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

blueguydotcom

Does the color of the interior (which will be leather) really impact how hot it feels when the sun is beating down on you in 80-90% temps?

Yes it makes a difference. My brother-in-law's black interior on his silver 3 feels much warmer than the gray in my silver-gray 3 series. Neither of us have tint.

Am I wrong to assume that black leather would feel hotter than a lighter color?

Not at all. I have the gray leather and gray interior. I chose black floormats though to offset the colors and because black mats don't show scuff marks and dirt the way beige and gray do.

I'll never own a car with a beige interior again and between my black interior on my Pro and my gray one on the 3 series, the 3's is considerably cooler. And never too hot to sit on.

djsway

Killer deal,
how did you get below invoice? Please do tell, I'm also looking for a 04 325ci in the southen Cali area. Thanks!

blueguydotcom

Most so cal dealers will go below invoice right now. Cunningham is $400 over invoice before the rebate and they don't add on bonus fees like MACO.

Crevier and Irvine get lots of good postings from people.

I've done two cars with Cunningham in the past 1.5 years. Say you're a costco member and boom, the price is $400 over invoice. Mention the rebate on the 325 and it's an 800 under invoice car without lies, cheats or weird fees.

I don't know which, if any dealer in LA/OC does costco pricing.

chicagorob

What gives with the rolled out lease specials for $2500 cap reduction, ~3000 due at lease signing for a 04 325i (w/auto, moonroof and a few other items) all this for 299/month (10k miles/year). Obviously this doesn't include the treaded sales tax where in Illinois you get ripped up one side and down the other.
I am interested in an 325i, spts pkg, SMG, heated seats, moonroof, trip computer. With $3000 down at lease signing and 7% sales tax that I will also pay up front what would be a very good deal for a lease payment / month. When leasing do the dealers have latitude to make deals or is this a special manufacturers program. Any help would be appreciated as I want to buy in the coming week or so.
thanks

kyfdx

$299/month.. 10K miles..
Move it up to 15K miles.. add $24/mo.
Roll $2500 down into lease payment.. add $75/mo.
Add 6% tax... $24/mo.
Total.. $425/mo..

The advertised lease is assuming a discount from the dealer off MSRP, but usually there is a little room left to negotiate lower. Go build your car either here or at KBB and come back with the MSRP and I can give you a fair lease payment pre-tax. I always recommend paying as little as possible upfront. Just 1st payment and security deposit.

regards,
kyfdx

P.S.: Have you tried the SMG? Most people hate it.

djsway

Thanks Blueguy.com, where is this Cunningham dealer located? Do I need to mention anything special to get the rebate?

blueguydotcom

It's in El Cajon - about 10 miles east of downtown San Diego of the 8.

Call ahead, tell them you're a costco member who wants to buy. Make sure they have the car you want. After you get that and are at the dealer mention you also want to use the $1200 rebate. As is typical of most places they won't bring up the rebate.

footloose

325i
Leather
metallic
premium
cold weather
automatic

Dealer Offer: $32,650
Invoice: $33,115

I had 33,115 as invoice but the dealer said it's actually 33,315 and that Edmunds.com does not reflect the 200 dollar Dealer Advertising Group fee? I wasnt aware of this...

Any advice/insight on whether this is a good deal, given the 1200 dealer incentive through the end of August would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

kyfdx

The advertising fee varies by region or metropolitan area.. that is why edmunds doesn't have it. That sounds like a great deal.

regards,
kyfdx

leojan

Just picked up a 325ci 2004 for my wife.

Sports Package
Premium Package
Steptronic 5-Spd Automatic
Black Leather
Harmon/Kardon Sound
Xenon Lights
Titanium Silver
Floor Mats & 3 series key chain
$36,740
15k miles (55% Residual)
MF - 0.00065
$1500 drive off (reg,bank fees, 1st payment, etc)
$486/month for 3 years

glaker

Well, I participated in the Koman drive recently and fell in love with the 330 with the performance package. I found a deal on a new one at $1900 under invoice with only an additional $25 paperwork fee and financing at 1.9% (base 330 plus leather, metallic paint, moonroof, xenon, cold weather). This appears to be a super deal, but, man that's a lot of money for a 3 series when you add up the options ($38790). Is this really a good idea? Is the 330 with the ZHP all that good? Does anyone have any driving experience with this package? Any comments would be appreciated (I think I gotta move fast on this).

kdshapiro

I think you have to test drive other cars and compare them to the 330. That is the only way you will find out if it is really that good.
Then you have to decide if the way the car performs is worth the price.

allaboutme1

Local dealer has half dozen 325xi's relatively bare bones, no packages, just heated seats and roof. MSRP $32,095 listed sales price is $29,990. They also have a 325 xit, bare bones, with cold only, msrp $33,995. all 5 speeds.

