Makes me mad...
 

that my E70 4.8 is 40k USD more expensive than what Americans pay for the x5m!

It's the axchange rate difference between dollar and an Euro.

Thats why i shipped mine from U.S.

If i had ordered mine from Europe with the same specs, i would have to pay 50 grand more.

I'am assuming your customs charge is skyhi, it will probably cost you money of another x5 yes?

BMW in Germany/Deutchland would be the people to query, probably something about economy of scale and exchange rates. Or perhaps it is just something else to blame/hate Americans for...:rofl:

the price is the same.. usually the manufacturers actually make MORE off an american sale than whereever you are because we believe we don' tax the crap out of the car. It has more to do with who pays for the taxes to run the government. Most places will tax the crap out of cars and fuel because thats seen as a luxury therefore if you can afford it, then you can pay more taxes to help run the government. Some places tax import cars because its a protectionist tax because they're trying to build their own local brand (malaysia, proton is the perfect example). But usually when your taxes on cars are high, something else is taxed lower corresponding to it all being worked out. For instance. my property tax is 11k a year, compared to malaysia's property tax of about 100 dollars a year for a similar value property.

when looking at this one aspect yes, it does look like its unfair that american get their cars so cheap; but when you look at it in total taxes paid usually its about equal... (yes we technically also enjoy the lowest net taxes as well, but thats not counting our share of the national debt, if you were to raise taxes to the point of paying back the national debt, we would be one of the highest taxed countries)

-john

Is it true for any make or model there compared to here - that everything is much more expensive?

I think competition among manufacturers in the various tiers (compact, luxury, etc.) in the U.S. also demands that they cost as "low" as they cost. If you don't have stiff competition, they can charge what people are willing to pay.

everything is more expensive... becauseof protectionist tarrifs as well as government tax policies

You are correct!

In belgium, we pay around 40% more for exaxt the same product (eg a M3 build in GERMANY, shipped to the USA and sold over there). In return we get the following from the government :
- higher taxes on gas
- extremelely high taxes on the use of the car
- bad roads
- cops flashing you every 5 miles
- CO2 tax
- the bigger the engine, the less you can deduct from your company's costing post

etc etc

In other words, being a car owner over here (especially an expensive one), is the ultimate cash-cow for the government.

I learned my lesson : I will not stay here for ever :)

I paid about 40-50k extra for my 09 X5 4.8 M Sport and am paying about 50k extra for my X5M.
It sucks..but I have no other choice...other than moving back to the US!!

OUCH. :wow: