Can please suggest which cars are suitable for below options. After considering points below, not many choices left.

- Max Price RM320k
- New car, no recon
- Must be a sedan, already got SUV
- Continental preferred
- Pure Engine, no EV, no PHEV
- Bonus if got free service included

320k conti -> merc / bmw
+ free service -> bmw

RM320k and checking all your boxes would be the BMW 330i (G20 LCI, the latest facelifted generation). Get adaptive suspension and the maintenance/warranty package.

volvo for life? Flirt some cute SA see if can get discount or not loh

S60

Scared of the PHEV and battery cost after warranty ends even w 8 yrs/160k km warranty 🥲

Renault Megane

I just bought my new car last year. U can search for my post in car section. At first I wanted to buy VW Altreon, but then i was turn off by the frameless door design. not to mention, the interior look outdated. the mileage/litre consumption is high too.
So I opted for BMW instead. reasons are it come with extended warranty & service package, reliable, classy, and quite updated.
With that budget, i recommend the following:
1. 218i Gran Coupe M Sport (the cheapest)
2. 320i sport
3. 330i M Sport
4. 330e M Sport
5. 330li M Sport

I already own X1 and X3, so i can vouch for BMW reliability (if it new).

That’s the problem, I’m buying 2 cars at the same time with same options listed, so 330i M sport is quite confirmed, thinking of trying the Volvo S60 for 2nd car, but worry about the battery after 6-7 years.

Lexusss

No need to say worry abt ev or phev car battery, as long as conti ICE car after 6-7 years oso enough can give u headache if unlucky.

If lucky got good unit then ok.

Mazda 6, invest the rest

Aside from the usual BMW/Merc/Audi/Volkswagen;
- Volvo is a good one, for it's safety and ergonomic (S60, S90 etc...)
- Maserati Ghibli (Ferrari engine)

These days Jap cars also behave like continental, therefore don't just look for the brand, but go for the feeling.

Btw, are you looking for car towards the elegant side or sporty side?
Elegant:
- Lexus (ES/IS)
- Toyota (Crown series)

Sporty:
- Honda Civic (Extra cash for mods)
- Subaru WRX (Boxer engine)

End of the day, remember to test drive before purchase!

EDIT: Just noticed TS looking for new car instead of recon... it's almost the same considering the possibility of lemon units.
Moreover, recon/used already go through checklist to ensure things are in place.

This post has been edited by potatobanana: Feb 5 2024, 09:56 PM

pick recon becos ckd fail big bigg

How about a Toyota GR86 manual ?

Haha that’s very true. Using A class, after 4 yrs all headache keluar

Nice, but a bit uncle-ish look

Hmm, never had a recon, is it any better?

Recon better than new ckd?

Ah jeez, I thought I listed down everything, really love to own this 86, but I’ll pass.
I need a four door car, with a proper boot.

Im not exactly a car man, so i always refrain myself from buying 2nd hand/recond car. Always go for new for ease of mind. warranty is there, and BMW do provide extended warranty and service protection too.

Subaru WRX ?

If family man with kids, comfort bias, I would suggest pre-register 530i if you ask around during their events. They might work something for you.

Otherwise if single/couple, spirited driving, you can get 330i under 300k already. But G20 got kruk kruk noise with tie rods la, unless you can live with it.

I was in your situation last year, but with SUV preference. At around the 350k range, I had options between EV (i4, iX), ICE (X3, 530, GLC) and recon (RX300). In fact I booked Model Y mid last year but went with X3 instead.

Yes, also the latest Levorg or WRX Wagon, really a looker.

300k budget can also consider Tesla 3, BYD Seal, Kia EV6, GR Yaris/Corolla (if got discount)

Lexus

more premium than premium
more toyota than toyota

toyota camry

Can I know Y X3 and not the why?

No EV

Lexus smallest sedan is quite big already, so no

No thanks, size quite big

ok

I made similar comment not long ago, so gonna copy-paste here:

If Camry or ES consider big (Segment-D), better just consider GR Yaris (Segment-B) or Corolla, WRX (Segment-C)

If BMW 3 series or X3 in your consideration, FYI those are under (Segment-D) also.
Only BMW 2 series is under Segment-C category nowadays.

Looking at nice compact size sedan like the s60 & 3 series.
To my eyes camry and ES quite big even same D segment.

218 no thanks.

recon Lexus IS300 probably fits your criteria. Get the 2023 model if you can find such gem - low mileage around rm300k mark for f-sport.
almost 250hp and RWD.

VW Arteon AWD, a vee bit larger or very similar size to BMW 3 series.

How's the X3 so far? It's the 2023 version right? Ada rosak anything? I prefer that one compared to the new one with all fancy dashboards with no buttons

Btw, nobody suggested C class?

This post has been edited by Duckies: Feb 7 2024, 11:27 AM

touch wood no problem la haha, but I just got the car in Dec-23. Can hear some wind noise from side windows at high speeds, cos they are not double glazed but overall cabin NVH was pretty silent. That's right, it's the 2023 model with the adaptive suspension. Also why I'm not waiting for g45 due to curved display. Me old school. IMO idrive7 feels more polished and refined.

I also old school..I don't fancy those EV cars and also the new models without buttons - all kena use touch screen so human unfriendly.

I am looking to get the 2023 X3 also but couldn't pull the trigger cause takut rosak here and there...conti car ma.

This post has been edited by Duckies: Feb 7 2024, 11:47 AM

Continental cars just avoid hybrid, if normal ICE engine reliability still good.