I am suspect that these cars are tough sells. most people in new england wont buy with out premium and cold. that makes resale a concern.

the 325 xi's have a dealer list of $29,500. My feeling is these cars should sell for list less the full incentive, that brings them to $28,300. I am going to see how many they still have mid august and try to steal one for 27,500.

If it works great if not, no harm no foul.

any insight???

chicagorob

Thanks kyfdx, I appreciate all your help. As far as the SMG, no I haven't tried it yet, on the face of it I like the concept of no clutch to be continuously nursing when being stuck in traffic. The manual 5 spd would probably work but I thought the SMG gives you the best of both worlds, in comparing it to the steptronic the shifting is very rapid and when in comparing it to the manual there is no nursing the clutch. I guess the best thing is to just drive one and see first hand. I have heard people hate it until they get use to it after a few days, is this your understanding. I would also like to make it capable for my wife to occasionally drive it. She knows how to drive stick but prefers an auto.
I am coming off having a MY01 2.7 Porsche Box 5 spd, the clutch was pretty heavy and working through traffic jams totally sucked. On the other ahnd there is nothing like a stick when clear twisty roads are in front of you. I needed to get something a little more practical and something I could drive to work on a daily basis (through a Chicago winter).
thanks once again!

kyfdx

My guess is if the dealer invoice minus the incentive is $28,300, it will take $28.5K-$29K to buy the car. I wonder how they got stuck with all of those?

That is a really cheap way to get into a 3-series, but if you are concerned about resale in the next four years, a car like that is going to be hard to move. The one saving grace is AWD in the northeast.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

The way I hear it is: You'll use the SMG for about a week, but after that, you'll just start leaving it in automatic mode. Which means you have a kind of jerky, crappy, automatic. Its kind of like shifting with the steptronic.. its kind of fun for a while, but eventually you just put in D and go.

BUT, if you really want a manual, and your wife really doesn't, it may be a decent alternative. I didn't have to make that choice, as my 325i is my wife's car.. It HAD to be automatic.

Now, the Boxster... That is the car I would love to have.

regards,
kyfdx

blueguydotcom

zhp...do as suggested and drive both the 330i and the ZHP back to back and hard. That'll tell ya if it's worth it to you. Some believe it is (me), others don't.

sphynx

I'm currently looking to buy a 330I with the following options:

Performance Pkg
Navigation System
Xenon lights
Sunroof
Cold weather pkg (split seats and heated front seats)
Black Leather
Silver Gray Metallic.

Now my credit score is 835 and they are trying to get me at 2.9% saying that the 1.9% is the BUY rate for them. (I think this is [non-permissible content removed])

Next from my research the car costs them 42325 with the base plus options at their cost, They add 200 for MACO and some training BS Fee to say their invoice is 42525. Now take out the 2400 manufacturer rebate to dealer and I get the figure of 39925 their cost (giving them the 200.00 fee for maco, otherwise its 39725)

They offer it to me at 41425 plus 934.50 to ship from it's current location in the states (only car left at the moment from all the searches that meet my criteria and i've confirmed this with 3 other dealers and carsdirect.com)
Plus they now add a 399.00 doc fee and then the 43.00 title fee.

I'm wondering simply what opinions are because this is a tad over 3% for a car that starting Aug 1st when the 05's roll off the line will be 1 yr old.

Of course they wanted a 'deposit' ie credit card for 500.00 down to get it shipped but i absolutely have signed nothing so if they don't want to deal with me i can surely have my credit company yank the charge if they try to push it on me. I'm just concerned I could get a better deal so what are your feedbacks, experiences and thoughts? Am I correct or is this a good deal and i'm being pushy?

btw...the sales guy says he's made the deal (nothings signed) and he's through working on it...I say if it's not a good deal let them eat the shipping and sit on it since the 05's are due to hit....

footloose

Footloose

jazevedo

I'm shopping for one also, and I've found much better deals than that but I'm looking for a different color, no nav system and no cold weather package. If that is truly the only car that meets your criteria, then I guess you are out of luck - is it too late to order an 04?

If you are flexible on color you might be able to locate more cars, not sure if that is okay with you.

