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

passaton

I live in Oklahoma City so was shopping Dallas also. It was my local dealer, Jackie Cooper, that got wind after many internet searches and contacts outside the area, that I was serious, and MSRP less $500 (on a 2004) wasn't going to get my business. Buying locally is the best option. However, sometimes they have to know you will go elsewhere, before they will come through with your price. Good Luck

dmk2

I'm considering purchasing a 2003 325i BMW/CPO with 14,000 miles. Options include auto, PP, SP, Xenon, fold down rear seats, heated front seats, HK, leather, metallic paint. Offered at $32,600 which includes the $2000 dealer incentive. This was an executive car, never titled. What would be a fair price to counter offer?

Will the dealer incentive continue into November or end on 10/31/03?

kyfdx

There are a bunch of those "executive cars" floating around right now. The car as you described it stickered for $38,170, I think. If it was brand new, it would have invoice of $33K with the $2000 incentive. This is a used car.. It doesn't have any incentive attached. This car may be CPO, but most of the ones I have seen are not. If it is CPO, it may be worth close to what they are asking for it.. But, if its not, then I would hit them around $30,500 and see what happens.

regards,
kyfdx

sjmurray2

Is Halloween the final day for the $2000 incentive? Anyone checked on this? One dealer thought it would carry over to Monday?

luvvmyhonda

I got it ~$2000 under invoice.

Invoice $32,459 - $30,550(price I paid) = $1909 below invoice.

Plus mats :> <---- I love saying that. It's really so inconsequential.

And they still made money off of me. Remember, dealers pay way under the invoice when you add up that the options are all at msrp. Although I am not sure if BMW has dealer holdbacks... someone can correct me on this. At this point it is in the dealers best interest to get rid of 2003's to make room for much higher margin 2004. I am happy with the deal and the MR is more so as it was his dream car. I still love my honda :> Apples and Oranges

Oh yes, one dealer also alluded that the incentive might go into next month, but he wouldn't/couldn't guarantee it.

eve123

Congratulations sjmurray3!

I GOT MINE AS WELL AND DROVE IT HOME TODAY.

325i
Color: silver grey
Options:
Automatic
cold weather package (reclining rear seats,
heated seats, headlight washers,ski bag, rear armrest )
sunroof
floor mats
muffler tailpipe covers

Total price paid: $28,360.00
documentation: $75.00
Dealer is local and has excellent service department. Very happy with my purchase.
I think the incentive might continue next month, but won't be any higher.

bmwseller

The 2003 incentive is continued for November at the same #'s.

These so called "executive cars" DO qualify for the dealer incentive. There are always cars like these around. These are cars that come from BMW North America and are technically considered "company cars". They have not been titled and more accurately described as demos.

Congratulations all on your purchases.

niem

I live in inland empire (CA). Any good dealers around the area? Looking for a 325ia or 330ia. Any price suggestions?

nobee

rgnmstr, yes, some 325's are in fact built in S.A. but can't really comment on whether the build quality is worse or better than the ones built in Germany. Ask your dealer which factory the vehicle was built in (he can look at the VIN # and figure it out) or better yet go ED and you'll definitely know it was built in Germany!

tschuss,
-nobee

wrjoyce

BMW was the first car maker to set up a plant in SA after apartheid. It is a new plant, so manufacturing defects should be less then in an older plant such as the one in Germany. That said, The workers are the glue that keep the machines running and I dont know the labor strife level in SA. In my opinion VW has some problems in Mexico and Brazil because of labor disputes. It is not that the workers are better trained in Europe, but who wants to buy a car that was on the assembly line the day of a labor walkout or the day the workers come back. I mean think about your office and the back office nonsense when an incident occurrs that riles office staff, everyone is talking about that and no one is really focused on work that part of the day.

bartalk2

Can anyone recommend a Chicago-area BMW dealer that might offer a good deal on an '04 330i?

