2013 and earlier BMW 3-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

wowser1 · December 2003

I have a chance to get a new 04 325i black/black, auto with no options other than moonroof and auto. The deal is:
$299 month plus tax; $3k down for 39 months at 10k a year mileage. Is this a good deal?

I am torn between this and an Acura TSX that's loaded with Nav for about $40 more a month. Any input would be appreciated.

benjamin753 · December 2003

Alex,

The dealer didn't take my offer and I'm not finding ANY good deals on 3-series cars. Quote after quote with high money factors, bank charges, mediocre pricing, and lousy residuals.

I'm having the most luck with the Volvo S60 AWD. It doesn't drive quite as well as the 325xi, but it's a MUCH better value with the incentives in place, not to mention a ~40 more HP.

I'm tired of getting nowhere with the BMW dealers and will likely end up with the Volvo unless some miracle deal pops up tomorrow.

Benjamin

sjmurray3 · December 2003

Is BMW still offering the $2,000 incentive on 2003 325is?

yk40 · December 2003

One of the local BMW dealers in the upstate NY area advertised a base 2004 325xi (MSRP : $30245) lease as follows; $339/month, around $4K down payment including first month + security deposit ( I think sec. dep. was around $400) , 10k miles/year and 36 month lease. Add TTL. It does not look like any special deal to me! Any thoughts??

Also, I agree that Volvo S60 AWD may cost a lot less. Any good lease deals on Volvo S60 AWD?

jackatrolo · December 2003

Hello. Saturday 12/27/03 I purchased a 2002 CPO 325i Jet Black / Black leather, fully loaded vehicle with only 6,800 miles on it for $26,500 (2002 MSRP $35,600 and I did not even have to push negotiations). I live in Boise, Idaho. The dealership said it needed to sell a certain number of CPO vehicles before year-end to obtain marketing support. I have been researching used vehicles and new car leasing arrangements over the past few months and this deal literally "just fell in my lap." I am waiting for the other show to fall off so to speak. I am itching to tell the world what a great deal I got, but I also was looking for some assurance that there is not something that I am missing.

crashtestdingo · December 2003

Did you use Edmunds.com's True Market Value calculator to get a number?

jackatrolo · December 2003

Edmunds TMV values are as follows:
Dealer retail: $29,500
Certified vehicle: $30,800

kyfdx · December 2003

Not that I would be looking for validation after I spent the money, but... If it was just your average 2002, with no CPO and 20,000 miles, I'd say $25K-26K would be average price at a dealer.. Considering CPO and the low miles, you got a very good deal, but not the "deal of the century". Prices drop fast this time of year.

regards and congratulations,
kyfdx

carkid21 · December 2003

I'm looking to get into a 36 month lease, and I'm wondering if anyone here also is leasing wither a 325 or a 330 w/auto,leather,sunroof,premuim package and I would like to know what any of ya'll monthly payments would be on the lease. I'm also looking into the G35 sedan or coupe with leather and premium package, and I have a rust estimate of ranging from 300-440 a month for both the coupe and sedan (note, not looking for the AWD G either) I was hoping that the 3 series could be compreably equipped for around the same price. please help I plan to do this in january of 04 thankx

crashtestdingo · December 2003

You should re-post your question in Town Hall > Finance, Warranty & Insurance (View all discussions) > Lease Questions - Ask Here. One of the HOSTs, Car_man, can look up the leasing terms currently being offered by just about any manufacturer. If you tell him in your post where you live, what model(s) you're ineterested in, how long a lease you'd like, and how many miles you think you'll drive, he'll give you the money factor(s) and residual value(s). You can then use a lease calculator, such as the one available on this site, to figure out your monthly payment, or just ask him to do it for you.

Two things you should keep in mind:

1. The lease payments you see advertised are usually available only when you put money down ("capitalized cost reduction" or similar), which is something that Car_man and many others advise against doing.

2. Most (maybe nearly all) manufacturers will be changing their lease offers on January 1 or during the first full week in January.

pat · December 2003

Here is a direct link: Lease Questions - Ask Here

want2003325i · January 2004

checkout this link for incentives....http://www.automotive.com/Reviews/22/bmw/Incentives- /

benjamin753 · January 2004

After calling all the BMW dealers in the Puget Sound, I got NOWHERE negotiating a good lease. A couple of the dealers said BMW doesn't deal much at the beginning of a model year, AKA the end of the calendar year. Why the dealer I spoke with wouldn't budge on the 2003 325xi they still had is beyond me.