As for the 2.9%, I've had 2 dealers say that as well, but I saw posts here quoting 1.9%. I got one dealer to agree to the 1.9% but his price was too high. Not sure what the official rate is...it certainly isn't advertised anywhere.

sphynx

yeah all the 04 chassis' are taken except for 1 and it's a AWD chassis. so the special order is out of the question.
What are you looking for? I've pulled the consumer reports prices so if you need to know their actual cost I can give them to you on the options.

m4d_cow

if youre concerned about resales i wont suggest you to take it, most of the time non PP 3ers are hard to sell, not sure why.
i took my chences with the greygreen, which will be hard to sell as well
as far as pricing goes id suggest you not to go more than $1k over (invoice-$1200 incentive), got mine for invoice-incentive+$400s, so considering the popularity, it shouldnt be too hard to make bargains

jazevedo

I'm looking for the zhp with leather, moonroof and xenons. The invoice price is 40,100 and if I can find one for $1700 below invoice, free mats and 1.9% financing I'm sold! I'll see what I can work out.....if I can't get this deal I may not be able to justify paying this much and may have to go for the G35. I don't like the looks of that car too much though...

I wonder when they'll start giving incentives for the 05! If they are only going to make them for 6 months before switching to the new 3'er for 06 maybe 05 deals are only 6-9 months away...

cowpoke

How's this deal? 330i with ZHP, xenon, steptronic for $1000 under invoice and 1.9% for 60 months? I wasn't originally looking for ZHP but like to drive and I really liked the car (black on black) and the wheels etc. that come with the ZHP. I'm very close to pulling the trigger.

Thanks.

chicagorob

I want to see what I should be shooting for in getting a very good or excellent deal on a 325i 36 mo lease (12K/year):
Options:
Spts pkg
on board computer
heated seats
5 spd
glass moonroof
MSRP 32045 w/destination
Invoice 29385
TMV 30073
what type of residual, cash factor
What do you think about BMWs navigation pkg (what would this add to the monthly price)
assume no cap reduction (I'll take your great advice)
(I'll keep sales tax out of the equation)
Additionally, would there be any incentive at the dealer to close deal before Aug1?
thanks a bunch!
Rob

chicagorob

The boxster was special, I bought it in Feb for 29.5 (16 k miles) (55k orig sticker) great deal. I sold it a few days ago for 29.3. He got a great car at a great price as well. Warranty was going to run out in April of 05, figured now was the time to sell to get the most for as the summer window was closing and buyers would be looking for used 02 next year.
hey thanks for all your help, I hope the BMW with sports pkg will drive close to how the Boxster handeled.
I'll take your advice a scrutinize the SMG really well before commiting, my wife will only drive it ~5% of the time so she may have to put up with the manual (she did drive the Boxster well, but was always a little nervous)
Rob

chicagorob

was your sales tax rolled into the 486/mo? In Illinois you have to pay the entire amount upfront $3X,XXX times 7%... ouch
Rob

htownpimp786

Hey.

Im a rookie leaser. I usually purchase cars, but for this one im thinking about leasing. I went into the dealership and this is what i was told.

I can get the 1.9% financing on the 36 month lease.

I checked out a 2004 BMW 325i with
Sport Package
Xenon Lights
Harman Kardon Sound System
Automatic Steptronic
Leather
Metallic paint

MSRP is 34,770

He said he will get me a price in between invoice and MSRP

The dealership is in Houston, Texas.

Any idea on what i should be looking for. Im a rookie leaser. Im getting the low interest rate, and im putting down 5000 as a downpayment. (2500 is required.....but if i put down 5000 i can get the very low interest rate, and i was going to put down 5000 anyways, does that really even matter, i got the cash for it)

Any idea on what i should be looking for, and are their any other promotions going on? Any rebates or anything else? How can i check, and how does European delivery work, and how much does that cost?? thanks

chaseboy

htownpimp:

I also live in Houston and was looking for a 3 series, really a 330i. None of the Houston dealers are really good for negotiating with. However, if you are willing to drive to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, there is Auto Bahn Motorcars that is offering $5500 off their 325i's right off the bat. Since they are taking $5500 off already without negotiating, they can probably go another $500 or more. Seems like they are trying to get rid of their 325i's. Good luck.

Tom
Houston, Texas

kyfdx

MSRP: $32045
Sell price: $29385 (invoice.. leaves dealer $1200 profit)
Acquisition fee: $525
Cap cost: $29910
MF: .0022
Residual for 3/36: 60%
Monthly payment: $404.85 pre-tax
Due at signing: 1st payment, security deposit, registration/title fees.

