New Honda Accord Vs Bmw 330i 2003

[rixalex]

Come to think of it maybe Rivalex is right about it being similar to choosing a wife, with one major difference - my wives don't usually last 3 years....and they don't hold their trade in value

LOL Actually i think there are many comparisons we could make, although just keep this between us guys...

Buying a car and choosing a wife aren't really that far removed. How many guys do you see in Thailand who have quite obviously chosen their wife with the wrong brain? For me it's a lot, and we can see how those relationsips usually end up - very messy.

When you buy a car, as with women (i don't mean buying a woman, but in general), it's very easy to get side-tracked by shiny knobs and buttons. Now let me tell you, one way or another, you will pay for those knobs and buttons. It's like a law. Ferraris are great but they are high maintenance and they will cost you.

Back to the matter in hand...

Paying almost double for a Bimmer over a Honda or a Toyota is just crazy man speak. Only a man

head-over-heels in lust would do such an irrational and absurd thing.

Tell you what Mobi, get the Japanese car and the money you save let's say we split 50/50 (i must be worth it for all these nuggets of wisdom i keep throwing your way!) Should be enough to get me that white Jazz with the pink Hello Kitty number plates i've been dreaming of!

[paul1970]

I took the wife with me to road test the Accord this morning. We both liked it very much. Very comfortable, very responsive, very smooth, even over bumps. Nice looking, very spacious vehicle.

Then I took her to the Chevrolet showroom and we looked at the Captiva. Her response was: "Very nice, but not really that much difference to the Fortuner, and I thought you wanted a change?" (I have arranged a test drive for tomorrow, but I might cancel.)

She then went to work, and I drove to the Toyota showroom. No one was interested in speaking to me, and there were no Camrys on the forecourt so I gave up, for now.

Then I drove to Chonburi to look at the BMW 320D. They had an American salesman, and he took me to see it. It was a beautiful machine, and he let me test drive it.

Quite frankly it is in a different class to the Japanese models. This is some car - handles beautifully and goes like Sh..t! Better than the old 330i

It's also bigger than the older 3 series models, and will seat 5 - reasonably well.Fuel economy is impressive, and there is completely free service for 5 years/100k kms. The only thing not 100% covered is the tyres. Wherever I breakdown in Thailand they will come and get me, and deliver me and car to the nearest dealer, where, depending on the problems they will provide me with alternative transport. The tyres will run flat for 100+ kms, and I won't feel a thing. There is a great on-board computer system.

The price is 2.85M That's about 45,000 pounds. The Accord is 1.5M or 24,000 pounds, just over half.

Decisions... decisions...

I would have thought that you would be more interested in avoiding more accidents after your recent experience, obviously the warning hasn't been heeded by the sound of things. I pity any scooter riders as you go like shit on the shit roads around lake Maprachan.

[Mobi]

I would have thought that you would be more interested in avoiding more accidents after your recent experience, obviously the warning hasn't been heeded by the sound of things. I pity any scooter riders as you go like shit on the shit roads around lake Maprachan.

Just because it goes like sh..t it doesn't mean I would drive it like sh..t.

But the incredible acceleration might get me out of a few dangerous situations.

Like me, you have no knowledge of who was at fault in my accident at Mabprachan, and the more I think about it the more I suspect the other driver was on the wrong side of the road. But I will never know for sure. I admit it might have been me who was at fault, but if I can surmise anything from it all, I can say that the other party was mighty friendly for someone who was not at fault, and he did not seek any recompense from me.

In 45 years of driving, all over the world, I have only had one major accident, so I think my record speaks for itself.

The 320D is in a different class to the Honda, and when you test drive it, it sells itself to anyone who loves good motors. So right now I am veering that way.

[taxexile]

Just because it goes like sh..t it doesn't mean I would drive it like sh..t.

then why buy it , unless of course you are quite happy to pay the thai government 20,000 pounds of your hard earned money in import tax.

dont be seduced by that badge.

having an expensive car like that brings with it all kinds of worries and obsessions , like is it safe to park it here , will it get scratched by a bike , better not spill anything on the upholstery , mind that puddle , what was that noise i heard from the back...it wasnt there yesterday , the continual casting of glances at it to make sure its still there etc.etc.

its a car , nothing more. once you start "loving" and "coveting" them , they start to rule over you . its just a piece of metal , to be used and abused.

if you want to drive a bmw , rent one for a week and use it for a special trip. for a mode of regular transport , get a workhorse and put the saved money to better use.

i used to drive bmws , audis etc until i got sick of the expenses and hassles that go along with theownership of expensive luxuries and i bought a second hand vectra diesel ..... joy of joys , it was like a weight lifted from my shoulders. it did everything the expensive cars did but in an anonymous low key way. a revelation.

