IdZer0

And don't forget; those numbers are gross income. You still need to pay taxes and social security on those. In Belgium (admittedly one of the highest in Europe) that very roughly sums up to about 50% of your income.

Just to be complete

BangleBox_530d

No, that's wrong. Cost of living in Europe *IS* higher, and salaries don't make up the difference. Therefore standard of living is not as high.

USA is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

kscarrol

There are two different methods for computing the octane of fuels. The US and most European countries use different methods. He is correct, the 95 octane in Europe is about the same as the US 91 octane. We had this discussion some time ago.

In fact here is the lik to the earlier discussion. Scroll down to a post by Dantheman (I think that's it). He gives a good explanation of the difference between Euro and US octane calculations.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=2926&st=0

Iceman

I really don't want to ruin your day, but the Diesel is the WORST for the environment!!!
And that's why there is a waaaaaay higher tax on the Diesel engines in Germany!

BangleBox_530d

I know. It's the govt which need to listen.

CO2 output might be lower, but there's other pollutants which are worse. Things have changed now that the diesels are EuroIV compliant, and have particulate filters.

It's all because of Kyoto. Focus ONLY on CO2.

I'll be paying 22% tax on the value of my 530d when it arrives. It would be 27% if it was automatic. A 530i would be 32%, or 34% if automatic. A 545i is 35%. In the UK the employee has to pay the tax too

What the tax in Germany?

What the tax in US?

Guest

Here are the prices for gas in Europe eff 1 Nov. These prices are for US government employees

In Germany, the price for normal unleaded fuel will be $2.138 per gallon. The price for super-unleaded fuel will be $2.235 per gallon, super plus, 2.324 and the price for diesel fuel will be $2.251 per gallon.

For customers in the Netherlands the new price for super-unleaded fuel will be $2.325 per gallon, the price for super-plus unleaded will be $2.577 per gallon, and the price for diesel fuel increases to $2.503 per gallon.

Customers in the United Kingdom will pay $2.169 a gallon for super-unleaded fuel. Super plus unleaded & LRP is no longer available in the UK. Diesel fuel customers will see an increase to $2.185 per gallon.

For customers in Turkey the new price for normal unleaded will be 1.996 per gallon. The price for super-unleaded fuel will be 2.340 and the price for diesel fuel will remain at 2.280.

gdavis

The sales tax where I live in the US is about 7% of the price of the car regardless of engine, fuel consumption, fuel type or any other factor.

BangleBox_530d

We pay 17.5% VAT on the car purchase. But as it's a company car, paid for by the company, I then have to pay income tax on the "benefit in kind", which for the 530d is 22%.

So that's 22% of the total LIST price, including the VAT. Paying tax on the tax. Govt w******! Any discount is a benefit to the company. I still pay tax on the full price. And if I got a company car that wasn't new, I'd still pay tax as if it was new. An incentive to buy new cars, and therefore keep the motor industry alive. Otherwise we'd all be buying near new cars and pocketing the difference.

I don't remember the figures, but a high percentage of ALL new cars are company cars. Without the govt effectively forcing people to have new cars (company use), the manufacturers would be bust. And/or we'd be paying lower prices

gdavis

BangleBox, ouch, that is a lot. We are lucky with our taxes, but you probably get better roads and other things from those taxes somewhere.

BangleBox_530d

Not around here they aren't. I have 18" wheels on my Porsche, and usually have to replace the fronts due to banging potholes, rather than the tread wearing down.