Navigation: It kills you on a lease.. Not only is it more money, the residual on the entire car is usually a lower percentage. I estimate about $38/mo just to add navigation.

Taxes... If you have to pay tax on the entire price of the car, I'd really recommend buying instead. By leasing, you also have to pay an acquisition fee that you won't have with buying, and the effective interest rate on this lease is about 5.3% vs. the 1.9% they are offering on purchases.

Assuming 7% tax on a purchase price of $29385 for 60 months at 1.9%, the payment, tax included only comes to $550, with nothing due at signing but registration/title fees. If you add $2000 in tax to the cap cost of this lease, it will take the payment up to $465/mo.

End of the month: Every car dealer (or any business in general) is always trying to make their numbers at the end of the month. It can't hurt to shop hard the next three days. One good reason for trying to make a deal by then, is the lease numbers could change next month and possibly not for the better.. Sometimes, they shift incentives to the buy side.. IOW, anything can happen.

I don't want to discourage you from leasing, but the tax laws in Illinois really don't help your situation.

Things to look out for:

1) Many BMW dealers pad the acq.fee. BMWFS allows them to charge up to $725. They can also pad the MF by up to .0004, for a total of .0026 That doesn't sound like much, but it would increase your payment by $20/mo.

2) There may be MACO advertising fees on their invoice. These are legitimate charges that vary by region, but since I estimated your deal at $1200 over dealer cost, there should be room for them to absorb those. They typically run from $200-$400.

3) Do all of your figuring on acceptable pricing before you get there. In my experience, offering $XXX over invoice just invites them to play with the numbers. In this instance, if you think $29,385 is a good deal, then offer $29K and never mention invoice. It keeps your negotiations much simpler.

Anything else, just ask.. Hope this helps.

regard,
kyfdx

djsway

Kyfdx, you're awesome! Even though I didn't understand most of the terms you used. However, is it really better to buy than to lease? I wouldn't mind keeping my car for the next 5 years. It's a hard decision to buy or to lease... that is the question.

leojan

Ouch...

Yup...I pay the tax every month...included in the $486/mo. You only have to pay tax upfront for any cap reduction you have, in Cali.

kyfdx

Well.. my advice was pointed to chicagorob in particular, since he is in Illinois and the sales tax laws there penalize leasers. Otherwise, it depends on each situation. I've leased many cars, but currently own all three of mine. Some lease deals are just too good to pass up. I wouldn't put the 325i in that category right now, because the dealer cash is good on either lease or buy, and the low finance rates are on the buy side only.

regards,
kyfdx

cassie_b

I live in San Antonio and our BMW dealership is also known for not negotiating. This is not true, especially if they know you will not hesitate to buy it somewhere else. I bought a 2004 330i a couple weeks ago and got it for $1700 below invoice with 1.9% financing. I basically did all of my research over the internet, as well as price quotes. First figure out what car you want (options, color, etc) then get online and start searching the individual dealer websites within TX and find your car at multiple lots (if you're somewhat flexible that makes it even easier -- I wasn't but still did fine).

I started with autobahn (DFW) since they had my car. I wrote an email and told them that I was looking to purchase within 72 hours and asked if they could beat $1000 below invoice on that particular vehicle. I received an email shortly thereafter stating that they would go $1500 back of invoice. I then emailed Austin (who also had my car) and told them about the $1500 deal and asked if they could beat it. A call confirmed that they would go $1700 below. Finally I called San Antonio and told them about the deal on the table. They offered to match the $1700 but gave me some grief about the 1.9% financing. So I wrote another email to Austin and confirmed that they would do the 1.9%. Once SA realized that they would lose the sale if they didn't match the financing, they went for it. No problem.

If you choose to go this route, here are a few tips:

1) Only do this once you are ready to buy...otherwise you'll alienate multiple dealers.

2) Turn the typical sales "buy it today" pressure back on the dealers. Move very quickly and let them know that you'll be purchasing this car within a day or two, period.

3) Be nice (humor is always good). Don't try to strong-arm them. Just let them know that you're looking for the best deal and you'll be buying the car from whoever cuts the best numbers. Nothing personal.

4) Don't tick off your local dealer. Ideally you want to buy locally since you'll be bring it back to be serviced, so don't be a jerk. Also, give them the final "take" on the deal.

Good luck!

