kaushama

Not yet. We are trying for it though! BTW BMW X1 is becoming a hit in Europe and India! X1 in europe US delay Most liked in India Indian poll

I have heard of this too. But the ones I know are petrol and reconditioned.

It is crampy for the rear passengers! Specially for the third person if someone squeezes in between rear two. Front almost same space as 320D. It is two early to judge here in Sri Lanka. They have only sold less than ten cars it seems. But in many user reviews in India and Europe people praise the car. If not for the space issue it would have been a perfect choice for a family car here.

You got a point there. But after reading lots of user reviews, it looks like X1 is gonna be a hit. Even in Europe forget countries like ours. It has become most liked car in India according to a recent poll. Most manufacturers make softroaders these days than proper off road vehicles. The most models; we discuss here, are softroaders (Crossover utility vehicles) than proper offroaders. Hyundai and Kia both has adopted this product strategy. The sorrento had been a proper ladder frame offroader and they have made it a CUV after a market survey. Most so called SUVs rather CUVs do not march to terrains, which need proper offroad handling according to them. Why do we opt for SUVs, CUVs or SAVs? Because of the road conditions here. Very few people go on trekking in jungles with those vehicles. We live in concrete jungles or villages with horrible roads. But going for a full size SUV has to suffer a serious limitation. Problems with handling and overall ride quality. India's best selling Fortuner had been criticized for its awful body rolling and cornering ability. You may remeber the horrible agricultural ride quality of old Montero sport. Even brilliant new Tucson has firm ride quality and some issues in over all comfort. I have test driven it. It is probably the sportiest CUV out of the lot along with poorly supported Sportage here in Sri lanka. New but BOXY X-trail comes close too. I am talking about diesels. CRV is very good with some girly looks. BMW 3 series has so many awards due to its firm road binding type handling and cornering. I have driven it in UK. It handles superbly! Shear pleasure to ride. It has superb center weight distribution and traction control. Center of gravity is such you can take a bend without any body roll at a speed you can not imagine to do with any of the models discussed here. But there is a limitation. It is really low and Sri lankan conditions would not forgive the car. According to user and expert reviews X1 has almost 90-95% of the handling abilities of 3 series. It drives almost like a sedan! It looks like a sport car and handles like a sport car. X1 is based on 3 series chassis. So it hits the perfect sweet spot for the road like ours. Sporty ride quality with CUV qualities. There are some videos and reviews discussing its offroad abilities too. Though it is not a hardcore 4X4, it does some serious off road stuff. More than necessary to concur bad road conditions here. So it serves the purpose for most IMHO. I am not telling this is the best car for the permit. But if you look for a feel of a European sedan like ride quality with touch of class and if you are not worried about secondhand market and maintenance issues, it is one good option out of limited options for the permit. Only point puts me off it is the rear seat comfort. I have done lots of reading around options available for the permit. So I thought I should share some thoughts on X1. This is of course my opinion based on personal preference!

It is clearly mentioned in the section 5 of the following document. And the table follows shows the tax percentage is calculated using the CIF! http://hotfile.com/dl/105678808/8f8b714/instruc-sin.pdf.html

This is the document I was telling about. Further we were promised at the discussions with ministry of Finance that the total amount of taxes one has to pay would be 70% (maximum) of the CIF. That was clearly stated. I think the customs is doing the calculations to round off the total to that amount. http://hotfile.com/dl/105678808/8f8b714/instruc-sin.pdf.html

Anyone has an idea of the depretiation of a new bimmer after 3 years and 5 years. Specially when the next model arrives in one or two years! I know most professional who bought it for permits sold it more than the amount they bought! Just marginal. I think huge depretiation is due to the fact people think it is impossible to maintain. But they are very reliable cars and new 3 series diesel gives wonderful fuel consumption rates for a diesel!

This car is 2000CC so the total amount of taxes would be 60% of the CIF. Hence 2750000 + (60% of 2750000 = 1650000) would be the total cost of the vehicle! 1650000 would be the taxes. This was explained in the guideline they provided in the web. I can not find it now. But it was clearly stated in the treasury discussions that total amount of taxes the permit holder has to pay would be percentage (of the total CIF) mentioned in the circular. We are trying to negotiate raise the CIF limit as well.

