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

kyfdx

No sunroof??

I like to have all the goodies.. especially if you are worried about resale.. There is always one person that wants it that way... but no sunroof? That will be a hard sell.

regards,
kyfdx

drddo

Yup, sunroof is included in that long list of options!

kyfdx

Hmmm.. aluminum trim... Black leather, then? Sounds pretty nice for $36K, like you say.

regards,
kyfdx

drddo

It has gray leather. The $36,000 is about $1000 or so more than I was thinking about spending, but if they accept my offer, it may be worth the splurge! I'll let you know.

cotmc

but around here, you are required to pay the Dealer's sales tax, if you are going to drive the car off that dealer's lot.

If you do not want to pay the dealer's sales tax, then you must have the car shipped, or driven, to you. If the dealer delivers it within his own state, then he is responsible for collecting sales tax, at his rate.

We recently bought a Lexus for my wife from California. Since that CA dealer's tax rate was the same as here in Phoenix, and because Arizona and California have a recipricity (sp?) agreement, we paid their sales tax when we picked up the car. We were given a temporary registration tag to drive it back here to Arizona. When we registered the car here, we showed them our paperwork, including the sales tax we had paid in California. Hence, we did not need to pay any additional sales tax when we registered it.

Hopefully, drddo will get a good deal locally, so that he can avoid the extra trip(s) to his local DMV office. In our case, we tried all 3 Lexus dealers here in Arizona, and none of them could match southern California's pricing on the new RX330. Even after I forwarded a solid price quote from a California dealer to my local dealer, the local dealer couldn't come close to matching it. All told, I saved about $1500 by purchasing out of state.

kingk

Does anyone know how long the CA temporary registration tag is valid? I am in Seattle but will get my 330xi from a CA dealer since Seattle is the worst place for a car buyer. I want to stay a few days in Bay area to check out my friends but I am not sure how long I can stay in CA with a temeprary tag. Thanks for your info in advance.

Anyway, Here is my deal..
330xi with auto, cold, sport, premium, and Xenon.
MSRP $45595
Invoice $41,760
Paid $40347

kyfdx

I would suggest that your situation in Arizona and California is not the norm, but the exception. From my experience and from admittedly anecdotal evidence from following these forums, almost everywhere else you pay sales tax in your own state.

I'm surprised that Arizona would give up the sales tax revenue to another state on such a large purchase.

I myself bought a car in Illinois just last December, and paid only for a temporary tag.

regards,
kyfdx

gordonwd

You should also consider what perks you might be giving up by buying from a distant dealer and figure that into the equation. Mainly, you will probably not be offered service loaners at either Erhard or Bavarian if you didn't buy it from them. Of course, with service intervals at 15K miles (and hopefully not otherwise!) this isn't going to come up all that often.

You definitely have to go with the Steel Blue, though. I had my car parked for a few minutes at Bavarian the other day while getting something at the parts counter. Someone was out in their lot shopping 3's. They had quite a few on the lot and they were ALL either black, white, silver, or gray. When I got back to my car the potential customer and salesman were there and the guy was admiring my color combo and asking the salesman why they didn't have some like it on their lot!

kyfdx

DITTO!!

Steel blue IS the most important thing!! LOL

I like the grey leather... If I had been buying new, that would have been my choice. That said, I have black leather, and it is easy to keep looking clean. The headliner and A-pillars are covered in a light grey, which keeps the interior light feeling.

regards,
kyfdx

drddo

Thank you to everyone for the input so far. I would prefer to buy locally, if for nothing else but the convenience. The service thing is not a big deal for me, since I will be moving to Northern Michigan in late July or August. The closest dealer to me will be in Traverse City, about an hour away. The Detroit dealers will be a 3 1/2 hour drive, so I doubt I'll be using them for routine maintenance.
The salesman I met with at Bavarian said he would set up a relationship with the TC folks for me, to ensure I have the same treatment from them that I would bet if I bought it up north. I imagine if he can swing that, than anyone can. He's currently staying put at $2000 off of MSRP, $1000 over the Chicago guys. I'm probably going to swing by Erhard after work to see if they are willing to do any better. If no one in Detroit is willing to watch the Chicago numbers, I'm not sure what will be "close enough" to avoid the hassle of buying out of state. I figure I'll be willing to give up $300-$400 but not much more.

