[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

Also, bear in mind that at todays exchange rate a UK M50 with options of my current car is the equivalent of $107k USD mrsp.

$107k is more than the MSRP of my MY23 GLS450. That's crazy!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

I think G01 was the weakest car in BMW line-up, so I'm so glad it's gone - Worst comfort (worst damping, worst seats), worst build quality (all X3s I've been in rattled), idrive 7...

Thankfully your thinking is in the minority! For the record, my MY23 X3 doesn't rattle!

Global:
https://www.bmwblog.com/2024/04/10/b...el%20In%202023

US:
https://www.best-selling-cars.com/us...ales-by-model/

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BigMonkeyWrench

The wires are still there even though the 1-8 buttons and climate control buttons got removed? Comical. Mechanical button wires are not the same as a simple flex cable coming from a touchscreen. You can have a million buttons on the touchscreen and still use the same simple flex cable. Not so with mechanical buttons.

It looks like a hearse wagon. The side looks like a blob that got dented in. The door handles are cheap looking. No opening sunroof, no puddle lights, no anything that's actually useful in daily use. That's not the definition of more features.

I guess the link below is what BMW considers premium. Wonder why it doesn’t have a huge screen and interior like a G45……. Are those buttons …. What the heck….

BMW could have chosen any interior it liked to showcase premium design, as cost is not really issue. This is what it chose.

https://g45.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post31540871

[hans007]

Originally Posted by avi66

I guess the link below is what BMW considers premium. Wonder why it doesn’t have a huge screen and interior like a G45……. Are those buttons …. What the heck….

BMW could have chosen any interior it liked to showcase premium design, as cost is not really issue. This is what it chose.

https://g45.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post31540871

That is obviously a m8 with a body kit , that they are going to extract like $400-900k extra for from 50 people. Some exec was probably hey we have a bunch of m8 parts leftover what you guys wanna do with it?. Not anything they put real thought into and they know people will pay for it for the exclusivity.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by hans007

That is obviously a m8 with a body kit , that they are going to extract like $400-900k extra for from 50 people. Some exec was probably hey we have a bunch of m8 parts leftover what you guys wanna do with it?. Not anything they put real thought into and they know people will pay for it for the exclusivity.

All sold according to BMW.

As you say, some people will pay just because it’s BMW, irrespective or exclusivity or quality. G45 being a good example of let’s see just what we can get away with.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by avi66

All sold according to BMW.

As you say, some people will pay just because it’s BMW, irrespective or exclusivity or quality. G45 being a good example of let’s see just what we can get away with.

they do seem to eventually change things once they find out some people will pay for them.

In the US for example we couldn't have metal window switches, but I noticed the 2025 G20s, have galvanic controls as an option. Won't be shocked if metal door handles and switches come back as an option on the G45. Or "rear extended ambient lighting" . nappa covered dash $500 extra. coming soon extended rear comfort access! $250

[R N M]

My dealer had the X3 event yesterday so I stopped by to take a look at the M50 model.

Looks just as bad in person as it does in the pics. The side no longer has the wheel arches like on the current M40 trim. The plate is now in the rear bumper which makes the back less sporty looking.

The interior is all bad - cheap plastic everywhere. No more wood, Carbon Fiber on dash / doors. No shifter and giant lcd screen. Cheap plastic on door handles, window switches while the ones on my M40 are galvanized.
I do like the seats a lot and they are better than the ones in current X3. Also happy it retains iDrive controller unlike the new X1.

Rear seat space and cargo room are unchanged from current model.

I’m sure BMW will sell plenty of the new version but the cost cutting is very unfortunate.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by R N M

My dealer had the X3 event yesterday so I stopped by to take a look at the M50 model.

Looks just as bad in person as it does in the pics. The side no longer has the wheel arches like on the current M40 trim. The plate is now in the rear bumper which makes the back less sporty looking.

The interior is all bad - cheap plastic everywhere. No more wood, Carbon Fiber on dash / doors. No shifter and giant lcd screen. Cheap plastic on door handles, window switches while the ones on my M40 are galvanized.
I do like the seats a lot and they are better than the ones in current X3. Also happy it retains iDrive controller unlike the new X1.

Rear seat space and cargo room are unchanged from current model.

I’m sure BMW will sell plenty of the new version but the cost cutting is very unfortunate.

not having decorative painted wheel arch molding seems like a plus to me.... it looks way better without them, that always looked so tacked on, it was only slightly better than the unpainted plastic ones the original X3 had that became painted ones as an afterthought.

[JoeyO]

Originally Posted by EWL5

$107k is more than the MSRP of my MY23 GLS450. That's crazy!

