BMW 5 Series
Sep 20th, 2007, in Business & Economy, by PatungThe BMW Series 5 launches in Jakarta.
PT BMW Indonesia has just launched the BMW 5 Series sedan in Jakarta. The cars are entirely imported, or completely built up (CBU), in the jargon, but BMW Indonesia boss Joerg Kelling says that by February 2008 the 5 Series cars will be assembled in Indonesia, or completely knock-down (CKD), or even ready to assemble (RTA), no doubt as an attempt to avoid some of the taxes and import duties levied on such cars.
BMW 5 Series.
Helena Abidin, the Corporate Communication head of PT BMW Indonesia, says no-one has ordered any of the cars yet, and she can’t say how many are available, but they cost 748 million rupiah for the 523i and 948 million for the 530i.
Cashed-up BMW fans have more to cheer about this month, with the Series 3 Convertible going on sale shortly.
21 Comments on “BMW 5 Series”
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Peter says:
Anyone who would stroll around in a luxury BMW in a country like Indonesia is probably a jackass.
So maybe they deserve to be ripped off.
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Sputjam says:
This beemer comes with run flat tyres. It cost a bomb to replace. buying this car for personal use is idiocy due to hefty taxes. but as company cars, they may use the depreciation to reduce profits in their corporation and may be worthwhile purchase. And for the bosses of these companies, after writing off the value of the cars, it can be sold to the company’s owner for RP1/- with no income tax liability.
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Dimp says:
Nice car, nowhere near the technology of an S-class Mercedes though.
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Ihaknt says:
I agree with Peter 😀 what’s the point having that car in Jkt? The traffic is so bad you cant use the engine to do what it’s meant to do. It’s only for status, sad reality.
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Hi ihaknt,
Unfortunately status is number 1 priority for some Indonesians.
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Parvita says:
The 5 series are better than the 3 series when it comes to the 2006 product. Compared to the 2003 and 2004, the 3 series is already adequate, but the 3 series for the 2006 feels cramped.
Better to buy a German car than Japanese car. It just feels different, even though if it is a Camry. Especially when driving to Bandung through Cipularang early in the mornings, what a beauty, what a feeling.
I’m all for German car, they are sturdy, and the technology is great. I drive a BMW. I like it. I deserve it. I pay tax for it. I work my ass off for it. It’s expensive but I’m worth it. It’s called: enjoying life while you can. It’s a pitty, probably most of you guys are on Kijang, or Honda Jazz or City…don’t get me wrong, Kijang is a good car. Jazz is cute, too, for those who are pretty tight with their dineros.
Really can’t wait to see the convertible!
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Andrew says:
The 5 series are better than the 3 series when it comes to the 2006 product. Compared to the 2003 and 2004, the 3 series is already adequate, but the 3 series for the 2006 feels cramped.
While it won’t compete with the 5-series in terms of space, I do think it fares much better compared to the previous version of 3-series. The feeling of roominess is a subjective matter, but what’s not subjective is its performance.
Better to buy a German car than Japanese car. It just feels different, even though if it is a Camry. Especially when driving to Bandung through Cipularang early in the mornings, what a beauty, what a feeling.
You bet it does, but the problem here is that you are comparing a Toyota with a BMW. Toyota is far behind when it comes to driving excitement, even compared to rival Japanese brands like Honda, Mazda or Nissan. About the only Toyota that’s fun to drive is (or was) the discontinued Supra Turbo.
Compare the Camry against the Accord or Mazda6 — a driving enthusiast would pick the latter 2 in a blink of an eye. Compare a Corolla against a Civic or Mazda3, and well, let me just say there’s simply no comparison.
I drive a 335i, but I must admit I also enjoy my wife’s 3.5liter Odyssey, it’s pretty exciting to drive (for a minivan)!
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tomaculum says:
I myself favor the Jaguar XKR (Cabriolet) for about 1300 000 000,00 Rps. Yet I feel mightier then others sitting in it, and feel that my d..ck is much more bigger. 🙂
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People say that cars are just extensions of their penises, this is the reason that I walk ;).
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In that case, some guys have “penis envy” some have “penis-extension envy”.
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bulent korcan says:
you may consider the check list below
Checklist
Clutch: if you’re considering a manual model, look out for clutch wear. Juddering when pulling away is a tell-tale sign. Knock £400 off the price for a new clutch.Engines: overheating, even for only short periods, can seriously damage
a 5-Series powerplant. Always check coolant levels, and look for oil deposits in the tank.Dashboard: make sure the digital displays are visible and that all warning lights come on and then go off on start-up. Ill-fitting trim could also signal previous difficulties.
Gearbox: a leak in the oil cooler under the radiator can damage the gearbox. So with the engine off and cold, feel under the radiator for traces of oil. A repair will cost £300.
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Flocki says:
It’s really interesting to read through all your posts. Another great example on how perception and lacking information is spread.
Quote: Anyone who would stroll around in a luxury BMW in a country like Indonesia is probably a jackass.
So maybe they deserve to be ripped off.
This is just the standard remark that you hear in every bar from those who base their knowledge on…basically nothing.
It’s not appropriate to compare prices as the actual cost including depreciation should be of interest. And as a matter of fact most luxury cars in Indonesia have a lower depreciation then other brands.
On top of that most dealers offer finance programmes to make the cars more affordable and guarantee a trade-in price after a couple of years upfront.
Sure the total cost is higher, but 5 star dining is as well more expensive than a burger at McD.
