Bmw Owners Of Thailand.

[sideshow]

Hi there, I have finally decided to buy a second hand BMW. I know they are expensive here and parts plus servicing may be a problem but I absolutely refuse to spend my hard earned cash on a boreing old Toyota Altis/Yaris or Honda Civic/City and I definately do not want a pick up. I want a bit of Style and Quality!

I have a budget of 450,000 Baht and definately want a 3 Series (318i-325i Auto). I have been on the Internet and there are literally hundreds to choose from (1994-98), spoilt for choice. Anyway to all you 2nd hand owners here come my questions,

1) can you trust what's on the speedometer (km's) from a dealer? Pretty sure the answer is no!

2) how are they for reliability?

3) are spare parts easily accessable and are they extreamly expensive?

4) are LPG conventions worth considering?

I suppose if you live in Bangkok and you break down then at least you may have a chance of getting it fixed without too much of a problem, but what happens if you break down on the way to Udon or some other place outside a city? This brings me to my next set of questions:-

I have seen a few with Toyota engine conversions, 1JZ, 1JZ Turbo, 2JZ, 2JZ Turbo etc. If these conversions have been done by professionals, would you consider this a better option for ease of maintanence, servicing etc?

Would you consider the LPG option?

I really look forward to your comments, thanks for your time

Ps I did try searching this site for any previous info but the search operation was not functioning!

[stingray]

Look like you not trust your self. Speedo in Thailand is just for decoration the dashboard. Can NEVER Trust on Odometer readings. Anyway you should see and check the condition of the car. This is much more important than ODO Readings. Servicing a BMW is no probs in BKK or Pattaya. Parts aren't expensive. If you go Isaan....... i don't know. Personally i never was in Isan, as is not see any reason to go there, spend my hard earning money on someones elses Family. Thailand for me is only Pattaya and Bangkok and for Phuket i take the plane. Of corse 318's are 4 cylinder and easier and cheaper to manienance. But 325 or 525 are much more fun to drive. LPG Coversation??? Find a good shop in Bangkok, not the cheapest one, who can do a proper istallation of the system.. A professional installaition is important to avoid later problems. Buy what you like and don't listen to peaples opinion who never drove a BMW.

[sideshow]

Look like you not trust your self. Speedo in Thailand is just for decoration the dashboard. Can NEVER Trust on Odometer readings. Anyway you should see and check the condition of the car. This is much more important than ODO Readings. Servicing a BMW is no probs in BKK or Pattaya. Parts aren't expensive. If you go Isaan....... i don't know. Personally i never was in Isan, as is not see any reason to go there, spend my hard earning money on someones elses Family. Thailand for me is only Pattaya and Bangkok and for Phuket i take the plane. Of corse 318's are 4 cylinder and easier and cheaper to manienance. But 325 or 525 are much more fun to drive. LPG Coversation??? Find a good shop in Bangkok, not the cheapest one, who can do a proper istallation of the system.. A professional installaition is important to avoid later problems. Buy what you like and don't listen to peaples opinion who never drove a BMW.

Hi stingray, thanks for the reply. Too many to choose from, they all look good! And yes it will be a 325i. As for Issan, its where the wife is from but I was talking generally, i mean going on road trips and getting out of Bangkok. Can you reccomend places in Bkk for servicing? Also have you any views on ones with Toyota conversions (as long as they are done well?).

[Crossy]

We had an early 90's 325i auto. Great, comfortable, fast drive and we had a local Beemer specialist (not a main agent).

Repairs were reasonable but became monotonous, the 'Pay lots of money to a garage' light (gearbox) became a regular feature, no matter what was 'repaired' it always returned. Finally the beast developed an electrical fault that meant it just stopped for no good reason. Turn off and on again and it was good to go.

That, and the fact that it wasn't gasohol capable meant showing it the door and buying a diesel pickup.

I looked into the gasohol issue when it first came out, BMW Thailand were no help whatever and Germany didn't even bother to reply

My step son has a 530i that's converted to LPG, runs sweet as a nut (won't run on petrol anymore, the fuel system is shagged by gasohol).

If you're offered a silver 325i with PathumThani plate 6336, avoid!!

[katabeachbum]

325, lovely car, lots of probs, no official BMW garage south of BKK except Phuket.

Does not like gasohol, so Shell VPower 95 is basicly only option.

Does not like LPG. Only beemer running LPG ok seems to be 3,0 straight six. the other ones burne valves and/or overheat top.

CNG is out of the question cause top/valve heat.

[stingray]

Personaly i not really know someone in Bangkok who are specialized in BMW, because i living in Pattaya and we do all work by our self. Electronical Problems are the worst thing what could happen. Not only with BMW, actually with all never high tech cars. There os no option for repair if you not have a OBD Scantool. Toyota Coversations are much saver and cheaper to run, if the engine swap is done by professionals. But the problem is that many Mickey Mouse Garages do this Job and than again, it could result in major electronical problems. The difficult part on a engine swap is to hook up the dashgauges, because the gauges still BMW and the engine is Toyota. I think it is better to look for a real good original BMW, than a swapped one. I mean, it doesnt really make sense to drive a BM or a Benz with a Toyota engine. If you buy a BMTO (BMW-Toyota) look at least at one, who has a 2JZ inside. The Toyota 1 JZ is also a good engine, but in compare with a original 2.5 liter BMW engine, the 1 JZ is underpowered. 2JZ will be fine and very save on fuel. Don't buy a BMW with a Toyota 1JZ Turbo Intercooler, as those Turbo engines have common problems with electronics and overheating. Better a engineswap of a 2JZ (more cubic, but no Turbo), Nice engineswap would be with a Lexus 1UZ V8 engine. Plenty of power, but using a little bit more fuel.

[crazyswede]

I want a bit of Style and Quality ... I have a budget of 450,000 Baht ... .. my hard earned cash ..

You funny man ... 555

[pattayabuggy]

I want a bit of Style and Quality ... I have a budget of 450,000 Baht ... .. my hard earned cash ..

You funny man ... 555

Sorry, I don't understand the joke. A guy has asked a question he wants help and feedback on so what's funny, please explain.

[sorensen]

I got a second hand 2004 523i and love it. Never really had any problems with it, other then a flat tyre and changed battery one time. Wait, that is not true, I did have the AC fan replaced, but that is the only major thing in 4 years of happy driving.

I would advice against converting it to LPG or CNG, as you will loose some HP and the fun thing about driving a BMW is the power.

Get a 323SE if you can, then you get a bit more options.