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

spacewormfx

That's an awesome price for a 325i auto with moonroof, did you get charged any MACO or training fees? How was the dealer experience?

If you would have gotten the 1.9% that would have been killer! but even at 2.9% at this price I think you still come ahead.

I was thinking of going to cunningham this weekend to checkcout the $400 over invoice minus incentives Costco member price, but McKenna beats it by 1k.

jmcmusic

It looks like the rebate is now $3000 through September. Wasn't it like $2400 last month? Not sure. Anybody know what the best Money Factor would be? I'm considering trading in my 2001 330i for a 2004. Thanks!

irvsteroni

JMCMusic-Where does this $3k rebate come from? I check all the websites for dealer invoice pricing and incentives and I don't see this. Does this mean I can potentially get a BMW with $3k off the invoice price for a 2004? Is this something not disclosed to the public from BMW to the dealer? Thanks!

cartalk

Just picked up my new 330i today. Here was my pricing (I hope I did well):

330i Sedan
Metallic Paint
Premium Package
Auto Transmission
Xenon Headlights
Fold Down Rear Seats
Floor Mats
Window Tint (dealer aftermarket)

MSRP = $42,120
Purchase Price = $37,620

Financed for 2.9% (not offering the dealer buy-in rate of 1.9%)

I did not realize until coming back to this site tonight that the dealer cash had increased to $3,000 from $2,400.

Comments on this transaction are welcome.

I hope I did well.

boxztrs

The price was 26,988 plus sales tax and license of 240.00. No other junk fees. I'm curious to see if they run the same ad in tomorrow's LA Times. This was a brand new car (9 miles). It appeared that there were probably in excess of 50 or 60 325's on their backlot.

tahiayam

Just got another quote from the same dealer :

BMW325i
Silver Gray Metallic
Premium Pkg
Cold Weather Pkg
Auto
Xenon
iPOD
Tinting
Mats

Out the door all in : $35400

Is this a good deal?

Also, considered a 325Xi Jet Black with Premium Pkg, Heated Seat and Xenons for 34811. Would have to drive 3 hours tho to get it.

Any suggestions?

riez

What is the MSRP on this one? They are offering to sell you a 325i for $35,400??? Is the MSRP nearly $40K?

For this kind of money you can get a lot more car (e.g., a 330i).

Sadly, nearly all dealers and too many buyers are only interested in optional gadgets over driving performance and pleasure.

Too bad you don't get Sport Pkg and stick with the manual transmission!

boxztrs

McKenna BMW is advertising in today's LA Times all of their 325i's in stock with auto and moonroof at $25,888. The fine print says with MSRP of $30,070. The problem is that a $30,070 car does not have a moonroof. I bought one from them last week for $26,988 that had auto, moonroof, and metallic paint. I would think that all interested buyers would be given the deal with cars that MSRP at $31,120. If you buy one, let me know how they handled the mistake.

jmcmusic

It's not a rebate to customer but "Marketing Support" to dealer to help them move out the 04's. It does not say that the low APR cannot be combined with such low prices. It's definately seems like one of the best times to get the car. That is why I am looking into getting into a new lease and out of my 01. It's been a great car but I didn't get the lowest money factor and paid $500 over invoice. Not too bad at the time but I think I can get the same car which I love or possibly even the ZHP Performance Package for the same payment or less than now. Here is what I copied and pasted from the Edmunds Incentives Page but you can easily check it out for yourself. I am still hoping someone will help me wiht Money factor info for these cars. That would be great.

*************************************************
Rebates
There are no customer cash rebates or incentives available at this time.

Financing Start: 09/01/2004 End: 09/30/2004 1.9% APR Term: 24 months Get Dealer Pricing
1.9% APR Term: 60 months
Restrictions None.

Comments Incentives may vary see your local dealer for details.

Leasing
There are no special lease terms available at this time.
Get a Free Price Quote | Compare Leases

Manufacturer to Dealer
 

Marketing Support
$3000 Cash to Dealer start: 09/01/2004 end: 09/30/2004 Get Dealer Pricing
Restrictions None.

mbbmw1

Sounds like you did really well. Can you please clarify. Are you saying that you would think that McKenna would still give buyers your deal (26,998 for a car that has a MSRP of 31120.

