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

silver17

Hey ckm1515:

What dealership was that at? I got a quote from a PA dealer on a fairly loaded 330i for ~$2100 under sticker at the buy rate and correct residual. For 10k/36mth lease (I don't use a lot of miles) the pymt is just under $600 --PA tax included, no money down. Don't think I'll do any better, but you never know.

Silver

ckm1515

Ordered the vehicle from the Hunterdon dealership located in Lebanon, NJ - right on border of NJ/PA.

kyfdx

I don't think the 7.8% is a very good rule of thumb... Just for example, the difference between the base MSRP and invoice price of the 330i is around 9.1%....

Even at $41K MSRP, it is somewhere between 9%-9.2%...

I don't know if this is representative across all models... but, if you are going to use a rule of thumb, 9% will be a lot closer...

regards,
kyfdx
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urnuts

So, I guess I'm getting mislead from the get-go, huh? Salesman specifically said that ALL BMW models have a 7.8% mark-up. He seems like a nice guy, straight shooter, etc. 'Course, then he started w/ the whole "I work for you, not the dealership" thing, that's when I thought I might be in trouble.
If we go with your 9%, and I'm going to assume you REALLY work for me, so to speak, that's a profit of nearly $3700! I think $2K off is reasonable & fair- ordered or off the lot. Don't make me go into my pizza analogy again! Thanks- I'll post whether they yea, nay or counter.

aussiem8

Decided on a 330i and will do a deal this weekend. Will lease for 36 months, 15k miles/yr, no down payment. I need to know what the money factor and residual % should be from BMW Financial Services. Also, assuming I get it for $41,500 (MSRP = $43,890; dealer invoice = $40,285) what would be the monthly pretax payment? What are considered reasonable amounts for acquisition fee, documentation fee, etc. Many thanks in advance. Going for Sonora with black interior. Saw one today for the first time and it is gorgeous.

calif65gm

Interesting, you're the first person that I've seen say the Sonora is gorgeous and going to buy a Sonora e90.

:surprise:

rroyce10

... **Don't make me go into my pizza analogy again! .. **

Best example in the world, so lets use it ......

$3.00 cost factor and you sell the cheapest one to the walk-in who's shopping the street for $8 bucks ..... if you drop your drawers and sell one for $8.00 you're making $170% -- if you sell one for $6.00 you still make 100% ...... and being a good business man, I bet you dollar cost average your sales out between the $14 and the $8.00 piazza's -- maybe brings you out to $11 a whack.? .... hmmm, not bad at a 250% ....

The question is .. how many piazza's could you sell and how long could you stay in business if you sold your piazza's for $3.50 .....? .. thats what $500 means to the Bimmer dealer ........

Workmans Comp..? .. dealers would Looooove to only pay $100,000 a year .. depending on the state, the county, number of employee's and the zipcode most dealers are paying $600,000++ ......



Will that be dine-in or carry out ..........?



Terry

kyfdx

Didn't I say not to start talking about pizzas?

Well.. now that the cat is out of the bag...

It isn't a very good analogy... Most of the price of a pizza reflects labor costs... After you purchase the ingredients, you have to build the pizza..

Last time I checked... BMWs came fully assembled...

Pizza parlors... labor intensive...

Car dealers.. capital intensive..

regards,
kyfdx
No anchovies, please

jzcarr25

Hi All,
I just looked at an '06 330i Premium/Sport 6-speed yesterday. It was the only 6-speed on the lot. The problem is it had 285 miles on it as a brand new car, probably used for demo purposes and as a matter of fact the GM was driving it at lunch. What do you think a fair price is considering the car is being driven, but not yet titled? Seems like good deals are $1000 - $1200 over invoice. Do you think I can even use the miles to get <$1000 over invoice? Any thoughts? Thanks!

kyfdx

285 miles sounds like a big deal to you... but, to the car dealer it is virtually nothing.. If you catch them on the right day, they may knock an extra $100-$200 off of it.. but, don't get your hopes up..

regards,
kyfdx
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silver17

As far as I know, the reason that a dealer would discount a car that he/she knows could be sold in a week maybe to a MSRP buyer is that every day that passes the dealer is paying for the car. This cuts into the profit on even a car sold at sticker. A dealer usually will opt to eliminate the risk and sell at a discount, because one never knows if that MSRP buyer will walk through the door. Now, that's for cars on the lot as opposed to ordered cars. My experience is that you have a better chance getting a nice discount on a car on the lot rather than one that has to be ordered, unless the dealer is in a low volume area and probably needs every sale it can get to sell its full allocation anyway.

ckm1515

Does anybody know how to connect the IPOD Nano/Mini to the 2006 330xi?

