Is driving BMW worth it?

[richard_smith237]

21 minutes ago, placeholder said:

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 benefits that less expensive autos don't. 

I call it the ‘fine food poop’ argument....  

 

'What’s the point in eating fine food?, you only poop it out afterwards’......   ‘

What’s the point in getting a high end watch?, you can use your phone to tell the time’... ‘

What’s the point in getting a higher end car? any car will take you from A-B’... etc etc...

 

All of these arguments presented by the same type of character who is simply lacking in the most basic of understanding that other people enjoy different things. 

 

 

Edited April 13, 2023 by richard_smith237

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, placeholder said:

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. 

 

safety is a good measure when bying a new car, and safety cost money. German cars used to have higher safety standards, and for each brand, the more safety built in, the more expensive. should be a valid point in Thailand? 

[placeholder]

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

safety is a good measure when bying a new car, and safety cost money. German cars used to have higher safety standards, and for each brand, the more safety built in, the more expensive. should be a valid point in Thailand? 

Well, it should be a valid point anywhere. Why especially Thailand. Are the accident rates for autos and light trucks, as opposed to 2 wheeled vehiicles, signifcantly higher than in developed nations. I'm not saying that they aren't but when Thailand is criticized for its high vehicular mortality, I've never seen motorcycles and motorbikes accounted for in those statistics.

[Hummin]

On 4/11/2023 at 2:04 PM, 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

If Im lived in BKK, I would not buy a pick up right? And if I was mainly using my car on long distance driving, and no need for more space than two suitcases, I would choose a proper comfortable car with high safety standards. But if my main purpose was to go shopping only, I would choose another car. Same for motorbikes. 

 

In both cases my foundings decides what I can afford to buy. 

[Seeall]

On 4/9/2023 at 11:45 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

If you can afford it, yes.

When I was young, I had a couple of BMWs. They were fun and all that.

Recently I rented in Europe a brand-new BMW 320. Wow, nice! They are fantastic cars.

But in Thailand they cost a lot of money. And if you have a nice car then you don't want that Somchai from the garage work on them. So you go to the BMW dealer and get all the BMW parts and all the BMW prices. That can add up, a lot.

Personally, I don't own a car in Thailand because for me in the middle of the city is just doesn't make any sense. And if I would buy a car here in Thailand, I wouldn't buy a BMW because what you said above: It cost probably 3 times as much than a Japanese car - and not just the purchasing price. 

well, I dont know about the rest of thailand but not one single dealer so far has failed to show appalling service to my friends and myself.  Cars, scooters ALL in Phuket.

Cant rebuild an engine when given all the parts.  Make radiator leak when working on cooling system (so had to sebnd car to BKK) Cant fix front end knocking noise, head mech test dove 3 times, keep changing irrelevant parts for which of course I have to pay then the boy at the tire shop changes a part in 30 min and 200 thb later done.  I like receipts for all my vehciles as buying farangs of course love dealer history.  But I have yet to see one single name dealer do a decent job, seems its oppisote to the west here, with the staff at dealerships hopless, they look at me funy when I suggest write on the bin the km and how many untill the next service...  put in wrong oil.. the list is endless...

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

safety is a good measure when bying a new car, and safety cost money. German cars used to have higher safety standards, and for each brand, the more safety built in, the more expensive. should be a valid point in Thailand? 

Brand perception definitely goes a long way.

 

I had this discussion with a Thai friend recently (he has an Audi A6 and before that a Merc), I asked him why, his argument was that German Cars use better steel, the ‘body work’ was thicker steel and better in a crash. 

He showed no understanding of crumple design from the main structure etc and was basing his ‘justification’ that German cars are safer on he understanding that the metal used on on the body work provides better protection. 

... his perception of the brand influenced his choice, as it does for many of us and is one of the reasons many who do so choose Volvo when they solely consider safety. 

 

I don't think the price difference between The European brands (Merc / BMW / Audi / Volvo) is a measure of the ‘safety’ - Japanese cars are now as safe, difference is negligible at best. 

 

One thing I know for sure - The cabin of the above mentioned brands (Merc / BMW / Audi / Volvo) is a nicer place to be than any Japanese car I sit in, that doesn't mean the Japanese cars are uncomfortable by any means. Mazda do a very good job with their interiors, but it’s almost as if they copy BMW and with that they are always a few years behind. 

 

Eye of the beholder of course - Some bright spark is bound to pipe up with how they prefer the interior of their Toyota Vios to the Mercedes CLS AMG which has to much lighting and makes them feel nauseous (or some such similar silly response).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tuvoc]

In my opinion, stick to your Toyota.

 

In the UK I had two BMWs. One I kept for 13 years and the other for 8 years. So I have a reasonable idea of long term ownership costs. Absolutely horrendous. Servicing and repair costs are eyewatering. You need to have incredibly deep pockets or simply don't care. And where it made sense to do so, I used OEM parts and BMW specialists rather than BMW dealers. Had I used BMW dealers exclusively it would have been far worse. 

 

Buy one brand new and keep it for no more than 80,000km and then get rid of it for the next person to take the pain - that would be my advice, but each to their own.

[spongeworthy]

Worth driving? Yes.

 

Worth owning? No.

 

BMW and Benz are cars to be leased, as after the warranty period ends, the inevitable maintenance and repairs will end up costing you more than the car is worth. Lease one for a couple of years if the deals here make sense and hand over the keys when the lease is up and you've likely gotten the thrill of owning a slow Thai BMW out of your system.

 

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the 2.0 BMWs they sell here as I don't see the point. If I want a fun and fast car, a 2.0 really isn't doing it for me (do the Thai BMWs play vroom vroom noises over the audio system like they started doing back west?). If I'm looking for a luxurious ride, Mercedes is light years ahead of BMW.

Edited April 15, 2023 by spongeworthy