[funky_chilli]

Originally Posted by Neo JB

Why can't they just bring out a 3.5L straight 6 instead?

maybe it weighs too much?
or costs too much to make a completely new engine

but having said that, if the 335 is this good - can't wait for the M3

I very much doubt a 3.5 would weigh appreciably more than a 3.0L.

I think the reason is, as you said, the cost to develop another engine. Cheaper and easier just to stick a couple of turbos on an existing one.

As I've said, a cheap and far from ideal way of achieving their desired result (more power).

Aus pricing is SO messed up. Just looked on the BMW aus website and a 335 sedan is only 10K less than a 530 which is only 0.9s slower to the 100 mark!

Unfortunately, although I've been over here for 8 yrs now, I still can't help but compare prices to Euro prices (it's a curse!) - if a car is 30K more here than Europe, relatively speaking, it's a rip off (based on average disposable incomes vs car prices) and even if I had that money to spend, I refuse to, as I know a huge part of it is due to 1) LCT and 2) Australia trying to get people to buy local (which is sort of fair enough). It's just a matter of principle and annoying that the "locals" just accept this rip off. I mean why can't they raise LCT with CPI!?

Although the 130 is pretty pricey in Europe, the good spec here means it is comparable to Euro pricing which makes it a "relative" bargain when compared to the rest of the range. If it were at the same point in the "pricing line" as it is in Europe then it is 325 territory - i.e. 75K + options + on-road costs.

The 323 is getting pretty overpriced, the 325 is ludicrously priced for what it is and anything above that, they are having a laugh - 100K for a 330? I can't believe people will spend that sort of money on a 330....(yep, I know there is no other choice if you want one in Aus....)

<harp over> LOL

[Chris.G]

^ i totally agree. i really hate the LCT. Its the only tax that really gets me peeved off. Looking at the prices in the US i am in absolute shock. They pay equivalant $70k for a loaded up 335. We on the other hand have to pay $120k including on road costs for a standard step 335.

[astra]

common knowledge for ages, you could have something like 2 m3's there, for the price you could have 1 here *cries*

[1q2w3e4r]

Forget the LCT. I'd keep that if I could have the tax bracket setup the same as the USA. Highest tax bracket is 35% for those who earn in excess of $330K USD pa. Equlivant for Australia's higest threshold is 28% from memory.

[astra]

for salarlies over 120k i thought the tax was something stupid like 50%... thank god that is only for the last bit of the money

[funky_chilli]

i think it's abt 46% for anyone over $125k - it's ridiculous how much money they take off those of us who work so much harder to make more money
haha ok i lie, i wish i made that much money

[funky_chilli]

actually i was wrong

Salary Tax

$0 – $6,000 Nil

$6,001 – $25,000 15c for each $1 over $6,000

$25,001 – $75,000 $2,850 plus 30c for each $1 over $25,000

$75,001 – $150,000 $17,850 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000

Over $150,000 $47,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000

[astra]

it's f******

[funky_chilli]

hopefully by the time i'm making that much money the tax bracket will have moved up again

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

Forget the LCT. I'd keep that if I could have the tax bracket setup the same as the USA. Highest tax bracket is 35% for those who earn in excess of $330K USD pa. Equlivant for Australia's higest threshold is 28% from memory.

Wow - you're right - forget LCT when you get taxed that low! House prices there are very low too so consumerism rules!

[KJG66]

Well, all I can say is I have a 2006 323i, and I absolutely love it. Can't wait to get into it in the morning, and if I can park it somewhere where I can look at it during the day I do The 19" rims and tinted windows really set it off nicely too

It won't break any records getting to 100kph, but then again I haven't found the need to. A mate has a new 130i, and it sounds great and goes like the clappers, but I can't stand the looks or cramped conditions inside it. The 323i seems so much roomier compared to the 2004 320i we traded in.

If we could have gotten away with a 2 seater, I would have purchased the Z4.

But each to their own, as as a wise person once said "buy whichever one makes you smile", or something like that

Kev

[astra]

i am not a man

[funky_chilli]

astra = wise man? hahahaha okie dokie

[astra]

well, i WAS the one who said buy which ever makes you smile...

[Chris.G]

Originally Posted by astra

i am not a man

[astra]

uhmm, why a slap? hat doesn't make sense chris...

[funky_chilli]

maybe he's got a secret desire to slap u?

[astra]

sorry mate, but aint gonna happen, lol

[funky_chilli]

haha i didn't think u'd take that lightly
get all ur ASIO mates to make his life miserable

[astra]

asio aren't my mates, they are the ones out to get me... i thought we had this discussion!

[funky_chilli]

whatever, that's just ur cover
pretend to be chased by them
but actually ur ONE of them

that's what undercover cops do all the time - get beaten up and arrested so they dun blow their cover - u can't fool me, i've watched a lot of cop shows!