Engine and gear should be good in 2023 X3...takut benda lain rosak..cause I always see BMW cars need to toll on road

True, either ICE or go full EV. PHEVs have more parts - higher risk of mechanical & electronic failure

My colleague had owned previous gen f25 for 10yrs, before replacing with i4. Other than typical wear and tear, the only ‘big’ issue was coolant leak. But gives you plenty of time to react - came with a warning error. In the end, just replace with a new radiator hose and that was it. Most importantly, follow the periodic maintenance schedule as advised.

What ride are you upgrading from btw? Perhaps rx300 instead? That was my second choice in fact.

Mazda CX-5. RX300 is out of budget but can consider NX300

Most conti kena toll 1 if new model mostly the hybrid models, coz a lot of owners scare to drive to the SC once all those check engine warning pop up in meter/system.

This is quite good suggestion, but I don’t have experience with recon car warranty provider. Anybody know a good company?

Considering this too.

C klasse close to 300k but no free service included, so considering other cars for now

100% no for S60?

My current list is:
1) S60
2) 330i
3) Lexus IS 300 recon
4) VW Arteon

If not mistaken Volvo cars line up nowadays is either hybrid or EV.
My cousin family were once very hardcore Volvo supporters, few years back bought the S60 hybrid after warranty ends now convert to BMW 5 series.
This is why i always tell new owners dont pick hybrid cars especially continentals 1.
The only stable less issue hybrid in market is from Toyota/Lexus, the rest just forget it.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Feb 7 2024, 05:29 PM

Yes, S60 is hybrid, but the driving feel is niceee.
5 series quite big too. I think 5 series is a good car

If C class, go for c300. c200 is boring and underpowered.
C300 may be eating into your budget

Yup, avoid Volvo PHEV models at all cost. Spare parts will cost a lot. Once warranty and service package is over, need to fork out more money to service.

Volvo cars have very less value in second hand market.

Yup, avoid continentals hybrid models. Once rosak will burn a hole in your wallet. Volvo spare parts cost more than BMW, Mercedes spare parts.

For conti cars, go for ICE or full EV models.

Oh, I was suggesting to TS. I don't fancy sedan.. I prefer SUV. Now I'm considering X3 or GLC 300 but don't know which 1 more reliable although I know reliability does not rhyme with these 2 brands haha

Alternative can also consider Lexus but then my materialistic dream is to own a conti car in my lifetime XD

This post has been edited by Duckies: Feb 8 2024, 08:03 AM

A new X3 or GLC are way beyond the budget set by TS unless he's alright with used car.

I think TS wants sedan only. SUV is for me hahaha

Yup. SUV for me too.
Maybe TS can consider a SUV coupe (SUV + sedan)

This post has been edited by optprime: Feb 8 2024, 09:06 AM

Coupe normally extra 100k lol.. Out of budget.

Extra so much just to look awesome

S60 and 5 series are comfort-orientated cruisers, different driving experience compared to 330i in your list. Also the current 330i although it come specified with adaptive dampers, I felt it was on the stiffer end. Ultimately it's up to you if you want comfort bias or dynamic driving.

just curious, bang! Why turn-off by the frameless door?! For many its a desirable wants, kan!?

Curious what was the fuel consumption you saw on it, or test drove?

Let me share why I crossed out GLC 300 from my shopping list, even though Hap Seng is only 2km from my home. First is the seat ergonomics - I don't know but i couldn't seat comfortably, i.e. it gave me the feeling of sitting on it, rather than inside of the seat. The seat materials are comfy though. Then the freaking small foot rest (similar issue with C300) and the big center console that intrude my leg space. My left leg felt uncomfortable during the drive. Drivers with long legs would probably understand what I meant. Next are the bullshit capacitive buttons on the steering lol - either wrong press, double press or accidental trigger.

This post has been edited by I-Kurosaki: Feb 8 2024, 10:50 AM

Personally I would go for the GLC purely because the GLC retains so much more value over the BMW X3 (go and look at second hand units now and you will see the huge difference in prices). Considering both are SUV, the Merc feels more luxurious inside over the BMW. but again, that is based on subjective taste as well.

Haha thank you for describing this.

I have exactly same experience as you, the left foot resting area to the centre console not as flat as in other car especially if compared to a bmw. Plus, the box where we rest the left foot, is just carpet, not footrest box as in other brand.
Not only in one model, owned a few merc mostly same story.

Secondly, yes merc seats are quite hard to get comfortable, need to do a lot of adjustments. Maybe just my experience.

Thirdly, I feel most merc throttle pedal position angle is a bit too steep, after long driving right foot will feel sore.

Don’t start with the latest capacitive steering buttons. Only god knows how to operate them.

So getting a new merc from an old merc, I don’t know. But this new car is for my sister, they don’t care as long as it is a mercedes 💆🏻‍♂️.

Especially the new GLC, it really gives you a good first impression when you first sat inside - seen luxurious and extravagant. So much so that it totally triumphs both X3 and XC60 in this aspect. My BIL ordered the new GLC coupe - because (1) he's a Maseli owner and (2) impressed with the luxurious cabin feel. Don't know about you but I felt that Merc owners don't give two hoots about rival brands especially BMW

edit: my BIL said SA verbally promised that he may get his new car in Jan but until now grill pun tak nampak

This post has been edited by I-Kurosaki: Feb 8 2024, 01:35 PM

Ya these are the same complains I had for GLC 300 but I think the foot rest issue is resolved in the new one?

True but within these 2 which 1 is more reliable

not sure why i dont like the frameless door. personal preferences.

Fuel consumption is in the car brochure. Arteon have combine circle of 8litre/100km.

12 kml/l is quite bad for a modern car! My hubby's Passat CC easily gets 13-15km/l

every car brochure have fuel consumption. BMW is the lowest so far. Plus, the interior of arteon is so old school, especially the gear knob. my saga gear stick look better.