Is driving BMW worth it?

[richard_smith237]

7 hours ago, pedro01 said:

Some people are just car people.

This...   and those who aren’t car people just don't get it and make comments like this (below) and feel the urge to invade car forums with their lack of understanding and projection. 

 

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Depends if you're looking for status, many people yearn for it

Its the same when people talk about watches... and we have the genius who always pops their head out of the sand and states “I can tell the time on my phone”... or “the girls in the bar only care about your wallet” etc etc...

 

 

The reality is, if you like something, can afford it and enjoy it - get it. 

 

I used to have expensive cars in Thailand... now that I’m married with a family I can no longer justify the expense as I’m no longer what I’d consider to be a ‘car person’.... I’m just a comfortable A-B person and thats a very different species... But I used to be a ‘car person’ and can understand how and why some want a nice BMW.

 

I don't pass judgement on those who like nice things, I only pass judgement on those who pass judgement on those who like nice things !!!???? 

 

 

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

I had a couple of BMW 3 series back in the day. Fun cars to drive. Pricey service and spare parts.

 

If you enjoy driving and can afford it, go for it!

[Hummin]

Just now, OneMoreFarang said:

Same specs is relative.

Same specs like the same amount of power? Or engine size?

How about weight, suspension, and many more details?

When I bought my first new BMW, I also tried a Toyota Supra. IMHO the Supra gave me the impression of less quality and not so good control.

I am sure different people have different opinions. I tried different cars, but I was never the expert.

If I would buy now a car to have fun, independent of the price (within reason), I would buy a BMW. And if I would want to buy a comfortable car, I would also buy a BMW - another model.

I drove a Mercedes 500 some time ago for maybe 3 months. Nice. But different from a BMW. I like the BMW more.

I guess it all depends on our personal experience. And if we like something and have good experience, then we want more of the same - if we can afford it. 

I had a few new BMW and Mercedes rental cars, and hands down in the same price categories Mercedes anytime, but For me in Thailand, I would rather save 4 million for other things, and buy a decent Japanese. How is Subaru priced in Thailand?

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

This...   and those who aren’t car people just don't get it and make comments like this (below) and feel the urge to invade car forums with their lack of understanding and projection. 

 

Its the same when people talk about watches... and we have the genius who always pops their head out of the sand and states “I can tell the time on my phone”... or “the girls in the bar only care about your wallet” etc etc...

 

 

The reality is, if you like something, can afford it and enjoy it - get it. 

 

I used to have expensive cars in Thailand... now that I’m married with a family I can no longer justify the expense as I’m no longer what I’d consider to be a ‘car person’.... I’m just a comfortable A-B person and thats a very different species... But I used to be a ‘car person’ and can understand how and why some want a nice BMW.

 

I don't pass judgement on those who like nice things, I only pass judgement on those who pass judgement on those who like nice things !!!???? 

 

 

 

The main problem with cars and motorbikes, is service and parts when it comes to brands who are not produced in Thailand, especially when not living in BKK. 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The main problem with cars and motorbikes, is service and parts when it comes to brands who are not produced in Thailand, especially when not living in BKK. 

That depends if buying new or second hand - Most have a 5 year warranty.

 

Outside of Bangkok in the quieter areas the convenience of servicing my be an issue of course.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

15 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I had a few new BMW and Mercedes rental cars, and hands down in the same price categories Mercedes anytime, but For me in Thailand, I would rather save 4 million for other things, and buy a decent Japanese. How is Subaru priced in Thailand?

The issue is a very poor network with some dealers... i.e. Alfa, Audi, Subaru etc... 

Tesla look attractive, but again, the service network looks ‘awkward’. 

 

Thus, with a Subaru - I wouldn’t be so worried about the pricing as the easy of getting service and spare parts etc... meanwhile with Merc and BMW there are loads of dealerships around the main towns and cities. 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

24 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

i don't pass judgement on those who like nice things, I only pass judgement on those who pass judgement on those who like nice things !!!???? 

As long as you're honest with yourself, many people say it's because it's "fun" or bigger than blah blah etc, but really it's status they want so much, you know, trying to impress people, sad really

[Hummin]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

As long as you're honest with yourself, many people say it's because it's "fun" or bigger than blah blah etc, but really it's status they want so much, you know, trying to impress people, sad really

What makes you state such an insult?