Edited April 24, 2008 by taxexile

[steelepulse]

>>its a car , nothing more

Right, so if he likes it and can afford it, why not?  I really don't think driving a 3 series will draw undue attention much like an S class or 7 series would.  

[taxexile]

Right, so if he likes it and can afford it, why not?

absolutely , why not.

but mobi is asking for opinions , and posters are providing opinions.

[Mobi]

Right, so if he likes it and can afford it, why not?

absolutely , why not.

but mobi is asking for opinions , and posters are providing opinions.

Tax, you made some good points and I appreciate it.

And yes steeplepulse, I can afford it, so why not indeed?

I'm taking my wife over there today to get her view and will make a final decision - I think

[taxexile]

Tax, you made some good points and I appreciate it.

And yes steeplepulse, I can afford it, so why not indeed?

mobi , you are too diplomatic , you should be looking at audi not bmw !

[raybkk]

I would have thought that you would be more interested in avoiding more accidents after your recent experience, obviously the warning hasn't been heeded by the sound of things. I pity any scooter riders as you go like shit on the shit roads around lake Maprachan.

Just because it goes like sh..t it doesn't mean I would drive it like sh..t.

But the incredible acceleration might get me out of a few dangerous situations.

Like me, you have no knowledge of who was at fault in my accident at Mabprachan, and the more I think about it the more I suspect the other driver was on the wrong side of the road. But I will never know for sure. I admit it might have been me who was at fault, but if I can surmise anything from it all, I can say that the other party was mighty friendly for someone who was not at fault, and he did not seek any recompense from me.

In 45 years of driving, all over the world, I have only had one major accident, so I think my record speaks for itself.

The 320D is in a different class to the Honda, and when you test drive it, it sells itself to anyone who loves good motors. So right now I am veering that way.

Go for the BMW if you can afford it. You will have that smile on your face everymorning when you start it up. Should you get the Honda you wont stop thinking of why you didn't get the BMW. Again, if you can afford it go for the bimmer...

[culicine]

Go for the BMW if you can afford it. You will have that smile on your face everymorning when you start it up. Should you get the Honda you wont stop thinking of why you didn't get the BMW. Again, if you can afford it go for the bimmer...

BMW - if you have money to burn and don't mind it depreciating at least a million baht in 3 years; also if you plan to keep it for at least 10-15 years. Good street cred and like whitening cream - good for your face! It would make a great buy in a few years after it has depreciated somewhat.

[rixalex]

BMW - if you have money to burn and don't mind it depreciating at least a million baht in 3 years; also if you plan to keep it for at least 10-15 years. Good street cred and like whitening cream - good for your face! It would make a great buy in a few years after it has depreciated somewhat.

Wise words indeed about letting some other mug take the depreciation hit, but i fear our friend Mr Mobi already has the kindling and has the match poised to get the blaze going.

[Plus]

If you try the regular 320 that cost just a little less than 320d, or 330 that cost two million more, you'd make up your mind in a second.

Now the choice is whether to go for comfort of Accord or excitement of the bimmer.

But don't you think that so much power is an overkill for Thai roads? Sure it might help out of a tight corner, but how often does it happen, and wouldn't it be wiser NOT to get into that corner in the first place? Will you change your driving habits, will you get into dangerous situations just because you can?

I, personally, place myself slightly above the average speed, but only if I don't need to change the lanes every twenty meters. Faster car means weaving in and out of the lanes and a lot more driving. My personal sweet spot would be somewhere at the Accord level, over that the power is largely unusable and difficult to enjoy.

[Mobi]

Mrs Mobi gave the 320D a test drive today.

I think she was more seduced than me, and told me that she had always loved BMW's. (well she would, wouldn't she? )

BTW I am not new to BMW. I used to drive a top of the range 5 series, followed by a 328i convertible in the UK, and loved them both. Never thought much of Mercedes, and sorry, Tax but I've never been an Audi fan. At the end of the day it's personal choice.

A few points that helped me finalise my decision.

I checked the web this morning to try and get an idea of the cost of a 320D in the UK. I didn't check the specs thoroughly but found several priced at around 30K pounds - not far off 2M Baht. The Accord was around 20K pounds or 1.3 M Baht.

