Insane Car Price Differences

[mrboon]

I just did some research on Z4 35i base prices around the world, and I must say, the results were quite a shock to me to be honest. I looked up the prices directly from the BMW websites, and converted them all to EURO's. I did USA, Netherlands, Germany, UK and Spain.

z4 35i base price in euro's:
--------------------------
USA 36,000 EURO ($51,900)
NL 66,100 EURO
DE 47.400 EURO
UK 43,300 (38,000 POUNDS)
ES 51,000 EURO

Why does a Z4 almost have to be TWICE the price in the Netherlands compared with a Z4 in the United States. The new Z4 is even build in Germany, so transportation to the US should make it more expensive.

Also the price difference between all the countries in the European Union should not be so big in my opinion. I am not a person who is "pro" globalization, but having such big differences seem wrong to me.

[alan64]

Originally Posted by godius

I just did some research on Z4 35i base prices around the world, and I must say, the results were quite a shock to me to be honest. I looked up the prices directly from the BMW websites, and converted them all to EURO's. I did USA, Netherlands, Germany, UK and Spain.

z4 35i base price in euro's:
--------------------------
USA 36,000 EURO ($51,900)
NL 66,100 EURO
DE 47.400 EURO
UK 43,300 (38,000 POUNDS)
ES 51,000 EURO

Why does a Z4 almost have to be TWICE the price in the Netherlands compared with a Z4 in the United States. The new Z4 is even build in Germany, so transportation to the US should make it more expensive.

Also the price difference between all the countries in the European Union should not be so big in my opinion. I am not a person who is "pro" globalization, but having such big differences seem wrong to me.

the canadian and american dollar are close to par, and you would think with canada just on top of the u.s. that it would cost roughly the same to ship to both countries. And yet the canadian price is roughly 10 thousand dollars more than in the U.S. Doesnt make sense, does it?

[lonelyreza]

Godius, My Friend,
If you checked online prices, I have to say, in Europe taxes are included which is 17.5% in UK.
So please cut tax from those prices and then compare again.
But if you research more, you see more price differences in details. For example Navigation in US is around 2000$ which is 3000$ in UK (I cut VAT from 2180£ ).

[juhap]

73 652 euro in Finland

Of course different countries get different standard equipment. I'll end up paying about 90 000 euro for mine.

[Z4@Phuket]

For S23i costs 4.9 million Thai baht (US$ 148,500)
S35I costs 7.3 million Thai baht (US$ 220,000)

[Vintage]

wow - the people of thailand must all be rich or BMW does not want to sell any cars there

[Oh Captain My Captain]

Originally Posted by Z4@Phuket

For S23i costs 4.9 million Thai baht (US$ 148,500)
S35I costs 7.3 million Thai baht (US$ 220,000)

I'm sorry to see that. Although if I visit your country and tell people what car I drive back home, that could carry some weight eh?

[mrboon]

Originally Posted by Z4@Phuket

For S23i costs 4.9 million Thai baht (US$ 148,500)
S35I costs 7.3 million Thai baht (US$ 220,000)

holy shit! that is just crazy...

I did hear something that people sometimes buy new cars in parts, then build them in Thailand. Like that it should be much cheaper due to amazing tax cuts.

[yabbanoname]

Originally Posted by godius

I just did some research on Z4 35i base prices around the world, and I must say, the results were quite a shock to me to be honest. I looked up the prices directly from the BMW websites, and converted them all to EURO's. I did USA, Netherlands, Germany, UK and Spain.

z4 35i base price in euro's:
--------------------------
USA 36,000 EURO ($51,900)
NL 66,100 EURO
DE 47.400 EURO
UK 43,300 (38,000 POUNDS)
ES 51,000 EURO

Why does a Z4 almost have to be TWICE the price in the Netherlands compared with a Z4 in the United States. The new Z4 is even build in Germany, so transportation to the US should make it more expensive.

Also the price difference between all the countries in the European Union should not be so big in my opinion. I am not a person who is "pro" globalization, but having such big differences seem wrong to me.

Well, in the Netherlands the prices are high because of 2 taxes a vehicle has, the regular 19% tax (around 8K euro) and the BPM tax (special vehicle tax) which is around 17K euro's, that together make a vehicle expensive.
But considered to Thailand it is a bargain ;-)

[Memphis1]

Purchase power ma brother!! The US will sell thousands more cars compared to any other country. It's just like buying in bulk at your local wholesale warehouse

[Stick Shift]

Originally Posted by Z4@Phuket

For S23i costs 4.9 million Thai baht (US$ 148,500)
S35I costs 7.3 million Thai baht (US$ 220,000)

Wow, US$ 220,000 for a Z4 ???!!!
For that kind of money here you can get a new Ferrari.

[Otago]

Hong Kong price is much higher than US with limited options.

For example, 35i

HKD 668,000 = USD 85,900 = GBP 53,280 = AUD 95,300 = EUR 60,730

So buying cars in US is good deal!prp-z4-roadster-2009[1].pdf

[Vintage]

well now I understand why everyone tries to buy cars here and have them exported

[Z4@Phuket]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

wow - the people of thailand must all be rich or BMW does not want to sell any cars there

We are not rich, but we need the best.
Government charge around 250% import tax, that's cruel

[Z4@Phuket]

Originally Posted by godius

holy shit! that is just crazy...

I did hear something that people sometimes buy new cars in parts, then build them in Thailand. Like that it should be much cheaper due to amazing tax cuts.

That's illegal, some people cut the car into half and rejoins (also illegal)
Last year I saw a Ferrari (illegal imported) was run over by a Bulldozer to destroy it (by customs department)

[Vintage]

why the 250% import tax????

[The J-Man]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

Purchase power ma brother!! The US will sell thousands more cars compared to any other country. It's just like buying in bulk at your local wholesale warehouse

This mostly explains the disparity between US and Canada prices. BMW has to run a separate business entity in Canada (overhead), but it sells fewer cars there. Therefore each car sold must contribute more to covering that overhead. The US benefits from such high volume.

In Europe, I would say the prices are mostly higher due to taxes and regulation specific to each country.

Also, you can not do a straight across currency conversion comparison when looking at prices. You have to look at the PPP of each country to equalize the equation.

I did the full math once between the US and UK, and on a loaded 335, the UK people only pay about $2K more in real terms (excluding VAT), so the difference is not as big as it seems.

[rasputin]

great stuff godius. Indeed, I think most of the differences can be explained by tax schemes. Here is my contribution of the list prices without accessories, converted to Euros:
Switzerland: 49'000 Eur (72'000 CHF)
Turkey: 85'000 Eur (150'000 TRY)

[rasputin]

Germany: 48'000 Eur, can't believe they can sell for so cheap in the US even after the transportation cost... I guess it's the scale benefit that offsets the transportation..

[rori zahr]

you should add Lebanon to your list, make sure you're well seated when you read the price tag. it's around 80000 Euros!!!

[rori zahr]

US guys, you're blessed.

[Vassilis008]

Belgium : 48100€