Beemer Advice Sought

[Spee]

I'm out of my element in this forum, so please bear with me.

Does anyone have any experience with BMW cars in LoS, whether purchasing or service? The new models are prohibitively expensive, but there appear to be some decent used models available. I'm curious if used Beemers in LoS tend to fall into the same category as a lot of other used cars, basically pretty good for the first 6mos to 1yr and then start failing like crazy.

Are they actually made in Thailand, or another SEA country, or actual imports from Germany? Is it possible to get the level of service required for a relatively high end car, or will most mechanics treat it like the uncle's tractor? Is there a BMW club in LoS where I might query for more info?

Although nice products, I don't particularly care for them. They appear to be far too expensive for what you get. Plus I think they would appear a bit too "uppity" out in the country where we are. But my partner has it in her head that she would like one. We're looking at getting a new car next year and a used one might just edge down into the upper end of my price range.

TIA for any advice offered. Feel free to post here or PM.

Cheers.

[Nigelmartin]

I'm out of my element in this forum, so please bear with me.

Does anyone have any experience with BMW cars in LoS, whether purchasing or service? The new models are prohibitively expensive, but there appear to be some decent used models available. I'm curious if used Beemers in LoS tend to fall into the same category as a lot of other used cars, basically pretty good for the first 6mos to 1yr and then start failing like crazy.

Are they actually made in Thailand, or another SEA country, or actual imports from Germany? Is it possible to get the level of service required for a relatively high end car, or will most mechanics treat it like the uncle's tractor? Is there a BMW club in LoS where I might query for more info?

Although nice products, I don't particularly care for them. They appear to be far too expensive for what you get. Plus I think they would appear a bit too "uppity" out in the country where we are. But my partner has it in her head that she would like one. We're looking at getting a new car next year and a used one might just edge down into the upper end of my price range.

TIA for any advice offered. Feel free to post here or PM.

Cheers.

Of course it depends what your budget is!

But you should keep in mind that there is free servicing for 100,000kms. A new 525 is about 4.3mbaht but you can get 6 mnth old for 3mbaht - still a lot of money. I purchased a 6 month old 525SE. I've had the car now just over a year. Faults - the neon side lights didn't work but soon sorted with a new software down load by BMW. Also had some marks on the chrome - replaced under warantee. The service has been first class from BMW. Other than the faults I mentioned the car has really been very good.

[AlexLah]

Well have a look at my car in the I am so happy fred.

Tell your partner she has a great taste when it comes to cars, ha ha ha!

And yes indeed cars are way to expensive here if you wanna buy theimported stuff.

Only the BMW 5 series is assembled in Thailand but still expensive, no idea why but I guess BMW is just saving a lot of money on labour cost.

Also a BMW club is mentioned by a member in the I am so happy fred.

I paid 1.6 Million for mine but non M3 version is about 1.2-1,4 Million.

Go here to have some fun: http://www.thaicar.com/en_index.asp

I bought my car at NK Car (2nd hand cardealer for the higher end cars) and found them very pleasant to deal with.

They have a few very nice Bimmers all with service book and history.

I chose to buy this car instead of a new Accord or Camry, a beamer/beemer/bimmer is a much better ride for sure!

No worry about being a bit uppity as you call it, I went upcountry and got lots of smiles from the girls and Thai guys that were looking at my car and made the thumbs up.

If you wanna have a feel of how a bimmer drives feel free to try out mine, you will not regret it, ha ha.

Kind regards,

Alex

[ArtfulD]

IMHO unless you can afford a newer 5 series or better go for a brand new Camry...other than that your just paying for the name (which is probably what your wife wants)...New Camry beats the BMW 3 series etc hands down...Cheaper and more luxurious....Also looks the mutts nutts.

[rooster80]

New Camry beats the BMW 3 series etc hands down...Cheaper and more luxurious....Also looks the mutts nutts.

Wow, now THAT is a bold claim... Please, explain in what way a Toyota beats a BMW? Handling? 0-60? breaking? road comfort? Cornering? quality of interior? exterior? or safety?

I do agree that for a lot of people it's a better choice here in Thailand. Cars beeing crazy expensive over here. But a toyota Camry is still a toyota. Despite the good looks of the 2007 model, it could would never challenge a BMW in any way.