Much appreciated!

bdr127

It isn't a very good analogy... Most of the price of a pizza reflects labor costs... After you purchase the ingredients, you have to build the pizza..

Last time I checked... BMWs came fully assembled...

Pizza parlors... labor intensive...

Car dealers.. capital intensive..

I know what you're driving at, but..... Dealership labor costs? How about salespeople, service techs, managers, office staff, parts department, etc...... Those people work long hours and need to get paid, too. If you are only making "X" and then you take out commission for a particular sale or service at "X-Y", you essentially start at "Z".... now subtract not only the overhead costs, but also all the other employees' labor that is not commission-based.

kyfdx

Still.. they aren't building the cars....

Hey!! Didn't I say we weren't going to talk about pizzas??!!

My point about the bad analogy... A pizza has to be sold for three times the materials cost, just to break even.. A car dealer might only need a 5% spread....

Okay.. back to BMWs.... I'm full now...

regards,
kyfdx
(pizza maven)

urnuts

Boy, am I ever sorry I brought up the "P" word! But, just to set the record straight, whoever mentioned $500 over invoice? I'm not making this he-said/she-said, but I never discussed $ over invoice. In fact, I was asking for essentially a break in the profits. Kyfdx said 9% profit; at 41K, that's $3700- I stated I would ask for $2K off sticker- resulting in a dealer profit (theoretically) of $1700! If they counter with a bit less, say $1700, or $1800 off, I'd probably go for it. Hey, everyone's entitled to their slice.... whoops, did I say slice?

rroyce10

.... **The question is .. how many piazza's could you sell and how long could you stay in business if you sold your piazza's for $3.50 .....? **

but the question still stands .....................

Terry. :P

kyfdx

'06 330i
3yr/45K lease
Residual 61%
MF .00225
$43,890 MSRP
$41,500 Selling price
$42,125 Cap cost (selling price + acq.fee)
Payment $582/mo. + tax..
Due at signing: 1st payment, security deposit, state sales tax and license/title fees.

regards,
kyfdx
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kyfdx

ckm1515

Try here:

BMW 3-Series 2006+

regards,
kyfdx
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urnuts

$3.50?
If I sold enough of them, forever.
Fortunately, I sell enough at $14, to sell many (volume orders, etc) at about $4.
Just like the BMW store that sells many cars at MSRP, a few above MSRP, some just below, and perhaps even a few way below- though thats gotta be a rarity. I do understand your point and logic, though I disagree with it, certainly in this parallel. My main point was simply that dealers sell at all different prices- I want to be on the lower end.
Out of respect to the host, thats the end of this- I won't respond to any more posts on this. I will post the results of my offer at $2K off the 330i - will include particulars, etc.

tturedraider

Just in case you aren't aware - you'll still get the full warranty. They start the warranty clock based on the mileage on the car when delivered. fyi

tturedraider

Service and Parts Departments are their own cost centers. Sales revenue makes no difference in covering their costs.

Having sold new cars for a time, the New car sales department really only shoots to break even. Practically all the dealership's profits come from the Used car department and the Service department.

As a consumer I always say my goal is to make my salesman/woman cry.

rroyce10

... **New car sales department really only shoots to break even. Practically all the dealership's profits come from the Used car department and the Service department ......**

Thats kind of an untrue statement .... dealers like Bimmer, Benz and Audi depend on their new car business .. some have a very limited, "if any" used car department .... alot of the time, they just run their trades off to the auction and make their $1,000/$1,500 and go home without the expense of the overhead, floorplan and commissions .....

Terry.

kyfdx

I wouldn't bet on the warranty going past 50K miles on a BMW... I know that is true on some domestic makes... but, I've never seen a BMW vehicle history report that has a warranty expiration different from 50K miles.. or 55K on a demo, or 100K on a CPO car...

If you take possession of your BMW with 300 miles, you may get the full four years from the sale date, but your mileage warranty still ends at 50K miles..

regards,
kyfdx
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filterking1

simple. i went to radioshack and got a small audio cable for $4.50 ( both ends have the same jack .. one goes into ipod where the headphone jack goes usually; other goes into the jack for "aux". )
It is fantastic... enjoy

bmw3434

kyfdx,

You are certainly one of the most informed people here, so maybe I'm misunderstanding you when I say this.
If we have a car with 535 miles on it and it's still new ... somebody buys it ... then their warranty will go out to 4 years and 50,535 miles.
It sounds like you're saying it's 50K miles no matter what. Sure, on the vehicle history reports, it will say 50k, 55k or 100k. But, if you look at service records and internal record (paperwork from the deal) it will say the exact mileage it goes out to.
That said, it is my understanding we have several thousand $$$ to use toward "good will" should something occur shortly after the warranty is up. If it is like you say (50K and that's it), and something were to happen in that 500 miles or so, I would hopefully assume we would take care of it as if it were still under warranty.
I may be totally offbase, but again, it is my understanding that the 50k miles begins at whatever the mileage was when the customer bought it.

