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invoice -------------- MSRP
35,665 - base price - 39,450
645 - destination - 645
1,950 - sport pack - 2,300
2,805 - prem pack - 3,300
425 - xenon lights - 500
------ ------
41,490 - sub-total - 46,195
400 - MACO
1,000 - dealer profit
------
42,895 - negotiated price
Money factor was 0.0023 and I bought it down to 0.0017 for 6 security deposits of $550 each. This equates to an interest rate of just 4%.
Residual was 62% for 36 month, 36K miles lease.
I hope this helps. Note that the deal may not have been so good if I had purchased an automatic - they are in higher demand. I'm told that 5-speeds tend to sit on dealers' lots for longer periods.
Noticed a small tidbit in a columnist's article ("Heard on the Strasse") in Jan '02 issue of BMW CCA Roundel Magazine about BMW wanting faster delivery of cars to customers. BMW planning to reduce the number of body variants for all new models. Notes that per BMW, 60 percent of USA customers order their cars rather than buy from dealer inventory. Percent much higher in Germany. Must wait about 100 days to get an ordered car from Germany and 45 days from South Carolina.
The BMW dealers in my area usually have very few new cars in stock. The nearest one always seems to have about 2 or 3 times more CPO cars than new. Sometimes he might only have 1 or 2 non-demo new cars in 3 or 5 Series on lot for immediate sale. Always seems like first words out of their mouth are "We can order you what you want. You can have it in about 3 months."
Dan
If you have the chance my vote is to go with the Sport package. My choice came down to 525i w/SP or a 530 without the Sport. Just how much better the 5er looks with the Sport package(IMHO) was enough for me to pick the 525i w/SP over the plain 530i even with the HP difference. If you don't have to worry about too many potholes I would recommend the Sport. I saw somewhere that about 30% of the USA 5er's are delivered with the Sports option that's across all engine flavors. Also saw BMW set a record for USA sales in 2001 even with Dec numbers being down by about 11%. Probably affect of that 0% stuff from GM, Ford etc.
On another note (this may sound even sillier) but is it possible to get the Vavona wood trim without the "premium pkg"? My thought is that for the price of the pkg, I could save a grand and still get moonroof & leather. Then add power lumbar (which I happen to think is the smartest thing ANY car manufacturer can do - especially for the "forgotten" passenger!) and I'd still be 700 or so ahead (don't have need for "homelink" and the rain sensing wipers don't interest me at all). Doesn't sound like much on a 45k car, but every little bit helps.
Thanks,
metmdx
The car I had priced up was essentially the same as pen101's, plus the premium stereo. Was looking at an ED price of about $41,200 (i.e. $1,400 over ED invoice, $1,500 under US invoice). That would work out to about $40,100 for pen101's configuration.
We ended up getting a Honda S2000 as a third car, but I know when I replace our sedan in another year or two, it will be with an ED BMW 530/540. If you live in an area where $1,000 under list is the best you can do and are considering traveling to another dealer/area, I suggest also considering ED. Doesn't work for everybody, but the saving's potential is significant.
You should both take extensive test drives in whatever cars you are considering, over the roads you normally travel and during the times you travel them. See if whatever car meets your needs.
As for room issue, I have a '00 323iA and a '98 540iM. With wife and two kids and luggage, both work just fine. I'm 6'2" about 180-185 pounds. Both have sunroofs.
I am still not a BMW owner, and the experience really depressed me.
The summary : the 'CPO' car was delivered with
- a cup holder broken inside which I pointed out when agreeing on the car so I was stunned that 1) it wasn't fixed and 2) they didn't mention it when taking my check
- when I opened the hood, the brake fluid cap clip fell out of the hood, where it had stuck after the 'mechanic' left it on the sill and closed the hood on it.
- the hood switch/sensor cable disconnected
- engine filthy with leaves still under the hood in the engine compartment
- the interior not cleaned very well (no vacuuming or dusting...
- the power steering which made a noise which I had pointed out when I agreed to buy it
- and a sound from underneath (same deal...)
They also offered no CPO report or list of things they did to the car.
Like I said at the start - this would have been my first BMW and I am pretty sour on the whole subject right now. I can't imagine that many people will spend that much money for a used car, and put it up with it being delivered dirty and broken. Maybe they are just so great that people do put up with that, but I won't.
Alas.
Thanks everyone for all the advice and help.
Like I said in one of my earlier post, CPO cars should be fine if they come from a reputable BMW dealer.
Which dealership was yours?
You are right to walk away and I don't think anyone anywhere should be that 'desperate' to want such a car, CPO or not.
I lived in the Bay Area, CA and had pretty pleasant encounters with CPO cars when I was price-shopping. NONE of those I test drove had such obvious issues.
Hope you don't give up just yet. I'm sure you'll find a better dealer/car down the road...
I can't see myself leasing another 5-Series since it is basically the same car I have now, but I have to make a decision soon.
Happy Motoring
laura528... While I'd recommend a 540i6, you won't go wrong with any new 5 Series. The current E39 5 Series came out in 1996 for 1997 model year. Reportedly to be replaced either in MY 2003 or 2004. There certainly isn't anything wrong with the platform. Still state of the art and gets accolades from anyone who ever tests one. And after all these years of building it, most of the bugs are gone and build quality is high. Consumer Reports recommends it for reliability and they just called the 530i the best car they ever tested.
