to buy or not to buy

[syahril]

hafidz...

i'm not a bmw pro but this is my personnel experience.. last time i drove an E39 525i from KL to Pasir Gudang (damn nice)... the ride was smooth but there's a body role.. quite strong also... so i won't take a high speed turning.. i don't feel that on an E46.. maybe a bit.. (not at all with my SIR 4 eheheh) ...both of this car are using oiginal absorber and spring.. maybe because of diff year model.. the newer the better i guess...

what i'm trying to say actually is i don't know anything about BMW.. i just drive them something... but that's only when my boss is tired to drive or he need to make a call.... ehehehe...

 

[beemaro]

With the ever increasing fuel price and toll roads almost eveywhere coupled with high parking fees in many establishments, the cost to own a car today is much higher than it is 7-10 yrs ago.

Let me do a rough calculation of how much cash flow required for a car today

Instalment say $1,200
Gas/Tol/Parking$700
Rtax $50
Ins $100
Average repairs$200
_______
$2,250 at the minimum

And this is not the real figure if depreciation is higher than the instalment of yr car.

 

[duck]

I'd like to make some changes to thte above calculation:

For an e36 325's roadtax + insurance is 2k - so monthly RM 167

The instalment should not be more than RM 700 if you go for 7 years loan with
CIMB @ 5% interest rate (lowest monthly commitment to installment if you plan to take the car out by paying a few hundred only). Pay more downpayment, lower installment.

And yes, i think your Gas/Tol/Parking should be around that figure if you just drive to work and home. Those who run about more will have to pay more.

Haha... really can't say on repairs because it depends but if you put aside RM4k at anyone time, you should save?? Each service is around 10,000km which cost about RM550. Lets take 3 months once.


Installment - 700
Gas/Toll/Parking - 700
Rtax & Insurance - 167
Repairs - 183
___________________

Total: RM 1,750 / month.

Don't forget you have to set aside around 4k for your gearbox in case if it goes. Other maintenance should be done and paid for fully when you buy the car. Maybe 3-5k.

I don't own a BMW 'yet' because of the above calculations. Not planning to go into credit card debts, personal loans, etc because of my car. If you love your car, you should have some cash set aside for it.

If you drive a BMW, but have to cut your makan budget, no savings, going into debts, then time to maintain... you put in the lousiest parts because you can't afford, plus also using second hand tyres (remember your tyres will not come cheap too!) and can't even afford to buy better clothes to go to work... Sigh..

So, think for yourself if you can afford it... why not? I've driven an e30 and i think its fantastic. Too bad, i just can't afford an e36 325. But i will not recommend Proton though.

my 2 cents...

 

[theCROW]

wah 700 for petrol,parking, toll?
where do u guys live/work lah?
lucky me
toll -70 a mth
parking -free
petrol -dunno but my 1.3 iswara just 300 a mth and i travel 102km everyday with max speed 100kmh.

 

[syahril]

this is from mr lionel_koh (an E36 325 owner)


Not really but u must make sure all hoses and ur radiator is in good condition .....

another thing is u need to change ur engine oil frequently ....dont change it every 20k km ....best change every 5-10k km ......it will prevent the overheat problem .....

actually every car is same .......overheat problem will happen to every car if the hoses are leaking and the radiaotor is kong ....make sure u look for good condition 2nd e36 325........Dont rush ....take ur time ...

 

[rezzy3181]

u're talking about woman or car here ??? ehehehehe....

Dai of course cars lah nak kena tembak talk about wife here.

 

[syahril]

Dai of course cars lah nak kena tembak talk about wife here.

heheh.. mane tau...

 

[syahril]

after reading this.. suddenly i takut nak pakai E36 328i

Quote:
Originally Posted by duck
4k is my nett salary. Single, rent my own place. But no way i can buy the car cash though. Paying for the loan and the first repair of 4-6k would not be a problem. But i realise its the long term maintenance, unless i park the car at home and use it as a weekend car.

I just had a look at the e36 spare parts thread. some repairs comes up to 6k plus every now and then. (cannot imagine paying out 12k in 3 months) Given the fact that i travel with the car quite a bit, surely the parts will need replacement frequently too.

Thanks for the advice. I shall wait til i make more money!


Duck,

I think that is a wise decision.

Basic wear n tear after buying the car ~ RM5k - 15k, to get the car into shape
Fuel ~ RM1k /mth
Minor repairs ~ RM500 /2-3 mth
Major repairs ~ RM1k - 5k / 6-12 mth
Tires ~ RM300 - RM2k /piece/10-18 mth

Unless you LOVE the car, you will end up selling it very soon, like some of us here.

Good luck in your career. Here's wishing you make lots of money and get a car of your choice soon.

Cheers.
__________________
Yoko Advan Neova AD07 rocks! 0.94 g on the skid plate.

Convoy to Fraser's Hill Unofficial Photos

 

[theCROW]

i saw a few posts from owners saying bmw is just their wkend car. Cari mkn car mostly is kelisa

 

[syahril]

yess... what a waste of money... u buy something expansive and keep it under the and drive something which ppl in this club said a great waste of money to get... some ppl here really comdamming mlaysian car and japs car but instead they are driving one everyday (more frequantly) and use their so called ultimate driving machine for weekend !!!! maybe like 2 or 3 hours per week.. how pathetic can they be ???

maybe they hung their cars on the wall and frammed it up during the weekdays and tell everybody else how wonderfull it is to own a BMW....