:-)

[Rdrokit]

Here is my opinion on BMWs in Thailand. They are expensive and if you do not live in a big city forget about dealer repairs. When you look at used BMWs of 6 to 8 years or older many now have Toyota engines in them. Why? Because many owners (not all) can not afford regular service on their BMWs as they are spending so much on their car payments.

[funfun]

"out in the country where we are"

one buys a 4x4 pick up!

[Plus]

Camry is a very comfortable car with lots of space and lots of gadgets to play around. It won't beat 330 or 325 in speed or handling but that's not what people buy them for.

[AlexLah]

BMW dealers all over Thailand and their service people are very qualified.

Here dealer locations for BMW in Thailand

They get regular training and have to pass some very strict examns.

Same for the BMW facilities, they are audited yearly.

[tattoodrob]

"out in the country where we are"

one buys a 4x4 pick up!

i think he should get her a tractor.......wont impress the neighbours but will give em a right good laugh.....imagine the look on her face if you told her you went and bought a brand new powerful vehicle for her to use and she comes home to see a tractor

[hakku]

Since we don't know what you're looking for, but if you think about a 318i of say 3 or 4 years old, you buy them around 1.2 at the dealers, probably with 2 or 3 years free maintenance (excluding tyres) and warranty. Service in BKK is good, spare parts supply no problem also with independent shops. same for the prior model 5 series.

H

[Spee]

Since we don't know what you're looking for, but if you think about a 318i of say 3 or 4 years old, you buy them around 1.2 at the dealers, probably with 2 or 3 years free maintenance (excluding tyres) and warranty. Service in BKK is good, spare parts supply no problem also with independent shops. same for the prior model 5 series.

H

Yeah, cheers, and thanks to Alex for the comments as well.

A new one is out of the question regardless of what my honey says. 3M or 4M for a car is ridiculous, whether in LoS or anywhere else as far as I am concerned. It made me positively ill 5 years ago when I paid more than 20k USD for a new car. Beemer or not, 1.2M or 1.3M is way plenty enough to spend on transportation.

As for youse other wise guys, we already have a truck. It's nice and does the job, on road or off, but it's built for the Thai form factor, not the falang wide body.

[Gary A]

A friend of mine had an old Beemer. It ended up with a Nissan engine and gear box because he couldn't afford to repair the original engine.

[bazmlb]

Here is my opinion on BMWs in Thailand. They are expensive and if you do not live in a big city forget about dealer repairs. When you look at used BMWs of 6 to 8 years or older many now have Toyota engines in them. Why? Because many owners (not all) can not afford regular service on their BMWs as they are spending so much on their car payments.

I find this quiet a bit inaccurate, when i bought mine, e34 520i 91 big nose with 150,000 on the clock it had been maintained a lot better than any nissan or toyota, the majority of the ones i look at still had the original motors in them, i think out of 20 maybe two had nissan/toyota motors in them.

The servicing is quiet good for the e34 as there were so many of them, parts are cheap, i got all 3 tailshaft unis replaced and two new rear axles for 18,000 baht, the car is in great condition and is much better equiped than the cefirros i looked at, most of which had had their motors changed or modified.

The servicing costs are quiet cheap on the e34 I have found and not really any different than any other cars here.

[Plus]

Since we don't know what you're looking for, but if you think about a 318i of say 3 or 4 years old, you buy them around 1.2 at the dealers, probably with 2 or 3 years free maintenance (excluding tyres) and warranty. Service in BKK is good, spare parts supply no problem also with independent shops. same for the prior model 5 series.

Camry or Accord are far superior vehicles comparing to 318 in any respect, except handling. 323 will add being also faster.

318 is real waste of money even comparing to smaller Civic or Corolla, or Ford or Mazda.

[hakku]

Well thats from a transportation point of view. Spee asked opinions about BMW cost and maintenance, so thats what I try to reply to him. Some people see a little more in a car then getting from A to B dry and without pedalling. To everyone it's own, economically I subscribe to your opinion, but emotionally.... no <deleted> way....

Cheers

Hak

[bazmlb]

Personally I would never purchase a front wheel drive vehicle, one of the reasons i like the BM, the handling on the BM is far better than any front wheel drive I have driven, they make cars front wheel drive so they can make them cheap! Thats until you have to repair them.