Thanks.

rgnmstr

Dealer is quoting me $32,500 over the phone (internet contact) and says he can probably drop to mid $31k for 2003 325i, automatic, premium, cold weather, leather and metallic paint. How does this fit in with what others are seeing/hearing/getting these days. Sticker price is $35,395. Thanks.

rgnmstr

<<<The 2003 incentive is continued for November at the same #'s.>>>>

What are the numbers? I've heard $2k, $2.5k & $3k. Thanks.

swu12

I turned down an offer of a 530 2003 with $3000 off invoice because color didn't match. Now the same budget can only get me a 330 2004. Went to the dealer today and couldn't talk much off the sticker price. I walked away.

Anyone familiar with both of the models can persude me $1000 off sticker for 330 2004 is a good or bad deal?

bartalk2

Given the market, what's a reasonable price for an '04 330i with premium pkg, automatic trans., cold weather pkg, and xenons?

Sticker $42,245

nyccarguy

A big question is what city or market are you talking about?

cyberjay

Hi

I am looking for a good dealer in New York or Nj for a 2003 bmw 325i. Hear many good deals for 2003, so tempting
Please post or email me

Thanks, greatly appreciate it. (can't wait for my dream car)
cheungmanki@hotmail.com

iwant330i

I've opened up my choices to include any 2003 330i manual in steel gray or any of the blues. It looks like any of the manuals remaining will have the performance package. What is a good price to shoot for?

2003 330i w/performance pkg, xenon, moonroof - Inv $38,000 MSRP $41,620.

What price should I be looking for?

nyccarguy

I've read on some BMW & Audi boards here on TH and other sites that Chicago is a very tought town to buy a high end euro car in. Seems like a tough market along with NoCal & Texas dealers for BMWs.

bmwseller: how far are you from chicago?

lwv

Looking for a new 2003 silver 325i with black interior, prem, sport, xenon, HK, auto in Texas. Anyone seen anything with this equipment? Have found gray interior but no black.

Sylvia

These boards are NOT the classifieds. No "listing" your car for sale, no "email me" for a good (or bad) deal. No "email me" if you have a the car I'm looking for.

Please use the dealer locator tool located on the vehicle information pages on Edmunds.com - that's what they are there for.

If you want people to contact you, make your email public in your profile, do not post it in the discussion. If someone really wants to contact you, they can figure out how to click on your username to get to your email address.

kyfdx

That is a pretty good price on that 2003 325i. Mid 31k puts that about $1k under invoice, or $1K over dealer cost, due to the $2K incentive.

regards,
kyfdx

bartalk2

I agree, the Chicago area is a tough place to get a decent price on a BMW. Most dealers will come down, say, $1,000 from sticker, and that's about it. Many dealers feel they're doing you a favor selling you the car.

Since the price of the '04 3 series has increased about $600 from last year, and the remaining '03 5 series had a $4,000 dealer incentive, the price of the '04 330 is now about the same as the '03 530.

jk2468

I'm paying $40,220 for an '04 330ci in black with sport pkg, cold weather pkg., premium pkg, and xenon headlights.

MSRP - $42,339
Invoice - $39,285

I called three other dealers in my area. They wouldn't match or beat this price.

Other question, since the '05 is going to be a redesign, anyone think it's a mistake to get an '04 now? Will BMW blow out the '04s next summer?

kyfdx

Isn't the redesign in late '05? I think those will be '06 models.

regards,
kyfdx

jk2468

I'm paying $40,220 for an '04 330ci in black with sport pkg, cold weather pkg., premium pkg, and xenon headlights.

MSRP - $42,339
Invoice - $39,285

I called three other dealers in my area. They wouldn't match or beat this price.

Other question, since the '05 is going to be a redesign, anyone think it's a mistake to get an '04 now? Will BMW blow out the '04s next summer?

swu12

Will close a deal tomorrow with the local dealer at $1300 over invoice. Couldn't get any lower after talking with other dealers. Everything is cool except when I think of that I missed the chance to get a 350i 2003 with about the same price, I am a little upset.

