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.

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

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!

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.

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...).

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.

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

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 !).:rolleyes:

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

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...

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.