Buying a car 2.5m baht budget

[RAZZELL]

I know this is a bit of a "how long is a piece of string type" question....

 

Over the next 3-6 months we are in the process of moving back to Bkk full-time.

 

What suggestions would members have for a Bangkok runaround for up to 2.5m baht?

 

At one time I fancied a big Pajero or Fortuna but they are way too big really for our needs. And clunky old piles of junk 

 

Our needs are thus:

 

There is just the wife and I (and possibly in the near future an addition).

 

The car would be just for down the shops and dropping my wife off to the Airport Link for work...also the occasional run "up country" or a road trips for weekends away.

 

Need a bit of "poke" to get out of trouble but I'm by no means a quick driver.

 

I either fancy a Mercedes C Class (just about get an ex-demo C 250 for about 2.3 or an estate - Mrs might put the block on that as we had one in the UK)

 

Or - a BMW perhaps a 3 year old 3.20 or 3.28 for a 1.5-1.8m. Although, what I am leaning towards is maybe a last generation X3 for about 2.2m?

 

Not too up on BMW's but have read their value drops like a stone once the 5 year BMW warranty is up.

 

What are the "dangers" of buying "grey" imports (fully paid tax)

 

Any thoughts? Which Mercedes or BMW dealers do people suggest?

 

All ideas and links to actual cars gracefully received.

 

http://www.benz-certified.com/

 

https://www.facebook.com/bmwusedcar/

 

RAZZ

Edited March 26, 2018 by RAZZELL

[HampiK]

I prefer the Benz before BMW but this is always depending on the person.

I like the GLA 250 from Benz, which is about in your price range. But this because I like a SUV type car.

 

About the dealer, I would recomment the Benz Dealer at Rama 2 or Rama 4. About BMW I can't give you a good one yet. The one at Rama 4 I was not happy with

 

You only check this 2 brands? What about Honda, Toyota, Mazda and some more. 

[Rdrokit]

I like the new CLA Shooting Brake and it's right in your price range. Beautiful looking car in my opinion which isn't worth much now a days. lol

 

https://www.one2car.com/en/for-sale/mercedes-benz-cla250-amg-shooting-brake-sport-bangkok-metropolitan-srinagarindra-thepharak/4442727

[KhunBENQ]

53 minutes ago, Rdrokit said:

I like the new CLA Shooting Brake

It got really good reviews in German magazines/journals.

 

Edited March 27, 2018 by KhunBENQ

[RAZZELL]

Does it make any difference whether a car is "grey" import?

 

 

RAZZ

[RAZZELL]

Does it make any difference whether a car is "grey" import?

 

 

RAZZ

[RAZZELL]

8 hours ago, Rdrokit said:

I like the new CLA Shooting Brake and it's right in your price range. Beautiful looking car in my opinion which isn't worth much now a days. lol

 

https://www.one2car.com/en/for-sale/mercedes-benz-cla250-amg-shooting-brake-sport-bangkok-metropolitan-srinagarindra-thepharak/4442727

Nice...

 

But direct from Mercedes...

 

http://www.benz-certified.com/vehicle_search/search_result?sub_model_id=516

 

Or...

 

http://www.benz-certified.com/vehicle_search/search_result?sub_model_id=493

 

Or for a couple of hundred grand more...

 

http://www.benz-certified.com/vehicle_search/product/3229

 

RAZZ

 

 

Edited March 27, 2018 by RAZZELL

[Rdrokit]

42 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

 

Or for a couple of hundred grand more...

 

http://www.benz-certified.com/vehicle_search/product/3229

 

RAZZ

 

 

Well driven car as it is a 2018 and has more than 48,000km.

[ExpatOilWorker]

For 2.5 million you can get some VERY nice second hand cars. From a guys point of view I feel the Mercedes C-class and the BMW 3-series are too girly.

 

Check out the Mercedes CLS or the new BMW 5 series (G30) on one2car.

 

If you are an SUV type of guy, have a look at the new Mercedes GLC. They just started producing them in Thailand, so within the new year you will start see a lot on the second hand market.

 

Don't be afraid of buying from a tent, just do your homework, like check the blue book for the true manufacturing date and Google the VIN number. 

[transam]

10 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

For 2.5 million you can get some VERY nice second hand cars. From a guys point of view I feel the Mercedes C-class and the BMW 3-series are too girly.

 

Check out the Mercedes CLS or the new BMW 5 series (G30) on one2car.

