Hi, thanks for the warm reception. you are right, those are the places to spot fancy rides and thong lo area is really getting lots of hypes. Each time I go back to BKK, something new is popping up.

I have yet to take some pics of my ride but will certainly do so soon. Just got a new camera and can't wait to experiment with some shots. Will share once I have them.

Just curious, how many professional detailers are there in BKK for good wax service? In Singapore, I am using Zymol and they are bloody expensive. But the detailer here is very professional. I told the owner to explore thailand market but he feels people there may not be willing to invest too much in waxing their rides. I feel there is a niche market for those with cool rides.

Anyway, if you guys travel to Singapore, drop me a buzz and I will be most happy to play host. meanwhile, cheers!

 

Just curious on the tax impacts on having cars more than 200bhp in Thailand... how does it work?

In Singapore it goes by engine capacity and there are different scales, which is why alot of people had to buy the entry or entry+1 levels....

How much is the USD (on the road) for a basic E60/523? What is the annual road tax?

 

It's actually a 220ps threshold. Anything over then u're taxed higher rates.
The 520i & 525i (2.4) are assembled in Thailand, whereas the 530i is assembled in Indonesia with AFTA priviledges. All other models are CBU. There's no 523i in Thailand as they're still using the old engine in the 525i, tho de-stroked to 2.4.
The calculation of the tax u pay in order to have plates issued is rather complicated, with 4 types of taxes needed to be paid. Basically, the total for a car under 2.4 litre is 213% (hence the Thai special), between 2.4 to 3 but less than 220ps is 251%, over 3 litre or more than 220ps then 308%. These are I think rates for CBU cars. For CKD cars, it is about 40-50% less than the above rates.
A 520i costs US$94k, 525i costs US$104k, 525iSE (extra equipment version) costs US$115k, & 530i costs US$131k. Not sure abt annual licence fees tho.

 

I have just spotted a d*mn M5 in BKK on Saturday, i will post some pics here soon and definately will be wiating to see from you,

We have got dozens and dozens of QUALITY CAR POLISHERS & DETAILER all over THAILAND but there are many professional detailers (very cheap price if u compare with SINGAPORE) and very best JOB just for 3,500 THB from rubbing to waxing, It's a good Business and THAI pplz love the clean cars,

I was in Singapore last week and planning to go maybe next week, (my GF is a Singaporean )

Thanks and see you there soon la

Thanks

 

Do u mean to say the import taxes ! or the local registration ! IF it's a CKD vehicle then it has already been paid when you buy the vehicle from BMW THAILAND and you don't need to pay any Extra, as for the Registration, we have got to pay only the Annual registration TAX and that's isn't so High compare to HK and SINGAPORE,
Thanks for the above information, you have got great Knowledge about THAILAND, Keep it up

 

So Sam, you're not gonna let everyone know about our meet on Saturday? LOL. Man your ride was hot, we also met with a guy with an M5, his ride was just beamin!! he's probably got the hottest ride there at the time. Sam with the M-Tech kit and his coming 20" Breyton Spirit. We also got introduced to a new product, Sprint Booster. This product is just amazing, it gives you more acceleration and response to your car, no more hesitation or lags! Crazy little thing, too bad I'm having a small problem with it, after I get it sorted out, I'm definitely going back there. Sam about your quad exhaust, I called a few places, they all say they can do it, but Autosport told me that no matter who does it, it won't be the same on both side, because the original pattern is impossible to achieve by just regular cutting, he doesn't recommend it. He recommends just getting the M5 rear bumper, or the whole kit since you're interested!! I'm hoping you'd go with the M5 kit so I get to buy your M-Tech from ya!! All is good, will show pictures of that crazy M5 soon, and the Sprint Booster. Just gotat find a way to download the pics from my camera as I lost all the wires that came with it!! Cheers... and thank you Sam for the meet up!

 

Good to hear from fellow members in Thailand. I spend about 6 months of the year in Thailand as i am married to a lovely Thai lady. We have 2 children. We live in Pakchong, Nakhon Ratchasima when in Thailand but spend a fair amount of time in the capital on business. Here in the UK we have a 535d M sport and a Toyota pick up in Thailand. Can't afford a BMW in Thailand as they are just so damn expensive.....maybe when we move there for good! As you guys have said there are some great looking e60's around in Bangkok......must have cost a fortune! Will be back in Thailand in November for around 3 months so any of you who fancy a meet just let me know.

 

No problem with the meet... Anytime you guys are in Thailand, just say so. We can definitely meet up although I hope you dont' mind that i"m quite young... Just 19.. Cheers..

 

That's the import tax I mean, for CBU cars (CKD kits attract a lower import duty when compared to CBU, but they have the same rates for Excise tax, Interior tax & VAT - the different displacement & power taxes are reflected in the Excise tax only). Obviously, u must pay the import tax b4 u can register ur car.
In HK, we don't have any 'import' tax or duty, as HK is a freeport, but we do have something called First Registration Tax (FRT), which is a defacto import tax. It's a marginal tax depending on the taxable value of the car. The top band currently is 100%, & all E60 apart from the 550i & M5 falls below that band. There's also an annual licence fee to be paid here, depending on engine displacement. A 530i costs USD1k p.a.

 

Hey Peter,
So sorry, i was lil bussy and didn't had much time to come online in the last 3 days, so i m back now, It was reallynice meeting you both the 2 times and i must say "IMPRESSED" by you and your skills, you are just tooo perfect, man, at this age you are here so what r u gonna do when u are of my age (23), hahahaha

Yeah let's see, today we will go to check for the REAR BUMPER and installing our M5 Trunk Spoiler and the AC S Rear Screen Spolier, so if anything workable then we will see what to do, Nyways thanks for the last night, I noticed on my way back from Seacon that LED's on the license plate were quite bright and thanks for your idea and installing it for me, but now we need that resister to put on for the error code and i know you can do it easily,
So i will bring my USB CORD so then you would be able to upload the pics of tht M5 which we spotted that day along with your ride, Right !
See you today as now i am on my way to Install that AUX and then i will call you,
Thanks,