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Hello, I am in the process of purchasing my first BMW. It's a 2001 325i sedan, metallic paint, premium pack, automatic, fog lights, in dash cd player, leather interior...I live in Northern California. The quoted price is $34,495 on a 36 month/12k miles per year lease. $2400 down and payments of $607 per month. What do you all think??? >>
...as the price on the 325i sedan you describe is less than $34495. Let me break it down...
325i=$26990
paint=$475
premium=$2700
automatic=$1275
fog lights=now standard
cd player=$200
leather=$1450
Add it all up and whadya get? $33090
Okay, add $645 destination and you still only get $33735. On second thought, are you talking about purchasing a car in dealer inventory, or are you ordering? If you've been reading the boards, you'd know that March production includes a few items which lower the cost of the 3-series. Premium pack is $800 less, and foglights, cruise and auto climate control are standard. Perhaps that explains the differences.
Worse yet, the lease you're getting is outrageous. I got a loaded 330Xi with 15k miles for only $667 a month, nothing down.
Even assuming that the 325i is $34495, apply a 62% residual, and you get a residual value of $21387. Take $2400 off your $34495, add $525 for doc fees, and you get and adjusted cap cost of $32620. Subtract the $21387, and you get the amount your 325 depreciates over 3 years, which is $11233. Divide by 36 months and you get the part of your lease payment that is depreciation, or $312. If your quoted lease payment is $607, then almost half is finance charge!!!!!!! Outrageous. Run away from this dealer fast, very fast.
The fact is, in order to get a $607 monthly based upon your details, you'd have to pay a lease factor of 0.0046!!! This would be the highest lease factor I've ever heard of. I got a lease factor of 0.00325, which would give you a monthly of $528. If you got the promotional lease rate of 0.0027, you'd do even better, only $496. Perhaps you made a typo?
dantlo, in addition to the goodies mentioned in jrychlicki's post, there are the added bonuses of being able to attend BMWCCA driving schools and getting discounts on BMW parts and service from many dealerships.
I have a 98 528i and 01 325i seden both with sports pkg, I hope they have the similar event here so I could try out my cars.
Thanks Guys!!
http://www.bmwcca.org
5 Speed Steptronic Transmission/325
Fog Lights
Harmon Kardon Sound System
Metallic Paint
Myrtle Wood Trim
On Board Computer
On Board Navigation System
Rear Side Airbags
Xenon Headlights
The invoice is $30,465 and the MSRP is $33,805. I emailed a dealer and he offered $32,500 + tax + lic. Is this a good deal? Is there still room to negotiate? What is lic? Thank you for your help!
I live in Northern California. I am looking for a 2001 325i with following options,5 Speed Steptronic Transmission/325,Fog Lights,Harmon Kardon Sound System,Metallic Paint,Myrtle Wood Trim,On Board Computer,On Board Navigation System,Rear Side Airbags,Xenon Headlights
The invoice is $30,465 and the MSRP is $33,805. I emailed a dealer and he offered $32,500 + tax + lic. Is this a good deal? Is there still room to negotiate? What is lic? Thank you for your help! >>
...I would say it appears you have the pre-March production pricing. Clearly this is for a car on the dealer's lot. 6.7% over invoice is fine. Some have done better, many have done worse. I would point out to you that if you read previous posts here, you'll see the new pricing for march production. It's only a couple hundred less than you have quoted above, cause foglights are included as standard. In addition, my recollection is that cruise control and automatic climate control are included for the same price, as well. Altogether, that's about an additional $1000 value, if you are willing to wait for March production.
The tips I`ve learned from this site and others have been really helpful in making the overall buying experience an interesting and informative one. The sales rep was so determined to receive an across-the-board excellent rating on the buyer`s survey that I wound up getting an additional $750 more on my trade-in than what the original contract called for. That survey turned out to be an unexpected after-the-fact negotiating tool.
I`m now looking forward to being an owner. The car is flawless-a real beauty! I hope she treats me as well as I intend to treat her.
5 Speed Steptronic Transmission/325
Harmon Kardon Sound System
Metallic Paint
Myrtle Wood Trim
On Board Computer
On Board Navigation System
Rear Side Airbags
Xenon Headlights
According to March production pricing, the invoice is $30245 (including destination charge; cruise control, fog lights, automatic climate control are standard). A dealer offered me $1800 (or %5.95) over invoice without free floor mats, or $2000 (%6.61) over invoice with free floor mats. How do you guys think about this deal? Are the floor mats worth $200? Thank you for your help.
$620 a month lease for 36 months 12k a year 62% resid $43,000 MSRP $0 cap cost reduc.
Build Date Third week of march, delivery April 30 scheduled.
