Lahiruwan

The car market today is flooded with cars brought down under the concessionary duty permit scheme. For example it seems possible to get a 5 series diesel BMW for about 10 million which is about $75,000. Even in the USA these cars cost about $50,000/-. Considering the 'permit' attracts a duty of about 125% and not to forget a CIF limit of $25,000/- (now upto $35,000) how can the car manufacturers and agents sell these cars at those prices? One possibility is that they remit some funds illegally as a car such as a BMW 5 series cannot be bought for $25k. The other is that the manufacturers make cars with de-specced engines, lesser technology and cheaper plastics specially for markets like ours. Does anyone know what is happening?

Thanks for the replies. When I spoke to someone at the Insurance company they said that I have the option of getting the car written off if I thought I could not get it repaired with the money they were offering. Any experience with this? Would they agree to this considering the car is insured for 2.6mil and the cost is 1.8mil? Thanks

My 2006 Toyota Corolla (bought Brand New from Toyota Lanka in 2006) recently met with an accident where another guy ran a red light (at the instruction of a policeman) and crashed into the the front driver's side. Toyota Lanka has given an estimate of 1.8million and now Union Assurance is telling we have to foot 20% of the cost and 50% of airbag costs. Is this legal for them to do this? Would appreciate advice. Thanks

Dilesh You obviously have not done A/L physics!! Had you even slept in a physics class, you would know that ALL gases expand when the temperature increases. If it does not, its not a gas!!

It sounds like a marketing gimmick to me. The air is anyway 80% Nitrogen. How much extra benefit can 20% extra be? Sort of like selling refridgerators to Eskimos!!!

As far as I know different brands of ATF are compatible with each other. Before the new fluid changing machines were available, ATF was changed just like engine oil and mixing of the old and the new happened. Not a problem if both the new and old fluid met the requirements of the car manufacturer.

Hi Was surprised to see a Maserati ?Spyder near Rajagiriya today. Any idea who this belongs to? http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4480/04052009036.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2603/04052009037.jpg

Follow this link to the government department dealing with these things. http://www.imexport.gov.lk/downloads.php?S...&&Did=5

I don't know about England but in the USA they will allow you to drive with a valid LK license for upto 1 year. If you plan to stay longer you can face a short test and get a US license in exchange for your one. There is no distinction of country. Everyone has to go through the same process.

Maybe you should think about changing the driver and getting a new one!

The VIN of a Jap made Toyota starts with JT. Indonesian made vehicles such as the Avanza have a different first two letters.

Mobil Super XHP Plus IS a mineral oil. Its not synthetic or semi-synthetic. Its the equivalent of Havoline Formula. Toyota Motor oil is rebranded Eneos oil The previous owner would have told that the car does 13/ liter as he wanted to sell the car!! I am amazed that you believed him!!! IMHO most mineral oil brands available in Sri Lanka are the same quality. Mobil has a better reputation than Havoline due to better marketing.

I have the exact same problem. Initially I was told that it is a kink in the steering rack but I do not buy the story. Please let me know if you find the reason. Thanks

Thanks Ruslan

Hi Could you please post the link to the manual. Even better if you could upload the document to RS or some place similar. Thanks in advance

Thanks. I already tried to contact Milroy and he's out of the country. I will wait and see. Thanks

Thanks for the advice. I am actually looking at a E46 petrol. I don't know where to look. I have been monitoring the HitAd during the past month or so but there wasn't a single 318i advertised. There are a few 320ds manily pre-facelift models but I am looking for a newer specimen. Anyone has an idea about where to look. Any used car sales where they have Bimmers? Thanks

Thanks. This is made in 2005 so I suppose it is the facelift. I am new to BMW and was surprised to see in the Motor magazine that the e46 3 series has a better market than the e39. Funny! Anyway, the guy is asking for 5.5 mil and I suppose its too much. The car is also not in very good condition and has run 50k miles.

Hi I'm on the lookout for a used bimmer and there is a 2002 525i. It has done 50k miles and is a manual. How is the maintenance cost of your car and what is the mileage you get in Colombo/ Outstations? Do you have any idea what a 2002 525i is worth in today's depressed market. Great help. Nice looking car Thanks

Be careful when you buy the Cruze. It looks similar to the Swift but except for the engine and the transmission the two are quite different. I had a time trying to find parts to replace a faulty steering rack. The correct part was only found at A*W. The stuff is quite expensive because of this.

Thanks for the help...

Do you have any contact details? Was it at a car sale? Thanks

Yes I also thought that the facelifted cars were a bit newer than this. However. I will look at the registration book to make sure. I will check the car out again. The wheels are 16" and they seem to be the original. Is it possible to change the mileage of the car easily in Sri Lanka? What was the car you sold and how much did you manage to get for it in the end? Thank you for the info.

Hi Thanks for the reply. The Reg Number is GN -1200 series. He says its 2002 but the seat belt states 2001. The face is the facelifted version. Car looks to be in mint condition with a Harman Kardon audio system with a 16:9 screen and television. He has fitted a reverse camera also. The wheels are 16" (I thought the original came with either 15" or 17"). The colour is greenish with yellowish colour leather interior and wood finish. I heard there is a tendency for the diesel pump to give up at about 45k miles? Any truth in that? He has now agreed for 5.55 million but I still think its a bit too much. What do you think? Thanks

Its a post facelift, Manual Diesel with sunroof and leathers. The fellow agreed for 5.5 million. I think still to much. What do you think? @xXx Did you get the 2003? If not can I get the contacts? Pl PM me... Thanks