Self Import 5 series (G30) or X3 (G01) worthwhile?

[BanCoe]

  On 12/26/2018 at 12:19 AM, Spring said:

Iâve been told by a PI that all their cars under go homologation even if they have brought in the same model with same specs before. This is unlike ADs who only need to do homologation for their very first model of its kind. True or not Iâm not sure but do check this up as if what they say is true then u canât skip homologation even though the model u bringing in has already been sold here before.

This Homo thingy have to pay heavy charges ?? What is the criteria ??

[Spring]

  On 12/26/2018 at 12:52 AM, BanCoe said:

This Homo thingy have to pay heavy charges ?? What is the criteria ??

Sorry bro, not sure.

All i know is that LTA wants to inspect the works on all new first of its kind models for AD. I suppose for PIs n self import, they consider it Used? And hence wants to ensure that each car meets all the required criteria as each model is considered individually?

[xiaozhi86]

there is someone in hwz actually self import vezel from japan before some 2-3 years back. one thing that puzzle me is when go uk official car site to build your own car, the car omv can be like 25k pounds but when come to sg, it also show 25k sgd as omv.

 

How I know this is because I enquire from PI before

 

 

 

i know purchase from uk and export got 20% vat refund but still 20k pounds when convert to sgd is confirm more then 30k sgd

Edited December 26, 2018 by NgWeiBin

[Ahbengdriver]

KNN...just buy a used import la.  low mileage n simple process.  My hiadee got a test car BMW from Jippun. 

[inlinesix]

  On 12/26/2018 at 2:20 AM, NgWeiBin said:

there is someone in hwz actually self import vezel from japan before some 2-3 years back. one thing that puzzle me is when go uk official car site to build your own car, the car omv can be like 25k pounds but when come to sg, it also show 25k sgd as omv.

 

How I know this is because I enquire from PI before

 

 

 

i know purchase from uk and export got 20% vat refund but still 20k pounds when convert to sgd is confirm more then 30k sgd

 

As i said numerous times, there is always a difference btw wholesale and retail price.

 

For PI/self-import, it is always retail price.  Once umderdeclared, will be caught easily as retail price is open.

 

Can always get a friend to get a unit via Sixt with deep discount on RRP.  But Singapore custom may deemed a higher value.

[Micarforum]

wow haha, i wonder how PI get all their cars, sell 30-40k below AD prices, and still make a decent profit to pay the rental/staff costs and still yield a profit for the boss...

 

Since all imports via RRP, then something is very fishy for the PI right? 

[Inlinefour]

  On 12/26/2018 at 3:46 AM, Micarforum said:

wow haha, i wonder how PI get all their cars, sell 30-40k below AD prices, and still make a decent profit to pay the rental/staff costs and still yield a profit for the boss...

 

Since all imports via RRP, then something is very fishy for the PI right? 

 

G30 is because markup at AD is super high so PI can sell 30-40k lower

[inlinesix]

  On 12/26/2018 at 6:33 AM, Pohhenry said:

G30 is because markup at AD is super high so PI can sell 30-40k lower

 

Importer can control OMV resulted in competitive price.

 

PI might be price lower with lower option.

[Micarforum]

  On 12/26/2018 at 12:48 PM, Davidtch said:

Importer can control OMV resulted in competitive price.

 

PI might be price lower with lower option.

 

hmm... actually what I read is that PI cars can be higher spec-ed with lower price than AD.

[Lala81]

  On 12/25/2018 at 4:00 PM, Volvobrick said:

You have to take into consideration the conversion of the built-in navigation system (if 520 and E-class).  This is not cheap, running into thousands of dollars.  Any loading of software needs to login online with special key and most workshops don't have it.  And the E-class has steering rack problem, needing replacement very soon.

 

(My workshop boss told me one....)

 

my friend's PI E class 3 days in, steering failed. Had to change.

[inlinesix]

  On 12/27/2018 at 2:20 AM, Micarforum said:

hmm... actually what I read is that PI cars can be higher spec-ed with lower price than AD.

 

Someone here told me that they can get the same spec as AD imported at a lower price.

 

I haven't see it yet.

 

Based on the price you quoted, i am interested to know the option included as well as UK price.

 

If i am going the route of self import, i would go for 540 rather than 520.

[Tianmo]

  On 12/26/2018 at 12:52 AM, BanCoe said:

This Homo thingy have to pay heavy charges ?? What is the criteria ??

 

The homo thingy have to pay very heavy charges hor, highest is HIV. criteria both must be male.     

[Micarforum]

actually even at retail price of the cars overseas, it will be at significant price discount from AD's prices, simply because of the huge margin they are charging.

 

Of coz they have to pay for the overheads and earn a decent living, so for ppl who don't think it's worth to save the 30-60k, can just get from AD can have a peace of mind in terms of warranty and servicing.

 

For PI, chances are the savings would be lesser, but there is a risk of them running away with our money, warranty not being honoured etc.

 

Actually thinking about it, in some cases, the margin of the ADs and some PI is more than the price of the car itself 

  On 12/27/2018 at 3:56 AM, Davidtch said:

Someone here told me that they can get the same spec as AD imported at a lower price.

 

I haven't see it yet.

 

Based on the price you quoted, i am interested to know the option included as well as UK price.

 

If i am going the route of self import, i would go for 540 rather than 520.

 

I may be going for Merc E Class instead for max savings.

[Sdf4786k]

  On 12/26/2018 at 1:06 AM, Spring said:

Sorry bro, not sure.

All i know is that LTA wants to inspect the works on all new first of its kind models for AD. I suppose for PIs n self import, they consider it Used? And hence wants to ensure that each car meets all the required criteria as each model is considered individually?

I thing homo is just one part of the equation. the other is to swap it out from delivery mode to PDI mode on the ecu.

 

And that swapping can only be perform on the factory diagnostic server. And hence the mickey mouse routine of getting from UK and then swapping out the thermostat so that it does not over heat in SG..

[BanCoe]

Thank you for your info Sir

Only you are the most Sexperienced AND willing to share the expensive input/s     and double consperm experience 

 

 

 

  On 12/27/2018 at 4:02 AM, Tianmo said:

The homo thingy have to pay very heavy charges hor, highest is HIV. criteria both must be male.     

 

[Phelan]

  On 12/24/2018 at 7:45 AM, Micarforum said:

Hi guys,

 

Need some advice on whether it's worthwhile to self import 5 series (G30) or X3 (G01) from UK to Singapore... I am looking at it purely from the perspective of cost savings.

 

I have business there, so I am familiar with the import process (not cars though), the savings seemed to be quite significant, although there's no local warranty / maintenance included:

 

520i G30: S$150k-160k (vs S$240k+ locally)

X3 G01: S$170k-180k (vs S$210k+ locally)

 

Hopefully someone with experience can shed some light on this?

 

My primary concern is the repair / maintenance costs of BMW, which seem to be the highest among continental cars, with the lowest reliability.

My Friend brought in a Seat Leon Cupra about 3 years ago from UK. He saved about $35k compared to the local agent pricing then. Do note that you will not be able to get a local car loan though.

Edited December 27, 2018 by Phelan

[inlinesix]

  On 12/27/2018 at 4:35 AM, Micarforum said:

actually even at retail price of the cars overseas, it will be at significant price discount from AD's prices, simply because of the huge margin they are charging.

 

Of coz they have to pay for the overheads and earn a decent living, so for ppl who don't think it's worth to save the 30-60k, can just get from AD can have a peace of mind in terms of warranty and servicing.

 

For PI, chances are the savings would be lesser, but there is a risk of them running away with our money, warranty not being honoured etc.

 

Actually thinking about it, in some cases, the margin of the ADs and some PI is more than the price of the car itself 

 

I may be going for Merc E Class instead for max savings.

 

The so called margin you see is actually importer rather than AD.

 

You could shares your journey here with MCFer.

[xiaozhi86]

  On 12/27/2018 at 4:58 AM, Phelan said:

My Friend brought in a Seat Leon Cupra about 3 years ago from UK. He saved about $35k compared to the local agent pricing then. Do note that you will not be able to get a local car loan though.

Care to share how your friend import from UK?