Comments on: BMW 3 Series Sedan Fuel Savings

By: Car Fanatic

Car Fanatic — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:15:46 +0000

Oh come one Simon, they do sell LHD in the UK but the number is negligible, the same would be said for other RHD countries, so your argument is moot. The RHD costs are added to the car at the factory yes, so that converts to import duties etc, meaning we pay much more for a BMW than say the UK.

By: ABMPSV

ABMPSV — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:56:06 +0000

Simon we talking here volume!

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:47:15 +0000

AMBPSV, the LHD is also sold in the UK, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and NZ to name just a few. Consequently Australia isn’t bearing any conversion costs, they are factory produced.

By: ABMPSV

ABMPSV — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:10:51 +0000

and shipping cost from Europe cost more than from Japan and steering is on the other side too that is extra cost.

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:03:36 +0000

Luke it’s like this. Brands like Toyota will reduce their prices or throw in on-road costs when they need to move stock and increase sales to make targets.
BMW is notorious for keeping the sticker price and not holding sales or throwing in other extras to lure customers. They know their brand is premium.
That said, anyone who pays sticker is a moron because you can always get sales to move on the price with a little hardball negotiation. Often dealers get a factory bonus on top of any sales yard margins. The challenge for Mr consumer is to work out how far they can push. This is usually dependent on a number of factors, the biggest of which is if the dealership has made their monthly target. If this objective is made, the next hurdle is if the sales rep has made THEIR target. Bearing all this in mind, it works in one of two ways. The optimal position for the buyer is if both the sales yard and the sales rep are both near their targets. If they are well under target they will push hard for maximum profit. If they are over target, they will likely hold out and try to keep you interested enough to come back next month so as to help them with the next month’s targets.
My point is, there is always room off list price. How far depends on what I’ve already mentioned.
Remember, salesmen are NOT your friends. They always try to be “buddy buddy” to add an emotional dimension to the purchase. They are there to maximise their margin and get away with whatever they can. Also worth remembering, they don’t collect cars. If they know you are at a final offer they may turn you down today but give you a call when they know they just need one more sale to get their bonuses.

By: Car Fanatic

Car Fanatic — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:44:02 +0000

Actually they don’t charge as much as you think, take away import duties etc and BMW would be affordable to more people, blame the government for that.

By: Car Fanatic

Car Fanatic — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:41:59 +0000

I agree totally, so BMW aren’t being greedy, just catering to the retarded Auto driving masses.

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:49:20 +0000

Yes agreed but BMW’s diesels don’t last as long or didn’t. Take the 330D engine propensity to shed the walls of the intake manifold writing off many an unwary buyers engine.
I also had a mate with the 335D, a small amount of water got into the engine writing it off, AU$40K new engine… I kid you not.

By: ABMPSV

ABMPSV — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:18:11 +0000

This is a proof that some people would not know what is a different between cars!! Yes you are right does not do anything better if you want to go from A to B. I had driven from VW, BMW, MB, Porsche…etc and there is a HUGE difference from handling engine, steering…etc. Rent one and you will change your mind and Corolla and BMW not even in same category!!! You can not compare McDonald with a steak in top restaurant. If you do you no nothing about cars!

By: allsport

allsport — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:47:01 +0000

WOW! Interesting…NOT! A hugely over-hyped bucket that doesn’t do anything better than a Corolla, just costs a lot more by virtue of marketing spin.FGS, it’s just a car…Grow up, fanboys.

By: Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:15:12 +0000

Ok, one minute you say ‘don’t expect any discounting from this brand’ (which they have recently done) and then you say ‘if you paid list you’d be a moron’ (note: which I didn’t). Make up your mind mate!

By: Carz

Carz — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:33:33 +0000

WOW! Interesting…fuel efficiency on BMW is great. I just love BMW cars, every year they create something really nice on their models…keeps car lovers interested and definitely loyal…

By: gearboxdawg

gearboxdawg — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:05:50 +0000

hope these fuel saving technologies gets reticulated down to the lower end models such as 323i and 325i version

By: AAA

AAA — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:27:05 +0000

saves 0.1L on a $100,000 car .. marketing scam

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:28:58 +0000

So true but despite the fantastic resale of BMWs, depreciation is still a bitch. This is why I cannot stump up with the 80 large. Perhaps I will buy a second hand one in a few years!

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:26:53 +0000

Sorry but if you paid list you would be a moron.

By: Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:17:50 +0000

Actually, I’ve just bought a 323i (picking it up on Friday). I got approx $11k off list. Nice bit of discounting in my book! :)

By: ABMPSV

ABMPSV — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:43:04 +0000

Diesel are not noisier than petrol. New cars are now required to meet Europe-wide noise limits. These have been progressively reduced from 82 decibels (dB(A)) in 1978 to the current limit of 74 dB(A) established in 1996. …off-road vehicle with a direct injection diesel is 76 dB(A). http://www.vcacarfueldata.org......-noise.asp

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:32:23 +0000

or if you want a bit of badge, volvo s40T5 AWD – same engine as the Focus XR5, 0 – 100 in 7ish for an auto, pretty nice looking, great to drive, nice inside, $58K driveaway. At least they are a bit different to the hundreds of 3 series you see getting around. I think no more AWD for 2010, but the FWD is more fun, IMO. And the diesels run very well, too, though they sound like tractors.

By: ManualsOnly

ManualsOnly — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:19:11 +0000

Most Australians still think Commodores, Falcons and Camrys are good cars and never learnt to drive properly (because they learnt in an auto most probably!)