Quote: This beemer comes with run flat tyres. It cost a bomb to replace.
Yes it does come with RF and yes the replacement is more expensive. All I can say is that ‘you can put a price on a life’ and it is proven (not only by BMW) that the risk of serious injuries after an accident caused by a blown tyre is dramatically decreased as the car can still be manouvered.
Look at the road conditions in Indonesia.Quote: It’s only for status, sad reality.
Leaving safety aspects and quality completely out you are right. What about watches, clothes, gadgets …
Would we all want to drive in the same car or dress the same. Surely NO.
Plus, the purchase of every (luxury0 car allocates income and creates jobs. Statistically 30% of all businesses worldwide are somehow related to the car industry.
Thanks God we have luxury articles and people that buy them. Distribution of wealth would be a different topic.Quote: Nice car, nowhere near the technology of an S-class Mercedes though.
What a statement !!! Who on this planet compares a 5 to an S-Class? If you want to compare at all it must be the 7 and the question might be allowed what makes the S superiour. In this segment there are no bad cars.
Different concepts of the manufacturers are resulting in different products.
Feel free to educate me about details regarding s class advantages.Quote: I myself favor the Jaguar XKR (Cabriolet) for about 1300 000 000,00 Rps. Yet I feel mightier then others sitting in it, and feel that my d..ck is much more bigger.
Happy to hear that. Hope it still feels bigger when it comes to service as the workshops of Jaguar are really rare pieces compared to MB and BMW.
Quote: Clutch: if you’re considering a manual model, look out for clutch wear. Juddering when pulling away is a tell-tale sign. Knock £400 off the price for a new clutch.
Why don’t you buy the used car from an authorized dealer in the first place? The car will have warranty and you can be sure that nothing is manipulated.
Since a couple of years neither BMW nor MB offer manual gearboxes except a customer explicitely orders one, because the traffic in Jakarta simply does not make sense for a manual.
Quote: Dashboard: make sure the digital displays are visible and that all warning lights come on and then go off on start-up. Ill-fitting trim could also signal previous difficulties.
All luxury cars available have a so called ‘Hot climate version’ in Indonesia that takes the local climate and the impact of high temeratures into account.
Plus, does this only apply to Beemers? InterestingQuote: Gearbox: a leak in the oil cooler under the radiator can damage the gearbox. So with the engine off and cold, feel under the radiator for traces of oil. A repair will cost £300.
These cars come with a 5 years service inclusive package that guarantees your freedom of mind.
And again, does this only apply to Beemers?Don’t get me wrong, I am neither pro BMW nor against other brands. Everybody has the right to give his own opinion. It is just sad when the opinion is based on wrong information.
For the local economy I hope that the infrstructure improves and that a lot of cars (whatever brand) are being sold, as the pollution of a relatively new car is much lower then what comes out of all these motorcycles. Not to talk about safety.
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taxpayer says:
God Dang it!!! A brand new 550i only costs abt $60,000 in US. Damn Indonesian Government!!!
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Bryan says:
hehe..ya..Indo car is more expensive than US.
After reading all the comments above, I am convinced that the european is better than those japanese.
Just want to ask Parvita ” Is that ur 1st BMW? and is still under installment?.”
How would you know that all Toyotas is worse than BMWs?
Have u tried the new Toyota Crown and the LC 200? -
kinch says:
There is no doubt that garden variety Beemers are more fun to drive than Benzes… Having said that, I’m sure the AMG stuff is great, but have never driven one.
Not so thrilled with iDrive though. It’s probably a disaster waiting to happen if you have some old Pak Driver who isn’t terribly au fait with computers, menus, etc.
As personal vehicles without tax dodges they *never* make financial sense, but hell… we only live once. At least that’s what I told myself every time I needed spare parts for the last one 🙂
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Not so thrilled with iDrive though. It’s probably a disaster waiting to happen if you have some old Pak Driver who isn’t terribly au fait with computers, menus, etc.
BMW is a driver’s car, if you leave the driving to “pak driver” I don’t really see the point of getting a BMW; it’s “pak driver” who’s having fun! 😀
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Right… but in SE Asia it just doesn’t seem right to be driving one’s own 7-series. Still, I guess the dealers must have some kind of training program to get drivers up to scratch with all the beeping stuff. I recall hearing that when iDrive first came out, BMW went around all the 5-star hotels teaching the valet parking guys how to handle it.
Anyway, will all due respect to BMW and speaking as someone with a Computer Science / Engineering background, the whole iDrive concept is a shocker. Whoever thought it up should have (and probably has) been fired.
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No doubt BMW’s are fun to drive. The 5 series are nice cars with lots of nice features and they handle great. I personally like the BMW X3, great car
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Roel says:
@BMW USA Blog
You mean the new X6 ?
And why should you own it ? saving up so you can rent one for the weekend might be nice as well ?
Anyone good advice on car rents near sukarno-hatta ? -
bvesh says:
Well I was reading and I saw a person name dimp an what he had 2 sy well I thnk that he is sooo saddd and shallow minded its true though to enjoy life n stuff well my school car is an inova and that dsnt make me tight my dad drives a 7 series mom 2 class sister a6. Go by a 3 series on da weekend and you think your soo great jus bcs u have ONE D series its no big deal seriouselý it isn’t I knw people who can buy u with a blink of an eye…you should lower your ego seriousely your sooo shallow and narrow minded
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Ouch, that’s like US$100k for a 530i. The government, not BMW, rips you off.