2014 / 2015 BMW 2 Series Active / Gran Tourer

[inlinesix]

I'm also torn between three cars

 

2GT, sorento, odyssey

 

What gripes me for each is this

 

Bmw: third row is seriously pathetic , it's like squatting in the floor even for kids. Don't like the boxy design of mpv

 

Odyssey: can't fold one seat down to keep my stroller on the side. It's two down or nothing so that makes the seven seats useless for me. Don't like the boxy design of mpv PLUS it's loooonng

 

Sorento: hate the puny irreplaceable 4.7 HU (just feel that paying $160k and having to live with that)

Need to "climb" to third row

$160k for KIA is way over priced. It's like that money might as well get brand. (Yes call me brand whore)

Space wise this is better than bmw too

 

Spend money also need to fret so much right? Nothing is perfect it's just whether what I rather compromise. Sigh

 

Any other contenders u guys can think of?

 

Why not consider Alphard?

 

Should be around that price.

 

[Gooiee]

Why not consider Alphard?

 

Should be around that price.

 

My gripes above mentioned boxy design of mpv. Alphard is a large shoe box. I like the comfort and space but my wife say I can go primary school and part time as bus driver :( (no offense to current alphard owners)

[inlinesix]

My gripes above mentioned boxy design of mpv. Alphard is a large shoe box. I like the comfort and space but my wife say I can go primary school and part time as bus driver :( (no offense to current alphard owners)

 

To have a comfortable 3rd seat, Alphard is the BEST.  I am not a fan of MPV but Alphard is my fav.

 

Other than Alphard, i can't think of any other MPV that has good 3rd row.

 

Tell you wife that Alphard is the fav daily drive of HK tycoon especially the 7 seat version.  Electric door & swivel chair.  Ez to get in & out.

 

 

[Spring]

I'm also torn between three cars

 

2GT, sorento, odyssey

 

What gripes me for each is this

 

Bmw: third row is seriously pathetic , it's like squatting in the floor even for kids. Don't like the boxy design of mpv

 

Odyssey: can't fold one seat down to keep my stroller on the side. It's two down or nothing so that makes the seven seats useless for me. Don't like the boxy design of mpv PLUS it's loooonng

 

Sorento: hate the puny irreplaceable 4.7 HU (just feel that paying $160k and having to live with that)

Need to "climb" to third row

$160k for KIA is way over priced. It's like that money might as well get brand. (Yes call me brand whore)

Space wise this is better than bmw too

 

Spend money also need to fret so much right? Nothing is perfect it's just whether what I rather compromise. Sigh

 

Any other contenders u guys can think of?

 

MPVs are all boxy esp the full sized ones, van like if you ask me.

If you need an MPV, you will have to accept this.

 

Next, you have to ask yourself whether you need full size ones or the mid size ones (those that need 7 seats occasionally).

 

Full size ones are like Alphard, Vellfire, Elgrand amongst others.

Slightly below full size would be like Sharan, Odyssey, Sorento, Biante etc

Mid size ones would be 2GT, Wish, mazda 5, Mobilio, Touran etc

 

The mid size MPVs aesthetically look more pleasing as they are more wagon like but the price to pay for this is that the 3rd row can be cramp.

 

I suppose an option could be the SUV/MPV range which includes Outlander, X-Trail, X5 etc but don't raise your hopes too high as their 3rd row is also tight.

 

One of the better looking MPVs IMO is Grand Picasso but being French, it has its ? as well, Merry Xmas and happy choosing!!

[Thaiyotakamli]

I'm also torn between three cars

 

2GT, sorento, odyssey

 

What gripes me for each is this

 

Bmw: third row is seriously pathetic , it's like squatting in the floor even for kids. Don't like the boxy design of mpv

 

Odyssey: can't fold one seat down to keep my stroller on the side. It's two down or nothing so that makes the seven seats useless for me. Don't like the boxy design of mpv PLUS it's loooonng

 

Sorento: hate the puny irreplaceable 4.7 HU (just feel that paying $160k and having to live with that)

Need to "climb" to third row

$160k for KIA is way over priced. It's like that money might as well get brand. (Yes call me brand whore)

Space wise this is better than bmw too

 

Spend money also need to fret so much right? Nothing is perfect it's just whether what I rather compromise. Sigh

 

Any other contenders u guys can think of?

Get the new fortuner hehe

[zerobim08]

If it is under declaration, importer would have been charged already.

 

 

Sorry. Maybe I have mistaken your posts. If they didn't under declare the it means the omv is accurate ==> profit margin is high.

 

You say PML has to transfer part of the profit to bmw because bmw gives preferential price to pml. I am no accountant but how do you hide this practice in the account book without auditor and LTA taking notice or even breaking the law?

[Ben5266]

Sorry. Maybe I have mistaken your posts. If they didn't under declare the it means the omv is accurate ==> profit margin is high.

 

You say PML has to transfer part of the profit to bmw because bmw gives preferential price to pml. I am no accountant but how do you hide this practice in the account book without auditor and LTA taking notice or even breaking the law?

They keep the margin high, so that they can offer customer higher over trade.

Then less cash from the buyers.

[t0y0ta]

Sorry. Maybe I have mistaken your posts. If they didn't under declare the it means the omv is accurate ==> profit margin is high.

 

You say PML has to transfer part of the profit to bmw because bmw gives preferential price to pml. I am no accountant but how do you hide this practice in the account book without auditor and LTA taking notice or even breaking the law?