Anything on the closing table that I need to pay attention to such as hidden charge, warranty, special agreement etc.?

Base 31,830
premiou pkg 3,005
Metallic Paint 430
Steptronic 1,210
Sport pkg 1,090
xenon 635
Destination 695
MACO 400
----------------------
Total Invoice 39,295
markup 1,300
----------------------
My Deal: 40,595 (plus tax title, etc.)

bmwseller

is not part of dealer invoice.

rgnmstr

I'm still working on a 2003 325i w/ premium, cold weather and leather. Dealers are quoting $32.5 with one indicating he'll come down to $31.5. This would match the Edmund's TMV price of LAST WEEK. Tonight the TMV for the same car is up to $33.5! What gives? If this keeps up I'll buy a second Lincoln LS V8 Sport. We already have one since I felt it was a better value than the 3 Series BMW. The LS has the room of a 7 Series, the handeling of a 5 Series and the price of a 3 Series. I stopped at a Lincoln dealer today and they offered me a loaded 2003 LS V8 Sport with Nav. pkg for $35k. Sticker was $45k. What I really only need is a 325i coupe but they are two grand more than the sedan. Who knows why.

nyccarguy

I'd surmise the dealer's dwindling inventory of 2003s would have more grey and sand interiors than black. You live there, from what I've heard is the black gets mega-hot in those Texas Sized summers, and is also prone to premature wear from the sun's heat.

swu12

Edmunds invoice doesn't include MACO. The dealer's does and it is $400 more than Edmunds'.
I checked with a few other dealers and they all said I need to pay that cost.

Are they cheating?

Sylvia

What the heck does MACO stand for?

kyfdx

Don't worry about Edmunds TMV.. You know the invoice and the incentive... If a BMW dealer is offering you a car at $1K over his cost, and you like the car, and can afford it.. then, GRAB IT.

regards,
kyfdx

swu12

I believe is the ad fee charged to the dealer by BMW. It is truely the cost on the paper but I think a good argument is: why should the consumer pay for the ad but not the dealer?

I am giving up this part of bargin and leaving now to close the deal. Not the best deal but an OK one...

bartalk2

Where are you that you got such good deals on the 3 Series you bought???

swu12

I believe is the ad fee charged to the dealer by BMW. It is truely the cost on the paper but I think a good argument is: why should the consumer pay for the ad but not the dealer?

I am giving up this part of bargin and leaving now to close the deal. Not the best deal but an OK one...

kyfdx

You don't have to pay for it. You pay for the car. Now, if you want to get into what the dealer pays for the car (i.e.: $500 over invoice), then you open a whole other can of worms. If you want to pay a certain number over the dealer's cost, then get ready to find out what all those costs are.

I like to know what the dealer's cost is, but I never make an offer based on that. I figure out what the number should be, and make that offer. That takes all the variables out. When you say: "Will you take $xxx over invoice", you invite deception and game playing.

regards,
kyfdx

sjmurray3

I offered $31,095 on 2003 Steel Blue 325 leather/PP/STEP/CWP/HK/ retails $36,070 after Destination. The car has been sitting on this lot since June 2003. The dealer has not responded.

kyfdx

How did you make the offer? Through e-mail? Let us know how this turns out. There is an almost identically equipped car at the local dealer. Xenons instead of HK.. Stickers for $36095. It looks like you offered invoice minus the incentive.

Good luck!

kyfdx

xuli

Hey, about the $2k incentive on 2003 325i, does anyone know is it still available on November? or they have a even bigger incentive? I am pretty sure they at least still have some kinds of incentive to sell 2003 325i

rgnmstr

Dealer told me the incentive goes until the end of Nov. What I want to know is does the incentive go for the 325 coupe also. Dealer told me there is nothing on the coupe. Another dealer told me there is less on the coupe.

kyfdx

The 2004 coupe came out in April.. Have you found any 2003 coupes?

kyfdx

Sylvia

BMW doesn't have dealer holdback so there may be an advertising fee of sorts that is passed from the manufacturer to the dealer meaning this is a real cost to them. I'm not sure, but will check with those in the off who would know.