Initial depretiation of the original price? 10 mil?

And whatever the SUV one can get for permit would be a base model unless they are Korean made ones. They offer real value for money, if you are not bothered about the secondhand market. Even the Korean SUVs are not real SUVs. They are crossover vehicles. Only real SUVs on offer are Range rover, X-Trail and Montero sports. They have serious off road ability.

Yes What they mean is X1 is not a proper SUV!

What they offer is Auto.

No Jap SUV is on offer unless A*W would be successful in their bid to bring scaled down diesel X-Trail. Montero sport and fortuner both are Thai made! X1 is in fact not an SUV. It is an SAV. Sports activity vehicle. There is marginal ground clearance benefit over 318D. I think the look of X1 is something common for BMW cars. At first they have an acquired taste. But later grow on people and look acceptable. This has happened to many of their vehicle. If I can sell it for 5.5 mil after 3 or 5 years that would be OK for me. I prefer the look of the car over X1. Toyotas and other Jap makes are very reliable and easy to maintain. But they lack the X-FACTOR of the European siblings.

Mate, it is impossible to quote 9mil even the agent fee is 2 mil. I have been involved with the treasury discussions regarding the permit. What a buyer has to pay as taxes to the government is maximum 70% of the CIF. This includes all the taxes most likely that includes VAT too. So the maximum cost less agent fee for a permit vehicle is (25000 x 110 x 1.7) 4675000. Roughly 4.7 mil. This is for both diesel and petrol. So if they quote 9 mil the agent fee is 4.3 mil. In fact we met all the principle importers and explained this to them. And told them if they are going to play with the tax benifit given to end user they will loose the businesses to second hand car importers and perhaps whole lot of our professionals buying from as a group. Same story goes again. Ripping the people!!!

25000$ x 110 = 2750000 2750000 x Duty (2750000x0.6) = 4400000 4400000 + Agent fee (100000+VAT) = 5550000 There may be other charges as customs has not worked out exact formula!

Both will cost 5.5 to 6 mil!

I thought X1 will retain more value as it is new model. BMW will not change it for next 6-7 years but 318D will acquire a new look in 2-3 years time. I agree the look of X1 has some thing odd feeling!

There are two offerings from BMW for permit holders. X1 and 318D X1 is an SAV (sports utility vehicle). The model offered has sDrive. Two wheel drive. The new model came out last quarter of 2010 and it has bit of a wagon look. Rear passengers has less room than 318D and in fact it is a 4 seater than 5 seater. Slightly more ground clearance than 318D. Rear seats can be folded, which gives more luggage cabin. Rear seats can be reclined too. Definitely more luggage space than the car. Although it is an SAV it is just a car like cross over with unique looks. 318D has the same engine and transmission. It is a proper five seater with less luggage space. Less ground Clarence. The model is 5 years old and has got a mid cycle face lift recently. It will depreciate more when the new model arrives in three years. X1 gives more value? Your opinions please!

It is 25000$ for either petrol or diesel!

The SUV options for permits Montero sports Santa Fe Tucson Sorrento Sportage CRV Fortuner X-trail X1

There is a new arrival for permit holders. BMW X1! And BMW 318d! Though X1 is odd looking I am seriously considering to buy it! If not I would go for 318D! Fantastic car as I have driven 320D before! Best entry excutive car in UK!

Cruise Control in Galle road? Or any of Sri Lankan roads? You gotta be having either curfew or 1989 mob rule not to get your ass smashed!

X-trail has better off road ability that is why I thought it is better.But I leanrt it has very poor reputation here and perhaps lower second hand market than Hyundai after five years! I agree Santa Fe is better but I do not like the design. It has superior support as opposed to that of KIA here. New Montero sport looks nice too with some serious off road ability! KIA makes inferior cars than Hyundai?

Anyone has problems with manual Santa Fe or Sorento? I was told that few manual SFs has issues with flywheel due to high torque it has!

Yes They can be made different and more classy than ones in Hilton fleet! (-: