tconner

Have read some of the threads for Singapore, a 520 costs abut $115,000 USD, and that is 100% correct, also in Thailand we have up to 200% tax on imported cars. BMW has a factory and produces 3 series CKD here, and BMW produces 5 series CKD in Indonesia. Thailand and Indonesia have a trade agreement to lower prices on 3 series in Indo, and respectively 5 series here in Thailand. So there is some relief in the pricing.

Still my dream car is an M5. In no dream could I even begin to pay the import tax for a full CBU M5 here in Thailand. Too rich for my blood.

So I made my own (poser) M5 here.

BMW helped me a lot, the dealer got all original M5 parts for me, and it looks pretty darned good. We even ordered a full M5 exhaust system (both sides) and I used the left M5 exhaust and cut the tips off the right side and have them as the dummy pipes. I kept the right muffler in case some day after warranty I decide to move the battery and cut into the wheel well to mount it.

You can see below my car spec. & some photos in my album, it is now a 525i, but will be a 3.0 liter in about 1 year after I stroke it with a kit from Noelle Motors Germany. My last car was a 2001 E39 3.2 tuned Schnitzer, and 3.2 liters was more than enough for Thai roads.

Costs... A 525i LE edition costs 4.1 million Thai Baht, or USD $125,749. The "M5" additions from BMW were 800,000 THB or USD $24,500. Then I added the ICE system for about $5000, So this car as it sits cost me 155,000 USD. Could have had a real, real nice M5 in the US for this kinda money - ya think???

But a real M5 here - 250,000 USD ++ . Heck, an X5 here costs you 170,000 USD as standard.

Funny thing is you see nice cars everywhere, so the economy can't be so bad... Pulled into my stereo installer shop, there was a brand spankin' new Bently Continental GT being gutted for a new sound system... Besides you only live once, and seems I will be stationed out here another 15 years, so I can stop planning my move back to the states!

You guys in the US that get nice 1 or 2 year old E-60's for 30k - 60k or new one for 70k, you are lucky dogs!

I can rest in knowing I do my part to support the Thailand tax department!

Ted

coolguy

Yikes.. lol.. what do you do for a living to afford all that

ziggy

Hi. Like you I would love an M5 but balk at the cost. So, I settled for a 530, and today got a remap job to increase the power and torque for a very reasonable cost. The BMW dealers charge over the top for M5 or MSport bodywork, so try RPM at Ramkhamhaeng 71. I got my rims there. Cheers!

soc_fans

The taxes in Asia is crazy. My dad's 630i cost $175,000 USD in Singapore. :thumbsdown: As much as how most supercars cost in US.

But you just live once, enjoy it as much as you can!

euroman2004

ZIGGY you said you got a remap job, how much more power did you get, is it a lot more responsive ?
details please..
thanks

Stormbird

Hi tconner,
I know the feeling. My 3.0 Litre Z4 cost me 74,000 Euros here in Portugal - that's 101,000 USD , and my new 520d E 61 LCI arriving at the end of this month will set me back 111,000 USD - like in Thailand due to tax - crazy.
Thank God I've got an understanding wife !!!!!!

ziggy

Hi. The remap has been optimised for the very hot weather here and for 95 octane fuel. Estimates are that power is increased by 15 - 18 bhp and torque by around 18%. However I need to check this on the dynamometer at the local inspection center. Off the line the response is much improved, but it is the performance when pulling from around 2,500 rpm (where there seemed to be a bit of a flat spot in this engine although it may be my imagination) where the remap is most noticeable.

tconner

Hi Ziggy, Yes I got several items ar RPM over the years, but this time I went for all original parts from BMW, I know it cost me a lot more than similar RPM items, but in the end I am pleased how it all came out.

I work for a Germany industrial manufacturer, mostly in China, Taiwan and Korea, but cover all of Asia. Have had a home in Thailand now almost 15 years, lots and lots of travel... Had the new car 4 weeks and managed to drive it less than 400 km... I am glad I too have an understanding wife, as others have mentioned!

Car is now at UDOMCHAI adding another AMP to teh system, I hope to see it again when I am back from Shanghai later this week! I hope!

Cheers,

Ted

keang24

How much would it cost for M5 in thailand? Thankx

euroman2004

stormbird Where are you in Portugal? im from ilha da Madeira myself, i had no idea the tax is the much inflated, do you know if it applies to used autos ? my friend is thinking of shipping a MB E320 to the island this summer, he's probably in for a surprise.

OBRIGADO

GO BENFICA