I would say go for the 320i. The A4 looks suspiciously cheap for a 2012 model. BMW parts are easier to find than Audi and there are more outside mechanics specializing in BMW as they have been here a long time in Malaysia.

All the hammering hasn't deterred you from getting your dream car but at least you have dropped the puny 316i. As long as you can live within your means go for it.


This post has been edited by KennyKB: Nov 21 2015, 10:45 PM

dont get a4 u will regret. alot isolated cases in malaysia already that's my experience especially when u're tight on budget

No offence, you think all of us are bashing TS. But, to me, I think we are giving TS good advices. If TS is earning 12k or 15k a month (without adding his wife's income), I doubt I would reply his post. But, unfortunately, he is not at this moment.

Some people think I am boasting myself, but I think I am talking about PRIORITIES. I had avoided to answer this thread - don't want others to think I am boasting myself. But, yummymommy's YOLO theory is funny. If "you only live once" is the justification, there are many other things should have higher priorities than owning a bmw. I can't imagine how one could suffer without owning a bmw.

My previous posts in this thread already mentioned, at TS's level of income, I think he should be looking at investing in himself in order to boost his income. Maybe getting some professional certifications. You probably did not notice my previous posts because there are 13 pages.

I envied bmw and mercedes since I was a little kid. But, to me, when I was earning 9000 ringgit a month, I was driving a proton wira. Why? Because I was PASSIONATE about getting rich and being financially independent. So, to me, I was PASSIONATE in my work and how to enhance myself. I was PASSIONATE to build a business. I was PASSIONATE in thinking how to make my wealth 4x or 5x more - that happened when I was 30's. When I managed to achieve my financial goals, I was PASSIONATE to have a family and kids. I was PASSIONATE to spend time with my parents. Today, I am at 50's, I am now PASSIONATE to make sure my kids will get into good schools and receive quality education.

I believe the main reason that lead me to be financially independent is: "when I was earning 9000 ringgit a month, I was thinking how to make it more" and not "owning a dream car". Am I still PASSIONATE about the cars I envied when I was little kid? Yes, I do, but not necessary mean I have to own them. When you can afford something, you will realize you can live without it.

If one needs to use "you only live once" as the justification, I think the following 101 things to-do for bucket lists could be more interesting than owning a bmw.

http://personalexcellence.co/blog/bucket-list/

and, you will find out, owning a bmw or sport car is not listed as one of the 101 ideas.

If u need 9 years loan, dont. A luxury car or not, the maintenance cost of a car remain the same or higher as parts will get more expensive, not less. Also esp for a BMW... LIKE some mentioned here, better buy new.

9 years loan should really be stopped, what's bank negara doing?

Thanks for giving us your life philosophy but it really isn't necessary. Just as you are passionate about growing wealth TS is passionate about driving a BMW. Should he wait until he is 50 before he fulfills his passion? By then he may be too old to really appreciate driving a BMW and the waiting...

I'm not a supporter of reckless living using the YOLO principle but if TS can buy a second hand BMW and still live within his means (i.e. financial input greater than output) then I think he should go ahead and fulfill his passion.

I think TS has been given enough financial advice and he still chooses to go ahead. As he has asked for opinion regarding a 320i or an A4 we should help him decide between the 2 models instead of slamming him with more financial advice.

Agree, should've just limit to just max 5yrs with at least 25-30% DP required. But car prices should've been lower by at least 50%.

My hat off for you bro with such a big courage!
My husband and I total net income more than 12k he only drives 9 year old vios, and I just afford to buy new city

I rather using f30 and depreciating 30k every year than using those beautiful hybrid car to saving petrol 2k every yr

Who says you can't start enjoying while you are building your own networth and improving yourself? What is the point of earning so much and continuously wanting more if you don't spend to enjoy any of it to fulfill your own passion, dreams and desires? Your passions might be those things that you listed, but how can you assume it is best for everyone to think just like you for every 10 years of life?

Although it is partially true that when you can afford something, you then realise you don't really need it. This, however, is not true for one's true interest or hobby. If i like something and I can afford it, I'll buy it, enjoy it, and if I get bored of it, I move on.

You try way too hard to preach your own living style without realising that everyone is different in this world.


To TS, if after all calculations and you feel that monthly, you won't be struggling and will still be able to save. Go for it. Either that or find another car that is a stepping stone to your eventual BMW ownership, work harder, earn more, and buy one when you feel that you can truly afford it.

When u need your wife income to sustain, thats mean car is beyond ur mean...

Lol yolo troll..

I have always wanted to buy a BMW or Benz like TS.. not until I start to count the cost of ownership, depreciation rate and the maintenance cost.

The fact is the car depreciate a lot faster than I could save. The car price drop as much as 30k a year and maintenance about 5k a year, that about 3k a month. With that money, I could afford to buy a brand new iPhone every month or holiday in Europe every year.

just went to showroom to look at 318i and 320i/d

feel like i want to buy also. but my proton sure rugi kao kao if trade in

TS. Don't buy bcoz u live in Malaysia.