...learn something every day.

bmwwife

there is holdback on a 'bimmer but they call it something else. I'd guess that it is more widely known about with other makes because other dealers may use it to negotiate but I doubt that BMW dealers would give up that money which is tied to CSI scores and is not guaranteed.

sjmurray3

Made my offer via e-mail to my salesman. over 24 hours and no reply, so I guess they think I'm too greedy! Honestly guys and gals, I really think this offer is fair for this car compared to what else is out there! 36K for this car is outrageous! BMW needs to offer bigger incentives because my dealer has 9 2003s on his lot with 2004s hitting the pavement now! Something is wrong with 3 sales, could it be stiff competition from Acura, Audi, LS, CTS, Mercedes, and Infinity? Not sure, but they are not selling at full sticker! My car has been on the lot since June, what does that tell you? I'll keep the board updated! May have to look at that 04 TL again with that great audio system. Bottom line: Anything over my offer, the car is just not worth it to me!

bartalk2

You say there are loads of '03s 3 Series leftovers at your dealer's. Where are you located? I wonder if this is a national phenomenon.

nyccarguy

Did you tell the dealer that you're looking to buy the car that's been sitting on the lot since June? They know that is the car you want and think they can get more out of you. Afterall, the car has been sitting on the lot and is costing them money.

MACO is a legit advertising fee charged by BMW NA to the dealers in major markets. We discussed this on the 3 series board well over a year ago (do a search). For example, a dealer in Dallas is charged a MACO fee, but a dealer about an hour and a half outside Dallas (Gary Shelton BMW in Temple Texas?) is not. The MACO fee is I believe $250. There is an unscrupulous practice when the dealer marks up the MACO fee by $100 or $200 or more and the consumer never knows it.

rgnmstr

<<<>>

   Well I can tell you this. I already own a 2002 Lincoln LS V8 Sport. A couple of weeks ago I started looking for a 325i either a used 2002 or a leftover new 2003 to have as a second car since I am taking an early retirement pkg. in Jan and will be giving up a coompany car. My wife is the main driver of the LS during the week. First of all BMW dealers want $29.9k for every 2002 used 325i sedan with the few thingas I need like a preminum pkg, folding rear seats and an automatic. They are asking $32.5 for a new 2003 with the same options. So that's $30k plus for a Honda sized car with fine build quality and great handeling. They refuse to move on the used prices even though book and Edmunds TMV for a certified car is $27. I'm now thinking a new 2003 leftover Lincoln LS is once again the better value. V8, sport pkg, Nav system, backup alarm thing etc for $35k!!! MSRP is $45k. The 2002 V8 Sport that I have owned for the past 2 years has been the best car I have ever owned. Trouble free, great build quality, increadable handeling and more power than the little six banger that comes std. in a 325. Forged aluminum A arm suspension with coil overs instead of struts. Independent rear. The car has the room of a 7 series with the performance of a 5 series and it's cheaper than a 3 series. It's not your daddy's Lincoln. You should take a look.

swu12

The dealer tried to sell an extra warranty packages (wheel/tire: 400, windshield: 300) to me on the 330i 2004 (with sport package) I bought today. I of course didn't bite the bait.

Question: should I consider shopping some kind of warranty for the wheel/tire/windshield?

BTW, thanks for the great information of this board during this journey.

sjmurray3

I looked at the LS, very nice car - thanks for the feedback. I agree, the deals to be had on 2003s are fantastic. I guess it's the Ford stigma that gets to me because I am the not so proud owner of a 1999 Ford Windstar SEL and if not for the extended warranty, I would be in the poor house! Like the LS, I need more convinsing maybe.