Help with pricing for a newby

[cjt]

I sold my 2004 X5 4.8is (which I'd owned since new) just over a year ago, as I was about to go overseas for 6 months, and when I got back I bought a new new Golf GTI to get around in while I worked out what I really wanted.

The X5 was a fun car to own, and a great drive, but a few things stuck out -

1/ The depreciation was pretty bad (not a problem at this stage of the game, of course, as you would be buying used).
2/ Every other road user hates your guts, which means you have to be a bit pushy to get the space you need, which only adds to the problem.
3/ And the main issue I had with it - runcosts and reliability. I would never own one of these American built cars without warranty. I really got to know my service manager on a personal level. It never ends with these cars, always something that needs looking at. Runcosts, such as those 20" tyres, and average fuel at 21l / 100Km are real high.

So after having the Golf GTI for 5 months, what worked out to be the car I really thought I wanted ? MY09 Passat R36 Wagon, which I have had for 3 weeks now, and it's got everything the X5 had, plus some.

No-one gets offended, fuel use is 40% less and it's faster, as well.

Hopefully I won't get to know my service manager too much either.

[DJC]

Thanks for that

I really think that the best way to go is second hand if I can find one (R36).

Just that availability for the car I want is a bit hard at the moment

Did you enjoy your 4.8is?

[tryingavw]

When I talk X5 4.8is, this is the previous shape which 3 yrs ago was $170k.

How much are you looking at paying for a ML280CDI? There was a dealer demo here and it had about 5k on it and it was 69K. I thought that was reasonable and no doubt you could get it for around 65k.

looking at the E class estate, dont need or want an ML. lots of them around.

[DJC]

I drove the ML range and the were quite a respectable SUV and couldn't fault them, however they just were not exciting!

The repair costs for Mercedes is ridiculous, such that it would be crazy to hold onto one outside warranty. I'm told that the ML range still is plagued with some electrical issues that haunted the previous older MLs.

All in all I believe that BMW make a far better vehicle and driver experience in that range of vehicle, hence the sales figures I guess.

But each to their own

[cjt]

Thanks for that

I really think that the best way to go is second hand if I can find one (R36).

Just that availability for the car I want is a bit hard at the moment

Did you enjoy your 4.8is?

Gotta admit - I loved the 4.8is, even with it's faults.
If the car came with a 6 year warranty, then that's how long I would have kept it.
What really scared me off in the end was problems with the air suspension, that required parts to be shipped (not flown, as the compressed air parts cannot be placed on planes) from Germany. This put my car off the road for a month, and imagine the cost if you had to foot the bill yourself for all new suspension.
So, even though it was love - end of warranty time, she was always going to be dumped.

[DJC]

I still love the aggressive look and stance of the 4.8is!

[DJC]

Just about to order a new R36 black wagon tomorrow. Fully optioned and also has iPod interface for $72500 driveaway. Now $73380 after a few added extras.

I think this is a reasonable deal!

[gead]

well done!

[Caddyman]

congrats on the order!

did the broker ever get back to you with pricing?

Matthew

[Swallowtail]

Just about to order a new R36 black wagon tomorrow. Fully optioned and also has iPod interface for $72500 driveaway.

I think this is a reasonable deal!

Sounds good - what do you mean by "fully optioned"? Dynaudio, sat nav, auto tailgate, MDI, towbar... ?