European specialities (Clown nose alternative)

[jse]

Hare are some pictures of my Danish 320Ci. I have installed the OEM alarm, the PDC, the CD-Changer and the Antenna diversiry myself. The car was not pre-wired for any of this stuff, so I was quite hard (and time consuming) work. BMW strips Danish cars for all extra wiring in order to reduce the price (tax makes a 320Ci cost 45.000 US$).

http://communities.msn.com/BMW320Ci/shoebox.msnw

JSE

[Alex Baumann]

Oops! $45K? Hmm, what's the VAT in Denmark?

[jse]

Rest is special tax on cars...

Terrible isn't it? - You properly understand why I'm a bit upset that the paint is falling of ;)

JSE

[Alex Baumann]

Sure, I can understand your disappointment. But what are those special tax on cars? Isn't Denmark a EU member? We don't have any 'special' tax on cars here in Germany. My car is fulfilling the so-called D4 Environmental pollution norm (I don't know if you're familiar with the german environmental politics but it's a PITA). So it's free of tax for three years from the day of registration.

[Alex Baumann]

One more question : When did the paint problem happen? I see some snow in those pics. It might to do with salt which is spreaded on the road in winter.

[jse]

The heavy tax on cars was introduced during the 2'nd. world war in order to discurage people from spending their money on cars. However the governemt quickly found it to be profitable income and thus decided to keep the tax scheme after the war ended.

Most brands, apart from Mercedes, lower their prices in order to compensate a bit for the high Danish tax. BMW however strips the car completely of any extra options (and all unnecessary wiring) making it very difficult to add options.

I first noticed the paint pealing on the inside of the side skirts (just in front of the rear wheels). I consulted my dealer and they (unsuccesfully) attempted to fix it. However I never imagined that the problem would appear on the outside visible areas - but I guess that I was in for a nasty surprise.

ANd yes, it is cold here in Denmark (-2 C), but the paint should not be affected by road salt. I have not seen this problem on other brands - my wifes 1998 Toyota Corolla shows no problem what so ever.

This experience will make me think twice about buying another BMW, despite that fact that I like the looks and handling of the 3'series.

JSE

[ashecnc]

I can't believe how much different your car is compared to US, I had no idea everything was an option.. hmmm :confused: :rolleyes:

[jse]

I once complained to BMW AG about the lack of pre-wiring. They responded that they did'nt give a damn about Danish customers, as the yearly production for Denmark did'nt even equal a days work at the production plant.

Guess I can't blaim them for not being honest :rolleyes:

JSE

[Alex Baumann]

Since I don't live very far from Denmark (about 150km to danish border) and the weather is not better than in Copenhagen here :)I've never seen or heard such a problem on any BMW. I would recommend you consult your dealer and if neccessary insist on a replacement of the side skirt (painted in body color of course) Should be done under warranty. I think factory paint work wasn't done properly.


Alex

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by CCs328Ci
I can't believe how much different your car is compared to US, I had no idea everything was an option.. hmmm :confused: :rolleyes:

Hehe, you would faint if you'd seen my option list :) 3 pages, total cost of options about $11K ! I've also some weird stuff that US cars don't get, such as power fold up mirrors or chrome line exterior (door handles, exterior trim, registration plate frame etc)

[ashecnc]

You mean your car was the same way?????? HAd to order options that came on ours?? :eek:

[jse]

However I doubt that I have the energy to start fighting BMW on this issue. I have had numerous problems with my prior BMW:

1997 BMW 316i (E36)

Damaged and repainted door on delivery (dealer did not inform me)
Warped rotors despite numerous replacements
Broken servo steering after one year

2000 BMW 318i (E46)

Broken thermostat
Spots and blemishes i Titan Silver paint

2001 BMW 320Ci (E46)

Clonking rear differential
Rattles from inside the passengers side door
Broken servo pump
Continously low coolant (coolant loss?)
Excessive oil consumption (> 0.5 litre per 1.000 km).
Pealing paint on plastic parts

Every time I contact the dealer he acts as its the first time he heard about the problem. Dealer is never able to make a decision, I always have to wait for BMW Import to evaluate the problem. Could might as well have bought the car trough mail order ;)

Sorry if I appear negative, this paint problem is just ruining my x-mas.

