[Joop!]

Originally Posted by obLu

I'm guessing that wages are much higher there though?

To keep it simple for all you folks: thats 19% VAT on the list price and a sort of luxuoury-tax, so it adds about 63% to the nett list price.

For example you pay €29905,- for the car (nett price, a €1000 less than in Germany), than add the "luxuoury-TAX", what we call BPM, that's €12112,-, plus we pay 19% VAT over the nett listprice, that's €5681,-, so in total this comes: €47700,- or $62,646.- for a base model E92-325i :mad:

[Jongie]

i know how u feel pale . let's have a drink man :-p and then go to earn some more $$$ . life is hard over here in our small country with wind force 9 out side right now.

[Joop!]

Originally Posted by Jongie

i know how u feel pale . let's have a drink man :-p and then go to earn some more $$$ . life is hard over here in our small country with wind force 9 out side right now.

Ben blij dat ik binnen zit met een lekker glas Duits witbier...

[obLu]

To keep it simple for all you folks: thats 19% VAT on the list price and a sort of luxuoury-tax, so it adds about 63% to the nett list price.

Understandable. But then lets see if your yearly income balances it all out.

For example, my 330 was a little less than half my yearly income (financed over 60mo). My mortgage is approx 1/5 of my monthly take home.

I'd expect that adjusted the price you're paying is in line? Either that or you're a rich mofo?

[mmm def]

I've been a Honda man for life..88 prelude, 04 Accord, 06 Civic Si. Going to my first BMW, E90 335 and I can't wait!!

[acizek]

Originally Posted by obLu

Understandable. But then lets see if your yearly income balances it all out.

For example, my 330 was a little less than half my yearly income (financed over 60mo). My mortgage is approx 1/5 of my monthly take home.

I'd expect that adjusted the price you're paying is in line? Either that or you're a rich mofo?

to put some quotes from central Europe in as well...

in the Czech republic
- new basic 330i is 40.000 EUR (included 19% VAT)
- the average annual salary is 9.000 EUR net
- my annual salary was 28.000 EUR net (and that is considered quite good...)

in Hungary now price pretty much the same, annual salary lower and my salary a bit higher

so not only is stuff more expensive here (and not just around cars) but the buying power is incredibly lower that in the US or Western Europe...

[findtom]

Originally Posted by obLu

Yeah, I'd take an RS4 over an e90 any day.

Well, no kidding.... ask the same question about the M3 vs. RS4 when it's released.

[Ted]

After 3 BMW's in a row I converted to Porsche for a change and converted back again last year.

[obLu]

in the Czech republic
- new basic 330i is 40.000 EUR (included 19% VAT)
- the average annual salary is 9.000 EUR net
- my annual salary was 28.000 EUR net (and that is considered quite good...)

And I'm guessing that's why they sell a lot more 320i's in EU? How do you get around the pricing disparity? Do people finance on much longer terms, lease more or just good old fashioned save up for a very long time?

I usually grab CAR or EVO magazine and the pricing I see in there for everyday cars gives me a cramp.

[ES-Jet]

I had an E46 which I gave back when I changed my job. I then drove a VW Bora (Jetta) for 3 months and a Saab 9-3 Sportwagon for 4 months.

As soon as I had the chance, I got my backside into another BMW. The other 2 cars above were dull, dull, dull.

[obLu]

I've heard of people in the UK and AU getting company cars. What's the story there?

[Caster]

Once my lease is up, I'm hoping to get an Evo, if I'm still obsessed with it as much as I am today, although I wouldn't mind getting a 335i coupe or M3 for my next car, I want to pay for my next car by myself without the help of my parents so an M3 might not happen lol, but I wouldn't mind being in an Evo either way =]

[ChineseGuy]

wow....so many people selling their beemer and giogn for the evo....

i personally LOVE the evo....it was my dream car few years ago....

[acizek]

Originally Posted by obLu

And I'm guessing that's why they sell a lot more 320i's in EU? How do you get around the pricing disparity? Do people finance on much longer terms, lease more or just good old fashioned save up for a very long time?

I usually grab CAR or EVO magazine and the pricing I see in there for everyday cars gives me a cramp.

I think it is the base price but also the consupmtion, which drives the sales of smaller engines in Europe. It's not like in the States where people have a commuter and then also some weekend car here you can usually afford one car (very often not even that!) and that's it.
Comparing financing - not that many options as in the States. Just 3 that I know of - either cash, or leasing (which means the car is owned by leasing company, you pay down payment and then monthly installments including insurance and at the end the car is yours - length usually 12-60 months), or operational leasing (car owned by leasing company, you pay monthly payments which include some maintenance and stuff, car at end of lease is not yours - this is good for companies for tax and othere reasons, not that used for individuals).
What is the biggest car market here are used cars. Average age of cars in the Czech R. is about 12 years! So people buy x years old cars rather than getting a new one. I myself don't buy new cars, but always get 1 yr old ones. The depreciation of a new car is amazing here.
Here in Central/Eastern Europe the "living in debt" has only started few years ago and people mainly finance their living. So the culture of saving up and then buying is still quite strong.

[acizek]

Originally Posted by obLu

I've heard of people in the UK and AU getting company cars. What's the story there?

yep, company cars are quite popular here, again for tax purposes (it counts as a not taxable benefit or it lowers company's tax base depending on legislation).
the issue with that is that company cars are for middle/top management (or sales people) and there is not much choice when you are picking one. At my previous work I was given a certain model of Skoda (Czech manufacturer) and I did not have option for changing brand, model, engine, etc.

[toolfan]

I miss my Jeep wrangler. Mainly because I had every mod on it possible. I am sure I will get another 3 series and then buy a jeep again.

[06330i]

Your honda is amazing! Haha jk.