Thank you

boxztrs

I would think they would honor their ad price of $25,888 (in 09/04/04 LA Times) for the $31,120 car (assuming they had one in stock).

mbbmw1

I can't seem to find that ad anywhere in the LA Times. I'm sorry, can you please help.

I'm looking at the 0904 edition.

Thank you

mkpravin

Wow... sounds like a good deal.. Was this by any chance in the DFW metroplex area. I am looking for a 325 lease too and would love to be able to work out something like that. Also do they have terms like 18k/yr for the miles?
Thanks...

mkpravin

Hi,
can anybody tell me if it is possible to lease a 325Ci with a 18k/year miles option?
Thanks,

spacewormfx

Oh yeah i saw it, its in the auto classifieds, under bmw. Incredible price, i am going to check it out...

irvsteroni

Thanks for the info. Come Tuesday I'll be negotiating the cost of two options: The first is the 330 coupe with auto and premium package. MSRP is $42 and change. I intend to offer $40k total including TTL. The other is a 325 coupe with sport, premium, leather, and auto. Sticker is $38 and change-my offer will be $33k + TTL. Both of these I think work out to what I should be reasonably paying including the marketing rebate from manuf. to dealer. Any thoughts? I'll let you all know how it works out.

calidriver

Hi everyone.

Can anyone who may have just purchased a 3 series fill me in on what charges I may anticipate the dealer trying to tack on to the final price. Obviously, dest. charge you usually can't negotiate out of, but what else can I expect and how much?

Also, I've been given an internet quote of $31,400 for a 2004 325i with premium pkg, metallic paint, leather int, and auto trans. Seems like a good price to me, but a friend told me to watch out for a trick -- that the dealer was losing too much money on the deal for it to be real once I go to the lot. Any thoughts on that price? Thanks.

labuyer

Walked away from a 325i/SMG deal today. Was the wrong car anyway (premium package hiked up the price beyond my max), but I'm quite taken with the SMG.

The sales manager said the $1500 mfr-dlr incentive is not available for the SMGs. Any idea if that is true? (Of course right after he said it wasn't available and I got up to leave, he went $1000 below invoice.)

Also, what are the chances of getting an SMG that is not larded up with other stuff? Are they all optioned out? Personally I could let everything else go and drive a purple one if need be.

For the record, here's the car and the dealer's final offer. I'm not sure it's necessarily a bad offer (money factor made me wince), but there was just too much junk on the car for my budget.

325i
Premium package
Sports package
SMG
Leather upholstery
Xenon

37,420 MSRP/sticker
34,020 final offered selling price
.00235 money factor (with no security deposit; .00220 with)
36 months (or so I thought -- when I run the numbers I only get his number with 39 months)
Final payment $479 + tax (8.25% in Los Angeles)

Bottom line is, I want this car -- no premium and no Xenons -- for $420/month plus tax. Am I nuts?

My guess is the car is hard to sell. This one had 40 miles of test drives on the odometer -- and a dead battery. And the SMG buyer is going to be a strange bird. It will not appeal to automatic tranny drivers *at all*, and most purists will go for the stick. All that should work in my favor, right?

kyfdx

Well..it is a new month, and I'm not up on incentives and current MFs and residuals.. but, a general observation..

I'm just guessing that less than 5% of available '04 325i's will be equipped with SMG. I put SMG in the same category as Navigation.. Most people that opt for this, usually want all the goodies, so most will be heavily optioned.. Unfortunately for you, you don't fit this stereotype.

I'll also guess that your salesman is wrong or lied about the incentive not applying to SMG models.

You have a good plan, IF you can find the car you want...your observations are correct about the SMG being a hard sell.. If you can't find a car like you want, you'll have to make some choices, and make them quickly.. The supply of '04 325i's will dissipate quickly.

regards,
kyfdx

labuyer

:-) Speaking of nav, I want that too but the chances of getting just that and the SMG....