 

Got rumours and urban legends about this lah... I don't think anyone has evidence.

 

Actually I am more curious about Mazda - their OMV is super low for well made, well equipped, MIJ cars - for example OMV for Mazda6 is same/lower than Altis. More than meets the eye indeed.

[zerobim08]

They keep the margin high, so that they can offer customer higher over trade.

Then less cash from the buyers.

I am talking about nett margin after all the over trade/discount which is still much higher than others.

[Baal]

Mid size i will go ody. Entry...5 + 2 , will consider orlando too. If KM had jade, i will choose jade for entry level.

[inlinesix]

Sorry. Maybe I have mistaken your posts. If they didn't under declare the it means the omv is accurate ==> profit margin is high.

 

You say PML has to transfer part of the profit to bmw because bmw gives preferential price to pml. I am no accountant but how do you hide this practice in the account book without auditor and LTA taking notice or even breaking the law?

Everything is legal including transfer pricing rule.

 

Factory sells to importer at preferential price. In return, importer pays factory marketing fee. PML, Munich & Mini is just distributor of importer.

 

OMV is determined by Customs. Not LTA.

 

Based on PML spec, use BMW Germany to configure . It is more expensive than PML.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Mid size i will go ody. Entry...5 + 2 , will consider orlando too. If KM had jade, i will choose jade for entry level.

Elgrand pretty good can consider

[LesterLim_155131]

Tried the Elgrand, good car but its size will be difficult to maneuver in tight car parks.

 

Unlike the Odyssey, which has 360 all round camera, unless you are really confident you won't scratch your car against car park walls, or are used to driving big cars, it's not really advisable.

[LesterLim_155131]

For those considering MPVs, you can ask yourself a few questions to help decide on the car.

1. Do you have many young children? If so, SUV MPVs may not be ideal as the children will have difficulty getting into the car on their own.

2. Do you ferry people often or occasionally (6 to 7 pax)? If often, consider the full size MPVs. If not, the 5+2 can be considered but not for long distances.

3. If your family size is 5 or below, salon cars with large boot spaces may be a better consideration.

4. Anything more than 7, there is not many MPVs that can carry 8-9. So less choices are available.

5. The last point is do you mind driving a van, taxi or minibus? If yes, avoid those that look like one.

 

Hope this will help you guys streamline your choices.

 

Back to this post, if you need to carry 5-7 people, the BMW Gran Tourer is a good choice for the following reasons:

1. The driving experience is good as compared to most car in its range i.e. Toyota Wish, Mazda 5, Honda mobilio etc.

2. It's a tad more expensive but the feel of its interior is better and more refined.

3. It's fuel consumption is good 16-18 km per litres of diesel on comfort mode.

4. It's ideal for families with young children as the back seats are easy to get to even in the 3rd row.

5. You can fix child seats on all 3 seats in the middle row. (Need to check if the 3rd can do so too).

6. It's not too large and is good to maneuver around most car parks in Singapore even for those really tight ones.

 

The cons:

1. Limited boot space so you cannot carry any large strollers.

2. Suspension can be a little hard as the standard model does not comes with adaptive suspension.

 

Hope this helps if you are considering this car.

[Oneguy]

Agree with LesterLim. If you want to carry 6-7 people all the time, then perhaps the 2GT is not for you. For those whom 80% have 5 pax or below but require the additional 2 seats for the occasional outings, then the 2GT is a good concession between requiring 2 cars. The 3rd row has 2 individual seats and can be folded down seperately unlike those with bench 3rd row. That is a plus point.

[Gooiee]

Agree with LesterLim. If you want to carry 6-7 people all the time, then perhaps the 2GT is not for you. For those whom 80% have 5 pax or below but require the additional 2 seats for the occasional outings, then the 2GT is a good concession between requiring 2 cars. The 3rd row has 2 individual seats and can be folded down seperately unlike those with bench 3rd row. That is a plus point.

Thanks for all your feedback. Now thinking hard and agree that I ferry my parents only once in awhile (since they have their own car) then mid size is ok

 

How about when kids become 3-4 years old? We will have more outings al together then kids can go third row?

 

 

By the way today I test drove the elgrand. If I only go for comfort then this price is really attractive (no power to the car though)

Really really luxurious and a huge beast

 

Also agree on whether I should be able to accept driving a van bus minibus

 

2GT looks really nice and handling is like my current Audi and previous 520 (will family think I'm selfish to get a car for myself and give up on luxury and comfort for them?) hmmm

[Oneguy]

personally, i feel that the 2GT is a compromise. there are larger people carriers around but the drive that they provide is forgetable. the drive in the 2GT is better but it not really a good people carrier. hence my call that the 2GT is a compromise. 

 

if one gets a full sized people carrier, i'm sure that the family will appreciate the space the comfort ... but when its just you and maybe the wife, then you wonder why you have to drive this big tank around.

 

at the same time, if you enjoy the drive when its you alone or with the wife, then i think the family will have to suffer with the lack of space when they are all on-board.

 

its like wanting to own 2 cars - a car for the drive and another for the space. kinda difficult to find one car that fits both. in fairness, these 2 elements contradict each other. 

 

tough choice.

[Weez911]

All cars are compromised mah, in one way or another. There will always be negative comments made on your car due to that. You always need some kind of emotional connection to buy a car, especially in Singapore where cars are so expensive.

 

Shield away those noises and enjoy your own car!