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

newer

Thank you very much for all the information on the board. I finally did it last Saturday:

2004 BMW325xi with:

-automatic transmission
-power glass moon-roof
-heated front seats
-steel blue metallic color

MSRP: $33845, Invoice: $31070, I got $30345 + doc fee. I feel it's not a bad deal.

ahurst1

Once your free main. runs out after 4 years or 50,000, you have to pay for dealer service. Insp I is minor dealer service, Insp II a major service. Similar to 50,000 mile service or 100,000 service for other cars. They cost hundreds of dollars, but they are not required.

ahurst1

There is a $1200 incentive on 325's until June 30. $2400 on 330's. Take invoice total and subtract $1200 and start negotiating there. $1000 - $1500 above this is a good deal.

cjs2002

I like the 3 series, (mainly for how it drives) yet I don't like the 325 its underpowerd... yet when I drove the 330 I fell in love with it... its not a half bad car. I'm only looking for a model with the auto,power seats (w/memory), and the sunroof I was hoping to lease for either 36 39 or worse comes to life 48 months with 15K miles a year... I wanted to keep the payments below 500 after tax.. and actually closer to the 420 430 range.. anyone know if the dealers are willing to deal some is this price possible? looking to get the car with in the next week

ahurst1

BMWFS had very, very low money factors on leases in March and April. Starting May 1 - June 30, the lease specials went away and were replaced with the above incentives.

I would recommend finding a good BMW internet forum like bimerfest. They have a forum there called "Ask the Dealer" - post that question and see what you get. One very dealer on the forum is Carbone BMW in NY. Look for me - my user name is BloodRedHog.

kyfdx

The short answer...is probably NO.. It is doubtful you can achieve your price objective.

First, have you tried to locate a car equipped like this? I'm guessing it will be hard to find. Also, I think power seats are standard on the 330i.

Anyway, I worked up some figures for you.

Assuming 330i with just sunroof and steptronic.

MSRP $38220
Invoice $35050
Dealer incentive $2400
Selling price $34000 (about $1150 over invoice-aggressive price)
36mo/36K lease MF .0022 residual 54%
Assumed tax rate 6% (more or less)
Payment: $520.83/mo tax included
Due at signing: first payment, acquisition fee ($525), security deposit ($525), title fees.. Approx total: $1600

All this assumes a very aggressive selling price and a dealer that isn't marking up the money factor or acquistion fee. IF you can find a car equipped like this, you might be able to swing this deal, because the dealer will likely have a hard time selling such a lightly optioned car.

regards,
kyfdx

cjs2002

the dealor has one that has auto and sunroof and I'm thinking about it... sticker is 36 somethihn so I'm thinking about it but have a sneaking suspicion that its not going to work out... so I think the TL or C230 will be my final options like both cars a lot but figured I'd at least give the 3 a shot. (what about a used one ... like 03 or 02 330 any ideas as what I could get a used one for? my dealorship wasn't very helpful they had some used ones but they were selling for close to the original msrp and had about 15K on em so I don't know)

kyfdx

Yeah.. the asking price on CPO cars is outrageous... If you can find a private seller, then maybe... In my local paper, I saw an '03 325xiT wagon ...with asking price of $29K.

MSRP on the 330i with automatic and moonroof is over $38K. If you like the 3-series and size isn't a problem, I'd go with the TSX over the TL.

Or, if you can live with it, you might find a 325i with just premium package and automatic.. That would have the moonroof and power seats plus some other goodies... You might be able to lease that for around the $450/mo. mark. I like my 325i, and don't consider it underpowered, but I wouldn't want to test drive a 330i and 325i back to back.... I avoid what I can't afford!!

regards,
kyfdx

cotmc

Yep, the asking prices for BMW CPO cars are outrageous, but some dealers will come down quite a bit from those asking prices.

About 2 weeks ago I was at our local BMW dealer, and they marked down the price for an '03 325i sedan -- with Premium, Sport, automatic, upgraded HK sound, heated seats, and the orient blue metallic paint -- to $30.7K. I don't remember for certain, but I believe it had about 14-15K miles on it. Considering the additional (and transferable) 2yr/50K warranty on top of the standard warranty, it seemed like a very competitive price to me.