 

If you are an SUV type of guy, have a look at the new Mercedes GLC. They just started producing them in Thailand, so within the new year you will start see a lot on the second hand market.

 

Don't be afraid of buying from a tent, just do your homework, like check the blue book for the true manufacturing date and Google the VIN number. 

I had a Merc E-Class 220 diesel auto, brilliant ride...

[Tilacme]

Ford Everest and register it in your name.

[Tilacme]

14 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

For 2.5 million you can get some VERY nice second hand cars. From a guys point of view I feel the Mercedes C-class and the BMW 3-series are too girly.

 

Check out the Mercedes CLS or the new BMW 5 series (G30) on one2car.

 

If you are an SUV type of guy, have a look at the new Mercedes GLC. They just started producing them in Thailand, so within the new year you will start see a lot on the second hand market.

 

Don't be afraid of buying from a tent, just do your homework, like check the blue book for the true manufacturing date and Google the VIN number. 

Mate bought a Pajero from a tent, transpires that the engine number did not match the blue book and the Vin number had the last 3 numbers filed and changed.

[ExpatOilWorker]

24 minutes ago, Tilacme said:

Mate bought a Pajero from a tent, transpires that the engine number did not match the blue book and the Vin number had the last 3 numbers filed and changed.

There are always one rotten apple out there, but in general most tents just clean up the cars and sell them. It is a simple business.

There are so many ways to check and double check the car.

- Blue book is a good start as some cars have been driven years on red plates and the registration date is way off.

- Check the VIN number online.

- For newer cars, less than 30-40,000 km, week/year of the tyres should match the age of the car.

- Open a door panes and check the date stamp of an airbag. It should only be 3-6 month older than the car.

- Some older Mercedes have date stamps in window panels.

- With the right key movements and entering a default password, you can see the date of the software in my BMW.

[RAZZELL]

1 hour ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

For 2.5 million you can get some VERY nice second hand cars. From a guys point of view I feel the Mercedes C-class and the BMW 3-series are too girly.

 

Check out the Mercedes CLS or the new BMW 5 series (G30) on one2car.

 

If you are an SUV type of guy, have a look at the new Mercedes GLC. They just started producing them in Thailand, so within the new year you will start see a lot on the second hand market.

 

Don't be afraid of buying from a tent, just do your homework, like check the blue book for the true manufacturing date and Google the VIN number. 

Cheers.

 

I didn't know they made the GLC in Thailand...are they semi knock down kits?

 

The car will be for the wife and I to drive...but mostly me as she is too lazy...

 

RAZZ

[RAZZELL]

1 hour ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

For 2.5 million you can get some VERY nice second hand cars. From a guys point of view I feel the Mercedes C-class and the BMW 3-series are too girly.

 

Check out the Mercedes CLS or the new BMW 5 series (G30) on one2car.

 

If you are an SUV type of guy, have a look at the new Mercedes GLC. They just started producing them in Thailand, so within the new year you will start see a lot on the second hand market.

 

Don't be afraid of buying from a tent, just do your homework, like check the blue book for the true manufacturing date and Google the VIN number. 

Cheers.

 

I didn't know they made the GLC in Thailand...are they semi knock down kits?

 

The car will be for the wife and I to drive...but mostly me as she is too lazy...

 

RAZZ

[ExpatOilWorker]

1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:

Cheers.

 

I didn't know they made the GLC in Thailand...are they semi knock down kits?

 

The car will be for the wife and I to drive...but mostly me as she is too lazy...

 

RAZZ

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/automobiles/30318284

 

[gamesgplayemail]

I am still wondering why anybody who has enough money to buy new would buy second hand ? Do you really fancy having problems ?

If you can, buy any of the cheapest benz or bmw, they are anyway a lot more fun than any japanese toys made for people who cannot buy better.

 

 

[HampiK]

44 minutes ago, gamesgplayemail said:

I am still wondering why anybody who has enough money to buy new would buy second hand ? Do you really fancy having problems ?

If you can, buy any of the cheapest benz or bmw, they are anyway a lot more fun than any japanese toys made for people who cannot buy better.

 

Can you please tell me why a Benz or BMW is more fun than a Japanese toy?

 

I am asking, because for a Benz the GLA don't have all the systems installed, which are available for example in Europe. To have the most installed what I prefer I have to go to the GLC version, which is only available as diesel.

And the Benz in Thailand is much more expensive than a Japanese or Korean version.