I am not planning to boast myself. But, to prevent you from assuming I don't know how to enjoy life, I actually bought my first bmw e39 at the age of 34. Having the experiences of maintaining continental cars, I know exactly how much they cost to be in good shapes.

I do agree everyone is different. But, talking about wealth management, whether you are Malaysian or American, the universal theory is the same.

Unless TS was born with silver spoon and his parents (or parents in law) are always lenders of last resort, I don't understand how a monthly household income of 9000 is going to maintain a decent lifestyle after owning a dream bmw. My 2012 F30 cost me 11k this year to maintain. Of course, part of the cost is to make it a better ride.

This thread has 14 pages now, there are two schools of thought: a) buy dream car. b) saying no because not the right timing at this level of household income. TS has two choices: a) Follow first school: buy and enjoy first. b) Take feedback from 2nd school: invest the money in something that boost his earning power. 5 years later, TS come back and update his income level and lifestyle. We will then know, whether these 14 pages debate is a waste of time.

Whether it will be a struggle or not to maintain a BMW on 9K income will depend largely on maintenance which is hard to gauge. I suppose you are in a good position to advise TS on the expected maintenance cost of s 320i based on your personal experience. TS has proposed RM6K a year which he is comfortable with. Is that reasonable?

I strongly suggest TS to forget this 316..its running on a mini engine - mini is good car but its small in size...this one is heavy plus 1.6 engine. How many times on highway a 316 highbeam me but i tekan and let it go eat dust ( i am using 4 pot diesel engine).

not worth the trouble. you better off getting maybe honda accord or camry (prev generation). Do you have a child? i am assuming u dont hence why this decision.

suggest u save up there and then let it be as it is - 316 is poor man's bmw...people look at it also like want to spit at it..cannot afford proper beemer u buy half hearted beemer and on top of that i think its FWD


9k u dont have any idea what u getting urself into....absorber, bushing etc will cost arm and leg since same platform with the others...engine im not concern coz generally low mentainance ( 300buck for oil change + 50-60 for filter).


for me, i only buy beemer when my salary hit 20k...a reward to myself for working to my dream....but then again i wouldnt really buy a beemer .....id buy a second hand 1-2 year old coz the depreciation is really bad

Take out the 316 logo and put 320, nobody going to look at your insurance sticker
I am 23 years old, by looking at my friends around my age who earning around 2.5k, they can afford to get a City/Jazz about 70-75k bank loan and survived in good shape and of course they are single and not married.

I suggest TS maintain a moderate cash float about RM50k in hand and buy it. In case emergency, you got backup plan.

Being rich is good, but living rich in your own way is better.

Just buy a God car la

Last 6 years, I earned 2.5k my wife earn 2k. We really need a car that time. As we newly wed and me an my wife ride a bike to work. My wife ride her Honda Wave 100 and me ride grandfather 20yo Honda C70, but I park at nearest KTM and take KTM to work. That time we hardly have saving. Everytime raya festive, the bus company playing tricks, when we gonna buy early they said not yet sell, tomorrow go ask already finish, so decide one time we need to get a car. So with household income of 4.5k, and I got some 'durian runtuh' around RM22k, spend RM17k for a Honda City downpayment. Down the road we still have a decent life with the Honda City, but this is a Japanese reliable car. No issues whatsoever only wear and tear item. So we still live and save as usual, summore still can spend RM2k only for duit raya every year, and another 1k for Qurban. We never hold on what we wanna do, up until now, after 6 years we are good to go. But my advise to TS, if this is 2nd car and you can use the main car for main activity, then go ahead, if this is your only car, I say better get a reliable car form the T and H badge.

F30 produced in 2012 is well known for the defects. Rusty seat frames, steering wheels vibrations, electric motor for driver side power window, water tank pump (which caused overheating), and etc. If the previous owner found out all these defects and rectified before the expiry of warranty, that is good. Else, repair is a nightmare.

For a 3 years old F30, under-utilized or over-utilized, both cases need cash to upkeep it in good shape. Under-utilized means the previous owner might not claim the disk brakes, disk rotors, brake oil, spark plugs, wipers and other items covered by BSRI. Over-utilized means tyres, suspensions, battery life (because of the engine auto start-stop function), and etc. So, first question is not only the services, but the cost to upkeep it as an ultimate machine.

Of course, RM6k budget, to some people, that is more than enough to cover. Service can be done by independent workshop. RFT can be replaced with Korean brand (Nexen N8000) or Indonesian, which is half price compared to Continental or Pirelli or GY.

From my experiences, RM30k budget for 5 years should be ok provided no major repair. Need to buy extra insurance to cover flood because the air intake for BMW F30 is very low.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/newforums/i...0i-down/page-11

One major problem happened like the case highlighted in the BMW Club Malaysia, the damage is 82k. A lot of F30 owners know this problem.