kush

Usually BMW services go by service indicator however the agents recommend service every year or 8000 km for diesels. Routine service cost approximately Rs. 28,000/-. This is what they told me for the 320d (F10) and X3. Since it is the same engine most probably it will be the case for the 320d (E90) as well. They are getting down 320d (F10) for the permit and cost is around Rs. 7.4 Mn. If you add 1-1.5 Mn. for the permit cost will be around Rs. 8.4-8.9 Mn. This car is bigger and has better specs including Alloy Wheels, Climate control, 8 speed auto against 6 speed, i-drive with 6.5 inch display so the prices of E90 bound to come down in prices.

Agreed. Actually I upgraded to a EX from a 2002 CS1 which was utterly reliable for 85,000 km 5 years not a single issue. But it was not the case with the EX, every time when I went to service the vehicle I could see couple of EX being attended for various issues. Even the agents admit it is not as reliable as the former model.

Not offended at all Infact I chose the EX over 141 when i bought the car. My openion comes from after using the car for 3 years in the case of Ex and over 5 years with the 141. In my hand the Corolla does only 8 kmpl in colombo and about 12 kmpl outstation. which is about 1-2 kmpl less than I got from the EX

Why I sold the Lancer Reliability, in our family we had 3 Ex's and 2 141's all Ex developed issues within 1st two years (ABS sensors, cooler fans, lights) 141's nothing for the last 5 years Besides I got a fantastic deal for the Lancer, would have been a fool to get rid of it at the time. When you are buying cars with your hard earned money you have to use your brain rather than heart. By all means go for the Lancer keeping in mind the difficulty in resale.

Since you are a Toyota user I’m assuming you are comparing this car with the Corolla 141. Having used both cars this is my view -Fuel consumption - City: EX- 9-10/ 141- 8-9 Outstation: EX- 12-16/ 141- 10-14 -Availability of spare parts: Agents have them in stock, no used or third party spares -Comfort : If you are an aggressive driver EX will be better as it handles better due to multi link rear suspension. For day to day driving not much difference. 141 has less suspension noise over rough roads. -Suspension level : I assume this is the ride height, 141 has about ½ inch more. -Resale market : Ex will be a nightmare to sell, if you are patient will be able to get a bargain. However you will have to take a hit when you want to get rid of the thing. As for me I got rid of the Ex few years back and kept the 141

I thought the max rev for new common rail engines were around 4500-5000. Revving up to 5000 rpm specially with out and load could damage the engine.

Yes, you take the risk for the valauation and duty

They are just quoting prices. When I call them and ask what would be the approximate valaution of the vehicle they didn't know.

You can import any car for the permit as long as it is within the value of the permit. Only issue is if the car is not brand new import from the agent the value of the car for duty (duty concession) is based on the agent’s valuation. Unless the particular model is imported previously to SL you will newer know what the agent valuation would be specially if you are getting down an uncommon model here. Generally agents do not give valuations beforehand so it is very tricky. Once I remember calling C**M**T to get an approximate valuation for a Mazda MX-5 (Miata) and they wanted copies of documents of the vehicle, they said that they cant even give an approximate value. Mercs are no better they have been known to over value models that they are not importing to SL. Few years back there was a case filed against them for over valuing a car.

My personal experience with my former car Lancer EX (2008) I had a problem with the fog lights and the agents suspected it is the switch and they wanted to replace it (under warranty) as the fog light switch was part of the main light stalk they got down one stalk from their spare parts division. Fortunately I was there at the time (unlike Toyota they allowed customers in the work area and you could see what is happening) and I could observe a big difference in the finish/ quality of the original and what they were about to replace with. Apparently the replacement part was made in Thailand, same what is fitted to Montero Sport/ L200 There is a noticeable difference in the quality and finish. I have even noticed this in Suzuki made in Japan and India

Yes if you know the code for specific plants you could identify by looking at the VIN However in a diffrent forum there was a mention that this codes are market specific for example a BMW X3 manufactured in USA will have diffrent VIN starting with diffrent codes for USA/ Canada/ Euro markets. The only way you could know for sure is check with the agent who will have access to this info and hope that they will give you the correct info.

Toyota Corolla 141 imported brand new by the agents during 2007-2009 came from Japan. I do not know about the face lifted ones, Some one was saying that cars given as official vehicles to government officilas (not the permit oncs) are assembled in India. If you are not sure or concern about the country of origin you should be able to check this with the agent by giving the VIN no.

Resale value - Allion it will be like having cash in the bank, Rs. 50,000/- below the market price there will be a queue in front of your house, BMW – will be difficult to sell if it is really 2nd, 3rd owner, and you will most probably loose quite a bit at the time of resale may be in 3-4 years Fuel Efficiency – Allion will be a petrol and BMW most probably diesel (as most of them were imported on permits) generally bmw diesels are very fuel efficient so you might get better km/l on the BMW Parts – Allion if you genuine parts I don’t think there will be much of a price difference. Jap parts too are expensive these days Prestige (common, let's be honest ) – BMW (agreed) Features/Specs (my main concern) - Allion? (Again probably another stupid remark but on almost all Allions, and their specs I did see tons of "bells and whistles") BMW – will have 6 speed auto, stability/ traction control, more air bags, I don’t know whether the E90 came with brake regeneration. Manual A/C Allion – most probably DVD, useless navigation and radio, reverse camera, reverse wiper, very important “winker Mirrors” however the a/c will be climate control (auto) which would be a plus over the Bimmer. Driving pleasure - BMW? (Assuming BMW has less features, can it exceed the overall experience we get in an Allion?) Dude the BMW had better specs for driving experience, it is a rear wheel drive, will have 80% more power (assuming a 1.5 Allion and 320d) loads of torque. Better driver aids to keep you out of trouble. In the event of an unfortunate mishap you will be safer in the Bimmer. Build quality - Both? (With time Allion will be wear and tare better than the Bimmer, if you take care of the Beast BMWs too can be reliable Requires less maintenances (comparatively) – Allion (agreed)

Yes but with the yen rate @ 1.35-1.36 the price of Japs have come down is now more or less in par with the Korians When you factor the reliability, aftersale, resale value it make sense to look at Japs now

Thanks iRage, I’m in fact looking at the RM Agents have only the 2.0 in stock, they will get down the 2.4 ordered but with the higher duty and the price the difference against the 2.0 will not be justified. Your info in the km/l is what was claimed by the agents (at least they are honest).

I am considering this vehicle (brand new from the agent) and would like to have feedback on the following from any members who has experience in the vehicle, Ride and Handling Economy (city / outside) Reliability, any kown issues that i should be concern. I know it is fairly a new model, any info relating even for the old model might be useful as basically to my knowledge it has the same engine and drive train.

It is quite unusual for the shocks to go off at 30,000 km, unless you carry excessive loads in the boot or the mileage might not be genuine. How about the tyres they should be originals (generally the original set will last over 40k) I have the same car 1st batch of petrol cars imported in December 2007 which is still on originals (25,000 km) and my cousin has a 2008 mid with over 100,000 km still with originals. Are you positive that it is shocks, from what I know Toyotas come with KYB & Tokico as OEM both are available outside I’m sure the price will be much less.

I’m seriously considering the 2013 Santa Fe Diesel, from what I have seen the quality improvement is remarkable. I think it has the same tried and tested engine gear box as the previous version / Kia Sorento, from what I’ve heard no major issues there. Unfortunately the agent does not have the new version for a test drive yet. I have seen couple of them around; appreciate feedback from anyone who has driven / ridden.

I remember seen an 12 Sri XJS V12 gold colour long time back (i think 1994-95) parked on side of Sethsiripaya @ Battaramulla

I have been using a Samsung 46” LCD which I got down from UK about 2 ½ years back and also I did some research recently to help a friend who wanted to buy a TV my findings: IMO no point in spending premium for the features below as you will most probably will not be using them: 3D – no broadcast, no DVD, only very few blue ray tittles and they are very expensive, so most probably you will not be using this feature. Full HD – similar to above, Dialog TV has Discovery HD and National Geography HD other channels offered are upscaled to HD and is of poor quality. Only solution is to get an Indian cable box through one of the vendors advertised on Sunday papers where you could get couple of full HD channels. Your local TV and local cable quality will be crap when watching them in your HD TV, if you are not sure ask them for a demo or go and have a look with one who has already got one. For you to use internet on your TV to watch video (you tube) you need very fast internet connection (at least 4 mbps) and this also will consume huge amount of data so unless you have a high speed unlimited data package useless. On top of things it is very dangerous to keep the TV hooked to your phone line either direct or through network due to possible damage through lightning. Do you really require this Wifi, DLNA, you will need more hard ware to support or use this features. For you to really benefit by going for LED you will need to go for the more expensive back lit instead of edge lit. If you could live with approximately 40% more power consumption and bit thicker TV (3-4” instead of 2-3”) you would find good bargains on LCD TV’s. What I recommended for my friend is not to go for the useless features and get a bigger screen 46” instead of 40” by not going for maybe 3D, the amount you save (Rs. 50-100k) could be invested in a good home theatre system which would complete your home entertainment system. (you will need a good sound system anyway cause the minute speakers you get in this flat TVs are crap) Before you buy think about what you will be watching, how long, where you are going to pace the TV once you have answers to all the questions to and look for the best deal which will fulfil your requirements. Do bit more research goggle and see there are enough material/ research to help you or may be to confuse you more. Don’t just get in to the bandwagon and go and get the latest / most advance as most of the features would be useless here.

Only transfer fee, new circular http://www.treasury.gov.lk/depts/ttipd/circulars/vehicalepermit/vehicalPermit20121109-sin.pdf

This long life transmission fluid is very expensive check the cost before you do it and also ensure that they use the proper manufacturer recommended oil. This car has a CVT wrong oil can ruin the box and the repalcement will be very expensive. Go and get it done through the agent their prices are reasonable and they will have the proper info on your vehicle requirement.

1. Please refer circular page 2 http://www.treasury.gov.lk/depts/ttipd/circulars/vehicalepermit/vehicale-permit-20101227/disposal-sin.pdf 2. I guess you could order a new set of plates and get the Black P, why bother

In case any human is reading this thread I had the opportunity to visit the agent and get clarifications on exactly what is on offer: They have two models: 3.2 GLX and 2.8 GL 3.2GLX approximately Rs. 9.0 Mil for you get the body, engine (not the latest 2nd Generation 200 bhp but the old 165 bhp), 5 speed auto, Climate control a/c with rear ducts, two rear bench seats (the uncomfortable type), two air bags, CD/ Radio, PS, ABS, PM, CL and a set of Alloy wheels. What you don’t get: Side steps, roof rails, multifunction steering, fog lights, body coloured mirrors/ door handles and of cause the most important winker mirrors. (They could fit most of these accessories once the vehicle imported after market at a so far unknown price) Delivery time 6-9 months by which time most probably the new model will be out. On the plus side it is a “MONTERO” so getting rid of it after 3-5 years might tad easier, however market for these type of vehicles are very sensitive to features/ options and if the market get flooded it might not be the case. I feel this is the best rip off for the permit, this is of cause my personal opinion.

There have been few reported cases of hose going to the turbo comming off causing loss of power, this is not the main intake but a small one. This could have happend when they tried to remove the filter with the chain.