Thanks!

swimfan

Seems like people are regularly able to get $1000-$2000 off MSRP of a BMW 330i? Why then does the Edmunds site compute TMV price at the same as MSRP? Not really true market, is it?

urnuts

Pizzaman, here!
Just ordered my 330i.
Arctic w/ beige leather, 6-Speed, and Sport- nothing else.
Don't have the papers w/ me, but it was base MSRP (36,600?), plus $1450 for the leather, $1600 for the Sport. $124 Doc fees. & the standard BMW $695 for destination.
I asked for $2000 off the sticker, they took about 30 seconds, said "done" (hmmm, that was too quick!), I wrote them a check and said I'd see 'em in about 6 weeks when the car shows up.
Really easy, could I have done better?- don't know/care. Deal seemed fair for both of us. Would have liked them to take 60 seconds before saying "done", but I feel OK!

rroyce10

...... See .. that ain't no $3.50 piazza you just bought ... that was the $14 fat daddy ...l.o.l....

enjoy ...!

Terry.

aussiem8

Thanks kyfdx. The 61% residual sounds a little high, but I hope it's right. Just thought I'd double check. Regards.

sr4b1

UPDATE 2:

A bunch of California dealers are willing to go $1,200 - $1,400 above invoice on cars on the lot or ones you order. BMW of Mountain View would go $1,200 over invoice. (Unfortunately, I couldn't get them to go $500 over invoice as some bmw enthusiast sites said they did like e90post.com. Supposedly BMW of Fremont, BMW of Mountain View and BMW of Weatherford would go $500-$750 over invoice.) Perhaps those were on in-stock cars...

Pacific BMW is willing to go $1,400 over invoice. Shipping is supposed to be around $850. What I was hoping to do is something called "courtesy delivery." If you order your car, then it can be delivered to any dealer. Of course, the local dealer doesn't want you to buy from someone else and pick up the car at their place. So it's likely you'll have to pay a few hundred for the privilege of not buying from them...

My homework is paying off, though. Initially, the best price I could get in Texas was $1k off sticker. BMW of Austin only wanted to give me $500 off sticker, but when I asked them about courtesy delivery and the prices I was getting from various dealers in California. Then suddenly, I got an offer for $2000 above invoice. (and probably free floor mats as that's the current special their website says). so that would work out to about $1,850 or so above invoice. which is not bad. and certainly more than $1500 better than their initial offer of $500 off sticker.

I think that's as good as it's going to get from a Texas BMW dealer. What I am hoping though is to find a California dealer that is more aggressive. I figure that if I got $500 over invoice, then even if I had to pay a Texas dealer $500 for the privilege of picking up my car from them, then I'll come out ahead.

Has anyone else done anything similar?

sr4b1

What is the point of posts like this? Please don't post whining about how dealerships need to make money to meet their overhead. The point of this forum is to post prices paid and buying experiences. We as consumers want to know where to get the best deal on the car we want to buy.

Who cares about dealership costs?

If I wanted to do charity, I'll give to charity. NOT to my local BMW dealership. It's their problem if they can't make a decent profit.

sr4b1

"I understand, and "you" understand that you're going to spend $35k ... but the dealer only see's $500 of it .. but you want the dealer to make $500 - and then pay his service, sales staff and the lights ..... think about it, how often would you do it..? ..."

Again, another poster with a dealership bent. It's super irritating and unwanted. The point of gathering info on price is that we can negotiate prices as far down as possible. Whether or not the dealer turns a profit is the dealership's problem.

rroyce10

.. **Again, another poster with a dealership bent. It's super irritating and unwanted ...**

For starters, cool "thyself" down ... it's the sabbath, so lets play nice ...

Number one, the conversation wasn't with you, it was with the gentleman with the piazza analogy ..(which by the way, is a very good way for people to really understand the workings and the costs of a BMW store, vs lets say a Chevy store - instead of "just flinging" numbers around).. since then, I guess he purchased a vehicle and seems to be quite happy ....