JSE

[Alex Baumann]

Yup!

[jse]

the car is wonderful when it works, just a damn shame that I have to spend time on all these "small" anoying problems.

JSE

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by jse
Every time I contact the dealer he acts as its the first time he heard about the problem.

That's why I like the TSB thingy in the US.

[ashecnc]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by jse
Every time I contact the dealer he acts as its the first time he heard about the problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tell them to fix the paint, and do this to the service guy, http://www.clicksmilies.com/sammlung/mittelgrosse/mittelgr144.gif, then he will remember
:p

[LilEccentricJ]

Originally posted by CCs328Ci
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by jse
Every time I contact the dealer he acts as its the first time he heard about the problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tell them to fix the paint, and do this to the service guy, http://www.clicksmilies.com/sammlung/mittelgrosse/mittelgr144.gif, then he will remember
:p

LOL... They can make you feel that way for sure!

[Alex Baumann]

That would be a TKO :)

[geomax]

Just curious - what is this "clown nose" I've read so much about?

[Faithless]

I've always wondered what the differences are between European countries and the specification of car..

I'm in the UK and have now had my 325CI for 3 months.

My car comes with the following as part of the standard package:

- Reverse park assist (beeping noise only - no display)
- Alarm
- Electric seats (driver and passenger)
- Warning triangle & first aid kit
- Leather steering wheel and gearlever
- Automatic dimming rear view mirror
- Air conditioning (sunroof is an extra cost option)
- Clear lights (not yellow)
- Passenger mirror tilts down when car in reverse
- 3 years warranty

So how does this compare to the same type of car in other European countries ?? Do you get any more features (or less) ? Also, how does this compare to the U.S. ?

The UK price for this car (with no options) is £27,240 !! Which is why many of us now import our cars into the UK from other European countries :rolleyes: where they are cheaper !

Mark
UK

[Patrick]

Originally posted by Alex Baumann
Oops! $45K? Hmm, what's the VAT in Denmark?

Actually, $45,000 USD for that car is CHEAPER than Finland. My un-loaded 320d cost me ... well, more than that.

We have new car (meaning a brand new vehicle) tax here that is approximately 120%. New cars (including BMW) are also stripped of extra wiring and other things to lower the pre-tax prices.

Like I said in an earlier post, my "fur hat" model has nothing extra from the factory. When you order a car, those optional extras cost a fortune. The even stranger thing is that it is in some cases, 50% cheaper to have some things installed after you have taken delivery. Xenon headlights, clear turn signal indicators, extra wheels for winter tires, factory alarm (if possible), aluminum trim, sport steering wheel etc.

Due to this, I cannot have a factory alarm installed in my car - unless I want to have half of the interior removed!

What makes this completely ludicrous, is that Finland has the lowest prices on new cars (without taxes) in the entire European Union; other Europeans buy their new cars from Finland because it is so much cheaper than from their own country.

However, if I go to Germany to buy a new BMW, equiped as I want, I will get killed when I bring it back to Finland. The Finnish Customs Police have documentation on every car make sold in Europe and what the extra equipment costs. I cannot drive the car 1 meter in Finland until I have paid the customs duties on the price of the car (based on the receipt) PLUS new vehicle tax. Essentially, double taxation. Failing to pay these taxes and then getting busted means you lose the car until you have paid them, plus a fine of twice the taxed amount (something insane like that).

Some group of Finnish bureaucrats and tax lawyers actually got paid to sit around in their nice Helsinki offices and come up with rules like this. Amazing.

It used to be worse in Sweden, at least with the importation of "used" cars from another country. They have since dropped the whole idea on cars that are imported from another EU country. This will happen too in Finland because at present, it is actually illegal for the Finnish Government - according to the charter it signed with the EU prior to joining the union - to impose such import duties.

