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Message: <blockquote data-quote="funfer_fahrer" data-source="post: 328773" data-attributes="member: 2733">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. Business is expected to be slow in 2009.  Why must you part with your car?  Is it started to give problems?  Scared of resale value?  A BMW can last up to more than 10 years if maintained properly.  Japs car lifespan is rather short.     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. If you want to settle with GS350, you might as well settle with 2.4 Camry.  Passenger comfort is better than than E60.  Trust me.  After all, what's so special about the GS350?  If you really like Lexus, buy a "proper" Lexus such as the GS450h.  It is voted as the winner for Australia's Best Cars under Best Luxury Car segment.  I am sure you are aware of this.  Don't let the numbers scare you.  The engine is also 3.5L, plus it is also a hybrid.  THAT is something special.  As of today, no other German car maker manage to come close.  And, this car is coming to town.    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? Come on man, you are not scared to buy an E60 but you are scared to buy a Lexus?  It is one of the most reliable cars on this planet. 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? If you really like the Lexus, go to Mutiara Damansara.  NAZA is not in my good book. 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. As far as I can see, you only have to two options.  You either keep the E60 if is not giving problems.  Or, you buy your dream GS350 while maintaining your E60.  Now is a good time to buy cars when there's a lot of desperados car dealers out there but not a good time to sell your E60.  If I were you, I just hang on to my E60 for a while then, I go straight for GS450h probably in two or three years' time. 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. Bro, buying cars is about losing money.  You can never untung.  The big question is are you willing to lose money in this current economic situation? Or, are you willing to lose money when the economy is better?  That's why people often ask the question "what's your budget?" meaning, how much money are you willing to throw away? 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. At 120,000 in terms of BMW standards, the car is still considered "young".  For the same mileage, a Japanese car can be considered as an artifact for Tokyo Museum. Shes been treated like a pricess but who knows, she might be a temperamental princess. I sure hope i dont find out. BMW is always temperamental and unpredictable.  Well, it has to be this way.  Otherwise, don't call it a BMW.  After 3 years, I am sure you are already used to it.   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. Yup, it is indeed classier provided you buy the GS450h.  If you buy the GS350, you might as well settle with a brand new Camry.  What's wrong with a Camry anyway? A BMW is always a BMW it seems. You can say that again.  Anyhow, any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for any feedback and input! It's OK if you don't want to listen to my advice.  Just my 2 cents.</blockquote>

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