 

For example a Mazda CX-5 has everything (Collision warning, blindspot, even head-up display built in and is about 1-2 million cheaper than the Benz.

I am considering at the moment about a car, but for example the blindspot warning would be very nice (which is not available at the GLA 250)

The biggest issue for me in Thailand is, that almost all cars have their fittings and systems preinstalled and you can not configure your car as you want it to have. Even the imported ones. Except you do a buy outside Thailand and import then the car, which probably would cost a fortune on import tax.

 

[HAKAPALITA]

Why delude yourself. My BMW 5 is not worth the money, and the new Camery and  Accords are not Toys in some departments far better than mine.So why did i buy it.?. Because im old  and can, or leave the money to someone whose lazy, not because its better.!!

[gamesgplayemail]

5 hours ago, HampiK said:

 

Can you please tell me why a Benz or BMW is more fun than a Japanese toy?

 

I am asking, because for a Benz the GLA don't have all the systems installed, which are available for example in Europe. To have the most installed what I prefer I have to go to the GLC version, which is only available as diesel.

And the Benz in Thailand is much more expensive than a Japanese or Korean version.

 

For example a Mazda CX-5 has everything (Collision warning, blindspot, even head-up display built in and is about 1-2 million cheaper than the Benz.

I am considering at the moment about a car, but for example the blindspot warning would be very nice (which is not available at the GLA 250)

The biggest issue for me in Thailand is, that almost all cars have their fittings and systems preinstalled and you can not configure your car as you want it to have. Even the imported ones. Except you do a buy outside Thailand and import then the car, which probably would cost a fortune on import tax.

 

 

The way you speak it is clear that you have never driven a Benz or BMW.

No Japanese car even for 2 millions can compare with the cheapest Benz or BMW.

 

I even checked the top camry and the top accor for 1.7 millions and compared to even the cheapest CLA benz, you feel like driving a truck with a motorbike engine.

 

I understand that not everybody can buy a German car, but people dont pay double price at least of any Japanese car just for a badge. They are clearly better to drive and mine even saved my life few times when having to avoid a box that a shit truck lost on the road. No Camry, Accor or SUV could have allowed to avoid the box and come back to my lane at the speed I was going.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gamesgplayemail]

1 hour ago, HAKAPALITA said:

Why delude yourself. My BMW 5 is not worth the money, and the new Camery and  Accords are not Toys in some departments far better than mine.So why did i buy it.?. Because im old  and can, or leave the money to someone whose lazy, not because its better.!!

 

You must be joking. I do not care electronics and other shit, I would dream that my German car do not have any ! I am just speaking about the driving feeling and safety feeling that you will never find in a Japanese car.

 

 

[Scotssing]

I very much enjoy my GLA 250. It is not too big to use in the city and has plenty of power for long distance travel

 

I had a GLA 200 before which was made in Germany at that time. They have now switched production to Thailand. The 250 which was made in Thailand strangely seems better built and more reliable than the 200. The 200 however was quieter, very quiet and a little smoother over the bumps.

 

I don't think you buy a Mercedes in Thailand for value for money. However for sheer pleasure and a reasonably safe car it makes me happy.

[DavisH]

6 hours ago, HampiK said:

 

Can you please tell me why a Benz or BMW is more fun than a Japanese toy?

 

I am asking, because for a Benz the GLA don't have all the systems installed, which are available for example in Europe. To have the most installed what I prefer I have to go to the GLC version, which is only available as diesel.

And the Benz in Thailand is much more expensive than a Japanese or Korean version.

 

For example a Mazda CX-5 has everything (Collision warning, blindspot, even head-up display built in and is about 1-2 million cheaper than the Benz.

I am considering at the moment about a car, but for example the blindspot warning would be very nice (which is not available at the GLA 250)

The biggest issue for me in Thailand is, that almost all cars have their fittings and systems preinstalled and you can not configure your car as you want it to have. Even the imported ones. Except you do a buy outside Thailand and import then the car, which probably would cost a fortune on import tax.

 

Benz and BMW are only for those who change their cars every few years. They require lots of time and money in the long-run to maintain and look after. They are over-priced (in Thailand) relative to other cars for what you get. Is a 4M baht benz 3 times better than a 1.5M honda accord?

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, HampiK said:

 

Can you please tell me why a Benz or BMW is more fun than a Japanese toy?

 

I am asking, because for a Benz the GLA don't have all the systems installed, which are available for example in Europe. To have the most installed what I prefer I have to go to the GLC version, which is only available as diesel.

