Not to be rude...

Earl,

Well, I shipped those cars back to Taiwan, drive for couple months, then sell them. Use the '00 E55 for example.

Brand E55 in Canada = $98,000 CDN
The same car with same option will cost around $280,000 CDN in Taiwans, and even I drove the car a bit(make it a used will deduct import tax when ship back to Taiwan), and minus shipping cost, all kinda tax, and I can still make at least 200% profit on it....

Also, I don't consider OWN the car if it's, 1st, purely business, or 2nd, I don't have the access to the car whenever I want to....

Andy Kuo

Kelvin,

Why you think that brought up this question is insulting?? True it will bring alot of comments, but it maybe pure curiousity as well. And you think every young guy behind BMW or 3 point-star is rich, spoiled kid??? Then you are wrong. Oh heck, I bought my 1992 400SE brand new back in 1992, consider the currency rate back then, I actually paid more then what you paid for E39 M5. And though by that time, my Dad paid it in full amount, I already paid him back 2 years ago(that makes me 18 then)....

What's with you?? Sorry if my words offend you....but that's how I feel as an Asian....

Racism sucks....I feel ashame of being an Asian now...thnx to you.....

Andy Kuo

Kelvin,

You are really going WAY off. My "Childish" posts just taught all those who are interested, a way to make money by export imports. As I said before, what I post is about what I have seen, done, driven. If you have problem with it...then, that's too bad...

You have no right to judge other ppl being childish or not. And you really have problem reading other's posts...

Read my posts again, and point out which one offended you....and let the other BMW M5 owners be the judge....

Andy Kuo

MotorMouth,

I am sure you will enjoy your M5 very much. I had a 993 C2S, and have driven my friend's 996 C2 Coupe, and I actually like 993 C2S better, and feel that though 996 is a big improvement over 993, it's too forgiving in terms of aggressive driving.

The only thing I notice when I drove my friend's M5 is that the gear ration is meant to be run on Autobahn then drag strips. The 1st and 2nd ratio is very short, and big gap from 2nd to 3rd, then longer ratio from 3rd to 6th. Is this true with US Spec cars??

Andy Kuo

Scott,

It's already hard to export/import cars into Taiwan privately now(I haven't done it in about 2 years actually, instead I put most of my money in our family business in China). Alot of time, you have to "pursuade" customs. You help them out, they will help you out. And yes, the import taxes base on engine displacement is killing(and that's why we won't see any Viper running around in Taiwan). Rules changed now....5 years back, it's easy and big money, but now...it's getting harder and harder, especially after the earthquake....

But, still there are still potential buyers. Some ppl are willing to burn $450,000 CDN just to get a specially order E55T.

P.S. The key is that you MUST already have a buyer for the car. Don't import, then sell because it won't work out as well(though still profitable). Only when you have the buyers(and some "inside talk" with customs), then you worry about get a car, and ship it back....

Andy Kuo

Hm..I see, alot of things are going on behind my back....

Well, Outsider, Han just hit right on the point(and now you know how the E55 got away)....Mercedes dealers is not the only place to get Mercedes, and so as other brand of cars.

I have no problem about your comments, just to let you know that anything is possible...

Andy Kuo