[JamieA]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

Yea, pro nav is not cheap. But I thought i put it in coz it got the new Idirve with HD. They should have it standard like the 335.

This is my only niggle with the pricing, $4100 just for the better iDrive! And NO packaging option like on the other models, including the 335i... BMW need to come out with an Innovations package for the 330d that includes some other kit, and then the model will truly be a killer in the market segment.

[scheps]

Originally Posted by vgr02

Finance or outright would make no difference. Infact, under finance, the dealer has extra financial benefits by rebates that would allow them to negotiate harder.

you confused me there

make not difference but negotiate harder ? they make more money if you finance it.....

[BYZ]

I believe under finance that results such as 13% off on road costs are possible, but not if you were paying outright, might be wrong though?

[VGR00]

Yes ... thats what I meant. The dealer has extra money to play with if you finance so a better deal is possible over paying cash or financing externally. To give you an idea, my nephew purchased a Porsche Boxter at approx $120K and Porsche Car centre in Brisbane actually used BMW finance. The Porsche dealer clinched the deal by offering to pay a rebate to my nephew of A$4K after 6 months as long as he was still financed with BMW Finance as the Porsche dealer would get a financial kick back.

[scheps]

financial kick back? why is that? and why 6 months? he also make money if he doesnt go through with it right?

[samchuang33]

Hey guys

Firstly, my car is outright purchase. BTW, the 13% discount could be wrong. I just divided my purchase price with what BMW Australia is projecting so I could be wrong.

Secondly, I also think u will get more discount with fiance coz they dealer can make money selling the car to you and then make money off again u with interest therefore most of the time it is easier to bargain. This is exactly what Mercedes is doing. I think most of you would have saw the ad on tv for Mercedes saying that they need to move a few thousand car and finishes by saying "Lets Talk". I was in a Mercedes dealership last week and ask them regarding this promotion and found out that they will give like a cash incentive if you are financing your new purchase.

Originally Posted by JamieA

Also if you look at similar offerings from Audi and Mercedes, none of them has the fuel economy to get the LCT concessions, so BMW will, IMHO, score a home run with this model!!

Audi's new A4 3.0L diesel fits the criteria to get LCT benefit coz consumption is only 6.9l/100k. I was considering that car as well before my order. It is also all-wheel drive too but i figure Audi's resale sux and running cost is probably higher too.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by JamieA

This is my only niggle with the pricing, $4100 just for the better iDrive! And NO packaging option like on the other models, including the 335i... BMW need to come out with an Innovations package for the 330d that includes some other kit, and then the model will truly be a killer in the market segment.

I feel u man. I was going to stay with the normal business navi but know that down the track i will regret it for sure so I put it on anyway. I would love if BMW did come up with some sort of innovation's package that includes the Pro Navi for the 330d but the only problem is that they need to find what else to put with the package coz the 330d has everything that the 335i has except the Pro Navi.

[scheps]

they should just make it standard on the 330d, then get rid of the 325 completely.

[bcoz]

Is the 330d available in Oz showrooms for a test drive yet?

[ecnirp]

Last I heard they went in to production for Australian deliveries this month so I wouldn't expect to see anything in the metal until late June/early July.

[samchuang33]

I was told by my dealer that it should arrive no later than June. If I am lucky that the car was produced in early April and the shipping schedual was timed well, i might even see it late May.

Fingers crossed...

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

Hey guys

...



Audi's new A4 3.0L diesel fits the criteria to get LCT benefit coz consumption is only 6.9l/100k. I was considering that car as well before my order. It is also all-wheel drive too but i figure Audi's resale sux and running cost is probably higher too.

Yes, I think the new low-sulphur diesel regulations that came into effect in January have allowed the other manufacturers to bring out their better diesels... I noticed Merc's economy figures have improved also...

My only problem with the Audi is that the engine still hangs over the front axel, even though they have moved the engine back from the previous generations... still not balanced handling, and the new interiors don't do it for me. I had the B6 A4 and the build quality and materials were great, now it all looks a little more plastic, just as BMW is going for a more uprated vibe...

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

I feel u man. I was going to stay with the normal business navi but know that down the track i will regret it for sure so I put it on anyway. I would love if BMW did come up with some sort of innovation's package that includes the Pro Navi for the 330d but the only problem is that they need to find what else to put with the package coz the 330d has everything that the 335i has except the Pro Navi.

Get the Pro! I really regret not getting Pro for my current car... but at the time I bought, it was about an $8k proposition...

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by JamieA

My only problem with the Audi is that the engine still hangs over the front axel, even though they have moved the engine back from the previous generations... still not balanced handling, and the new interiors don't do it for me. I had the B6 A4 and the build quality and materials were great, now it all looks a little more plastic, just as BMW is going for a more uprated vibe...

I agree. Test drive the new A4 a few month back, handling was no match to BMWs and the interior seems just a bit out of fashion too with cheaper plastic. The new Q5 is the same too. The interior smell is the same as the Japanese cars.