[ArtfulD]

New Camry beats the BMW 3 series etc hands down...Cheaper and more luxurious....Also looks the mutts nutts.

Wow, now THAT is a bold claim... Please, explain in what way a Toyota beats a BMW? Handling? 0-60? breaking? road comfort? Cornering? quality of interior? exterior? or safety?

I do agree that for a lot of people it's a better choice here in Thailand. Cars beeing crazy expensive over here. But a toyota Camry is still a toyota. Despite the good looks of the 2007 model, it could would never challenge a BMW in any way.

:-)

Heres your problem, your simply looking at the brand name....Ive been in a new BMW 3 series and a new Camry...give me the Camry any day..no I didnt read statistics on 0-60 etc, I was suitably UN-impressed with the BMW interior, especially for the money outlay, exterior both are nice looking cars, both give a smooth ride....Why get a old BMW 3 when you can get a brand new Camry? As I said above, if you can stretch to a 5 series then you are going above and beyond a Camry...Again tho, depends if your just looking for a brand name. Which lets be honest, I doubt his wife is thinking about 0-60, cornering etc etc when she mentions "I want a BMW"....

[Spee]

Here is my opinion on BMWs in Thailand. They are expensive and if you do not live in a big city forget about dealer repairs. When you look at used BMWs of 6 to 8 years or older many now have Toyota engines in them. Why? Because many owners (not all) can not afford regular service on their BMWs as they are spending so much on their car payments.

I find this quiet a bit inaccurate, when i bought mine, e34 520i 91 big nose with 150,000 on the clock it had been maintained a lot better than any nissan or toyota, the majority of the ones i look at still had the original motors in them, i think out of 20 maybe two had nissan/toyota motors in them.

The servicing is quiet good for the e34 as there were so many of them, parts are cheap, i got all 3 tailshaft unis replaced and two new rear axles for 18,000 baht, the car is in great condition and is much better equiped than the cefirros i looked at, most of which had had their motors changed or modified.

The servicing costs are quiet cheap on the e34 I have found and not really any different than any other cars here.

This is my biggest concern with buying any used car, but especially in LoS. Im worried that all of the OEM kit like engine block, electronics, suspension, brake discs, etc., could have been stripped out and sold off somewhere else, and replaced with substandard, higher maintenance components. Picking out some of the big stuff like the engine should be relatively straightforward. But more important stuff like brakes, shocks, and drivetrain are not as easily checked.

With respect to the BMW's, maybe that is unnecessary paranoia given what Alex and others have said about the quality of dealers and maintenance care available. From the map that Alex provided, it appears there is now a BMW dealership in Phetchabun city. I can always swing by there the next time I'm in country and see what they have to offer in terms of quality used cars and service.

Thanks again for all the replies to my OP. It's been enlightening.

[Maigo6]

An old BMW or a New Camry for the same price............I'd go for The Camry.

I had a 7 Series in the UK once , when it was running good it was great, when the repairs needed doing it was very expensive!

18 years ago I was paying 28 Pounds 50 Pence + VAT per hour for Labour only at The BMW Dealership in Royal Tunbridge Wells. !!

That was a lot of money then, hate to think what it is now though...lol

Now I have a Toyota, BMW are great cars, but expensive to own and in Thailand really expensive to buy.

Toyota makes sense.

[Gary A]

Years ago I was working for a Thai company. My boss drove a BMW. I wasn't impressed with the car. The company driver drove a Honda CRV. I liked that vehicle better, My boss then traded the BMW for a Mercedes. I still liked the Honda. I never drove any of them so I can't comment on the driveability, BUT, I can comment on the comfort. Quite frankly, I don't understand why anyone would pay the big baht for a BMW or a Mercedes.

[madjbs]

Comparing a Camry with a 3 Series is silly, they are completely different types of car for people with different needs. Compare a Camry with a 5 or 7 series.

[AlexLah]

OP just do a test drive of a camry and a 3 series BM and tell uss what you think, feel.

[MrSnrang]

A friend of mine had an old Beemer. It ended up with a Nissan engine and gear box because he couldn't afford to repair the original engine.

Yeah, the neighbor spent around 200k getting the gearbox on his 5 series fixed.