I ordered it two weeks ago, and it already feels like forever. I joined BMWCCA just to get a little fix before it arrives. Also ordered a new Passport850 to replace my old passport (1988 era, when still made by Cincinnati Microwave).
Two questions:
I HATE lumbar support. Can the lumbar support on the Sport Seats be changed? My wifes always keeps the lumbar out to full extension on her 2000 Tahoe, makes me want to break the dial off!
Second, they want a $750 security deposit. That seems high to me...
Anyone else have any experiences with security deposit on lease?
Other hidden charges: $550 acq fee (which I at least got them to take off the MSRP) and $350 disposition fee
JD
Part Number 63 17 9 410 794. MSRP is $239.00. Figure about 25% less with a BMW CCA discount. Sorry, but I don't know how many hours are involved in the installation. As for the sport suspension, count on spending upwards of $3500 for a wheels/tires/suspension upgrade- $2000 for the rolling stock and $1500 for the springs/dampers and anti-roll bars and their installation. There are several good aftermarket kits available. Alpina, Bilstein, Dinan, Eibach and AC Schnitzer would be on my short list. Yes, you COULD simply fit the BMW sport suspension, but it may well cost more and be less effective than the systems listed here.
As the residual value at the end of the lease is quoted as a percentage of MSRP, and as a lot of new 3ers are selling close to MSRP, there is a free put option on the vehicle that comes with the lease. This is particularly significant for those who are considering the 325xi or 330xi, but are unsure if the all wheel drive system has been tested enough.
If you buy the xi and the car suffers from quality issues similar to those experience by BMW's last AWD cars, the car depreciates faster and you lose money. If you lease, however, you have a guaranteed residual value, and you would actually come out ahead versus a buyer.
This happend with my HORRIBLE 1998 mazda 626 (subject to at least two recalls and much worse, in my opinion, than its predecessor) The book value of that car at lease end was way below my lease residual value (by several thousand dollars). Had I bought the car, that loss would have been mine. Instead, I said "HERE YOU GO" and ordered the luscious 330xi, on lease of course.
1. Any feedback on the AWD system yet? I've also been considering an Audi, but have been recently scared off by their apparent reliability issues and poor customer service. I really love the Quattro technology and am wondering whether anyone has any thoughts as to BMW's AWD system vs. the Audi's and whether it's worth the extra money.
2. The Edmunds TMV tool makes it look pretty grim when it comes to getting one of these cars for anything below MSRP. I live in northern California (Peninsula) and was wondering if anyone's received a particularly good deal they could share with me in this area, and who it was with.
3. Does anyone have any information about the Europe purchase program? My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe in May and I've heard that purchasing the car here, then picking it up in Europe and shipping it back as a used car can save you some money (and provide you with a fantastic car to drive in Europe, instead of whatever rental car you'd get). Has anyone done this, or does anyone have any specific advice as to the advantages/disadvantes of purchasing/leasing this way?
4. I've heard that you can get a pretty decent lease on these cars because of their great residual values. Does anyone have any specific lease terms they can share with me to help me set my expectations? Just to give a little background, I'm looking to put $3K-5K down, with 15K miles/year on a 36-39 month lease.
5. Lastly, can anyone tell me their specific experiences with the premium Harmon-Kardon system and whether it's worth its rather hefty price-tag? I certainly like my music but think this system would have to really impress me to be worth the money.
Thanks a lot in advance for reading this and helping me with my questions. Really, really looking forward to driving this beautiful machine.
Moonroof
Automatic
However, I would like to know from existing owners whether the "wood" trim makes a big difference in the "ambience" of the car and whether the xenon lights are worth the extra money.
Any recommended BMW dealers in Torrance, So Cal?
I own a Land Cruiser which we use for most of our travel with our child, but I'm considering 325i instead of Acura RL if the spacing in the back seat would be sufficient.
I would appreciate a response from people who regularly carry children in the back seat?
Thanks in advance.
Well I'm loving (my wife is loving) the E36 and hope all goes well with the rest of you.
P.S. next purchase a BMW motorcycle!
I live in North Jersey, where there is no shortage of BMW dealers. On the average, a 1999 Bmw 323i with around 40k miles (only manual trannys), with only a few options such as CD, leather/heated seats, run about 25 grand from a dealer and 22 grand from a private seller. One bargain I found was a silver/black 1999 bmw 323i with a 5 speed manual tranny, leather, moonroof, cd player..only around 18/19 grand..however it had a hefty 70,000 miles attatched to it.
They are within my price range, but they do seem steep. For example, one dealer was offering a left over brand new 2000 323i with a cd player for 26,500. Do the prices for the used models seem right? If not, what would be a fair price?