It’s not fair to compare vehicle prices from one country to another. Things like economies, taxes, and standards of living play an effect in the prices. For example, vehicles in Singapore cost $250K USD.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

You really shouldn’t compare vehicle prices from one country to another. Things like economies, taxes, and standards of living play an effect in the prices. For example, vehicles in Singapore cost $250K USD.

My point was the relative cost of premium cars in my market, and the M50 with options is Porsche type money here, but for Kia type levels of premium.

Singapore is the most expensive place in the world to own a car because a serious chunk of money must be paid for permission to simply own a car.

From memory the charge is around £88000 for a 10 year licence, as the government caps the number of vehicles.

Last year an article showed a Toyota Camry Hybrid was £151000, including the above licence, registration, and tax. But the cost of all other cars in that market are relative, so if you could get a BMW for the same money there, would you go with the Camry ?

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

The old X3 was one of the worst built BMWs in the market (Ref. all the complaints about rattling noises coming from console, and from various other places inside), with the most dated interior and exterior design.

One of the most inaccurate and equally absurd generalizations expressed on this forum.

[l33v0nix]

i am from Singapore. i booked the x3 xdrive20 (yes not even a 30 for this price) m sport at approx GBP193500/USD252800 all in after all taxes with M Sport Pro + panoramic roof options

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

One of the most inaccurate and equally absurd generalizations expressed on this forum.

He obviously has an agenda. What car doesn't look "dated" at the end of it's cycle life?

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by l33v0nix

i am from Singapore. i booked the x3 xdrive20 (yes not even a 30 for this price) m sport at approx GBP193500/USD252800 all in after all taxes with M Sport Pro + panoramic roof options

Is there anything considered "cheap" in Singapore?!!!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by l33v0nix

i am from Singapore. i booked the x3 xdrive20 (yes not even a 30 for this price) m sport at approx GBP193500/USD252800 all in after all taxes with M Sport Pro + panoramic roof options

How much of that is the 10 year licence to simply own a car in Singapore, or is that on top ?

[l33v0nix]

Originally Posted by avi66

How much of that is the 10 year licence to simply own a car in Singapore, or is that on top ?

this amount is not fixed. there is a "bidding" exercise twice a month to determine the price of this license as there is a quota for each exercise. the most recent bidding exercise concluded at GBP68000/USD88900 for cars above 1600cc or more than 130bhp.

and since my purchase price is priced in based on whatever this license cost at point of booking (which was about 10% lesser than latest price). i definitely hope the license price dont drop so there is lesser dealer margin and more paper value (to help with resale value) of the car (this licence fee is refunded linearly based on lifespan left when you decide to scrap the car)

there is another tax component which is determined by the orignal market value (actual price of the car based on the cost, insurance and freight costs of the vehicle) which can range from 100-200%. so for x3 xdrive20 it is probably around 140%

[l33v0nix]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Is there anything considered "cheap" in Singapore?!!!

nothing. the government taxes anything they can earn money from.

[wartnig]

Originally Posted by hans007

not having decorative painted wheel arch molding seems like a plus to me.... it looks way better without them, that always looked so tacked on, it was only slightly better than the unpainted plastic ones the original X3 had that became painted ones as an afterthought.

I ageee with this I personally don’t like the arch moldings on my current x3 m40i. Never have. My 135i looks a lot sleeker not having them . In my opinion.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Is there anything considered "cheap" in Singapore?!!!

I have a friend who moved there to work.... income tax is a lot less and a flat percentage, 15 % i think..... would make buying a very heavily taxed car not seem that crazy

[NervoS]

Originally Posted by hans007

I have a friend who moved there to work.... income tax is a lot less and a flat percentage, 15 % i think..... would make buying a very heavily taxed car not seem that crazy

Income tax is one thing, sales + excise taxes on car purchases - is another. AFAIK, GST is 9% (sales tax) and excise tax on cars is 20% in Singapore. Cars there are luxury things.

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by NervoS

Income tax is one thing, sales + excise taxes on car purchases - is another. AFAIK, GST is 9% (sales tax) and excise tax on cars is 20% in Singapore. Cars there are luxury things.

To be fair, Singapore has amazing public transit infrastructure. So cars can be treated as luxury items since many people can get along perfectly fine with their lives without any car.

[NervoS]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

To be fair, Singapore has amazing public transit infrastructure. So cars can be treated as luxury items since many people can get along perfectly fine with their lives without any car.

I agree, but that wasn't the point of my comment. The point is - cars in Singapore are expensive, luxurious items and income tax has nothing to do with affordability of them there.