Cassie

307web

Hmm, it is the customers job to look after the feelings of car sales people or they will take revenge when you bring the car in for service.

kyfdx

You'll attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Making enemies in the process is never a good idea. It may come back to haunt you. Everyone in the process is human and has feelings.

307web

There is nothing that should make enemies. Either they have good deal or not. If they don't, you move on to another dealer. It isn't personal. If they are offended if you choose to go to another dealer, it is their problem.
It is their job to at least "try" to make the customer happy, not the other way around.

chaseboy

Good write up Cassie. What was the MSRP on the vehicle you purchased, and what was your price before TT&L?

cassie_b

Thanks, hope it helped.

I think MSRP was ~$42K and the final number was $36K (including MACO, destination fee, etc). I put nothing down (with 1.9% financing, my money is better served in investments) and my payment is $667.

~C

htownpimp786

I Left a message in here earlier about being a rookie leaser, and trying to get a good price on the Bmw 325i. I think i got a very good deal as far as the price of the car...

BMW 325i

Black Metallic Sapphire Color
Black Leatherette (i heard there isnt a big difference between leatherette and leather)
Premium Package
Sport Package
Xenon Lights
Floor Mats
SMG Manual-Auto Transmission

MSRP is 35,970....Invoice is 33,010.....and TMV Price is 33,362

Im getting it for 30,595 way below invoice.

Ive got the price down, but what should i be looking for as far as the lease terms?

Whats Cap Cost?
Whats a good Money Factor for this lease?
(Im going for the 36 month....12k per year lease)

Anything else i should know?

Also does anyone know more about the SMG Gearbox?? I dont know much about it? Please let me know thanks

m4d_cow

the smg is basically a clutchless manual gearbox, and somehow its rather jerky unless you switch gears at higher res (does this happen to anyone else?), and when you use the auto mode, it gets jerky all the time.
but yes its more convenient compared to the ol style manual, considering that bimmers clutch is darn heavy, not as much fun though...

buendia

I have been reading this thread for a while as I research my first purchase of a new car. I found a car at my local BMW that fits pretty well with what I have been looking for, a Steel Blue 2004 330xi with Premium, Cold Weather, Xenon, and automatic. I went to the dealership today and began negotiating for this car. They initially quoted me 42,300 (msrp I believe is 44395) I told them that it was more than what I wanted to pay and my gave them my initial offer of 38,500. After a while the salesperson told me that the absolute lowest they could do was 40,995, I politely told them that I didn't want to waste their time any longer and that I would evaluate other options available to me and gave them my final offer of 39,000. I think this is a fair price to them considering the incentives and that they probably want to sell all 2004's quickly. Throughout the whole process the salesperson kept telling me that the dealership needed to make some profit to keep functioning and that they couldn't sell a car at cost with no profit. I am 24 and probably look younger than that so from the start I was expecting things to be more difficult for me to get a fair price, but it was nice to see their face when I mentioned the 2400 cash to dealer available and made them realize that I was more informed than they thought. What do you think is 39,000 a fair price or am I being unreasonable. I was able to walk away and told them that they had my contact info if they changed their minds. I live in Colorado.

sphynx

Well let's see....330XI base cost is 34,480
ZPP - 3005.00
ZCW - 910.00
Xenon - 635.00
Steel Blue Metallic Paint 430.00
and Automatic 1250.00

That's 40710, then expect roughly 350.00 for MACO and training fee

soooo 41060....

If they split the rebate with you 1200/1200 it'd be 39860.00

Offer 39860 up to maybe 40160 but no more, they should bite on that...that gives them a 2-3% profit on it. Search mulitple dealers too. They can always grab THAT car from the dealer you saw it at.

m4d_cow

well msrp + maco should be like what sphynx said, around 41k
dont let them split the rebate, thats just not the way it works, so: 41000-2400 incentive = 38600
one thing you might wanna find out is how popular the model and color is. for example: i got my grey-green 330i for invoice-incentive+ about$400 incl all fees! the main reason is the dealer just wanna get rid of it since noone wants the greygreen, and one more thing to consider, 330is and 330xis arent that popular, most poeple go for the 2.5L
of course getting the car for that price doesnt always happen. my 2 cents: dont offer more than $39600-$39800 max!
one more thing, its always easier to have quotes from other dealers to make bargains

glaker

I closed a deal in upstate NY yesterday on a 330i manual with the following:

performance pkg
metallic paint
leather
winter pkg
moonroof
Xenon

MSRP, including destination was $44470
We paid $38785 and they included mats AND 1.9% financing! The only add-ons were for state inspection fee ($10), state required tire disposal fee ($12.50) and a document processing fee ($45) for doing the leg work on the registration and insurance stuff. There was no advertising fee or anything else. I'm picking it up on Thursday. Man, it's amazing what can be done with the internet and the discussions we have here on Edmunds.
Happy driving!