I've sent out the request for quotes on the bare-bones SMG; we'll see what comes back. Maybe I'll just have to wait for the M2 in a year.

kyfdx

From what I hear... It might be three years or more for the M2... I'm betting '05 3-series will have some pretty big incentives next year, when the new E90 comes out. But, no SMG available on '05 325i.

labuyer

Uh-oh, don't make me go crawling back to this guy...he practically shouted me out of his office for "insulting" him by wanting to take the car off his hands too cheaply.

(And I now I see a fellow in Houston was offered the same car for nearly $4k less...there has to be one out there for me!)

spacewormfx

McKenna didn't back up their Ad in the LA times. I went there with my checkbook and nothing, they said it was an error and would not honor it. I understand i told them, and asked for their "special blowout" deal for the 325i with auto and moonroof for 26,900 --its still in their website. No go.

They gave all sorts of excuses, and tried to pull the bait and switch thing, by offering another car more expensive.

At the end i told them if they would honor their 26,900 price yes or no. Came back with some other price. Walked away.

I still think they have the best price, but I'll just take my business to a honest dealer that wont pull the ol' bait and switch scheme.

mbbmw1

spacewormfx,
thanks for saving me the trip.

riez

labuyer... The Xenon HID headlights are worth the price. It is very rare to find almost any 3 or 5 Series on a dealer's lot that doesn't have premium package. (If you were buying rather than leasing, the added resale value and ease of selling it with Prem Pkg would be a consideration.)

I can't fathom wanting SMG with a small low output 2.5L engine. Marques are going to SMG-type transmissions for their most powerful engines. The new M5 will only come with SMG. Vast majority of Ferrari and Maserati are coming to USA with their SMG. In full auto mode SMG doesn't perform as well as Steptronic. And if you love manual transmissions, you'll miss the clutch.

Have you taken the SMG on a thorough test drive? Sure it meets your long-term driving needs? The reviews of SMG equipped cars have been very mixed. While some love, seems like a lot hate.

boxztrs

As told in my previous post, last weekend I bought one of their $26,988 ad cars. My wife liked the car and wanted one, so I went back yesterday to at least get the same deal. I tried to capitalize on the ad mistake to no avail. (They did have 2 cars left for the $25,888 price - a black and a white, and still a reasonable price even though they had no moonroof). The wife wanted silver so we had to negotiate. Last week the deal was so simple; picked a car, no negotiation because of the ad. This week they wanted to haggle and started at $30,000 for the same car plus xenons. In the end paid $27,700 but with much negotiation. The sales manager couldn't understand why I wasn't willing to pay more for the same car I bought from them a week earlier. They claim more cars are coming in so they may still be aggressive on the ads. It seems that if you are buying the ad cars it is pretty straight forward (and on the 325I's it hasn't been a one only sale but several cars). I even met a couple that was trying to buy 2 ad cars (a 325 and a Z4) for a son in Texas because they couldn't believe the prices.

The car we got for $27,700 had a msrp of $32,295. No other fees but the traditional $45 doc. fee (why we have to pay them to do their job I will never understand).

labuyer

The xenons being "worth the price" is a subjective matter. At the end of the day, the car was $3000 over my max, and I don't happen to care about xenons or premium. Since I'm leasing, resale considerations don't matter to me.

As to the SMG: I have always had manual transmissions by choice, until recently I moved to a job with a long, slow commute through dense traffic. I actually sold my last car and got my current car to eliminate the twice-daily workout in my left leg. For my own use, the SMG is a perfect combination of performance and convenience. The herky-jerky automatic mode doesn't bother me.

As to the SMG with the smaller engine: I think the sample you mention is skewed because, so far, the only mfrs to offer SMG at all have been high-end -- except for Toyota, who put one on their 160-hp MR2. I don't really think engine power is a consideration -- it's a driving preference. The SMG also gives much better performance with the lower horsepower. It's amazing what the torque converter in an auto sucks up.

