European Launch

[chris24]

That VAT is about double the sales tax I would pay in NY, so that is a part of it as well, but in the US, I'll be looking at $70k USD + $5-6K in taxes, so about $76K or so for a 4.8i with 15k worth of options.

I guess I've never given foreign markets/economies sufficient thought, but I'd have to assume most other things (salaries, etc..) somehow balance these things out.

[StumpyPete]

Originally Posted by chris24

I guess I've never given foreign markets/economies sufficient thought, but I'd have to assume most other things (salaries, etc..) somehow balance these things out.

Nope....can you please tell my boss to give me a rise

Seriously though, I just did a couple of checks online. For my job it suggests that I would get paid roughly the same amount in USD if I worked in NY versus what I get paid in GBP (i.e. If I earned 100k GBP, I could expect 100k USD for the same job). So crudely you could make a 1:1 comparison for a real terms comparison.....this is very unscientific though!

[KENT4.8IS]

A body of mine bought a 2006 Audi S4 in the US for $60k got it shipped from Boston to St. Petersburg Russia for $1,200 paid customs duties and still had it for under $100k. If he went to Germany where the car is built he would have had to pay 60k Euros (roughly $90k) still pay for shipping and duties to end up with a $130-$140k car. As long as US $ stays relatively weak against Euro and Pound europeans can really find bargains in the US. Russia's tarrifs of 48% on new vehicles does not stop whole bunch of rich 20-30 something from laying out this money to be the first in a 1 million + city to have these new wheels. As far as vehicle models are concerned it comes in waves like fashion: first it was Nissan Patrol, followed by LandCruises and Mitsubushi Monteros, then Mensedes G series, X5, Cayenne and now back to X5.

[chris24]

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

Nope....can you please tell my boss to give me a rise

Seriously though, I just did a couple of checks online. For my job it suggests that I would get paid roughly the same amount in USD if I worked in NY versus what I get paid in GBP (i.e. If I earned 100k GBP, I could expect 100k USD for the same job). So crudely you could make a 1:1 comparison for a real terms comparison.....this is very unscientific though!

But that would technically mean you're earning more in the UK for the same job, once you adjust for the exchange rates (100k GBP > 100K USD), so just like comparing cost of living in NY City versus upstate NY, you'll make a lot more in the city, but also spend a lot more on basically everything you do (rent/mortgage, food, etc...).

[ryan5446]

Keep in mind there is always worse... I think in Norway the tax level on cars like the new X5 4.8i is one of the highest in the world. I found an article on a Norwegean website saying the 4.8 would sell just under 1.400.000 kronen which is USD. 190.000,- (!!)

[KENT4.8IS]

Originally Posted by ryan5446

Keep in mind there is always worse... I think in Norway the tax level on cars like the new X5 4.8i is one of the highest in the world. I found an article on a Norwegean website saying the 4.8 would sell just under 1.400.000 kronen which is USD. 190.000,- (!!)

That really puts you in an exclusive club of X5 owners.

[cpd1]

StumpyPete,

I have a build slot late April/Early May for a 3.0d here in the UK, delivery late June/ealry July. I was offered an earlier slot but want to get the USB/Ipod connection available from April.
Monaco Blue/Beige with far too many options, managed to hike the list price by 40%....
As far I know, there hasn't been any delivery yet in EU...
C

[Gilles]

I heard that all the X5 will be delayed because of production issues with the Wheel suppliers.
By Dealer told me today that I will not get my X5 before July !
(I placed my order in Feb !).

The French Dealers are getting the First X5 Now. I saw one today.

[xx3]

Originally Posted by chris24

Pardon my ignorance here..., but when we're talking about 90k, 150k, etc... are we talking euro's or USD, and are all cars overseas sold at such higher prices than in the US or just the new X5 because of high demand?

As much as I love BMW and the X5, for $150k, I want a Carrera or a barely-used Ferrari, not an X5......

what you don't realize is that for a Carrera or a Ferrari you'll be shelling out a lot more than $150k in those countries... Its not only X5's that have price inflation, its all cars in europe...

[chris24]

that, and I just looked up that the F430's are now selling over $350k USD... Thought they were more around 225 like the 360's were.... From the salary and vehicle purchase prices, it seems like it's all relative.