Nearly two years ago they had a 2000 528i (2 years old) with an asking price of $38.8K. But because it had sat on their lot for a couple of months, I was able to purchase it at $35.5K.

dan4

I have until Saturday to buy from inventory on the lease rate deal that is being offered or wait. looking to but a 325xi......any guesses out there where bmw will go? i have a lease factor rate of .00125

kyfdx

That rate you have is the April rate... you must have locked it in.. The rate for May is already up to .0022, I think. But, in May there is a $1250 incentive on all 325s.

So, your answer is... the rates have already gone up.

regards,
kyfdx

bmwman2

THE PRICE ON THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IS ACTUALLY $985.00 FOR THE UPGRADE... FROM BMW.

IT COVERS WEAR ITEMS SUCH AS BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, WIPERBLADES AND OUTER DRIVE BELTS. AS WELL AS REQUIRED ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN THE BMW SERVICE GUIDE THAT COMES WITH YOUR NEW CAR.

THIS PROGRAM IS A GREAT DEAL ! LOOK AT THE COST OF BRAKES AND ROTORS ALONE ARE OVER $450.00...DO THE MATH WITH YOUR SERVICE ADVISORS. THIS IS AN EASY ONE. GO BUY IT NOW ...BECAUSE IF YOU WAIT YOU WILL FORGET AND BE OUT OF LUCK. IT JUST CAME OUT AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR...SURELY THE COST OF IT HAS TO GO UP! NOTE: THE PRICE DOES VARY BY BMW CENTER AND VEHICLE. THE $985.00 IS JUST BMWNA'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE.

hman709

I need some advice on my purchase.

I settled on a 325xi in mid-april for 34.1K and put a deposit down but did not actually buy it (i.e. sign financing) until May 11. From what i can tell, there were $1250 incentives in May for the 3-series.

Am i entitled to get $1250 back now? Can i go to the dealer and ask them for it?

If there was the incentive in May and the salesperson did not tell me, was she unethical ?
Thanks !

307web

No.
You get what's on the papers you signed and agreed to. They pocketed any incentive to increase their profits. Since it was a dealer incentive and not a rebate that was supposed to go customers, they do not have to announce or disclose it's existence.
Being unethical does not change the terms of the contract.

kyfdx

I also don't think it was unethical... The $1250 is a dealer marketing allowance... When you negotiated your deal, it wasn't there.... If it had been a customer rebate, then they would have had to give it to you.. If you had found out about it before you took delivery, you could have tried to negotiate lower, but since they weren't even required to tell you about it in the first place, then I don't see an ethical lapse here.

All of this info about dealer incentives and invoice prices is great to know, but they aren't even ethically required to disclose their costs to you.. even the invoice price.

Be glad you weren't getting a 330... The incentive on those is $2400. Now that would keep you up at night.

regards,
kyfdx

307web

Of course they cannot be "required" to behave ethically. There is no law against being unethical.

bmwman2

THE LEASE FACTORS IN JUNE ARE THE SAME AS MAY 2004. THE BASE LEASE FACTOR ON 325 FOR 36 MONTHS IS .00220, MOST BMW CENTERS WILL MARK IT UP SOME. THERE ARE FACTORS THAT WILL CHANGE THE LEASE FACTOR BASED ON SECURITY DEPOSIT, ETC., SO YOU MAY FIND ONE THAT IS HIGHER OR LOWER THEN THE .00220.

kyfdx

I don't consider it unethical.. If the price is negotiable, then it would be against either party's best interest to reveal anything that could hurt their negotiating position. The car business isn't a charity.. The price is on the car. If you don't want to negotiate, you can pay it.

I for one.. am glad some people are bad negotiators... and don't do their homework... It makes it better for the rest of us. This dealer didn't do anything wrong... or unethical.

regards,
kyfdx

bmwman2

I FIND IT INTERESTING THE USE OF THE WORD "UNETHICAL" WHEN REFERRING TO THE MARKET ALLOWANCES FOR DEALERS. THE DEALER IS NOT "UNETHICAL" FOR NOT PASSING ON THEIR MONEY TO THE CUSTOMER. THE DEALER DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG, BY KEEPING THE DEALER MARKET ALLOWANCE!