drddo

The salesman at Erhard gave me the same basic deal as Bavarian on one car, and worse on another. Unfortunately he didn't have anything on the lot either (like at Bavarian). He offered $2000 off of a car currently in production, and $1200 of off one he could dealer trade for from an out-of-state dealer. The missing $800 is for the cost of shipping it to Michigan. Either way, Chicago is looking good.

kyfdx

With the $1250 incentive, it sure seems like someone would bite on an invoice deal. Eight dealers in Chicago. At least they have some competition there.

Good luck!!

kyfdx

cotmc

"...almost everywhere else you pay sales tax in your own state."

If we had the car shipped from the dealer, that rule would have also applied to us. We would have paid our local sales tax when we registered the vehicle. But, for whatever rules are being applied, we were required to pay the dealer's sales tax if we wanted to take delivery directly at the dealership. The dealer would not let us DRIVE the car off their lot if we didn't pay their sales tax to them. Maybe it is some sort of unique California state law?

I was told by our DMV representative that Arizona has a reciprocal relationship with California. I don't know if Arizona tracks the paperwork after registration and gets the sales tax refunded back from California, or if Arizona loses out on the sales tax from this transaction?

drddo

I spoke with a dealer from Chicago today, and she said I will pay the sales tax when I get to the Secretary of State in Michigan to register my car. She said I pay no Chicago sales tax. They give me what I think she called a "drive away license" which is to allow me to drive the car to Michigan, and register it there.

nyccarguy

this doesn't sound right. The sales tax you pay should not only apply to the state you live in, but the county where the vehicle will be registered as well. This is to prevent you from buying elsewhere and screwing your local municipality of valuable tax dollars (like you don't pay enough already). I live in a Northern Suburb of NYC. There are literally dozens of BMW dealerships within less than an hour's drive from me in New Jersey, Connnecticut, Long Island... People would start to buy cars where the taxes are cheapest if that were the truth. In Massachussets I believe there is no sales tax (I could be wrong). What is to stop me from driving there to buy a car?

Something sounds fishy about this dealership. They want you to pay tax from them, but then you're going to have to pay sales tax when you register the vehicle in Arizona.

kyfdx

It didn't sound right to me either, but I believe our Arizona friend has already purchased their car, and registered it.. Unless I got that part wrong. So, they would know by now.

regards,
kyfdx

kingk

I have called Washington state DMV for this matter and what they said was that I only have to pay the difference.

laurasdada

"In Massachussets I believe there is no sales tax "

LOL! Good one! No tax here in Mass! Income, sales, personal property, interest, dividend, CG, Tea Tax... we got 'em all here!

Seriously, 5% sales tax in Mass, no sales tax in New Hampster. But unless you live in NH (or can register your car there), you don't receive that benefit. If you buy in NH and register in Mass, 5%...

cotmc

Yes, I had purchased the Lexus last June. It's a done, complete deal.

When I was shopping BMW dealers just recently, I was given the same info, again. Pay sales tax at the dealership if I want to drive off, or have them ship the car to me.

nyccarguy: I am required to pay the full amount of my LOCAL sales tax rate. For example, if the CA dealer had charged me only 5% sales tax, then I would have been required to make up the difference when I registered the car here in AZ. However, as I stated in my original post, the sales tax in Ontario CA was the same (actually, it was very slightly higher) than what I am required to pay here locally. Thus, I did not pay any additional sales tax at registration. Where did that sales tax money eventually end up? I don't know... I would like to think that our county collected it back from California once they processed all the paperwork, but I really don't know.

nyccarguy

thanks for clarifying that pointfor me. I forgot they call it Taxachussetts. But you proved my point between Mass & NH.

drddo

I met with my local dealer yesterday, and again he was shocked by the $3000 off that the Chicago guys are offering me. He said they must be padding the deal elsewhere, so he asked me to get the fine details, and let him know, so he has something to present to his manager. He thinks he may be able to get me $2600 off, but doubts he can do better. Get this, the Chicago dealer said the only other fee he will charge me is $53.52 for documentation. No dealer prep. No ad fee. I pay for tax, title and registration when I get back to Michigan. I e-mailed the info. to the local salesman, and I'm waiting to hear back.