I chose the 325 for budget reasons. Sure, I'd love a 330i/SMG, but now we're back up to $40k. That's why the strategy of larding the 325/SMGs with so much other stuff is a bad pricing strategy -- the buyer for this car is by definition on a budget, or they'd be buying a 330.

calidriver

Hi everyone.

Can anyone who may have just purchased a 3 series fill me in on what charges I may anticipate the dealer trying to tack on to the final price. Obviously, dest. charge you usually can't negotiate out of, but what else can I expect and how much?

Also, I've been given an internet quote of $31,400 for a 2004 325i with premium pkg, metallic paint, leather int, and auto trans. Seems like a good price to me, but a friend told me to watch out for a trick -- that the dealer was losing too much money on the deal for it to be real once I go to the lot. Any thoughts on that price? Thanks.

riez

labuyer... How many hours and miles have you've spent driving a 2.5L SMG-equipped 3 Series? How much in stop-and-go driving?

Best reviews I've read on 2.5L and SMG have been in European Car. They had a Z4 2.5 SMG in their long-term test fleet. They wrote multiple reports. Seemed like reviewers either loved it (e.g., June 2004) or hated it (e.g., August 2004), but even when they liked it they had serious reservations:

6/04: "I know that the SMG's detractors are many, but I thoroughly enjoy using the gearbox. I don't use manual/normal mode or either of the automatic modes; I find them either too slow or too jerky. The manual/sport mode, however, is just right."

8/04: "The real deficiency seems to be in the six-speed SMG transmission and its delayed and rough shifts, in every mode."

The October 2004 issue has their wrap up.

labuyer

Thanks for the reference to European Car -- that's a great set of reviews.

There's nothing in it that changes my opinion. Granted, I didn't spend as much time in the car as I'd have liked to. I'd love to rent one for a week. Remarkably, however, the SMG performed exactly as I expected from the get-go. I can count on one hand the mechanical/electronic products that have worked so well, so quickly (for me). Shifts were a tad touchy, but in the space of 10 minutes I was shifting more smoothly. This is no different than any manual -- I'm always rough in a car with an unfamiliar clutch. The misperception, I think, is that this car "should not" be that way. In reality, it is not an auto replacement, nor is it a magical, attention-free manual. People wanting either of those should get one of BMW's fine automatics. This is just another clutch, with all that implies.

I do think it's a love it/hate it proposition, and it's definitely a niche product. I'd hate to have to try and sell it used, which is why I think it's a perfect lease option.

mgu510

Hi:

I am buying a used 20002 BMW 330i. Is there a list of items that I could reference that I should get from the seller (e.g., owner's manual, reserve tire, jack, etc. etc.)

thx

cartalk

Destination is likely included in that price. This looks like a good deal for you at $805 less invoice. Given the $1,500 factory to dealer support on the 325, the dealer looks to make $695. You should watch out for the MACO charge, if they try to pass this on to you, as well as high dealer prep/doc fees.

mgu510

Hi:

I am buying a used 20002 BMW 330i. Is there a list of items that I could reference that I should get from the seller (e.g., owner's manual, reserve tire, jack, etc. etc.)

thx

richz

I'm looking to buy a 325xi with the following:
Premium package
nav system
leather
5 speed auto
xenon
harmon kardon soundsystem

I'm in the metro detroit area. With the incentives right now what price should I expect to pay? The MSRP is 40,020 and invoice is 36,690.
Also, when are the 05s coming out?

Thanks.

mgu510

Hi:

I am buying a used 20002 BMW 330i. Is there a list of items that I could reference that I should get from the seller (e.g., owner's manual, reserve tire, jack, etc. etc.)

thx

richz

I'm looking to buy a 325xi with the following:
Premium package
nav system
leather
5 speed auto
xenon
harmon kardon soundsystem

I'm in the metro detroit area. With the incentives right now what price should I expect to pay? The MSRP is 40,020 and invoice is 36,690.
Also, when are the 05s coming out?