P.S. On Thursday I spoke with the proud owner of a new Acura TL with manny tranny, aero options and a second set of tires. It was a beautiful car, but not a BMW. We all know that MSRP on the car, with no manufacturer options available, is low $33K. He tells me that, with the dealer installed options including aero body parts, upgraded wheels (they are selling him four new 18" Acura wheels - which they claim cost $800 each - and then they are putting four snows on the newly removed std equipment wheels for him) and the new snow tires, he paid $43K. Can you say "snow job"?? He said he looked at the 330, but they were too expensive! Somebody needs to teach this youngster to do his homework!

htownpimp786

When they figure out a residual, do they do it off of the MSRP or off of the sale price of the car. If im getting a car thats msrp is 35,970.....and im getting the car for 30,595...which figure would they base the msrp off of. Also...what is a GOOD money factor for a lease right now with bmw on a 325i. Ive seen alot of people with 0.0024, 0.0025, 0.0026.....and ive seen one person with 0.00075? Which one is good and what should i be expecting. thanks

htownpimp786

First of all....i have no idea about this...please help me out.....

1. On a regular standard lease (bmw 36month lease.....325i)....do you have to pay tax on the entire car, or just on the part that your leasing.

2. Does anyone know who a BMW prepaid lease works, (the one where you just pay the entire 36 month term altogether, in one lump sum).....if anyone does, how does it work, is there a discount...and do you still have to pay a high interest rate or finance rate....or do they drop the money factor....since they already got all of their payments for all 3 years in the lump sum!

Please Help! Thanks

blueguydotcom

dunno if BMW does it but it begs the question, if you have 20k cash, why are you dumping it into a car? Put it into property in Houston or even in an are you like to visit (thus you can write off trips there), rent the property, deduct the depreciation of the house, taxes, expenses, etc and lease as normal. The return from tax deductions alone easily compensates for the lease MF.

With car loan rates so low (1.9%) people with extra cash should find other ways of making that money grow rather than dumping it into a depreciating asset like a car.

In CA you pay taxes on the lease payment.

jmcmusic

Buendia, I just configured this car you want on Cars Direct, They are quoting $38742 with (obviously) no dealer negotiation. Has anyone used the CarsDirect service before? I am curious if it's a nice easy deal.

Also, I have a silver/black 01 330i with Step, Premium, Sport and Xenons and nearing 40K miles. I paid 38K exactly cap-cost in November 2001. I cannot remember my money factor but the payment is $546 per month including 8.25% Calif. tax for 48 months and 15K per year. I have been lucky with no major problems and the car looks perfect. However, I have been starting to get some minor quibbles like squeaky steering column and seats and a couple of "service engine" light ups but no problems found. I will likely go over the mileage in the next year and 4 months (now that I live in Los Angeles everything is like an hour away!) and be out of warranty before my lease is up. They just did a service and put new brakes on and I just put new tires on the car (for the second time).

It does bug me that I cannot get the Sirius radio or Ipod connector installed because this is for 2002+ model radios and if you want the navigation (which I hear sucks anyway) you cannot get Sirius or Ipod either.

My loan buyout right now from Chase is approx 26K but the sales manager I talked to during my last service appt. said I was about 2K "upside down" but they could roll it into the new lease. I have a feeling I could probably break even on the trade if I worked hard enough but will not get the lowest price on the new model.

I guess my question is, does anyone with experience think it's worth or possible to try and get out of my lease and into a brand-new identical car with a lower payment and a 36 lease term? I would therefore have the car I love and a full, new warranty and be able to get the extra features I would like and be able to get into the new 3 series model after it's been out for a couple of years.

I have also read that in August BMW will sell extensions to the warranty and maint program. Any info on this as well? Thanks very much!

rroyce10

..... ** My loan buyout right now from Chase is approx 26K but the sales manager I talked to during my last service appt. said I was about 2K "upside down" **

                $2 grand flipped .? at least, probably more into the $3ish, $4,0 range, but they won't tell you that .l.o.l.. ....

                 Me personally, I would drive the lease out, then get a new one without the negative equity .. Navs don't mean much anymore, and at what price is the Sirius or Ipod important ..?

                               Terry.