[scubascuba3]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What makes you state such an insult?

you know nothing about people wanting status? and buying things because of it?

[macahoom]

14 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

As long as you're honest with yourself, many people say it's because it's "fun" or bigger than blah blah etc, but really it's status they want so much, you know, trying to impress people, sad really

What a ridiculous thing to say!

 

So if I'm on the last stretch, have a load of money in the bank (more than enough to leave to my surviving half), I should just leave it in the bank and not buy the Porsche that I want which would give me a lot of joy?

 

Nothing to do with status!

 

You've got some strange ideas.

[richard_smith237]

11 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

37 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

i don't pass judgement on those who like nice things, I only pass judgement on those who pass judgement on those who like nice things !!!???? 

As long as you're honest with yourself, many people say it's because it's "fun" or bigger than blah blah etc, but really it's status they want so much, you know, trying to impress people, sad really

That may be so for some... But you have presented a ‘generalised projection’....   is impressing others the only reason you can understand others may make such a purchase, ergo, you project this on anyone making such a purchase ????

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

15 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What makes you state such an insult?

you know nothing about people wanting status? and buying things because of it?

Your implication is that you do and that everyone has the same reasons. 

 

There are a multitude of reasons people buy what they want....  Comments such as yours only highlight that you do not understand this and your comments are an attempt to ‘box-up’ the reasons into a package that projects your flawed outlook. 

[scubascuba3]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

That may be so for some... But you have presented a ‘generalised projection’....   is impressing others the only reason you can understand others may make such a purchase, ergo, you project this on anyone making such a purchase ????

 

 

 

 

 

so it doesn't happen? status doesn't come into it? of course it doesn't mean it applies to every purchase, that's obvious 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

so it doesn't happen? status doesn't come into it? of course it doesn't mean it applies to every purchase, that's obvious 

OK... so you can understand why the Op would like a nice car then ???... and that reason may have nothing to do with status ???

 

IF so.. thanks for admitting your mistake. 

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Your implication is that you do and that everyone has the same reasons. 

 

There is are a multitude of reasons people buy what they want....  Comments such as yours only highlight that you do not understand this and your comments are an attempt to ‘box-up’ the reasons into a package that projects your flawed outlook. 

Clearly I've hit a nerve with you and Humming, getting very defensive 

[KiChakayan]

I guess I am a boring type. I convert the price of cars from whatever currency in months of income. The last car I bought in Europe was a little Renault Modus, which set me back on month. When I came to Thailand I tried to impress my wife with a CRV that cost 5 months of my pension. Thought it was totally extravagant. AFAIC BMWs are most probably outstanding pieces of german engineering, but totally out of reach for commoners.

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

you know nothing about people wanting status? and buying things because of it?

I remember first time I drove a Mercedes, suddenly everone turned their head around after me, and I got attention, and I enjoyed it for the moment. Not my car btw, because I never spent much energy on cars, but it was an eyeopener. I was used to attention out of other reasons, however never experienced it before driving a specific car. Im mot saying the same will happen in Thailand now, because they arent a rear view anymore, but I have to agree with several others here, you know when you driving a quality car, and that feels good to, at least for awhile and you get used to it.

 

Same with motorbikes, several in here trying to convince others,  scooters is as good as anything else ????

[digbeth]

all new BMW comes with BSI- their inclusive service for at least 3 years, so you shouldn't have to pay anything and anything that goes wrong should be honored by their warranty. 

 

Luxury car price in Thailand seem to keep their value well, if you sell it within the 3 or 5 years that BSI cover is on, you might take less of a hit from depreciation  and running cost than a Camry or Fortuner, even with the higher initial price

 

How well each dealer handles warranty claim is up to further research, so if that matters to you, look into it... 'European cars' aren't Toyotas, the fact that Lexus Thailand sets their price higher than equivalent BMW or Mercedez is telling something

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Clearly I've hit a nerve with you and Humming, getting very defensive 

???? Good luck with that

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Same with motorbikes, several in here trying to convince others,  scooters is as good as anything else ????