And the Benz in Thailand is much more expensive than a Japanese or Korean version.

 

For example a Mazda CX-5 has everything (Collision warning, blindspot, even head-up display built in and is about 1-2 million cheaper than the Benz.

I am considering at the moment about a car, but for example the blindspot warning would be very nice (which is not available at the GLA 250)

The biggest issue for me in Thailand is, that almost all cars have their fittings and systems preinstalled and you can not configure your car as you want it to have. Even the imported ones. Except you do a buy outside Thailand and import then the car, which probably would cost a fortune on import tax.

 

6

I've just switched from a BMW-X5 (F15) to the Mazda CX-5.... Very happy. 

 

The BMW was a great car. 4.6MB new... sold after 3 years for 3MB... Bought the Mazda for 1.75MB figuring in another 3 years I'd lose another 1.6MB on the BMW...  The maths made more sense to sell the BMW. That said, the maths never made any sense to buy it in the first place !!!... 

 

The CX-5 is only missing the badge of a BMW as ultimately the quality inside is very similar and you'd be forgiven for thinking you are in a German car. 

 

I was going for the Everest - but the test drive put me off, it was like driving a truck. The Mazda had me sold on on quality and driving feel... although it could do with a little more grunt when compared to the BMW. 

 

The GLA is a good suggestion... But don't overlook the Japanese cars - some of the top of the range models are now entering premium territory. 

[HAKAPALITA]

Just now, DavisH said:

Benz and BMW are only for those who change their cars every few years. They require lots of time and money in the long-run to maintain and look after. They are over-priced (in Thailand) relative to other cars for what you get. Is a 4M baht benz 3 times better than a 1.5M honda accord?

Well said, I change every 2.5 years. A climate control condenser for an Accord is about 20 K, for a BM5 its about the same price as a new small  Carry truck. 

[HampiK]

13 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

The GLA is a good suggestion... But don't overlook the Japanese cars - some of the top of the range models are now entering premium territory. 

I complete agree with you. From looking the GLA 250 is still far the nicest car I have seen. Also I liked the seats inside which looks great.

But as you say.. the Mazda CX-5 is quite similar and had some nice features for much less price.

 

In the next few days I will go to the Bangkok motor show and check the different cars out. So hopefully I will know afterwards which car I should buy.

I already drove the Mazda CX-5, Benz GLA 250 and Toyota C-HR (I know not exactly all the same type of cars)

[DavisH]

17 minutes ago, HAKAPALITA said:

Well said, I change every 2.5 years. A climate control condenser for an Accord is about 20 K, for a BM5 its about the same price as a new small  Carry truck. 

I'd rather put my money into property/houses (which I don't own really lol), than an overtaxed car. The tax is insane on imported cars (and even those assembled here. The cx-5 is a good choice and much improved on the earlier model. There should be the cx-8 coming this year, which is larger and has a nice second row of seats. 

[DavisH]

1 hour ago, gamesgplayemail said:

 

You must be joking. I do not care electronics and other shit, I would dream that my German car do not have any ! I am just speaking about the driving feeling and safety feeling that you will never find in a Japanese car.

 

 

Go and drive a new accord hybrid and then a benz CLA then come back and tell me how they compare. The CLA seems to ride of Taiwanese struts...."sporty" and not so comfortable....and most imports are less reliable over the long run that Japanese cars. That's a fact. 

[crazykopite]

Why waste so much money on a car especially in Bangkok because come the rainy season it will end up submerged as BKK is renowned for so much flooding hence one of the reason why I would never buy a car with Bangkok number plates a couple of years ago Bangkok was submerged in water so deep even the car manufacturers had to close you would be better off buying an average car and with the savings a small rib boat to use during the floods 

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Why waste so much money on a car especially in Bangkok because come the rainy season it will end up submerged as BKK is renowned for so much flooding hence one of the reason why I would never buy a car with Bangkok number plates a couple of years ago Bangkok was submerged in water so deep even the car manufacturers had to close you would be better off buying an average car and with the savings a small rib boat to use during the floods 

Erm... OK... why buy a car at all when there are Taxi's ???? 

Why eat nice food when street food is so cheap?

Why drink wine when Lao Khao costs pittance?

 

Your point on flooding: In 15 years driving here I've been fortunate not to have been exposed to excessive flooding. My street has had about 10cm on occasions which looks severe, but really the underside of the car is exposed to as much water as driving in heavy rains - Perhaps one of the reasons I prefer SUV's.