I got what I think is a TREMENDOUS deal on a 2004 Volvo S60 AWD with Premium and Touring packages, silver metallic paint with charcoal leather. (I would have gotten the sport package but my wife didn't like the feel of the seats.)

Here are the vitals:

MSRP: $35,710.00
Total Lease Cost: $16,965.75
Monthly Payment: $443.50
Base Cap: $30,901.00
Residual: $19,729.25
Money Factor: 0.0019
Acq. Fee: $595.00
License: $154.75
Disp. Fee: $250.00

I had originally agreed upon a slightly more expensive lease through Volvo only to be blindsided by a $395 dispensation fee. After a LONG time in the office of the finance guy, the folks at the dealership reran the numbers with a lease from Wells Fargo, resulting with the numbers above.

Good luck all!

Benjamin

kdshapiro · January 2004

Good luck with your new vehicle....

zithelp · January 2004

I thought I Would post my experience for anyone interested since I enjoy reading others experiences.
Started looking on a whim for a new car to commute in after driving a suburban for years. Approaching 50 yrs old and thought it was time for a change so a convertible was on my mind. After researching on Edmunds I thought the new audi AWD A4 convertible fit my bill. Didn't look at BMW much due to the "Beemer" stigma that I might be considered an old "yupi". On the way to the Audi dealer decided to stop by and test drive the BMW 330 ci convertable and after not being able to wipe the smile off my face went on to drive the Audi but no smile. Test drove the BMW 2 more times just to make sure! Meanwhile went online to get dealer quotes as far as 300 mi away and used these after I decided the BMW was for me to negotiate a deal. Purchased the same vehicle I test drove with 70mi on it. 2004 330 cic Silver Grey Metallic, Black interior with Auto transmission, cold weather pkg, Prem pkg,sport pkg, Xenon headlights, MSRP 49,595 including destination charge for 48,000 plus 59.00 title and licence. Not what I am used to getting off MSRP but read on this sight that convertibles were not too negotiable. Just called my sales rep after deciding and gave him my lowest internet price and he came back a few hundred more and for the convience of not driving 200 mi took the deal. Leased through leasecompare.com for 626.00mos plus tax 48 mos 0 down 48000 mi MF 0.00176 and feel good I got a decent deal with a pretty good lease. will let you know if I re-lease another convertable BMW in another 4 yrs, but after 450 mi on my new car I think I am a BMW convert!

kdshapiro · January 2004

Good luck with your new vehicle and welcome to the "Smiles by the mile" club.:)

dbult · January 2004

Just purchased a 2004 330ci convertible fully loaded including hardtop for $49,880 (MSRP - $52,490). Negotiated invoice up, not MSRP down. They didn't have anything I liked in stock so I had to order. Saying 1st of March for delivery. Guys in Bellevue were easy to work with.

dave01282000 · January 2004

I had been in the market for a 325i originally, but after driving the 330 there was no going back. The best I could do after several hours of haggling was $1000 off MSRP:

Titanium Silver/Black Leatherette
Sports Package
Moonroof

Had to order, no "stripper" 330 like that would be available at any dealer. Last 2 weeks in February delivery.

hope everyone had a happy new year

Dave

kdshapiro · January 2004

Hey dave - good job on getting the car you want at the price you want. Welcome to the "Smiles by the mile" club.

ltmarks · January 2004

Just did some negotiating today, do you think this offer is fair?

2004 BMW 325xi:
-with cold weather package and moonroof
-manual transmission
-metallic paint
MSRP: 32,770
dealer best offer: 30,991

they will give me a 42 month lease
12k miles/year
money factor .0027
residual 55%
2500 down (includes 1st month payment, destination fee, bank fee, etc)

$419 per month not including tax

Edmunds says this car's invoice is 30,040 but that people are paying 32,400 for it (TMV price)

I know this is a lease question, but what do you think about the selling price of 30,991? Thank you!

riez · January 2004

Doesn't seem very special. You are paying almost $20,000 over just 3 1/2 years of leasing. I always look at the ads from my local BMWs. One is advertising " '04 325xi Lots to choose from! Starting at $30,700."

bbirdwell38 · January 2004

Just got a note from a dealer in Atlanta that I have been negotiating with that told me the MSRP on the 330i (with premium package, Xenon headlights, auto trans, metallic paint and heated seats) had increased by $400 (from $41,745 to $42,145) and the Dealer Invoice had increased by $720 (from $38,260 to $38,980).

Has anyone else heard this?

bbirdwell38 · January 2004

All, I know there are alot of us out there looking at leasing 330i's. They have raised the residual to 58% and dropped the money factor down in the .00125 to .0014 range.

