Local 235 series reviews are coming in

[Brissie]

Originally Posted by racer_x

We can only dream of the day when the government does away with the parallel importation restrictions.

And getting rid of the envy tax aka LCT, and the protection for inefficiency aka import duty. One can only dream....

[Alpine*]

Could be worse, was inquiring today about Macans, Retail or the highway OR if you're desperate RRP PLUS.

P cars in Willoughby mentioned they have 70 orders in the bank already

[thewafflecaust]

Yeah the wait list is out the door for the Macan, apparently the bulk of the first batch to aus will all be fully or near fully optioned, so no povo spec ones for awhile

[B-Moose]

Originally Posted by ItsHectic

I dont think it is profiteering its taxes, you could possibly get 10-15k off the car though but 10-15% off is to be expected everywhere.

It's almost entirely profiteering. The LCT makes up a very small portion of the 50k (100% difference!!) in price of the car. People who profit from this racket will claim costs of shipping, scale etc but anyone who shops online knows that in the 21st century that's all basically irrelevant bullshit now. It's Australia tax pure and simple, charging as much as they can, which they're able to get away with in the current closed cartel marketplace.

It's hopefully inevitable now with the local car industry dead that import restrictions will eventually be removed (see PC recent recommendations). And when it happens, I won't have any sympathy when BMW AU (and the others) get what's coming to them just like the retailers with online shopping.

[Smiley1175]

Originally Posted by BiMou

It's almost entirely profiteering. The LCT makes up a very small portion of the 50k (100% difference!!) in price of the car. People who profit from this racket will claim costs of shipping, scale etc but anyone who shops online knows that in the 21st century that's all basically irrelevant bullshit now. It's Australia tax pure and simple, charging as much as they can, which they're able to get away with in the current closed cartel marketplace.

It's hopefully inevitable now with the local car industry dead that import restrictions will eventually be removed (see PC recent recommendations). And when it happens, I won't have any sympathy when BMW AU (and the others) get what's coming to them just like the retailers with online shopping.

Wow man, I detect a degree of bitterness here!

When eventually there is nothing local and everything is dependant on imports, don't expect to be paid as much as you are now.

Australia is expensive, but I wouldn't live anywhere else.

[Alpine*]

I know it's the M135 but interesting the 1M was quicker...... On a damp track too.

[david.orr]

that was the most screwed up comparo by top gear/clarkson and it was so bloody obvious what he had set out to achieve. GTI better car than M135i wtf

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by jaffa12

that was the most screwed up comparo by top gear/clarkson and it was so bloody obvious what he had set out to achieve. GTI better car than M135i wtf

Fark that 120mph aquaplane though! I would have shat myself and probably had some negative/derogative remarks to make......along with the skid marks.

[Harlequin]

Historically, on Top Gear, Clarkson bags every Bimmer that isn't an ///M and he's always had a giant woody for the Golf - Especially the GTI.

The only non-///M BMW I can recall him saying nice things about on TV is the latest 5 Series Diesel Wagon (I think it was the 530D?)

I'm betting that if that roadtest had been in the dry he would have found another reason to say the GTI was better...

If you want to know what he really thinks rather than what his Top Gear persona says then read his motoring columns... He was very nice about the 135i once upon a time but he smashed the 1 Series hatch on TG...

135i review: http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/1-seri...t/135i-m-sport

And THIS is what he really thinks of the M135i: http://www.driving.co.uk/clarkson/bm...135i-2012/5888

[ItsHectic]

He loved the 135i. And he likes the E36-E46 3 series.

[PeteA]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

Fark that 120mph aquaplane though! I would have shat myself and probably had some negative/derogative remarks to make......along with the skid marks.

Such an idiotic review. You're going 200km/h on standing water foot mashed to the floor wtf do you expect to happen.

[drjekl]

[Harlequin]

They've done it again with the Performance Exhaust. Sounds awesome.

I'd definitely take one of those over a CLA any day...