OK, I know I may not be comparing like with like, but I do know that the 320D in Thailand is a top spec model as standard - same as the the 330i which it is replacing.

So the differential in price in Thailand is not that far removed from the differential in the UK.

Some of you have mentioned heavy depreciation. Well, with respect, I beg to differ. All popular models in Thailand hold their value extremely well, and in the past I have always sold at 3 years and only suffered losses of around 300K Baht on each vehicle. With the 330D it may be as much as 500K, and a quick check of used BMWs on the BMW used car website confirms that view. I also happen to know that a well maintained 3 year old car with one farang owner will command a good resale price through specialist dealers that sell to farangs. And once I invest in a BMW, I will sell and buy new every 3 years. And finally, there is no doubt in my mind the the 330D will become a very popular car in it's class, as the price, fuel economy, and performance are very attractive.

Due to some financial 'trickery' which I won't go into, I managed to get 50K knocked off the list price of 2.849M.

So I have paid my deposit, and ordered a black model, for deliver at the end of June.

Thank you everyone for your helpful and provocative posts. It has been interesting and most stimulating.

I can now look forward to many years of happy, BMW motoring.

[Dave the Dude]

Good luck to you mate, without a doubt, the best car I have owned in the UK was my BMW 328i (and it went better than my brothers XK8 )

Happy motoring

Dave

[phutoie2]

Good luck to you mate, without a doubt, the best car I have owned in the UK was my BMW 328i (and it went better than my brothers XK8 )

Happy motoring

Dave

Dave, many are impressed with the 'propeller from Munchen'. My last Beemer 730i, 1996 model cost 44,000 GBP,(black one of course) a complete lemon!!. Failure of electrics/on board computer after 4 years, not something you would expect from the 'ultimate driving machine'. After some hefty repair bills managed to sell it on for 17,000 GBP IN 2001 and bought a VW Passat.

Never owned an oil burner BMW, always preferred straight 6/V8's petrol.

Now completly grown up and drive a Nissan Nav 4 x 2.

Often comment to wife as many fast expensive motors pass me, that I used to own 'one of those in UK', never too much responce from the near side seat!.

[rixalex]

Best of luck with your BM purchase Mr Mobi.

Very interesting what you say about the car being sold here and in the UK at similar prices. I was under the impression that taxes here on cars are very high, certainly higher than the UK, so i'm wondering if that means that if we were to take away the tax, BMs would actually be cheaper here? Seems strange. Do you know how much tax you are paying on the car?

Another area of confusion for me regarding the 3 series was how the price suddenly changed about 3 or 4 years ago. Unless i'm remembering this wrong, when i arrived in Thailand some 8 or 9 years ago, the 3 series was being sold at around the 1.5 mill mark. At some point, presumably when they introduced a newer version, the price then jumped up to well above 2 mill. Have i got this wrong?

Anyway, like i say, good luck and keep us posted on how she runs. And don't forget to go easy with that right foot!

[ignis]

Best of luck with your BM purchase Mr Mobi.

Very interesting what you say about the car being sold here and in the UK at similar prices. I was under the impression that taxes here on cars are very high, certainly higher than the UK, so i'm wondering if that means that if we were to take away the tax, BMs would actually be cheaper here? Seems strange. Do you know how much tax you are paying on the car?

Another area of confusion for me regarding the 3 series was how the price suddenly changed about 3 or 4 years ago. Unless i'm remembering this wrong, when i arrived in Thailand some 8 or 9 years ago, the 3 series was being sold at around the 1.5 mill mark. At some point, presumably when they introduced a newer version, the price then jumped up to well above 2 mill. Have i got this wrong?

Anyway, like i say, good luck and keep us posted on how she runs. And don't forget to go easy with that right foot!

Prices of new cars in the UK are the highest in Europe… = why it is called ripe off UK when it comes to new cars

Mostly Thai made cars are cheaper here…….. when I bought my Honda Jazz CVT Sport, I paid £8,190 the list price in the UK was £12.385, so over £4,000 cheaper here..

Checking the other week.. The 2nd hand price of the top Jazz of my year in the UK is still more than a brand new one here.

[Mobi]

Best of luck with your BM purchase Mr Mobi.

Very interesting what you say about the car being sold here and in the UK at similar prices. I was under the impression that taxes here on cars are very high, certainly higher than the UK, so i'm wondering if that means that if we were to take away the tax, BMs would actually be cheaper here? Seems strange. Do you know how much tax you are paying on the car?