Number two, gathering "good" information is a wonderful thing .. but like my Great Grand Daddy used to say: "tell me what you know, not what you think" .... so far, you've contacted every Bimmer store between Fremont CA and Austin TX -- which is what, 1,500 miles away ..? .. most people haven't traveled that far on 2 vacations, let alone one ..l.o.l.... in the meantime, you haven't contracted a vehicle .... see, saving money and good sense should go hand and hand.

Number three ... for the folks that live in Boston, Pittsburg or Atlanta that read these posts (and there's a bunch) they have no idea you're talking about such vast distances, so they figure they can go around the corner and get a deal that might be similiar to yours ... which by the way is only "verbage" at this point, not information ..... that's what I find: irritating and unwanted ...

Number four .. like I said a few posts back .... "if ya look long enough and far enough ......"





Terry

kyfdx

Not only do you get to report your prices paid, and read about other's experiences... the rest of us get to comment on it...

And, we get to comment on it from our perspective... whether we are dealership salespeople (horrified at the prospect of eternally earning "mini" commissions), dealership owners (who just want to earn enough to keep the lights on.. ), other prospective or previous purchasers (who always got a better deal than you did), or even well-bred, good-looking, extremely personable and intelligent message board hosts (who are just here because we really, really care...)

So, get all of the good information you can... you might learn something from an unexpected source.. and just scroll by the posts you don't like..

regards,
kyfdx
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david22

Is that decent? It is a "company discount", I did not do any negotiating. Would I do better to go into a local dealer and try to haggle down further? I am ordering...

330i 6spd
All Packages
Rear Shade
Satellite Radio
Comfort Access

$40,920 + TTL no other doc fees or BS...thanks for your answers in advance.

david22

Sorry replying so late. Was a special gov't rate...

rhmass

Are you sure you are getting $2,845 off MSRP?
According to Edmunds pricing, MSRP with all the options you have listed comes to $43,240 (presumably you'd also have metallic paint $475 included). If you are paying $40,920, it is $2,320 off MSRP, not $2,845 as you thought. Incidentally the car you are considering is $39,585 at invoice, so you are paying $1,335 over invoice, a reasonable price. If you don't have matallic paint included in your price, you should have done better.

sr4b1

I just don't see the point of your posts.

In this age of email, it only took about an hour to email all the dealers in Texas. My local dealer initially only gave me $500 off. Through a few emails, I got another Texas dealer giving me $1000 off sticker in writing. (That's the beauty of email vs. calling around).

Because I'm from California, I emailed 4 dealers in California. I used that to talk to my local dealership and suddenly they're going to "rework the numbers" and think they can give me $2000 above invoice (which is about $1800 off of sticker for my preferred configuration).

With a little bit of weekend work, I've saved $1,300 dollars. To me, that's big savings. I haven't called every dealer between Austin, TX and Fremont, CA. I think you're extremely condescending and very snobby.

I don't need to call every little BMW dealer. California is a huge bmw market and they're pricing is MUCH more aggressive than Texas. If the BMW dealers close to me don't budge, shipping a car from CA is about $850, which makes a lot of sense if Texas dealers normally only take a few hundred off sticker.

Finally, it's easy to go to a dealership and offer them something they accept on the spot. The trick, is to be patient, get the dealership's competitive juices flowing and have some leverage.

" For starters, cool "thyself" down ... it's the sabbath, so lets play nice ...

Number one, the conversation wasn't with you, it was with the gentleman with the piazza analogy ..(which by the way, is a very good way for people to really understand the workings and the costs of a BMW store, vs lets say a Chevy store - instead of "just flinging" numbers around).. since then, I guess he purchased a vehicle and seems to be quite happy ....

Number two, gathering "good" information is a wonderful thing .. but like my Great Grand Daddy used to say: "tell me what you know, not what you think" .... so far, you've contacted every Bimmer store between Fremont CA and Austin TX -- which is what, 1,500 miles away ..? .. most people haven't traveled that far on 2 vacations, let alone one ..l.o.l.... in the meantime, you haven't contracted a vehicle .... see, saving money and good sense should go hand and hand.

Number three ... for the folks that live in Boston, Pittsburg or Atlanta that read these posts (and there's a bunch) they have no idea you're talking about such vast distances, so they figure they can go around the corner and get a deal that might be similiar to yours ... which by the way is only "verbage" at this point, not information ..... that's what I find: irritating and unwanted ...

Number four .. like I said a few posts back .... "if ya look long enough and far enough"

Whatever.

david22

"rhmass", Your reply was detailed and appreciated so straighten me out. I did say my price included everything except TTL (Tax, Title, License) that means my price included shipping. Did yours? According to BMW North America, bmwusa.com, MSRP is $43,765. My price is $40,920. 43765-40920 on my calculator is 2845. Am I off base here? Seriously, your post sounded like you put some thought into it, have I missed something here? No metallic paint by the way. Thanks.

nyccarguy

I know I'm a few days late, but great analogy between the BMW dealership and your Pizza joint. Second, congrats on ordering your car. I hope you enjoy it!