A Toyota 2JZ Twin-turbo and respectable transmission would cost a fraction of that, and probably have much more grunt.

[junkofdavid2]

[when i bought mine, e34 520i 91 big nose with 150,000 on the clock it had been maintained a lot better than any nissan or toyota, the majority of the ones i look at still had the original motors in them, i think out of 20 maybe two had nissan/toyota motors in them.

The servicing is quiet good for the e34 as there were so many of them, parts are cheap,

Where do you have the good servicing done in Bangkok for BMW 5 series 91?

Where in Bangkok do you buy cheap parts ?

I'm thinking of buying one for myself...

[Maigo6]

But a toyota Camry is still a toyota.

Lexus is also a Toyota.

[Plus]

I won't argue that 3 series offers a more exciting driving experience. 318, however, won't even keep up with new pickup trucks, it has far less power, and especially torque, for the same weight.

New Camry is just a class above it in all respects (minus cornering).

Now, 323, and especially 330 that Alex just bought, are a different story.

There's still one important point - spirited driving with manual transmission is not what most people want from their rides. If you spend two hours a day in Bangkok traffic, comfort and luxury are far more useful. And in Camry you DO feel pampered in every way, but it's definetely not designed for racing on public roads. You can do up- and downshifts manually with their new five speed autobox, btw, not that you'd ever need it, it has plenty of overtaking power by Thai standards.

[Jalla]

I guess taste can always be discussed to death, but there will always be fans of different type of cars. Some like it as a hobby/interest and some as means of transportation. For us fans, we have a club in Thailand http://www.bmwsociety.com which unfortunately is in thai only. But some of the posts in the forum is in english, making it easier for us non thai readers to understand.

When it comes to buying a 2nd hand BMW`s, you would need to know what to look for regarding maintenance history etc. I have found that most 2nd hand BMW`s are taken well care of by previous owner due to the fairly high purchase and 2nd hand resell value.

Buying a new BMW now gives you a 5year/100k Km BSI; Meaning that there are no costs for service exept for tires.

When it comes to Camry`s, yes it`s a nice looking car but for me it`s an airport "limousine" which is seen all over the eastern seaboard...

Oh, i forgot. http://www.one2car.com/CarInfor/carmodel.a...%C3%D0%E0%C0%B7

Most garages advertise on this website.

[bazmlb]

[when i bought mine, e34 520i 91 big nose with 150,000 on the clock it had been maintained a lot better than any nissan or toyota, the majority of the ones i look at still had the original motors in them, i think out of 20 maybe two had nissan/toyota motors in them.

The servicing is quiet good for the e34 as there were so many of them, parts are cheap,

Where do you have the good servicing done in Bangkok for BMW 5 series 91?

Where in Bangkok do you buy cheap parts ?

I'm thinking of buying one for myself...

I am in Pattaya and use OOD service on the corner of Pattaya tai and Sukhumvit, but there is a good BM place in Ekamai 21 in bangkok

There is also a good BM place in Chonburi Nelson Auto house?

[Jalla]

[when i bought mine, e34 520i 91 big nose with 150,000 on the clock it had been maintained a lot better than any nissan or toyota, the majority of the ones i look at still had the original motors in them, i think out of 20 maybe two had nissan/toyota motors in them.

The servicing is quiet good for the e34 as there were so many of them, parts are cheap,

Where do you have the good servicing done in Bangkok for BMW 5 series 91?

Where in Bangkok do you buy cheap parts ?

I'm thinking of buying one for myself...

I am in Pattaya and use OOD service on the corner of Pattaya tai and Sukhumvit, but there is a good BM place in Ekamai 21 in bangkok

There is also a good BM place in Chonburi Nelson Auto house?

Corect bazmlb ,located on the Sukhumvit road just before Tesco/Lotus in Chonburi. Bought my new car there. The manager is american, so you don`t have to worry about language issues.

When i had my E34 525i, i used the BMW garage(not official) on Sukhumvit a few hundred meters after BKK Pattaya Hospital. Pass the large tireshop and turn left just under the raised walkway. The owner used to work as a workshop manager at Nelson Autohaus in Chonburi, and knows what there is to know about BMW`s.

By the way, the tireshop mentioned is run by a very nice thai by the name "Name". Good service and equal pricing for thai/farang.