In the thread entitled "Maerklin finance" , we now have the rather odd arguments regarding merits and demerits of various brands of model locomotives, and relative prices.
I have started this new topic to hopefully continue this interesting mix of ideas. Please feel free to copy any input from that topic to where it might rightly belong - here!

In Australia, a manufacturer has just announced a 4-6-0 steam engine made in China, with DCC but no sound - price around AUD$585. It should be a popular model. This is what it will look like (not the actual model) - http://users.speedlink.com.au/~imra/coombesmod7.html

Reviews show it is all die-cast body, so we can get a direct comparison with some Märklin models.
I purchased a Märklin 37115 4-6-2 MFX digital in Australia for AUD$798, $200 more than the Australian model. Mine came in a wooden box, with sound.
What this means is that Australian model importers can get Märklin-like prices for their models. It might be a similar quality, but I am satisfied we are not getting ripped off by Märklin.

Do you know of direct examples of comparisons with Märklin in your country, or other brands?
regards
Kimball

I think you've got a wide variety of choices today includng prices.
For buying and selling model trains or locos it has become a world market.

And it is not only for model trains.

My order of preference when selecting a locomotive:
1) Marklin. If they do not make the model I am looking for, I turn to:
2a) HAG (for swiss models)
2b) Rivarossi (for italian models)
3) Roco, Vitrains, ACME

M* and HAG have the best manufacturing altough not the most precise and detailed. I love the fact that the housing is metal and easy to open. The plastic housing of the others is more difficult to open to get to the motor and electronics.

One thing: I would not buy any steamer not Marklin. I found the ones I have from Fleishmann and Rivarossi to be very delicate.

My point is:
- if you want to RUN it, then is M* and HAg first, the others after.
- if you want to DISPLAY it, then Roco is first.

Price/quality I like the Rivarossi electric trains of the FS. They go for around 200$ here but you have to modify them for AC and add a decoder (total ~240 without sound, 280 with sound).

Brawa is for steamers more expensive for most modells then Marklin.

A Roco br 44 with sound is now after the price rise of 10% per 01-01-09 more expensive then a Marklin version.

If the others firms keep rising their prices with so much. Marklin will become the cheapest of them all.