series (F30 designation) so there'll be a lot of run out deals available everywhere as dealers try to clear their stocks

I'm happy for you. To be in a position to consider such well built cars at your age - what an impressive feat! Well done!

 

[wobbles]

Uncle wobbles, thanks for your honest opinion. You make a difference in the decision I'm about to make. I really appreciate your time and guidance to a newbie like me.
Can I just check with you is the parking assistant come as a standard package or do we have to top up for it? I aware that parking guidance come as a standard function in E series. Thanks

Sorry dear, I'm not in Malaysia. Here in Singapore, Park Assist is a top up option for both the 520/528 and the E200/250. Reverse camera is standard for the 5 series, and the camera also comes with parking guidance lines, but you'll need to specify the Park Assist option if you want the car to self parallel park . I have included a link to the latest e-brochure of the 5 series HERE for your reference.

 

[EL118]

Honestly, I have not driven a Germany car before. Sorry to say that but I just want to get a Germany car due to it's reliability

sorry that u may have a misconception here, better be prepared as German cars (especially BMW are like rare breed of dog that need constant tender loving care, else problems will surface)

reliability ( in terms of ease of maintenance ) is far behind the Camry u r driving.

 

[wobbles]

sorry that u may have a misconception here, better be prepared as German cars (especially BMW are like rare breed of dog that need constant tender loving care, else problems will surface)

reliability ( in terms of ease of maintenance ) is far behind the Camry u r driving.

Well, I have to second bro EL118's sentiment. For the first few years, no worries, but as the car ages, the COST of getting things repaired or replaced will be higher for a Continental car compared to anything Japanese or Korean or Malaysian. Two reasons for this, in my humble opinion:

a. Sheer numbers game. There are just that many more Camrys and Hyundais on the road, compared to a Merc or a BMW - so economy of scale applies more to the Japanese/Korean makes more so than the German ones - more cars simply mean more spare parts floating around

b. When you purchase a Continental marque like a BMW or a Merc, you are perceived (rightly or wrongly) in a different light, and stratified into a different demographic. Membership of that exclusive club demands the payment of a higher cost - sadly

 

[SapphireBlack]

Unfortunately, I agree with what uncle wobles mentioned in point (b) :listen:

If you buy a 300k++ executive sedan, you will definitely not be charged RM90++ for a simple oil change or even RM800++ for a windscreen change.

The price and cost for what I have mentioned above are certainly now where near it when it comes to servicing or replacing spare parts for BMW. You are looking at figures from a different planet altogether :wink:

As for point (a), as my own car is only 2++ years old, I have yet to experience any issues (but I must stress that I follow the recommended service (every 10k-15k interval) loosely. I tend to service my car every 10k at my own cost and under the BSRI package, whatever that need to be changed, I will do it.

So far so good and I'm enjoying my ride every moment of the way. I'm currently looking at F30

Well, I have to second bro EL118's sentiment. For the first few years, no worries, but as the car ages, the COST of getting things repaired or replaced will be higher for a Continental car compared to anything Japanese or Korean or Malaysian. Two reasons for this, in my humble opinion:

a. Sheer numbers game. There are just that many more Camrys and Hyundais on the road, compared to a Merc or a BMW - so economy of scale applies more to the Japanese/Korean makes more so than the German ones - more cars simply mean more spare parts floating around

b. When you purchase a Continental marque like a BMW or a Merc, you are perceived (rightly or wrongly) in a different light, and stratified into a different demographic. Membership of that exclusive club demands the payment of a higher cost - sadly

 

[ck318ci]

Currently i think BMW is doing a promotion of 5 years BRSI package for the E90
that translate to inclusive service and warranty on certain parts for an record 5 years!
If not, Last i check with IA, they can do cash rebate as much as 5 figures or ultra low interest rates. Enticing indeed but the 320i at home is more than sufficient for mom's use.
I am not in KL by the way

To point out about parallel parking or park assist, Is a nice features but I dont think it will much be of help in Malaysia/ Sg setting.
PPL are way too impatient for your car to park itself as from my understanding, this is not very suave and you still need to control the speed and braking of the car. It works well if you have a big space but given KL / Malaysia road, ppl will be honking you as you will be hogging the road for some time.
Regards with the Reverse camera, Dont think All 5 series comes as standard, def not in My.
is a useful tool but not to completely relying on it. I have it on my car and I only use it to look at rear end obstacle, parking lines can be misleading as it rather impaired your spatial awareness.

My point to you is do not need to harp on getting the executive line at the beginning especially you havent sample the German brand before.

Everything has a ladder approach in life and not everyone will jump in and buy a 5 series as a first car, a massive bungalow as a first house. It takes many years of different ownerships and hardwork to able to distinguish and appreciate a car like this.

For a newbie, a E90/92/93 is a solid platform to welcome you to the roundel family. in this age of time, especially you already mentioned, being a female who prefers deal, Is unlikely you will keep a car for a long time when new model with better design, safety, and mechanics are springing up.

Thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[tradingcrew]

Honestly I know nuts about cars. So I will only judge by exterior look and price. So, engine wise, I would have to depends on you all. honestly, given the fact that if brand new E250 is slightly cheaper than the brand new 520D, would your choice still the same? Thanks everyone.

Hi Trincy, I was in your situation more than 7 years ago, just that my budget is rather limited at that time. I already sold one of the two cars bought using the govt special scheme. I opted for two japanese make car and i'm a happy diesel head now. I'd love the 520d but opted for 320d due to budget constraints. There are great deals going with 320d now vs. 520d which may still have a waiting list. Something you have to look at depending on your return date since you are required to purchase the vehicle in x months after your final entry to the country. That means the new F30 is pretty much out of the question now. All four cars you have in your list are great cars in their own way. Test driving may put you in a easier situation, what make syou feel more comfortable and suits your driving style best, just go for what feels the best since you'd be stuck with it for the next decade.

I agree with Bro Maniac, if I have the option and budget and your age, the coupes would be my choice. Frankly, F10 and the E may seem like an odd fit to you although you can get a 5 series for a price of a 3. Tough choices, but you are allowed two cars right

 

[TrincyLim]

I think bro CK318ci is referring to the fact that the current model 3 series (E90 designation) will soon be superseded by the NEW 3 series (F30 designation) so there'll be a lot of run out deals available everywhere as dealers try to clear their stocks

I'm happy for you. To be in a position to consider such well built cars at your age - what an impressive feat! Well done!

Uncle wobble, it's just that the car is a lot more cheaper under the government scheme that I opt for a German car. It's a stretch but it's a good motivation at the same time. My pay is enough to cover the installment after calculation and I guess it's better to spend on car rather than on unnecessary stuffs, which I have spent too much.

 

[TrincyLim]

I think bro CK318ci is referring to the fact that the current model 3 series (E90 designation) will soon be superseded by the NEW 3 series (F30 designation) so there'll be a lot of run out deals available everywhere as dealers try to clear their stocks

I'm happy for you. To be in a position to consider such well built cars at your age - what an impressive feat! Well done!

Uncle wobbles, it's just that the car is a lot more cheaper under the government scheme that I opt for a German car. It's a stretch but it's a good motivation at the same time. My pay is enough to cover the installment after calculation and I guess it's better to spend on car rather than on unnecessary stuffs, which I have spent too much.

 

[TrincyLim]

Tradingcrew ck318ci and SapphireBlack,
Thank you so much in providing your great assistance.
Im opting fir a bigger car as i guess i wouldnt be changing car in near term. Further, as a returning professional, we are allowed two cars without tax and my application was approved before I came back. I'm not gonna utilize two cars and that's why I wanna go for a more premium level or else the scheme would be wasted.
Surprisingly the E250 is cheaper than 520d after tax and promotion. That's put me in the dilemma. If 520d is the cheapest, I'm sure getting it but now is the other way round.
Really, if I go for a test drive, how do I know the car is for me? Would they allow me to test without actually buying it right away? God, further I'm not familiar with German car.
But you guys have been a great help *hug*

 

[wobbles]

Morning Trincy,

Yes, I agree with your assessment. If you have factored in your finances, and can comfortably afford to do so, I think it's a good decision to go for a higher level car like the Five or the E-class. Barring any surprises, your pay and spending power will and can only increase with time, so the relative cost of owning such a car will become more affordable, as a percentage of your total income in the future.

And, to echo what SapphireBlack said: as you will be getting a brand new car, you can quite safely expect problem-free driving for the first few years (unless you super bad luck and got yourself a lemon!) - so, the new Five or the new E will offer you a hassle free drive for a while

Good luck with your purchase and please keep us updated!

 

[TrincyLim]

young lady like yourself should pick up a coupe or cabriolet la..! all the cars you've listed are quite large and more suited for the senior executive type crowd.

for the same price range, you should consider these options instead - the BMW 335 coupe, BMW Z4 coupe, Audi A5.
If you really want a Merc, the E250 coupe is also quite nice. Forget about volvo (except the XC60).

All the best looking for your dream car. If you want to go test driving to decide, lots of brothers here will happily volunteer to go together with you haha.

Hi maniac, I really wanna get one but it's out of reach as they are all CBU which do not offer tax rebate. I love coupe and it looks cool. Sigh..

 

[wobbles]

Really, if I go for a test drive, how do I know the car is for me? Would they allow me to test without actually buying it right away?

Of course! It's no obligation - in fact, I would say you HAVE to test drive before you decide.

