Time to give up my 06 525i for a 06 Lexus GS350?

[k3nny]

Hey guys! So now my 06 525i CKD which i bought from AB is coming to 3 years this March and its now at approx 120,000 kms. Ive asked around and the resale value for this car is only around 220k - 250k now if you are lucky. Maybe 10k more if you are selling to an end user as opposed to a dealer. If i were to keep the car, it has to be all the way to 2011 when the new 5 series comes out or the new Lexus GS comes out. (I have taken a liking to Lexus cars of late. Very very quiet and a better compromise for me. Driving my family of 5 to penang in the E60 is quite bumpy and uncomfy in the rear, ive been told) For now, ive got some offers from dealers at around 230k - 240k and im considering letting her go an getting a Jap Spec Lexus GS350 from Naza. My only gripes with the Lexus is that there is no Lexus specialist in KL bar Lexus Mutiara Damansara. What happens if something major with the electronics goes haywire, what with the EMV touchscreen and all? Secondly is that everything is in Japanese. The buttons on the dash that represent Audio, Climate, System etc are all in Japanese but once i press them once and figure out what it does, i dont forsee it to be a problem. But as you do deeper into the system, everything is in Japanese. The system, setting the lights and convenience settings etc are ALL in JAPANESE. Even the display on the instrument cluster displays Japanese. The radio also plays Japanese bands only. Nonetheless, i will work on solving those issues once i actually buy the damn car. Im sure there must be a way around it. But for now, what do you guys think? Keep the E60 525i till 2010 - 2011 when the new 5 series/Lexus GS is out or sell her now and get a Lexus GS to keep me company till 2010 - 2011. Either way, i lose the same amounts. Now at 230k, ive already lost 190k or so from my purchase price of 420k. If i keep till 2011, i expect maybe to lose an additional 80k and sell at 150k which would be a total loss of 270k on this car value. If i change to a Lexus GS now, my loss on the BMW is 190k + the Lexus im buying for 250k which i expect in 2 years i might be able to dispose at 150k - 160k which means a loss of around 100k which brings the total to 290k. Thereabouts similar to keeping the BMW but dont forget, the Lexus has only around 30k kms on it, maintenance is bound to be cheaper, i get 1 year warranty from Naza and i get a new toy to play around with. The BMW is knocking on 120,000kms. If i keep her, i would respray the whole car to touch up any scuffed areas, change the leather and who knows what else would happen to parts like the gearbox or active steering or whatever may fail in higher mileage bmw's. Shes been treated like a pricess but who knows, she might be a temperamental princess. I sure hope i dont find out. The feedback ive gotten is very mixed. Some are pro Lexus as a classier ride, and definitely giving a more upmarket feel and image to people who see it whilst some say that peoples perception of a Lexus is a japanese car no matter what you say. A BMW is always a BMW it seems. Anyhow, any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for any feedback and input!

 

[mikeyew]

I've this to say if you don't mind me saying. To me, Lexus is a 'overprice' Toyota.
Driving a Lexus is like telling everyone, look! I'm rich & I'm different from the crowd and
I already have a merc & bmw in my garrage!

If I were you, I will keep the car until the next 5 arrives.

 

[k3nny]

In all honesty, that WAS my opinion too with Lexus being an overpriced Japanese car.

But nonetheless, some people have mentioned that the Lexus name is more high-end and commands a more "snobbish" view if you must over BMW which is so commonplace now?

My 525i is doing 120,000kms now. If i keep till the next 5, she will be close to 200,000kms at the rate im going. Dont know how to sell man after that.

 

[chookleng]

tat's easy. go temper ur odometer back to 50k after the meter hit 200k later on, haha....in tis world nothing is impossible as long as u got $$$$$$$, LOL

 

[IsaacVky]

I say get the new Audi A6 3.0T

 

[k3nny]

chookleng: As my car is a CKD model that has been maintained by either AB/Sapura all the way, the actual mileage will be reflected in the key upon inspection by any authorized dealer.

As such, i am open to lawsuits from the buyer for tampering with the mileage. Plus thats not how i would choose to sell my car.

IsaacVky: I already have an Audi B7 A4 2.0tFSI. Whilst its a lovely car, i dont think i would enjoy driving its bigger brother everyday.

For now, its either the Lexus GS350 or my current E60 525i to keep me until 2011 when the NEW Lexus GS or New F10 5 series comes out.

Thanks for any input thus far though! Greatly appreciated.

 

[thule]

Well... Lexus is by far the most popular luxury brand in the US. I have to admit that the quality is up to the standard.

To be honest, I have considered getting Lexus GS350 or the 5-Series a few months back... but I chose the latter in the end. Simply because it was such a beautiful beast and overall performance is great... yes, I admit that the suspension is a bit hard but you'd get used to it eventually.

My opinion?? Just wait until the next generation 5-Series (codename F10) roll out and then only decide on which car to choose. After all, whatever car you decide to buy will depreciate its value in time... the ultimate goal is to find the RIDE!! Something that we love to lay our hands on... just like our loved ones... it will be very well worth the money spent on, as long as you love them Let's not forget that the GS might have another facelift, since it's already been out for some time. The new 5-series is entirely a mystery... don't you want to know how it looks like???