[JamieA]

Yes, I had that experience too. Audi are loosing the plot in the only strength they really had - interiors. I feel that motoring journalists still say that the interiors are "peerless with a bank vault build" blah blah by reflex just as they criticise iDrive without thinking about it...

VW has really ripped the guts out of Audi, it started when they started putting technology into Passats that wasn't available in A4's yet. That was the moment for me when VW/Audi jumped the shark as they say... VW has absolutely no concept of brand management, because of the chairman's hubris. I really hope that Porsche sort them out.

Sadly it will be too late for me, I am now a BMW convert and won't be going back to the brand, now that I still smile, four years down the track, when driving challenging roads because of how well the BMW handles vs the fight and frustrations of the Audi lead-tipped arrow, FWD set up...

[KingClifton]

FWIW the Audi dealer in Adelaide has not even bothered to contact me in the 2 1/2 years since I was last at their dealreship. You'd have thought that a four-time buyer would be getting some better attention than that.

[JamieA]

I know exactly how you feel. They are only interested if they think you are about to buy another car from them. When I got my BMW, I did seriously consider a B7 A4 2.0T S-Line, and when I discovered that technology that couldn't be had on the Audi like comfort access, active cruise, and I think at the time rain sensing wipers (!) plus then I actually drove the E90 and fell in love, and saw that the BMW was actually better priced and ultimately a better overall package I bought it.

Being courteous I sent the guy I was dealing with - who I had bought cars from before, had sent business to and been to social events with - an email saying sorry not this time, but hey, perhaps you will sell me a B8 when the E90 comes up for renewal, thanks for all the help and assistance along the way etc. No response. Completely rude.

I have heard stories about well off people going there to buy a car and they say to them "how are you going to pay for this, you don't look like you could afford an Audi", I am absolutely mortified. Solitaire have completely lost the plot IMHO...

[VGR00]

Originally Posted by JamieA

I have heard stories about well off people going there to buy a car and they say to them "how are you going to pay for this, you don't look like you could afford an Audi", I am absolutely mortified. Solitaire have completely lost the plot IMHO...

Very sad to think a dealership or salesperson could think like this. I know retired people with property incomes of over $150K per year (and they have no debt to service) who dont go out of there way to dress, buy cars or act in accordance to their income level but the fact is they buy anything they desire.

If a story I heard is true, then perhaps Audi need to screen or have better financial controls on their deals. The story goes .... Person goes into Audi dealership in Melbourne on Saturday morning and buys an R8, driving out same day. Arrives at Brisbane dealership on Monday morning and hands the keys back stating he is entitled to invoke the 24hour cooling off period as per his contract. I'm sure it's not as simple as this and for sure it will cost the guy something to settle but how funny if it was true. Audi have passed the car to Fowlers Auction group and is sitting there at the moment.

[JamieA]

Cheaper than Qantas, and what a way to fly...

On your first point, I worked in retail when I was at uni, and the first thing I worked out was that the biggest sales don't necessarily come from the best dressed customers, you ignored others at your peril, or at least to your sales budget's peril...

[JamieA]

All this talk about Audis got me curious again, so last night I drove a friend's Audi A4 B8, 2.7Tdi V6 last night, and it was very interesting to jump from that straight into my car.

The engine feels strong thanks to that 400Nm of torque, but the torque steer on the FWD chassis is brutal.

The overly light steering is a shock, and tends to exaggerate the perception of torque steer. Because the steering was light, I didn't feel fully in control of the car like I do in the E90, and I think this has a lot to do with the fact that the steering gives zero communication to the driver as to what is going on at those front wheels. A contrast that was immediately obvious when I jumped into my car with its more meaty steering and great steering feel.

Multitronic is much improved since last I drove one, and this could also be because the diesel engine was strong. Engine sounded better than I expected and was generally smooth.

Cabin surrounds you. A fact brought home when I got back in the E90. Cabin is well made, but I have always had a problem with those cheap plastics on the centre console, and that didn't change last night. But the execution of the other elements like the leather and other trim items was first rate, and I must admit that I felt like I had stepped into a lower quality interior when I first stepped back into my E90. A feeling which was quickly pushed to the back of my mind when I started driving and realised that the E90 is a superior driver's car.

The Audi didn't encourage me to drive fast, or want to fang it around corners. It was a comfortable cruiser - in fact you virtually idle around town at 1000rpm at 60km/h. Having owned an A4 (B6) it was an interesting trip down memory lane, but I still love my BMW, and I can't see myself going back to Audi any time soon...

[ecnirp]

Originally Posted by samchuang33

I was told by my dealer that it should arrive no later than June. If I am lucky that the car was produced in early April and the shipping schedual was timed well, i might even see it late May.

Fingers crossed...

Any updated ETA on your 330d ?

[samchuang33]

My sales is away till June. Bastard.... Not really sure what is happening now. I will try to call the manager today.