I have priced a 330i with Premium Package, steptronic, Xenon and heated seats for roughly $510 per month (no cap cost reduction, no dealer doc fee, $2,500 off sticker).

Good luck to you all...

riez · January 2004

Just keep watching what is happening in the relationship between the Euro and the Dollar. Dollar falling. BMW does its accounting in Euros and, even in South Africa, pays with Rand. Even with derivatives and other actions, there is only so much BMW can do before the fall cuts into profits or forces them to raise prices.

chaseboy · January 2004

Anyone out there recently bought a 2004 330i and got a pretty good deal?

rrmcdonald · January 2004

I had negotiated a 2004 330Ci convertible (ordered from the factory) for a price 1/2 between invoice and MSRP (below True Value) (sorry, I don't have the exact figures with me); since it was to be delivered after Jan 1 (even with order prior to Jan 1) there was about a $500 price increase (1.2%, I think); I split the difference with the dealer since we had a deal struck before they remembered the increase. I demanded and they gave to me the BMW bulletin sent to the dealers. The price increase applied to the base price but not to options.

glhendr1 · January 2004

I has just given a dealer quote of invoice + 500 for a 03, mystic blue, 325i. Any advise, comments, or suggestion on this price? Please respond ASAP as I am interested in purchasing soon. Should I go with this quote for the o3 or should I just pay the regular MSRP for the 04 version?

kyfdx · January 2004

Up through 11/30, the 2003 325i had a manufacturer to dealer incentive of $2000. I'm sure this dealer "punched" the car and got that incentive. So, $500 over invoice is actually $2500 over his cost. I was shopping at the end of November, and was offered a 2003 325i for $1300 under invoice.. $700 over cost.. and this was without me committing or making an offer.. That was their opening offer.
For example.. a typically equipped 2003 325i that stickers for $34,895 has an invoice price of $32,025 minus the $2000 incentive, results in dealer cost of $30,025.. So, you should be shooting for about $500 over that, or around $4500 under sticker, depending on how well optioned the car is.. If it stickers for less than that, figure a little less off sticker.

regards,
kyfdx

crashtestdingo · January 2004

What do you mean by "punched"?

crashtestdingo · January 2004

rrmcdonald, did you check the invoice price here on Edmunds.com before and after Jan. 1 to see if it went up?

rrmcdonald · January 2004

CrashTest,

I don't know if Edmunds has changed their listing for the invoice; they did not change the msrp but the bmw site has (www.bmwusa.com).

kyfdx · January 2004

Dealer reports the vehicle as sold.. Manufacturer gives them the incentive.

floridabob · January 2004

Bought a white auto steptronic with premium pkg and Zenon headlights, leather interior and myrtlewood trim for $34,910 cash deal. Car had 30 miles on it and I have become one with this car. It is truly the finest small sedan I have EVER owned !.

crashtestdingo · January 2004

But the dealer then has to pay the manufacturer for the car (less holdback and incentives), correct? Is the vehicle then titled? And is anyone who buys/leases that car eligible for a loan or a lease from the manufacturer?

dominioncarx · January 2004

Leased a 2004 330xi today.

MSRP: 43,295
Selling price: 41,123
Invoice: 39,670

Money factor was reduced in January to .00100

Residual=58%

yk40 · January 2004

dominioncarx;

can you please post the lease terms..

good luck with your new BMW..

dominioncarx · January 2004

yk40--

Lease terms are:

36 mos., 15K miles/year.
0 down, except taxes, tags, first payment and sec. deposit

winds up being about $550/mo.

yk40 · January 2004

dominioncarx-

Thanks for the info.. I am thinking leasing either Volvo s60 AWD or BMW (325xi or 330xi).

Therefore I wanted to get the numbers correct on 330xi. does 550/month include tax? Also, it seems that you did not pay any bank fee. Correct?

fzara2003 · January 2004

Just ordered a new BMW 325xi, with the silver gray metallic and a gray interior w/Myrtle wood trim, close to fully loaded with:
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Steptronic Automatic Transmission
Sports Package
Xenon headlights
Apline 6 CD changer
Metallic paint

I'm getting it on a lease for $370/month, 42 months, 5000 down, 12k miles WITH tax and the motor vehicle charge. Delivery is Friday, the 15th. (tomorrow!)