 

[chookleng]

k3nny, im just joking around with ya. relax. well if im in ur shoes, i will definetely go for something news which i havent been on taste. no point getting back E60 by 2011 since the marque will still more or less the same (in terms of power) and the only different will be the exterior look from your current E60 ride. "if u get my point". still dude, every each here have own opinion and perception about their dreams ride. just go for the ride you love. or just keep your current E60 and go for Lexus later on so that you can have both ride. no offence please and just my 2cents.

 

[k3nny]

thule: Yea. After some time thinking and asking around, i guess the BMW still suits me better. I spent sometime asking around today and also stopped by ExoticMods and with more thinking, i decided that i will keep the BMW and walked out with a new mod as well for me to tahan until end 2009 - early 2010.

chookleng: None taken.

I think you didnt get what i was trying to say. I will either keep my 5 series until the new 5 series comes out or sell my 5 series now and buy the Lexus GS350 to drive until the new 5 series comes out. Either way, i will buy the new 5 series when it comes out. Its just a matter of what i drive until it comes out.

People seem to think that a Lexus is a japanese car regardless of how luxurious it is and how it feels. It still has a japanese-ey feel to it it seems? I didnt pick up on that when i test drove it but i seem to hear it alot?

Thanks once again for all input!

 

[t2ribena]

thule: Yea. After some time thinking and asking around, i guess the BMW still suits me better. I spent sometime asking around today and also stopped by ExoticMods and with more thinking, i decided that i will keep the BMW and walked out with a new mod as well for me to tahan until end 2009 - early 2010.

chookleng: None taken.

I think you didnt get what i was trying to say. I will either keep my 5 series until the new 5 series comes out or sell my 5 series now and buy the Lexus GS350 to drive until the new 5 series comes out. Either way, i will buy the new 5 series when it comes out. Its just a matter of what i drive until it comes out.

People seem to think that a Lexus is a japanese car regardless of how luxurious it is and how it feels. It still has a japanese-ey feel to it it seems? I didnt pick up on that when i test drove it but i seem to hear it alot?

Thanks once again for all input!

kenny since u decided to keep the car...go for the navi pro retrofit that you have been waiting for so long...

 

[k3nny]

t2ribena: Yea i was at shedden's today thinking again and again but it will cost upward of RM10k man!

WOW. Thats alot of money to know my way around KL. Not to mention it seems the new F10 will be announced or pics will show up sometime mid this year with cars being delivered early next year? I think i can wait 12 - 15 months.

 

[t2ribena]

if u are not using the navi then it makes no sense to pay that price...i did mine coz i travel frequently to places that I am not familiar with the roads. eg Singapore and some states in malang sial...haha

the cheapest kit that u can find should be about 12k to 15k

 

[k3nny]

WOW BRO.

12k - 15k. mati lar bro.

Poor people like me 12k - 15k can feed family long time la brother..

 

[t2ribena]

WOW BRO.

12k - 15k. mati lar bro.

Poor people like me 12k - 15k can feed family long time la brother..

kenny...u are poor??? them i am worst then poor...peasant i would be....

 

[k3nny]

Business manyak teruk skarang bro.

Seriously i think im the poorest E60 driver out there now. I used to tell my friends, i would jump out of the window but my office is on the first floor.

If i jump, kaki patah, very sakit but never die. No point.

If my office is on the 5th floor, i sure jump already!

Business is very very very slow now. This year will be an interesting year.

 

[mikeyew]

Business manyak teruk skarang bro.

Seriously i think im the poorest E60 driver out there now. I used to tell my friends, i would jump out of the window but my office is on the first floor.

If i jump, kaki patah, very sakit but never die. No point.

If my office is on the 5th floor, i sure jump already!

Business is very very very slow now. This year will be an interesting year.

Totally agreed with you. Now is the time to conserve cash, NOT spend them!

 

[t2ribena]

Business manyak teruk skarang bro.

Seriously i think im the poorest E60 driver out there now. I used to tell my friends, i would jump out of the window but my office is on the first floor.

If i jump, kaki patah, very sakit but never die. No point.

If my office is on the 5th floor, i sure jump already!

Business is very very very slow now. This year will be an interesting year.

aiks business not good but thinking about changing car wor...summore not cheap car ler GS350

 

[k3nny]

Cheap..

Hehe.

Serious wan.

The cheapest kit you can find for the NAVI Pro with the force feedback idrive is RM10k?

i wanna i wanna i wanna but aiyo.

mahal lar.

Anyone want to sell second hand?

 

[thule]

perhaps you should wait without upgrading your Navi kit... you have been driving the E60 for so long... and now you decide to sell it when the new F10 comes out... what's the point spending 10-15k for those stuff??? I suggest that you spend your money wisely to do upkeep and maintenance of your E60... so that it can fetch higher $$$ when you decide to sell

Business is slow... I agree with you coz I'm doing business too with those kind of money.. I can pay my house installment for 6 months... lol!!!!

 

[k3nny]

Yea exactly. Im just going to keep her the way she is, maybe add one thing here and there.

Respray her a fresh coat of paint and drive her till the new F10 comes out and trade her in.

I hope the prices are not too exorbitant? Maybe would be better to stay away from the first batch too. Give it a few months first. Haha