WHEN YOU DRIVE YOUR BMW DO YOU THINK TO YOURSELF"BOY THIS IS A GREAT MARKET ALLOWANCE THAT I AM DRIVING"? OF COURSE NOT! YOU THINK THIS IS A GREAT MACHINE! THE DEALER HAS TO MAKE A PROFIT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH GREAT SERVICE AND THOSE NICE LOANER CARS, ETC.!

dan4

I have until Saturday to buy from inventory on the lease rate deal that is being offered or wait. looking to but a 325xi......any guesses out there where bmw will go? i have a lease factor rate of .00125

bmwman2

hey dan4 look at reply # 1343

dan4

thanx for your reply & I was not clear. i filled out an application on 3/31 which gave me until end of may for the .00125 lease rate. i have been doing extensive travel and now have until tomorrow to take a car. i want the 325xi and i have to take whats on their lot and its only black on black or siler with black & not the options i really want. So i need advice if i should wait for a new promotion in june or take whats on their lot. i appreciate all of your help for i am new to bmw and new cars.....thanks

blueangel

I am in the market for a 2004 330i coupe and I understand that there is a dealer incentive of $2400 up until June 30. What I am not clear about is whether you need to take delivery of the car by that date to qualify for the incentive. I will likely place a custom order and one salesman I spoke with told me that I would not qualify for the incentive because I would not receive the car until after June 30. Can anyone clarify this for me?

Also, if the incentive expires June 30 does
anyone know if there will be another incentive program in effect?

cotmc

Your salesman was correct. You must take delivery by June 30 to qualify for the current $2400 incentive. I talked to several BMW dealers, both here in AZ and in southern Cal, and they were all in agreement on this issue.

Nobody knows for sure if BMW will have a similar incentive in July. Worst case scenario: If the dealers are able to significantly reduce their inventory by June 30, BMW might not have any reason to continue this incentive into July. On the other hand, maybe BMW will increase the incentive? (I personally do not think that is likely, at least not until the '05 models are about to arrive.) Or maybe BMW will switch back to a lease incentive (low money factor) instead of a purchase incentive? If you custom order, then you need to be prepared for any of these possibilites.

bmwman2

HEY DAN4

HOP ON THE DEAL THAT YOU HAVE . I DON'T THINK THE MONEY FACTOR WILL GET ANY BETTER. THAT IS THE BUY RATE MONEY FACTOR WITH NO MARK-UP ,THAT IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS!

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY YOUR NEW BMW!

kyfdx

The rates have already gone up... If you don't do the deal by the 31st, then you will have to use the new rates.. They are .0022 right now, and I doubt they will go up any more in June, but the residuals may go down.

The only upside to waiting, is that there is now a $1250 incentive on 325s.. If you think you might purchase, rather than lease, then there is no hurry.

BUT, if they don't have the car you want, then there is no point in getting one...

regards,
kyfdx

dan4

thank you for your help and all the others that have helped along the way as well. it turned out that they did have a 325xi on the lot that i bought, nice black on black:
it had black leatherette which is actually very nice and saved $ from the top, sport package( seats-sttering wheel is great, moon roof, premium pkge and heated seats for a msrp of $36,520., i got the .00125 rate factor, bought it $35405. which was $800 above invoice.
Thanx to all of you for your help and like all of you, i took a very long route home......dan

brunna

I am looking for a so-called "sportwagon" and have been shopping the new Mazda6 and Passat while waiting to drive the new Sub OB XT Ltd (250hp turbo). I like the car feel and the added room in the wagons. No big SUVs for me. Anyway, I saw a 2002 3 Wagon on an independent dealer lot today and decided to drive it. WOW! I fell in love instantly. However, living in the NE (MD actually) and seeing snow from time to time, I wasn't so keen on RWD even with traction control. The dealer said to buy a set of Blizzaks for the winter and I'll do fine. So now I need advice from you owners please. How about the RWD in bad weather? The particulars: premium, sport, 5sp, xenons, rear spoiler, only 16K miles! They are asking $27,500. I'll probably use a home equity line at 3.85% right now instead of a loan. Any thoughts for me? Thanks!

kyfdx

That is a nice options list... But, wagons don't exactly fly out the door, so bargain hard.

You will definitely need winter tires, if you have the sport package. But, that should be sufficient for Maryland. I have Goodyear Eagles on mine, and didn't have a bit of trouble this winter. Be prepared, though. The 225/45-17 size winter tires are pricy. I would say the traction was better than a front wheel drive with all-season tires, but nowhere close to AWD.