The 520d is more expensive because it runs on diesel, and you will save more money in the long term with every visit to refuel at the pump. How much more expensive is it, compared to the E250? Mind you, the E250 is actually a 1.8L engine, so it's actually th smallest engine in the range, although tuned to produce more power than the base E200 which has the same engine, but a lower output. If the price difference isn't punitively prohibitive, I'd probably still go for the car your heart said 'yes' to the first time

 

[TrincyLim]

Ya uncle Wobbles, I will keep you guys updated on my purchase which I have up to 1 year to decide before my govt scheme goes expires. good morning!

 

[TrincyLim]

Uncle Wobbles, E250 is RM6000 cheaper than 520d and RM25,000 cheaper than 523i. It makes E250 more attractive in terms of price and specs wise which I don't know whether I'll be utilizing it. Oh ya, E250 comes with sunroof also.

 

[wobbles]

Oh, one other thing (sorry for being so 罗嗦长气) - but you have to factor in the running costs of a car as well, not such the buying price, monthly installments). This would mean the expected savings from running a diesel vs a petrol car - do you do a lot of city driving vs extra-urban driving? If you do predominantly start stop city driving, a diesel with lots of low end torque and considerable fuel savings will be advantageous compared to a petrol engine. If you have to travel great distances to work daily, and the journey doesn't have a lot of traffic, then both engines are fine, I guess.

The above was a major consideration in my decision making process, when I recently bought a 640i. I was really REALLY tempted by the 650i - it would have been my first V8 car, and I am already driving a 3 litre 7 series at present. However, Singapore is so small, no country roads - cannot drive fast anywhere, and lots of traffic. No point getting something that would burn a gigantic hole in my wallet every time I visit the petrol station!

Also, remember, both the 5 and the E are not small cars. Having a 1.8L engine as the motive force for the E might have you feeling that the car is somewhat underpowered after a while. Truth be told, that was how I felt with my old W211 四只眼 E200K after 4 years, that's why I upgraded to the 7 series and never looked back!

 

[TrincyLim]

Uncle Wobbles, thank you for providing such a wise advise. I envy you of having a 6 and 7 series. I believe I'll reach your stage one day. So, I shall start with a mid range car first
The usage of the car is mainly for day to day use which I need to travel to KL city to work which is about 40km away from home with some jammed during peak hour. Other than that, perhaps some weekend shopping and not much long distance driving. I don't travel too much other than flying back to Taiwan and hong kong.
So, is diesel car reliable?

 

[TrincyLim]

Uncle Wobbles, you are not 長氣 and I find you extremely helpful.

 

[wobbles]

Uncle Wobbles, thank you for providing such a wise advise. I envy you of having a 6 and 7 series. I believe I'll reach your stage one day. So, I shall start with a mid range car first
The usage of the car is mainly for day to day use which I need to travel to KL city to work which is about 40km away from home with some jammed during peak hour. Other than that, perhaps some weekend shopping and not much long distance driving. I don't travel too much other than flying back to Taiwan and hong kong.
So, is diesel car reliable?

Don't have to envy me, dear - at my age (39, turning 40 next year), I envy people like YOU. Still in their youth, at the peak, at their prime. Every morning, when my back hurts and my joints creak, I envy the young ones hehehe.

Yes, diesel technology has improved a LOT since the clack-clackity days of old. If they offered the 640d for sale in Singapore, I wouldn't have hesitated and I would have bought it in a heartbeat. Too bad, diesel adoption here is so far behind compared to in Malaysia.

One great advantage of a diesel engine is the prodigious amount of TORQUE it produces. To illustrate an example, take the new 6 series. My 640i has 320hp, 450Nm of torque. That's already plenty for everyday driving. The 650i pushes out 407hp and 600Nm of torque. The 640d, while only in possession of 313hp, manages to wring out a mind blowing 630Nm of torque - MORE than the 650i V8 engine!

Torque is great for start stop driving and acceleration. A very simplistic way of thinking about it is that Torque is what you need to get the car off the line at the traffic lights. The more torque you have, the faster the car will leave the traffic lights when they turn green. Horsepower comes in handy when you talk about the top speed and how quickly you get to top speed. But, in real day to day driving, nobody drives at 250km/h, so top speed is useful for boys to brag about, but the Royal Malaysian Police would have you do your bragging behind bars minus your licence...hahaha.

 

[namidub]

Looks like youve narrowed down your choice between e250 and 520d.Audi out of the question.
RM6000 difference can be easily recoverred if you opt for the diesel
As for a tankful of a 520d which cost a little more than RM100 can take you to a Thousand km mark!
That my friend will put up a smile on your face every time u fill up the car.

I am 28 and i envy you at your age have the luxury of choosing an E or a 5er!
As for now i will enjoy my 320d and smile every time i sit behind the wheel AND during refueling..