I apologize for going off there! Please feel sorry for me!!

;) ;)

In my next segment, I will discuss gasoline taxes, dog taxes and liquor taxes in Finland. Stay tuned.

Patrick

[Patrick]

Originally posted by Alex Baumann
Sure, I can understand your disappointment. But what are those special tax on cars? Isn't Denmark a EU member? We don't have any 'special' tax on cars here in Germany. My car is fulfilling the so-called D4 Environmental pollution norm (I don't know if you're familiar with the german environmental politics but it's a PITA). So it's free of tax for three years from the day of registration.

Those car taxes depend on the country - there are no EU wide rules YET that have been accepted by all members.

Car makers have to build cars that conform to the EU's pollution laws - they often just look at what California (yes, the State of CA) legislation is.

(Rant again) Oh yeah, because my car is a diesel, and diesel is "cheaper" than gasoline, I have to pay diesel tax every year, $450.

We also have road tax ... $125 a year ... and the taxes on fuel are 75%.

Pitty? Anyone?

:)

Patrick

[Patrick]

Originally posted by Faithless
I've always wondered what the differences are between European countries and the specification of car..

I'm in the UK and have now had my 325CI for 3 months.

My car comes with the following as part of the standard package:

- Reverse park assist (beeping noise only - no display)
- Alarm
- Electric seats (driver and passenger)
- Warning triangle & first aid kit
- Leather steering wheel and gearlever
- Automatic dimming rear view mirror
- Air conditioning (sunroof is an extra cost option)
- Clear lights (not yellow)
- Passenger mirror tilts down when car in reverse
- 3 years warranty

If I take those in order:

- NO
- NO
- Are you kidding!
- Paid extra for it
- NO
- NO but paid extra for it (sunroof makes it a factory order = 3 month wait)
- NO, ordered for retrofit, 48% cheaper this way
- Never even heard of this until yesterday
- YES, covers only non- normal wear parts

I would say that you have a nice car straight out of the box! If those items were standard on my Finnish spec 320d, I would probably not qualified for the financing to pay for it ...

Patrick

(I am starting to not like my car ...)

[ashecnc]

Patrick 320d Here is how I feel towards you, Come move here! http://www.clicksmilies.com/sammlung/sehrgrosse/grosse041.gif

[Patrick]

Originally posted by CCs328Ci
Patrick 320d Here is how I feel towards you, Come move here!

:D :D :D :D

My parents keep saying the same thing! After my last visit home (Seattle), I have been seriously thinking about ...

Thanks CCs328Ci!

Patrick

[ashecnc]

My parents keep saying the same thing! After my last visit home (Seattle), I have been seriously thinking about ...

Thanks CCs328Ci!

Patrick

http://www.clicksmilies.com/sammlung/sehrgrosse/grosse043.gif

[Mr. E]

Yeah Patrick, bring that diesel 3-series over here and You'll be king of the road.

I enjoy reading about all the European taxation and tariffs, but I feel bad for you all that have to suffer through it. Amazing that the countries of Europe even ratified the E.U. treaty and agreed to go with a common currency. One rule of thumb I've always had for politicians, is they never want to let go of any of their power once they have it. The power to tax is the ultimate in power! Here in the U.S. we have gasoline taxes that take care of the majority of our road and highway maintenance. I think that's the fairest way to pay for it, because those who drive the most, use the most gas, and pay the most for road upkeep.

Alex, you make me envious with your funky options for your car. The chrome door handles are really cool, although many people here would probably put those in the same category as chromed wheels, i.e. a "ghetto/pimp" look. Do they have an option for chromed side mirrors? I saw a picture of a dark blue Audi station wagon with chromed side mirrors and it looked really sharp.

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by Mr. E
Do they have an option for chromed side mirrors?

No there's no chrome mirrors as option. And I like the look of chrome door handles. Looking good on dark colors, IMO.

Happy New Year