I live in the midwest, and there are only about five days per year where you really wish you had AWD, and the winter tires were fine for even those days. You can opt for a 16" wheel/tire pkg. for winter use, which will probably be cheaper than 17" winter tires alone, but you give up a lot of handling and looks for four months per year. I put my winter tires on the stock sport package wheels, and bought another set of used factory wheels for my summer tires.

As for the loan...check with your credit union.. Mine is offering 3.9% even on used car loans up to 72 months. I would rather lock in anything up to 5%, than use the home equity line.. That 3.85% could jump a half point as early as next month. The HELOC is great for just writing a check and making it a cash deal, but I would look for a car loan ASAP after that.

If you get the VIN number off the car, the local BMW service department can print you out a service history of the car.

regards,
kyfdx

nancy03

I want to buy (Cash w/ no trade-in) a 325i Convertible that is currently NOT on the lot, but at the processing center in NC.

What savings below MSRP can I expect when negotiating with the dealer?

Thanks

lee_w

All caps are difficult to read. Try lower case. Thanks

xistentialnyc

I am located in California and am in the process of trying to lease a new manual transmission 2004 BMW 325ci Convertible with an allowance of 12K miles/year on a 36 month lease. I would very much rather have no down payment (because if your car gets stolen, then you just lose this down payment). So far I have received price quotes (with sales tax from Santa Barbara country already integrated into the monthly payment price) with no down payments in the high 6's... around $680 per month with a $1100 drive off fee (includes first month, license fees, etc) for a 36 month lease. The MSRP for these cars is around $43K or so.

Personally, I think the $680 figure is extremely high. I would very much like to get it down about $100 per month to around the high 5's ($580/month). Does anyone have any ideas on how best to negotiate this? Are there any incentives or deals which I don't know about? While I am in California, I would be fine buying it in another state if it were cheaper and have them ship it to me in CA. Am I just dreaming?

Any and all help would be appreciated!!

Thanks
-Dave

brunna

Thank you for the advice! The dealer actually advised me to purchase BMW "knockoff" 16" wheels and Blizzak tires for the 3-4 winter months. I'll call the local BMW dealer tomorrow for the history - again thanks. I'll definitely be shopping for the loan before the Fed starts hiking and prime+ HELOC's follow along. Now if I could just convince my wife I NEED this Bimmer.....tough sell.

spanishbar

First of all, I think this message board is great. I have learned a lot by reading a large number of messages here.

I am currently in the process of putting an offer together for the following:

2004 325Ci Red/Leather seating, Prem. & Sports Package; Auto. trans. and Xenon lights. The MSRP is $39,195 and the Invoice is $35,945.

I am aware of the $1,250 dealer incentive that is going on for May and June, something I learned from this very board, my dealer didn't tell me this. The car is currently sitting on the lot so no custom order.

Based on a selling price of $36,000; 36Mo./12K lease; MF of .0020; residual 61%; tax rate of 7.6%.

Would a monthly payment of $400/Mo w/o taxes be wishful thinking on my part?

Any advice or comments would be great. This is my first car buying experience.

SB

bmwman2

Hey Spanishbar,

The dealer cash amount is $1200.00 not the $1250.00 and your salesperson may not even know about it. That just depends on how much his/her managers tells him. Any way, if you can purchase the car at invoice that would be a super great deal! Most BMW centers will go to a $1500.00 over invoice and they keep the Dealer cash.

That would be a selling price of $37445.00.

The money factor buy rate is .00220 and most dealers will mark that up some. Remember, this money factor can be different based on bank and if there is no security deposit.

The current residual is 55% plus 2% for low miles for a total of 57%
thru BMW Bank

Based on your figures the payment will be around 620.00 to 635.00.
This is based on a selling price of 36000.00

blueangel

The only dealer which has the 330i coupe I am considering buying -- steel blue manual with xenons, premium and cold weather -- is outside of my local area. I dont mind picking it up but my concern is that I will not receive good service from my local bmw dealership. The local dealer told me that one service they provide their clients is to store the owners extra tires when they change to snows, for example. Also, they provide loaners during service.