Another area of confusion for me regarding the 3 series was how the price suddenly changed about 3 or 4 years ago. Unless i'm remembering this wrong, when i arrived in Thailand some 8 or 9 years ago, the 3 series was being sold at around the 1.5 mill mark. At some point, presumably when they introduced a newer version, the price then jumped up to well above 2 mill. Have i got this wrong?

Anyway, like i say, good luck and keep us posted on how she runs. And don't forget to go easy with that right foot!

Sorry Rivalex, they are not the same prices. What I said was that a you will pay Approx 800K Baht more for a 320D here and maybe 200K - 300K more for an Accord. (That's, say, 10K pounds and 4K pounds respectively).

As regards the prices for BMW's 3 years ago, I think you memory is playing tricks. Used, 2005 320's/325's are currently selling for between 2.3M and 3.3 M. I think you will find that the new prices ranged from around 3.5m - 4.5 m.

The new 320i and 320D are cheaper because they are being assembled here as opposed to being imported full assembled, which used to be the case 3 years ago. and the tax is proportionately less.

Thank you for your best wishes. I am currently trying to decide whether to go for the sports package, which will put me back another 149K. Strangely enough the package is cheaper here than in Europe, where the price there translates to nearly 200K. Decisions... decisions....

[rixalex]

Best of luck with your BM purchase Mr Mobi.

Very interesting what you say about the car being sold here and in the UK at similar prices. I was under the impression that taxes here on cars are very high, certainly higher than the UK, so i'm wondering if that means that if we were to take away the tax, BMs would actually be cheaper here? Seems strange. Do you know how much tax you are paying on the car?

Another area of confusion for me regarding the 3 series was how the price suddenly changed about 3 or 4 years ago. Unless i'm remembering this wrong, when i arrived in Thailand some 8 or 9 years ago, the 3 series was being sold at around the 1.5 mill mark. At some point, presumably when they introduced a newer version, the price then jumped up to well above 2 mill. Have i got this wrong?

Anyway, like i say, good luck and keep us posted on how she runs. And don't forget to go easy with that right foot!

Prices of new cars in the UK are the highest in Europe… = why it is called ripe off UK when it comes to new cars

Mostly Thai made cars are cheaper here…….. when I bought my Honda Jazz CVT Sport, I paid £8,190 the list price in the UK was £12.385, so over £4,000 cheaper here..

Checking the other week.. The 2nd hand price of the top Jazz of my year in the UK is still more than a brand new one here.

I appreciate what you are saying about cars like the Jazz being cheaper here, but i thought that when you talk about luxury European motors, the situation was reversed. No?

Generally in the UK, the cost of cars to me seems very cheap, especially used ones which are usually a fraction of their new price and only a few years old.

[steelepulse]

Good on ya Mobi.  Buy the car that you and the Mrs. want. I'be been happy with my beemer while the wife drives the toyota truck happily.

[Mobi]

Good on ya Mobi. Buy the car that you and the Mrs. want. I'be been happy with my beemer while the wife drives the toyota truck happily.

I've told her that if she wants to show off sometimes, she can take it out and I'll 'slum it' in her Jazz

[Plus]

Before 1997 BMWs cost about the same as current Camry/Accord, after the crisis there was a major tax increase on these "luxury" goods and prices shoot to 2 mil, then slowly to 2.5mil and higher.

320d is so cheap (relatively) because of its small, turbocharged diesel that beats both displacement and power tax brakes. Diesels don't have as much top power, but beat petrols in torque delivery, taxes don't take this advantage into an acoount yet, so you can have diesels with performance similar to 3l petrols for half the price.

Good luck with the Bimmer, Mobi.

[ignis]

Generally in the UK, the cost of cars to me seems very cheap, especially used ones which are usually a fraction of their new price and only a few years old.

Luxury European motors, Yes most in 3 years have lost between 45 - 55% of there value.. even a R.R or Bentley would lose £60 - 70,000.. in the UK.

[raybkk]

BMW - if you have money to burn and don't mind it depreciating at least a million baht in 3 years; also if you plan to keep it for at least 10-15 years. Good street cred and like whitening cream - good for your face! It would make a great buy in a few years after it has depreciated somewhat.

Wise words indeed about letting some other mug take the depreciation hit, but i fear our friend Mr Mobi already has the kindling and has the match poised to get the blaze going.