I'm starting to consider the color black, because the future Mrs. likes it so much. Any advice on jet black vs. black sapphire, as far as showing scratches, keeping clean, etc.? I also like the silver gray, which is her distant second favorite. Thanks for everyone's help!

-drddo

adawaal

Well, I did it today. Bit the bullet and bought and new 325xi. Got it in steel blue metallic (sorry, drddo: I'll never have another black car due to EVERYTHING showing up dirty on the color), AT, premium, cold pkg, leather for an even $34k. I felt pretty good about it as invoice on this car is about $34,700 to $34,800 depending on where you get your numbers. The $1250 dealer cash comes in handy!

I don't know what I'm allowed to say as far as what dealership, what salesman, etc., but this was from a very large BMW dealership in downtown Chicago. I'm sure I could have worked the deal for a few hundred more bucks by playing one dealer against another, but my time is far more valuable than that tiny amount of money. From the time we sat down and he showed me the sticker, we were shaking hands on the $34,000 within five minutes. No muss, no fuss.

Just to let everyone know, they have a significant number of 325xi's left at this dealership. I checked the stamp on the driver's door and mine was built 12/03, so probably got there in January. There is at least one of every color except for that dark emerald green at the warehouse, so it should be pretty easy for anyone/everyone to get a decent deal here in Chicagoland for the 325xi.

I know there are some Chicago-area folks who have been posting that they're looking for a BMW 3-series. I assume it's OK for me to give you the details if you e-mail me.

kdshapiro

The rules of the road seem to be you can mention the dealer, but leave off names and phone numbers.

Congrats on your purchase.

phauol

drddo

BMW looks great in black. I had a 3series in sapphire black before and an X5 in jet black now. As you may know, they look no difference from a distance but personally I like the jet black better and you can save a few hundred more. I just leased a 325i in silver gray and it is a very charming color too. Yes, black color car is easier to "look" dirty especially after rain and the scratch will make you crazy but it looks better when it is cleaned and waxed. You won't regret to have a BMW in black, it is just better than the other color IMO

kyfdx

If you have to get the black, get the Sapphire metallic, but the silver-gray would be a much better choice in IMHO.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

You can name the dealer... it sounds like Perillo. I'm not surprised if it is..they seem to be the most aggressive on pricing of the Chicago dealerships.

regards,
kyfdx
(steel blue)

drddo

Well, it seems the local Detroit dealers would rather not have my business. They did come down a bit more, but still around $700 above what I am being quoted from multiple dealers in the Chicago area. Since plane tickets only cost $109, I can't pass that price up. I tried to point out that they were still making a tidy profit at what I am presenting to them, but my logic fell on deaf ears. Too bad, both salesmen I was dealing with here are really nice guys!

drddo

Ok, I have it narrowed down to 2 different cars. Both are titanium silver, gray leather, auto, premium, and cold weather. One has xenons. The model with the xenons will cost me $906 more, both because of the xenons and the fact that it is currently in production, and the car without xenons was built in 11/2003 and is on the dealer's lot. Cars built after January have a base price increase of $300, so the xenons are costing $606. The car will be delivered in mid-June, which may actually work out better for me than picking up the other car in May. Any thoughts?
-drddo

kyfdx

I love the xenons.. Worth the money, in my opinion. What is MSRP? And how much off?

regards,
kyfdx

drddo

MSRP is $38,545. He is selling it for $35,095, a discount of $3450! The car without the xenons would be $3356 below MSRP. It may be silly, but I also like the idea of buying one in production, rather than one that had been sitting on a lot for 6 months. And I do love the xenons on my Audi...

kyfdx

I don't know about you, but my car is garaged. The one on the lot may be fine, but it is has been sitting out for over six months. I'd pay extra just for the xenons, and getting a "fresh" one is a bonus.

