Here we have the first two pictures of the upcoming BMW F10 5-Series LCI (Life Cycle Impulse – BMW speak for mid-life facelift) caught completely undisguised, thanks to Chinese car site auto163. The current F10 was unveiled in late 2009, so it’s high time for it to be facelifted. Also launched in 2009, chief rival the W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has already gone through its mid-life update a few months ago.
So what’s changed then? Very little from the looks of it. The front bumper is all new, taking design cues from the F30 3-Series and F01/F02 7-Series LCI. Also, the trademark kidney grille appears to have been enlarged, now sitting more prominently than before. Turn signals on the side mirrors make their F10 debut too.
The front headlamps see a big update: now with thicker, flat-bottomed Corona Rings and F30-esque LED accent lights sitting above the main beam. Fog lights within the front bumper are now open round elements; no longer shielded within a triangular housing.
Curiously, the chrome detailing on the front bumper is reminiscent of those used on the F30 3-er Modern Line. Is BMW introducing trim Lines on the 5-Series? That would explain the garish use of chrome on the grille too, with perhaps a more aggressive alternative styling available on the Sport Line.
Round the back, the exhaust outlets are now rectangular items instead of the outgoing car’s circular exits. Note, pictured here is the Chinese-market 535Li (long-wheelbase) which has always used twin exhausts on either side of the car. Lesser models are likely to stick to the current configuration – round pipes on the left.
Yet unseen are the changes on the interior. We’ll have to wait till the F10 LCI’s official unveiling later this year for full details.
I don’t know whether the public is aware of this but BMW quietly raised their prices across the board by at least RM5000. For example, the 520d is now over RM340k now. Why have the increased substantially? Already they are making a cool RM100,000 per car at least. No other car dealership makes this amount of clean margin per car sold in the world. Sime Darby seems to be reaping huge amounts of profit and yet, they raise the prices again.
These are the actual world prices for BMW vs our super high Malaysian prices charged by BMW Malaysia.
BMW 328i
US$36,500 (RM109,500)
Malaysia Price RM300,000
BMW 528i
US$46,900 (RM149,000)
Malaysia Price RM415,900
BMW 535i
US$52,500 (RM157,000)
Malaysia Price RM600,000
BMW X5
US$47,500 (RM142,500)
Malaysia Price RM588,900
you have forgotten about our BN gov insane excise tax and import duty (for CBU)?
You mean taxes that we don’t see and are pocketted?
You are wrong, even without Excise Duty and Sales Tax, those company still earn at least RM100K.
Example:
BMW 328i
US$36,500 (RM109,500)
Malaysia Price RM289,800
Without Excise Duty & Sales Tax RM203,172.07
Taxes = RM86,227.93
BMW 528i
US$46,900 (RM149,000)
Malaysia Price RM415,800
Without Excise Duty & Sales Tax : RM278,655.88
Taxes = RM137,144.12
Noted that above price is local assembly price, each car they really earn more than rm100k
yep no doubt their profit margin is crazy large. you should how much they charge for repairs and parts. thank god audi intorduced the a6 hybrid. hope that will cut some of their sales. CUT THE FAT ONES UP TO SIZE!
Don’t forget the high taxes imposed by the govt. nevertheless the price for overseas usually for basic model, more spec customized into the list will end up with higher price! Can’t compare orange with apple..
It’s ridiculous. That’s why i get the A6 Hybrid even though the after sales service sucks.
Are you taking into account the equipment levels in your comparison?? You cannot compare base model with the standard models BMW Malaysia sell here.