A Car is not bought with the thought of getting a return on your investment unless you buy Oldtimers.

[rixalex]

Before 1997 BMWs cost about the same as current Camry/Accord, after the crisis there was a major tax increase on these "luxury" goods and prices shoot to 2 mil, then slowly to 2.5mil and higher.

Good luck with the Bimmer, Mobi.

Interesting. But it seemed to only be the 3 series that shot up quite so drastically - or am i wrong?

To me, at the time, it seemed more like a conscious decision by BMW to adjust the car's position in the market, and also bring it more into line with the C class. Perhaps tax changes played a role, but only a small one.

[rixalex]

BMW - if you have money to burn and don't mind it depreciating at least a million baht in 3 years; also if you plan to keep it for at least 10-15 years. Good street cred and like whitening cream - good for your face! It would make a great buy in a few years after it has depreciated somewhat.

Wise words indeed about letting some other mug take the depreciation hit, but i fear our friend Mr Mobi already has the kindling and has the match poised to get the blaze going.

A Car is not bought with the thought of getting a return on your investment unless you buy Oldtimers.

I don't think anyone has been talking about getting a return, but rather buying something which doesn't drop like a stone in value the moment you drive it out the showroom.

To be fair, in Thailand, that is not usually the case unless you buy something obscure, but there is still a difference in depreciation from car to car, and if you dismiss this as being an unimportant factor in your purchase you either intend to keep it until it falls to pieces or you are a fool - the type of fool that certain motor manufacturers must love!

[ignis]

BMW - if you have money to burn and don't mind it depreciating at least a million baht in 3 years; also if you plan to keep it for at least 10-15 years. Good street cred and like whitening cream - good for your face! It would make a great buy in a few years after it has depreciated somewhat.

Wise words indeed about letting some other mug take the depreciation hit, but i fear our friend Mr Mobi already has the kindling and has the match poised to get the blaze going.

A Car is not bought with the thought of getting a return on your investment unless you buy Oldtimers.

I don't think anyone has been talking about getting a return, but rather buying something which doesn't drop like a stone in value the moment you drive it out the showroom.

To be fair, in Thailand, that is not usually the case unless you buy something obscure, but there is still a difference in depreciation from car to car, and if you dismiss this as being an unimportant factor in your purchase you either intend to keep it until it falls to pieces or you are a fool - the type of fool that certain motor manufacturers must love!

That is not 100% true here, if you lose 300 - 500,000 in 3 year on a Luxury Car, you always have a new car that has warentee and Free Service etc = trouble and worry free motoring

[rixalex]

That is not 100% true here, if you lose 300 - 500,000 in 3 year on a Luxury Car, you always have a new car that has warentee and Free Service etc = trouble and worry free motoring

Can't quite follow. Could you clarify your point?

[HDRIDER]

Best of luck with your BM purchase Mr Mobi.

Very interesting what you say about the car being sold here and in the UK at similar prices. I was under the impression that taxes here on cars are very high, certainly higher than the UK, so i'm wondering if that means that if we were to take away the tax, BMs would actually be cheaper here? Seems strange. Do you know how much tax you are paying on the car?

Another area of confusion for me regarding the 3 series was how the price suddenly changed about 3 or 4 years ago. Unless i'm remembering this wrong, when i arrived in Thailand some 8 or 9 years ago, the 3 series was being sold at around the 1.5 mill mark. At some point, presumably when they introduced a newer version, the price then jumped up to well above 2 mill. Have i got this wrong?

Anyway, like i say, good luck and keep us posted on how she runs. And don't forget to go easy with that right foot!

Prices of new cars in the UK are the highest in Europe… = why it is called ripe off UK when it comes to new cars

Mostly Thai made cars are cheaper here…….. when I bought my Honda Jazz CVT Sport, I paid £8,190 the list price in the UK was £12.385, so over £4,000 cheaper here..

Checking the other week.. The 2nd hand price of the top Jazz of my year in the UK is still more than a brand new one here.

Guys stop whining about UK prices, BMW 320D in UK £26,050 - on the road

Same car in Denmark £55.447,

UK has the highest prices in Europe, get a life

[Plus]

I once flipped through an auto magazine brought by some tourists and there was a long article on how import cars into the UK and save tons of money. They didn't mention Denmark, they talked about German cars and I suppose they wanted to import them from Germany.

I have no idea how much 5 series cost ten years ago, but ALL imported cars shot up after 1997, not only 3 series.