 

[syahril]

currently i'm driving a honda SIR 4 and use it everyday and still tell ppl how wonderfull my car is... GO GO NIPPON !!!

 

[theCROW]

dude
tis is just my opinion
actually bmw is just another car that tom, harry and dick can afford to buy
unfortunately not in msia sigh
here ali, muthu & ahcong's bmw kena double standard oredy
govt. super tax this car or any imported car like crazy man
and all that just to save our own local car from dying
..from our hard earned money

for me it is simple
my own blood, sweat and tears money
i will buy my own choice of car!

 

[duck]

Like i said in the other thread. You exchange car with you gf/wife if they travel lesser in the week. THen you go use whatever car that they're driving lar... be it a kelisa or jap car. but if Proton, then better ask them to change car too!

I once asked a friend who drives a 5 year old Perdana v6(supposingly the best Proton). He told me to go for a Jap car or Conti. His mother's 16 year old Civic is as good as his 5 year old Perdana. See how far proton is? I dont give a damn if Proton kaput, they deserve to kaput after sucking our money for so many years. By the way, Perdana's body was in place since the 90s and after more than 10 years its still in the same shape wiht facelifts. Other car makers has already evolved their cars one or two times already.

Purchasing the e36 is affordable. But must also see if your pocket can afford the maintenance of it. Instead of going for a 328, maybe you can look at a 325 or 318 instead. And i think the manual 318 shouldn't be under-powered like the 318(A) as suggested by some. Manual 318 also means your gear box can last longer. Just bare with the traffic jam only lor.

 

[Schwepps]

yess... what a waste of money... u buy something expansive and keep it under the and drive something which ppl in this club said a great waste of money to get... some ppl here really comdamming mlaysian car and japs car but instead they are driving one everyday (more frequantly) and use their so called ultimate driving machine for weekend !!!! maybe like 2 or 3 hours per week.. how pathetic can they be ???

maybe they hung their cars on the wall and frammed it up during the weekdays and tell everybody else how wonderfull it is to own a BMW....

Hey Syahril, a lot of forumers have taken the time and trouble to give you their advice and opinions. Don't return the favour by slandering them just because you're frustrated that you can't make up your mind.

A BMW is a German luxury car. Focus on those two words: German + luxury. It will not be cheaper to own than a Jap or Malaysian car. BMWers tend to be daring, risk taking people who don't want to own a 'normal' car. You can't want something nice but be kiasu about it too. By now, we have told you all the pros and cons. Only you can know your own situation and appetite for risk.

It boils down to this: if you "nak tapi takut jugak", then it's best that you keep your Honda or get a new Jap or Malaysian. BMW is not for you now. You can always think about it again when you earn more.

 

[darkburst]

"It boils down to this: if you "nak tapi takut jugak", then it's best that you keep your Honda or get a new Jap or Malaysian. BMW is not for you now. You can always think about it again when you earn more. "

Yup, absolutely agree with Schwepps on the statement as above. For me at this juncture, it's a risk. So, ended up with a new Jap! My promise to myself that is everyday pounding on every beat of my heart that, within 3 years, I will ensure that I will own a nice bimmer!

Cheers guys !

 

[Schwepps]

Darkburst, you'll get there when the time is right, believe me

In my early days, I was like you, but being devil may care I took the risk with a used 2002Tii. Never regretted it because all I cared about then were fast cars and faster women. If your situation is not like that, wait for the right situation to come. Then owning a BMW will be all that it's made out to be....just wonderful

 

[E36Turbo]

Yo Brother Syahril...after reading all the comments and advises..
Why don't u try to get a E36 318? ... if u feel bored... hee hee ..add-in a Turbo kit??.. (",) ... road tax cheap..can boost up to 150-160hp on wheels...

 

[eddiefiola]

syahril syahril, u asked about opinion, we gave opinion lah. if u cannot terima, sori lah. one more thing, sape kutuk kereta msia??? aku terang terang kan dah cakap, drive waja lagi sedap drp e46. tak paham lagi ke...... waja i mean is proton waja lah. bukan ford waja or toyota waja or honda waja. but drive e39 lagi sedap drp waja lah......

semalam aku test drive satria neo, pehh, lagi sedap drp waja. dia punya steering feel sama mcm e39, audi a4 b7 n e90/e60.

kan aku dah cakap, e46 kalau rm10 pon aku tak beli. tentang bmw, if kau ada duit, buy e39. if kurang duit, buy e34. if byk sgt duit, buy bentley or pagani zonda. if suka tanya aje but tak berduit, pakai aje honda kau tu. honda pun sedap gak. so, aku kat sini terang2 kutuk e46........

if ada duit lebih sikit, buy e90 or e60. but aku tak suka e90/e60 coz diorang takde coolant temperature gauge, takde engine dipstick n takde space for spare tire utk e90.

 

[initialM]

Wei doc katne ko test satria neo tu? 1.3 or 1.6? auto or manual?

 

[darkburst]

Darkburst, you'll get there when the time is right, believe me

In my early days, I was like you, but being devil may care I took the risk with a used 2002Tii. Never regretted it because all I cared about then were fast cars and faster women. If your situation is not like that, wait for the right situation to come. Then owning a BMW will be all that it's made out to be....just wonderful

heheh... indeed it goes back to yourself, ur own self-esteem and proud of yourself will make a great and ultimate pleasure of your own ...

hehhe..faster women....so do me...so far so good so what? hehhe....i trust .. will get there ... when the right times will come ..

cheers guys !