Even taking into account the $1250 incentive, that is a great price.

regards,
kyfdx

drddo

I am happy to announce that I just put down a $1,000 deposit on my new 325xi! Here are the details:

-Titanium silver
-Gray leather with wood trim
-Premium package
-Auto
-Cold weather
-Xenons

MSRP = $38,545
Price paid = $35,095 + $53.52 documentation fee (floor mats included in selling price).

The car is towards the end of production, and should be here in 3-4 weeks, which works out very well since I have a week long vacation in 5 weeks. NWA just started a sale to Chicago, to my tickets will cost me $60. I ended up going with Bill Jacobs BMW in Naperville, IL. All of the Chicago dealerships were very helpful, and offered me some great prices.
Thank you to everyone for your help on this board!

-drddo

ahurst1

I just got an agreed price
of $37,555 for the following:

330i
ZHP
Xenon
Moonroof
Metallic Paint

Good? Bad?

Only fee if $198 doc fee.

kyfdx

Fantastic!! Congratulations... I know you will enjoy it.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

What is the MSRP?

ahurst1

I am showing:

$35,200 base MSRP
$3,900 ZHP
$700 Xenon
$475 Paint
$1,050 Moonroof
$695 Dest.
$42,020 Total MSRP

kyfdx

It looks like $1500 over invoice plus a $200 fee, taking into account the $2400 dealer incentive.

That is a pretty good deal. Is the car in stock, or does it have to be ordered? I think the incentive is only for cars delivered by June 30th.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

Hey!!! B.R.Hog.. Is this you?

All of the sudden, these numbers seemed awfully familiar.

regards,
kyfdx

ahurst1

That's me!
I slipped over to Edmunds to broaden my horizons.

kyfdx

Yeah.. I like to spread it around also...

So, have you made the deal yet?

ahurst1

Local dealer says he re-routed the car to his place before it left the boat -- but I have not given him a deposit and he did not ask for one. So I'll car him tomorrow and check on the status.

kyfdx

That is a pretty low-optioned ZHP. If that is the way you want it, you're not likely to find another like it soon. You can run yourself ragged trying to get that last couple of hundred bucks. If you are sure that is the one you want, better lock it up. It sounds like you have a pretty fair dealer, and he's local, too.

regards,
kyfdx

flyf1sh

I just bought a 325ia with sport package and moonroof for 32,786 otd. Invoice was 30K flat. How did I do? Included plush floor mats (there are two types of mats, the others are rubber), and wheel locks.

sjmurray3

Need more information to judge your deal, if sales tax in your state is hig, maybe you did well, but if low like in VA, I think you could have gotten it lower IMHO. I'm pressing the dealer's buttons this week on a 325i Auto PP CWP Leather and I'm shooting for under invoice my friend! I'll let you know

flyf1sh

sales tax is 8.25%

sjmurray3

Need more information to judge your deal, if sales tax in your state is hig, maybe you did well, but if low like in VA, I think you could have gotten it lower IMHO. I'm pressing the dealer's buttons this week on a 325i Auto PP CWP Leather and I'm shooting for under invoice my friend! I'll let you know

flyf1sh

has any one purchased the extended warranty and or the maintenance warranty? Prices paid? are they a good investment for the money?

ahurst1

The maintenance extension from 4/50 to 6/100 is $995 - it may be a good deal if you can get Insp I and II covered under it. Do not let a dealer charge more than $995 - that is the price.

young in

I just visit one dealer today! I think I had good offer.

325i
Premium package
Heated seat
Automatic
Titanium silver
MSRP:34145
Invoice:$31304
Nego price:$31600(Inc.Mats)

Since it is my first time to negotiate in US, I am not sure that I did good or not. And I saw BMW had huge holdback and incentive nowdays.

Do I need to use autobytel.com or carsdirect.com for better deal?
Thank you in advance.

flyf1sh

Thanks. By the way, what is Insp I and II