I'd like to thank everybody here on TH who is ordering their BMWs with 6-speed manual transmissions. Eventually when I'm in the market a few years down the road, stick is the only way to fly in my book (personal preference, not trying to start a stick vs. auto argument/debate either here or on the 3 Series 2006+ board) and people like you will make it so BMWNA keeps (hopefully) bringing manual transmission cars into this great country of ours.

Could urnuts have done better on his "deal," maybe or maybe not. The important thing is that HE is satisfied and he's getting a great car!

rhmass

I went in edmunds.com and looked at the new car prices including options which I entered those you mentioned in your post:
Base
Matallic paint
Premium
Sport
Rear sunshade
Sat.radio
Comf access
All the above and shipping comes to $43,240 MRSP. Without matallic paint the MSRP should be $42,745. I don't know why the difference which is quite substantial at $1,020.

You can easily go to the site and check it out.

erndlc

Hello--New to the board--Just finished yesterday a deal in central NJ for the following
325 xi
sport pkg
winter pkg
prem pkg
arctic metallic
mats
sat radio
6 speed manual

MSRP=39515
Negotiated price 1500 off sticker

Lease= 0 DOWN--Inceptions and 568/month includes tax

any comments???

ebana

Hi Everyone:

If you want the automatic transmission do you need to choose the step option for an additional 1275 or so?

Thanks

tturedraider

Yes.

david22

I copied and pasted the below from BMW's official website, bmwusa.com
I am not sure what your point is now...are you saying BMW is inflating prices on their official site and Edmunds is on target? Maybe you should re-read my original post...I said "All Packages"...you left off "Cold Weather Package" on your previous post.

2006 330i Sedan

Destination Charge $695

Exterior Jet Black

Interior Beige Dakota Leather
Included

Burl Walnut Wood Trim
Packages
Cold Weather Package
$1,000

Premium Package
$2,200

Sport Package
$1,600

MSRP
$36,600

Price as configured

$43,765

Options
Comfort Access
$500
Satellite Radio
$595
Power Rear Sunshade/Rear Manual Side Window Shades
$575

rhmass

Mystery solved. Indeed I didn't think of the cold weather package, so the two prices correspond now. The reason I posted all the options I thought you included was precisely to ensure we are on the same page. No, Edmunds' option prices should be the same as the BMW's official prices on its website.
I was simply trying to help you derive an accurate price (both sticker and invoice) for you to know exactly how much you are paying. Of course the less the better as a consumer. Paying around $1,000-1,200 above invoice is very good price in my opinion, although some posters had as low as $500 above invoice. It may depend on where you live and the availability/demand of the car.

rob10

What do you think of this deal?
2006 325i White
Automatic
heated seats
Invoice: 30660
MSRP: 33370
Offer: 31900
What are your thoughts on this offer?

What are the residual values and money factor for a 36m/10k lease? What should the monthly payments be with no money down? (Sales tax rate = 8.8%)
Thank you in advanced. These forums are extremely useful.

david22

Ordered my 330i...$855 over invoice and I take delivery end of January 06.
Jet Black
Beige Leather
Premium
Sport
Cold Weather
Rear Shade
Satellite
Comfort Access

Now it's all I think about!! :shades:

yaajer

I bought my 330I from Knauz BMW in Illinois. They are really respectfull and know how to treat their customers, unlike Zimbrick BMW in Madison, WI where I reside.

Anyhow, bought my E90 with the following options:

Spark Graph
6-spd Manual
Sports Package
Premium Package
Heated Seats
Sat Prep
BMW Assist

Total Price: $40,500
OTD Price: A little south of $43,00 after tax, title, license, etc.

sonnykaran

Hello folks,

Signed yesterday in northern NJ for 2006 325i, will get in about 6-8 weeks (hopefully before christmas).

Black Sapphire/ Black l'ette/ Burl Walnut.
MSRP 36,595
Automatic
Navigation
Comfort Access
BMW Assist

Total Price of Car: 34,317
NJ Tax 6%: 2059.02
NJ Tire Tax: 6.00
Document Fee: 149
Registration/Title Fee: 239

Total: 36,770

I called over 9 dealers in the state of NJ. All excpet this one, gave me, almost 2300 dollars below MSRP.

Hope these numbers helps in your future deals.

Sonny