BMW RIP

[billjet]

Well it is almost done: After 20 years with BMW I am about to get into the MB camp ... Please don't flame me.
I am near the end of my leasing period for a troubleless 2005 X5 4.4
Previous owner of a 2000 and 2003 X5 4.0 among others.
I was ready to move up to 2008 4.8
but
BMW Canada pricing is getting more ridiculous by the day.
With the CDN$ worth 1.03US$ the CDN price for the same car is at least 30k more up here than in the US. Their incentive: $2500 cash back if you buy and if you lease they decreased the APR from 6.9% to 5.9% but the residual is also decreased wich increases the mensuality by 10% ... What a gift !

I need torque ( trailering a 5,500 lbs boat ) and the diesel available in Europe won't be here before 08/12. ( Misssed opportunity )
I hate the runflat tires.
I hate the dealer installed hitch with the monstruous bumper cutout.

So tell me why I shouldn't get a loaded 08 ML 320CDI with gargantuous torque for 20k less than a comparatively equiped 08 4.8?

By the way, are you aware of an MB Forum as excellent as this one ?

I'll miss the BMW community.

That's all folks and thanks.

[dbinc]

Good luck and sad to hear that your leaving BMW....

[crazy4cars]

here you go:

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10

[drod]

dude, there's no shame in moving on to another model!! MBs are very nice vehicles too!!

I thought alot about the ML350 before deciding on the X5.. the new ML is much nicer than the older version and it offers same features as the 5...

one differentiator that made me lean towards the beemer was the maintenance program.. those costs add up over the years!!

rotors, brake pads, oil changes, etc are all covered!

both have some known issues w/their technology so not much difference there!

good luck to you and the new vehicle!!

[bell407]

Hi, ML320CDI ?? Quite nice one but how about a 420CDI, is that availavle in Canada ? If you are driving V8s now you will be dissappointed of the V6 Diesel, the 420CDI is a V8 and that´s fantastic. I hate the pricing of MB
as you have to pay lots for things that have to be standard in a car of this class... Fuel economy is much better on the 2008 3.0D X5 compared
to the 320CDI and the handling of the MB is more like a real offroader means not too sporty. Take test drive of the MB and then do one in the E70...

So long

Christian

[billjet]

Originally Posted by bell407

Hi, ML320CDI ?? Quite nice one but how about a 420CDI, is that availavle in Canada ? If you are driving V8s now you will be dissappointed of the V6 Diesel, the 420CDI is a V8 and that´s fantastic. I hate the pricing of MB
as you have to pay lots for things that have to be standard in a car of this class... Fuel economy is much better on the 2008 3.0D X5 compared
to the 320CDI and the handling of the MB is more like a real offroader means not too sporty. Take test drive of the MB and then do one in the E70...

So long

Christian

No the 420CDI is not available in Canada ... Sniff.
The 3.0D X5, as any other diesel from BMW are not available in Canada ... more sniff.
I would prefer the 3.0D over the ML 320CDI.
As the 3.0D is supposed to be available here in 08/12 I plan to lease the 320CDI for one or two years then switch back to the 3.0D
I test drove the 320 and it's no BMW but the torque is plenty sufficient for the planed use, towing a 2000kg boat.
Then in one or two years if the CDN$ remains strong ( it is predicted that the $CDN should reach parity with the euro within the next 18 months ) BMW should then offer a realistic pricing policy in Canada.

We'll see ...

[Outrageous]

Here's another forum:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164-m-class/

Best wishes.

[Wagner]

Yes, BMW prices are insane.

[golfer4life]

I'm a big fan of both BMW and MBZ so you can't go wrong with either one, IMO. Good luck!