Beemer Advice Sought

[bazmlb]

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.

One of the reasons i choose the 520i over the 525i, it was a manual there are very few manual 525i's in the e34, the insurance was a little cheaper being a 2.0l as well, The Zf are an expensive box even in australia to fix, the power is around the same and fuel economy is great in the 520i, Plenty of power in the 520i too with the manual, even driving around bangkok the torque means little gear changing, something the jap cars dont have much of.

[rixalex]

If the difference in cost between a new Camry and a BM was not that great, as is the case in Europe, i would say the decision was more difficult, but in Thailand there's no way you can reasonably justify all the extra expense, unless you are rich to the point that you don't care about wasting money. If that's the case, you're lucky people!

As far as the Camry being an airport limousine is concerned, across much of Europe Benzs are used for this purpose. Indeed, even at Bangkok airport i have made use of their E Class limousine taxis. I wouldn't say this puts people off buying Benz.

[Plus]

...being a 2.0l as well... Plenty of power in the 520i too with the manual, even driving around bangkok the torque means little gear changing, something the jap cars dont have much of.

Are you saying that old 5 series is available with 2l engine??? Jeez, what kind of "driving experience" is that?

Even the latest 2l engine produces only 150 hp and 180 nm torque - less than ANY pickup truck, less that Honda Civic, less than either Camry or Accord (about 220 nm and 165-170 hp).

Fans are fans, even Nissan NV has a fan club, doesn't make it any better.

[AlexLah]

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.

Hi Jalla,

I reckon you are a member of the BMW club.

Could you eloborate a bit on what kind of activities are being organised and how the general atmosphere is during meetings?

Specially when so litlle number of foreigners are members (I guess) and my Thai is pretty bad.

If you want you can PM.

Just would love to meet some other Bimmer owners and share the passion that we have and have a great time.

Kind regards,

Alex

[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.

Hi Jalla,

I reckon you are a member of the BMW club.

Could you eloborate a bit on what kind of activities are being organised and how the general atmosphere is during meetings?

Specially when so litlle number of foreigners are members (I guess) and my Thai is pretty bad.

If you want you can PM.

Just would love to meet some other Bimmer owners and share the passion that we have and have a great time.

Kind regards,

Alex

Just sent you a PM

Jalla

[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.

Hmm. I'm not sure about that. The BM is far more streamlined, has a bigger rev-range and is geared better. It also has better grip, handling and is more responsive.

On a winding road that tests a vehicle's ability I'd back the 318.

On a motorway or from a standing start it would be close for sure....

According to local BMW and Isuzu websites 318s 0-100 time is worse than Dmax's. That was 135hp engine or whereabouts vs Isuzu's 160hp. BMW has an advantage from a standstill before truck turbos kick in and through better gearing and transmission, but in the end trucks are still faster. On the move pickup trucks can easily outrun 318s, say from 80 to 120.

Current 318s have the old body but new, 150hp engine, that should be ok for racing with trucks that cost four times less. It's all about experience, right?

[bazmlb]

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.

Hmm. I'm not sure about that. The BM is far more streamlined, has a bigger rev-range and is geared better. It also has better grip, handling and is more responsive.

On a winding road that tests a vehicle's ability I'd back the 318.

On a motorway or from a standing start it would be close for sure....

According to local BMW and Isuzu websites 318s 0-100 time is worse than Dmax's. That was 135hp engine or whereabouts vs Isuzu's 160hp. BMW has an advantage from a standstill before truck turbos kick in and through better gearing and transmission, but in the end trucks are still faster. On the move pickup trucks can easily outrun 318s, say from 80 to 120.

Current 318s have the old body but new, 150hp engine, that should be ok for racing with trucks that cost four times less. It's all about experience, right?

Try punting the pickup round a corner hard in the wet, its not all about numbers, i cant think of a nicer car to drive for general stuff than my 520i, yes it could do with a bit more power but it is still a pleasurable and beautiful car, thats not just a piece of plastic wrapped in a coke can.

[AlexLah]

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.

Hmm. I'm not sure about that. The BM is far more streamlined, has a bigger rev-range and is geared better. It also has better grip, handling and is more responsive.

On a winding road that tests a vehicle's ability I'd back the 318.

On a motorway or from a standing start it would be close for sure. The lack of torque would mean the 318 would be susceptible at higher speeds but then it has the advantage of having a quicker top end and will easily do a faster top speed than any stock pick-up from the major manufacturers. It is meant for budget Autobahn cruising after all.