I've enjoyed my scooters more than my bigger bikes incl BMW F800GS, over rated. Even my Click 160 has unnecessary power around Pattaya, anyway that's another thread

[save the frogs]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

As long as you're honest with yourself, many people say it's because it's "fun" or bigger than blah blah etc, but really it's status they want so much, you know, trying to impress people, sad really

I've seen people buy really old models of BMW because that's all they can afford.

Obviously for status.

There's too many cars on the roads for driving to be 'fun'. 

So yes. it's mostly about status, though the status-hungry will not admit it.

But if you got the cash, you gotta buy something. 

 

To me, fun is driving THIS .... on a racetrack ... not in normal streets.

[josephbloggs]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

As long as you're honest with yourself, many people say it's because it's "fun" or bigger than blah blah etc, but really it's status they want so much, you know, trying to impress people, sad really

Spot the bitter guy who can't afford a nice car.

[Isaan sailor]

I had the pleasure of owning/driving five BMW’s in America—from a 1600 in college to a 530 when I retired to Thailand.  Great handling cars and fun to drive.  I bought all of them second hand, and used a local independent BMW specialist repair shop.

That doesn’t seem to exist here.  Plus the prices are sky high—whether you buy new or used.  For me, it doesn’t look good for another BMW in LoS.
But if you can afford a new one, or slightly used—go for it.
 

[tomazbodner]

Do you know how to use turn signals? If yes, BMW is apparently not for you...

 

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've enjoyed my scooters more than my bigger bikes incl BMW F800GS, over rated. Even my Click 160 has unnecessary power around Pattaya, anyway that's another thread

Thats a personal experience and your opinion only, even a few would agree, it is no point to argue against others experiences 

 

[mark5335]

10 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

I had the pleasure of owning/driving five BMW’s in America—from a 1600 in college to a 530 when I retired to Thailand.  Great handling cars and fun to drive.  I bought all of them second hand, and used a local independent BMW specialist repair shop.

That doesn’t seem to exist here.  Plus the prices are sky high—whether you buy new or used.  For me, it doesn’t look good for another BMW in LoS.
But if you can afford a new one, or slightly used—go for it.
 

Indeed. I bought a 2 year old lightly used (Thailand assembled) BMW in BKK last year that still had 3 years BSI warranty left. The cost was 40% less than a brand new model. After the BSI expires, if the service centre at BMW Pattanakan is too expensive to continue with, then there are in fact some local independent repair shops in BKK that specialise in import/German vehicles - such as Thomson Garage on Srinakarin Rd.

[itsari]

18 hours ago, still kicking said:

I guess mine looks cooler than the BMW

Messerschmitt is a cooler name than M40 at least

[Isaan sailor]

14 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

I had the pleasure of owning/driving five BMW’s in America—from a 1600 in college to a 530 when I retired to Thailand.  Great handling cars and fun to drive.  I bought all of them second hand, and used a local independent BMW specialist repair shop.

That doesn’t seem to exist here.  Plus the prices are sky high—whether you buy new or used.  For me, it doesn’t look good for another BMW in LoS.
But if you can afford a new one, or slightly used—go for it.
 

Disclaimer: Although I advised a purchase—if you can afford it—I will also admit I own stock in BMW (not too much, though).

[rimmae2]

On 4/12/2023 at 5:53 AM, mark5335 said:

Indeed. I bought a 2 year old lightly used (Thailand assembled) BMW in BKK last year that still had 3 years BSI warranty left. The cost was 40% less than a brand new model. After the BSI expires, if the service centre at BMW Pattanakan is too expensive to continue with, then there are in fact some local independent repair shops in BKK that specialise in import/German vehicles - such as Thomson Garage on Srinakarin Rd.

KW Services Thonglor Soi 20; another on Rama II.

[placeholder]

On 4/11/2023 at 4:47 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Clearly I've hit a nerve with you and Humming, getting very defensive 

I'm someone who doesn't give a sh*t about what car I drive so long as it gets me from point A to point B provided that the A/C works. But, on the other hand, I don't claim to be a mind reader. To judge by all the websites and magazine that feature automobiles, it's clear there are lots of enthusiasts who love cars and get a thrill out of driving those that offer some features that less expensive autos don't.