Does anyone have any feelings about this issue? Should I try to get my local dealer to trade for the car?

Any and all input is appreciated.

kyfdx

I don't know if your assumptions are correct.. But, if they are, then your payment with tax would be about $490, with first payment, security deposit and acquisition fee at signing.

If bmwman2's numbers are correct, then the payment is about $546/mo. with the same up fronts. I would think his numbers are closer for a coupe.. they have lower residuals than the sedan.

That is assuming $36K selling price.

regards,
kyfdx

vancmt

Anybody had any experience in the Northwest with buying a 2004 325i w/prem package. Interested in getting one in the next month or so and would like to hear what experience people have had with the local dealers. Also, any tips on local pricing?

davidc1

I would agree with kyfdx. Your payment should be closer to 490. I got a 325xiT with a selling price of 35K, 12K/yr 36mo. My payment is 450/mo. including 6% tax.

kyfdx

Not much.. If you get $2K off a convertible, it will be the best deal I've heard of.. Most report $500-$1200 off of MSRP.

regards,
kyfdx

davidc1

I concur. I got $1000 off sticker back in April and I was satisfied. Time of the year might be a factor.

pmarcello1

I got $1750 off on 3/1/04. How about the incentives to dealers now? I would go for at least $2000 off MSRP.

jcw915

Bought a 2004 330i
Titanium silver
Sandbeige leatherette
Xenon
Sport package
Auto

$36105
Bought the car on the 29th of May.
I'm located in Atlanta.

jcw915

Forgot to mention that I also got sunroof too.

xistentialnyc

Any dealer incentives for the 325ci convertibles? I am trying to negotiate the price down now (was quoted $680/month for a 36 month lease, no money down except 1st month and license fees, 12K miles/year).

Thanks for all the info!
-Dave

kyfdx

No incentives on the convertibles..

my 330xi

Hello everyone

I am honored to be part of this great site with wonderful members!!!

I have a question.

A BMW dealer in New Jersey gave me an out-the-door price of $44,500 (including the 8.625 NY tax, title and registration) for the 330XI sedan.
I will pay in cash and there is no trade-in vehicle.

Price as configured is $44,652 (not including tax). The invoice price for this car is around $41,000 (not including tax). So if we add in the NY tax and title, it is around $44,700. So does this mean I am getting it at invoice? Thank you for your help.

2004 330xi Sedan
  
Destination Charge $695
  
Exterior
Orient Blue Metallic $475
 
Interior
Natural Brown Leather Included
Myrtle Wood Trim
  
Packages
Cold Weather Package $1,000
 
Premium Package $3,300
 
Options
STEPTRONIC automatic transmission $1,275
 
Xenon low-beam and high-beam headlights with auto-leveling $700
 
Rear All-Weather Floor Mats $30
 
Front All-Weather Floor Mats $48

Auxiliary Audio Input: $40
 
BMW Universal Transceiver $179

kyfdx

Your numbers seem correct.. You are getting the car for approximately invoice.. hard to tell exactly, because we don't have the breakout for the taxes and title fees.

But, there is a $2400 dealer incentive on the 330xi. So, they are actually selling it to you for $2400 over their cost. I don't know what the market is like where you live, or what your dealer is like, but a great deal would be about $1400 cheaper, and $500-$1000 cheaper should be achievable.

regards,
kyfdx

my 330xi

Thank you kyfdx for your feedback.

I greatly appreciate it.

The tax is New York City is 8.625% and the title is around $200 (at most).

Therefore, since the vehicle is at invoice ($41,000), NYC tax will be around $3536.

Therefore, $3536 + title and registration ($200)+ invoice price for the vehicle ($41,000) gives me a total of around $44,736. But you are telling me to get another $500 to $1,000 discount right?

Thank you very much.

Best Regards,

Donald

kyfdx

I "think" you should be able to negotiate another $500-$1000 off. That doesn't mean it will happen. BMW has a manufacturer to dealer incentive of $2400 right now on the 330xi. My assumption is that the dealer will be happy with a $1500 profit. That would be $900 lower than what you have been quoted. My assumption may be wrong (as my wife so often points out).

But, let us know how it turns out.. I forget.. is this car in stock? I'm assuming so, because that incentive is only for cars delivered by June 30th, at this time.

Good luck,
kyfdx