I'm really excited on getting the car, except my only regret is that I didn't get the Harmon Kardon upgraded 12 speaker system.

crashtestdingo · January 2004

Hello, all. My sister ordered a 325xi on Dec. 12. (She had to order because she wanted one with a stick.) It was supposed to arrive in seven, maybe eight weeks. The dealership now says there's been some sort of delay and it will arrive at the end of Feb. (Feb. 27 would be eleven weeks from the date of our visit to the dealership.) Anyone else in the same boat?

nyccarguy · January 2004

Why are you putting "down" $5000 on a lease? You should keep your $5K in the bank and let it work for you. You're giving BMWFS their money early. Add another $119 a month to your payment. Why not take the $5k and leave Multiple Security Deposits (which you will get back at the end of the lease) to effectively lower your interest rate (money factor of the lease).

riez · January 2004

nyccarguy... Completely concur. Doesn't seem to be too good of a deal. There is a time value to money. The dealer starts off with $5K that you can't use.

Other thing that struck me is how poor is the standard equipment. Was a big reason I moved from 323ia to IS300. Using his list of optional equipment, half of his optional equipment is standard on the IS300, not to mention the 3.0L engine:

Premium Package (leather & sunroof)-Optional
Cold Weather Package-Optional
Automatic Transmission-Optional

Sports Package-Essentially Standard

Xenon headlights-Standard
6-disc CD changer-Standard
Metallic paint-Standard

And you can't get LSD in 325i/330i.

gordonwd · January 2004

I'd be interested in any comments on current delivery times, as I want to time things to get my car in mid-April or so. The BMW folks at the car show last week still said 60 days, but if it is stretching out for some reason I'd like to know. Or is it only the xi that's delayed?

kyfdx · January 2004

I agree... don't put $5K down.. You should restrict your out of pocket to first payment and security deposit. The bank will own the car, not you... If you happened to total it, The bank would get paid off, and your down payment would disappear. Leasing can sometimes be a good deal, but down payments should be avoided.

regards,
kyfdx

zrule · January 2004

I'm looking to purchase a used '01 or '02 325i and am looking for suggestions on what would be a good price for purchasing from a BMW dealer . I see lots of info for new cars, but little on used and I have not purchased a BMW before. I've reviewed the TMV pricing and they have values for trade in, private party and dealer purchase. Most of the dealer cars I've looked at are certified pre-owned so they have an extended warranty. Any feedback on the following questions would be much appreciated:

1) How much value would you put on the fact that a vehicle is certified pre-owned (including the warranty)? This is what I see as the additional benefit of buying from the dealer etc..

2) An example of what I'm looking for is below with TMV pricing for trade-in, private party and dealer (in that order). Is it realistic for me to get a price from a dealer that is in private party range? From reading the new BMW pricing boards, it seems BMW is certainly more strict in their discounting than other manufacturers. As background, I'll probably pay cash for the vehicle and I live in an area with ~10 BMW dealerships easily accessible.

3) Are you aware of any additional sites that assist with used car pricing value? Is there a Edmunds message group that I might have missed?

Thanks for the assistance...I found these boards a big help in negotiating a new Infiniti I purchased a few years back.

Example TMV:
National Base Price $19,177 $20,179 $21,850
Optional Equipment:
Power Passenger Seat
Power Moonroof
Wood Interior Trim
Leather Seats
Power Driver Seat
Sport Package
Xenon Headlamps
Automatic 5-Speed Transmission
AM/FM/Cassette Audio System
Mileage adjustment $0 (25000 miles)
Outstanding condition

Total (w/options) $24,180 $25,407 $28,056

dominioncarx · January 2004

yk40--

On top of the 550/mo. I have to pay tax and sec. deposit.

There is an "acquisition fee" involved, too. I believe it is around $700--it is rolled into the 550/mo.

kyfdx · January 2004

The BMW dealer pays BMWNA about $900 for the CPO warranty. They probably put in $500-600 bringing the car up to CPO specs (new tires on most of them). If you drive a lot (enough to get up to 85K-100K miles during the warranty period), then I would think its worth the extra $1500. But, if you are buying from a private party, you might do $3K-4K better than the CPO at the dealer.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx · January 2004

What is the MSRP????

nyccarguy · January 2004

What is the invoice on the vehicle? What state do you live in?

alandmarc · January 2004

#955 of 957 New 2004 325xi by alandmarc Jan 19, 2004 (8:30 pm)
Just negotiated for purchase of a new 2004 325xi:
Premium pkg
Leather
Automatic
Heated seats
$34,700 plus tax, tags, etc.
MSRP $37,345 Invoice $34,255
I live in Westchester County, NY
Any thoughts??

2013 and earlier BMW 3-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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