One reason i feel uneasy about paying that much money for a car thats already quite close to the 50,000 mileage mark is that I don't have any info on its reliabilty from people who have actually owned a bmw for a while...Some have told me (even my cuz who bought a new 528i back in 1997) that used bimmers would be trouble, but on the other hand i recently read an article about the top ten most reliable used cars in the auto section of my newspaper. And behold bmw was rite up there with the likes of Lexus/Toyota/Honda/Acura (this is reassuring that bmw is up there wit these 4...my parents 92 camry has around 150k and still running good) and the European models: M-Benz/Porsche...BMW only under all them by a few minor points.
Could anyone who has had a BMW for a while tell me about its reliabilty? How long can you expect a BMW engine to last? 100/150/200K?
Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thankz
But I still prefer a used Bimmer over any car with the same amount of miles.
I own a '99 323i w/ 35,000 miles on it. I recently had to replace the front pads and ROTORs which cost me approximately $500.
First of all, I never got the "Brake warning light" on my dash. I didn't even know I had this warning system, but just found out when I brought it back in for squeaky brakes.
When I brought this to service manager's attention, he told me that BMW's rotor's are "softer" compared to the domestic vehicles. Thus, he said that it's possble for the rotors to wear thin before the pads wear out. So this might explain why I never got the brake warning b/c there were enough pads which prevented the warning lights from coming on. He even told me that he's seen rotors that had to be replaced w/ 15,000~25,000 miles on it.
Is this true or is he simply BSing me??? Thankx.
-jus
I live in North Jersey, where there is no shortage of BMW dealers. On the average, a 1999 Bmw 323i with around 40k miles (only manual trannys), with only a few options such as CD, leather/heated seats, run about 25 grand from a dealer and 22 grand from a private seller. One bargain I found was a silver/black 1999 bmw 323i with a 5 speed manual tranny, leather, moonroof, cd player..only around 18/19 grand..however it had a hefty 70,000 miles attatched to it.
They are within my price range, but they do seem steep. For example, one dealer was offering a left over brand new 2000 323i with a cd player for 26,500. Do the prices for the used models seem right? If not, what would be a fair price?
please answer
Dave
Thanks for the advise.
I was offered today $1800.00 over invoice on 325i white, 4dr with moon roof, auto, cd.
I wonder if the xenon lights and wood trim is worth the extra dollars???? Any thoughts??
Also, I'm planning to keep the am/fm cassette have the Nakamichi glove box CD changer installed. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance for any input.
First, if you mean delicate in the scratching sense (i.e. parking) I haven't experinced the errie sensation of hearing the rim rub the curb yet. I have the the Dunlop SP's which when combined w/ the sp provides a firm but comfortable ride. At least you know you are attached to the road and at 100+ it is incredible.
On the issue of winter driving, WATCH OUT! You will definitely need winter tires. The experince I had not having them this past winter was, how should I say, exhilirating. Not for the Mrs. though she was a little perturbed. Know that you run the risk of running the spolier into snow/ice when present so be careful. But I don't think the non-sp is that much higher.
Hope the above is helpful.
this is an option on the car, if you want it, you'll have to pay for it.
I have to wonder who is offering you the Nakamichi CD player in the glove box? We stopped selling them last year when they were swallowing CD's and not giving them back out. It happened to numerous cudtomers and they were definitely NOT happy with it then--stay away from it, and either get the in dash cd or the changer in the trunk, at least they won't eat your CD's!
good luck!!
Rob
Thanks.
In the sedan, I think the Harman Kardon is worth it. the bass response is noticeably lower and clearer. Just don't adjust the bass all the way up and then crank your radio and expect it to be crystal clear-it will distort just as any speakers would. On mine I have the bass adjusted to 1 or 2 notches above 'flat' and the treble 1 or 2 below the max and I think it sounds really good.
You noticed I said for the sedan? In the coupe, Harman Kardon engineers worked on the placement of the speakers to maximize the efficiency of the standard radio's sound and power. The standard radio in the coupe is just as good as the H/K in the sedan, of course IMHO.
you should go and listen to them, and see if you can appreciate the difference, as that should be the deciding factor
Good Luck!!
Rob
I am looking at two used 318s for sale in Canada, a 1998 318TIA and a 1997 318ISA. Both are listed as two-door cars, but I thought the "i" meant sedan. Also, what does the "A" stand for? Lastly, I live in New York State. Are there complications in buying a car in Canada for import to the US?
The reason I would buy in Canada is that the cars are priced well below where Edmunds and KBB say they should. I've got the salesman checking into whether the prices are actually Canadian dollars. If the prices are US, I'll take a mechanic with me to look at them...
Thanks in advance for the help!