I had an E36 318is with a stock 145BHP before mods and it would beat any stock pick-up available on the market in Thailand today with relative ease. I added a turbo and it was pushing 190BHP at the wheels though...

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

Genuine M Power cars are rare as rocking-horse sh!t in Thailand and even a 6 year old E46 M3 will set you back between 4 and 5 million THB. Farcical money for something you can pick up in the UK for around 700,000 to a million THB.

Hi ET,

Yes you are right about the M series, almost non existant in Thailand.

My car has a bit of the look of an M series (see pic's) but for sure not the power.

Prices for 2nd hand imported cars here are indeed insane, same for condo's new or old.

I looked at price of the new Mitsubishi Evo..... forget it.

Anyway, you mention putting a turbo in your E36, you did that in Thailand?

If so can you tell where, what company?

Yes my 330 has a good kick, but I want more, ha ha ha!

Cheers all,

Alie

[Plus]

Try punting the pickup round a corner hard in the wet...

Why? I am not insane to test any car's limits in wet conditions on public roads.

I can't think of a single place in Bangkok where driving through corners at neck breaking speed is justified.

[stingray]

It's not only engine power. BMW has much better suspension as a Japanese car. I had a 97 525 and it drives at 220 km/h like a go cart, very stiff, you can feel the road. BM's are developed for safety on High speed at German Autobahn. Japanese don't have this knowledge.

Another question: Did you ever see a Formula 1 Car with front wheel drive???

[Plus]

Japanese suspensions are far more comfortable to drive around on Thai roads, as you said, it's easy to accept that BMWs are tuned to fit on German autobahns, not for Bangkok surfaces.

I've never seen Formula 1 driving on public roads. I've seen plenty of wannabe F1 drivers though. Very few of them spend on BMWs, it's out of their price range.

Having said that, BMW just introduced 320d - 177hp, under 8 seconds 0-100. Sweet. 318s are in a 11-12 seconds range.

[madjbs]

318s are in a 11-12 seconds range

Thats pretty slow for a new car, my E30 318i can do it under 10 seconds.

[Plus]

That was BMW's official number, before they upgraded the engine about a year ago.

[CL0R0X]

there are other Japanese car that is better than BMW, with the same value

TOYOTA ARISTO V300 3.0, with or with-out turbo, it is an inline 6, RWD, 2JZ toyota Supra engine

[Maigo6]

there are other Japanese car that is better than BMW, with the same value

TOYOTA ARISTO V300 3.0, with or with-out turbo, it is an inline 6, RWD, 2JZ toyota Supra engine

A Toyota Aristo 300 in Japan is a Lexus GS 300 in the rest of the world.

And a Lexus in Thailand also has sky high prices.

[Plus]

Second hand BMWs are not that inspiring inside either.

At the motorshow I sat in Lexus IS 250 and now I see why they outsell Bimmers the US where they are taxed equally.

Also don't forget that Lexus, as a brand, is only about ten years old and it made giant strides since then.

[teej]

Second hand BMWs are not that inspiring inside either.

At the motorshow I sat in Lexus IS 250 and now I see why they outsell Bimmers the US where they are taxed equally.

Also don't forget that Lexus, as a brand, is only about ten years old and it made giant strides since then.

Lexus has been around for much longer than that... Almost 20 years if I'm not mistaken. Didn't they introduce the LS400 in 1990?

I agree that the smaller Lexi are more "comfortable" to sit in (the smaller BMWs feel rather bland inside IMO), but as you move up the range, the Big Bimmers feel much more 'stately.' Driving manners of either brand are again subjective, so it's really up to what you like (isn't everything?).

[Plus]

You are right, Lexus is older than 10, I meant more in a sense that no one considered it as a serious contender to Benz/BMW before that.

I compared small Lexus to small BMW, larger 5 series are not this thread subject, I believe, and it's a different beast altogether.

>>>

I like Lexus policy of not tweaking their specs to suit each particular market - Lexus is always Lexus, while Benz (and BMW to some extent) are prone to dupe their customers that they get the same cars that won them brand recognition in Europe/US. Look at E-class - the most expensive, top Thai model is only entry level in the US. "I drive E-class Benz" means completely different things in real life, but Germans choose to appeal to people's vanity here.

I don't really think I need to add anything to this thread. If people WANT to be fooled, they'll find a way.

[Plus]

I saw BMW 318i still with 136hp engine at the motorshow. That's less than Civic or Ford or Mazda or Corolla or Lancer, or any new pickup truck.

"Driver's car" my ass.

BMW here sells to girls to go shopping.