On another note (this may sound even sillier) but is it possible to get the Vavona wood trim without the "premium pkg"? My thought is that for the price of the pkg, I could save a grand and still get moonroof & leather. Then add power lumbar (which I happen to think is the smartest thing ANY car manufacturer can do - especially for the "forgotten" passenger!) and I'd still be 700 or so ahead (don't have need for "homelink" and the rain sensing wipers don't interest me at all). Doesn't sound like much on a 45k car, but every little bit helps.
Thanks,
metmdx
I see what you mean about the approx. $900 difference in price between the premium package and getting just the leather seats and the sunroof. It appears that for this extra money you are getting an upgraded vehicle computer, the vavona redwood dashboard, rain sensing windshield wipers and the autodimming mirror.
There seems to be no way to detach the vavona redwood dash from the package, but I suggest you ask a salesperson for a definitive answer.
By the way, did you pick a dealer yet? Luckily, in the NY-Connecticut area, there are a few. It's not like living in Vermont, where there might be one BMW dealer in the whole state.
Regards,
metmdx
PS> It just so happens your Vermont comparison is on the money - 1 dealer - Automaster in Shelburne (just outside Burlington)....
thx for the condolences
I'm starting to wonder if the CPO was done. There was no CPO paper work presented at delivery. I might call BMW NA and see if they are interested.
I won't reveal the name of the dealer yet as I may give them a chance to make good and messages like this tend to persist - and since edmunds.com doesn't have any concept of thread linking, I wouldn't want to tarnish their name if this was just a huge mistake that they correct. - people reading later wouldn't see that all was well.
but will certainly let you know what happens.
it might be a new 530 or a new Saab 9-5
My dealer also tried to push the X5 but I don't see myself as a soccer mom (yet).
Has anyone returned a lease vehicle to BMW without getting a new one? Are they going to try to hit me with any kind of "excess wear" charge?
Your restraint(on not reviewing the dealership) is admirable. Fair enough.
After rereading your posts, I suspect you're right - it was too obvious that they didn't prep the car at all, let alone CPO-ing it. I can't imagine what was going on in their mind.
Since you were set and probably 'spoiled' by a 540, you may find it harder to 'accept' a 530.
I test-drove a 9-5 Aero(250hp) and it was OK - didn't like FWD or the torque-steer, so didn't think too much about it. I like its exterior shape though and the interior was very nice too.
Anyway, good luck with your search.
I usually try to sell my leased car to private parties at a little over residue (a couple of grands) which is still a very good deal (for private parties) unless the dealer provides some incentives.
Did you ever check out the BMW NA web site CPO locator? You should use it to see if that particular car was showing up as CPO thru BMW NA. If it wasn't on the locator, then I'd be real suspicious. I found the CPO I purchased thru the BMW NA CPO locate.
laura528... Think g_car's advice is right on. Thinking you might adjust the length of a new lease (say 2 or 3 years depending upon when you want to buy the next generation 5 Series platform). Did you consider re-leasing your current car? Maybe for 1-2 years? Have you contacted the BMW NA lease consultants? You should in order to find out all your options
Pulled out my 1998 42-page 5 Series glossy brochure. Back then the 528i could be had with Vavona Redwood only thru the Premium Package, too.
Have you thought about buying an aftermarket Vavona Redwood kit? You could check with BMW Accessories catalog as well as a ton of possible aftermarket suppliers.
I am waiting for the delivery of our 530 sometime this month, but right before I placed an order, I looked at 330 just to compare the actual dimension. To my surprise, the 330 actually has a hair more leg room than the 530, but the 530 has about 1.5 inch more width. My wife and I both sat in the cars and even though 1.5 inch is not a huge difference, it felt much bigger, especially with a baby seat. Also, we really like the styling of the 530 better.
Was the significant price difference justifiable? To us, it was since we plan to keep it for a while. Funny as it may sound, I could not justify going for a 540, though. It was not so much the power that attracted, but overall look and feel of the car, and the power of the 530 was just about right. I did not consider the 525 because with AC on, 2 adults, and a baby with all the baby stuff, I felt that the 525 might leave us wanting for a bit more. I am sure, though, that either one will put a big grin on your face when you drive.
There is a Vavona Redwood/leather w/multi-function buttons steering wheel kit for E39 5 Series sedan with 3/99-on build date. Costs $650.
There is also a glossy Vavona wood inlay/leather automatic transmission selector lever for E39 5 Series. Costs $191. Plus a leather/glossy Vavona manual gear shift knob for 528i for $151. Guessing this would also work for 525i and 530i.
http://www.bmwusa.com/virtual/accessories/viewaccessory.cfm?enumber=E39&category_id=INTERIOR&accessory_id=106
Two web sources for the BMW/Alpine unit at some discount are:
http://www.eurobuyers.com/
http://www.pacificbmw.com/catalog/default.asp
I think was good deal
Thanks for your help, now wish me luck returning my old car to my old dealer without getting a new one from them, ugh.
As for your question about the tires, BMW doesn't hide the fact at all that the sport package comes with summer tires--they call them "performance tires" for a reason. Even if they were "all-season" tires, those are still a big compromise in both directions. It's like having to wear lightweight boots year-round. So, if you'll be driving the car in snow and ice during the winters, I'd highly recommend going to tirerack.com and ordering up a set of 16 inch wheels with dedicated winter/snow/ice tires. You'll be able to see which fit on the site. It'll cost a grand or two (depending on how nice the wheels and tires are), but it's a good investment in not only helpful traction but truly an important safety item. Plus, it'll help prevent additional wear on your summer tires, which will then last longer.
Good luck, and enjoy the new car.
Happy motoring,
DL