Thanks.

mgu510

Hi:

I am buying a used 20002 BMW 330i. Is there a list of items that I could reference that I should get from the seller (e.g., owner's manual, reserve tire, jack, etc. etc.)

thx

dan12

I know this is just wishful thinking but... is the factory to dealer support available on only the 2004's or is it available on the 2005's as well? In other words, should I be rushing out to get a 2004 this month before the incentives go away?

tahiayam

Yeah, I guess....they're the only dealer in town tho!

MRSP was ~36000 before tax?

Am I getting killed with 35400 after tax?

labuyer

Is there anything to be wary of when buying a car at one dealer which is being trucked in from another? They've quoted me a $400 trucking fee which seems reasonable enough. Will they be likely to be less flexible on the price of the car itself?

labuyer

My spreadsheet isn't working quite right....

Is the residual $ amount based on the *total* cap cost (i.e. selling price + acq fee + trade-in payoff) or just the selling price of the car itself?

Also, if one pays a cap reduction, e.g. to pay off a trade-in, does one calculate the residual before or after the cap reduction?

Is the rent charge portion of the lease based on total cost - cap reduction or total cost before cap reduction?

Thanks!

tmspgh

to drharris - thank you so much for your input. it actually helped me decide (more so my wife)... but i'm picking up a black/tan smg/x/prem/sp/cold tomorrow morning. i would've preferred your color combo -it's actually what i'm driving now in a coupe, but c'est la vie.

i don't understand how smg works, much less what a torque converter is or isn't. all i know, is that the car is as much fun to drive as my 330 ci manual (and my wife can drive it too, which probably makes the comparison even). single guys can snicker away, but just wait!

but also, drharris, if you're still out there, fear not, the rates from aug to sept did not change and there was no rebate on cic's. the deal you got was pretty good considering you special ordered it. the only reason mine is cheaper is 1. it's a cheaper car (no nav, pdc etc) and 2. mine is sitting on a PA lot at the end of summer surrounded by other convertibles! they are desparate to unload this sucker. they actually knocked another $15 mo off the price.

good motoring. let me know how the car has been for you in the past weeks. i'll keep you posted on how the smg handles the pittsburgh hills (and snow).

kyfdx

"Is the residual $ amount based on the *total* cap cost (i.e. selling price + acq fee + trade-in payoff) or just the selling price of the car itself?"

Residual is a percentage of MSRP. Selling price, cap cost,etc have no effect on residual.

"Also, if one pays a cap reduction, e.g. to pay off a trade-in, does one calculate the residual before or after the cap reduction?"

Again, this will not affect residual.. residual is a set percentage of MSRP.

"Is the rent charge portion of the lease based on total cost - cap reduction or total cost before cap reduction?"

Rent charge = [cap cost + residual] X money factor.

Cap cost = selling price + additions (acq.fee,etc) - cap reductions

cartalk

Does anyone have any opinions on the BMW offered prepaid maintenance program. I'm considering the 72 month/100,000 mile plan which extends the standard 4 year/50,000 mile plan. It seems like a tremendous value and includes quite a bit of maintenance items for $1,245 for a 3-series. Since I drive about 15K/year, I look it as getting an extra 3 years and 50,000 miles of maintenance.

kyfdx

I'd wait... you have up until 50K miles to make the decision.. The only thing you put at risk by waiting is future price increases. (list price is $995, BTW)

I agree... if you will put 90K on the car in six years, it will pay for itself, if you decide to use the dealer for service after 50K miles.

labuyer

Any word on the September money factors for 325s? I was a bit shocked to hear .00220, when it's half that or less for the X3s, and you can buy at 1.9%....

jaj

I found that to be true in my case. I purchased an '04 325xi about a month ago. My local dealer wouldn't move much off the sticker and was charging $450 to flatbed the car. I ended up negotiating over the phone with the dealer who had the car and saved over $2k by picking it up myself (minus cost of a train ticket and the two hundred mile drive back).

labuyer

How did you happen to identify the source of the car? This guy is being ever so slightly cagey about that. I suppose I could just start calling; I know the specs exactly.

kyfdx

Instead of low money factors, BMW is giving the dealers $1500 incentive money on each 325i sold. In theory, this should reduce the selling price of the car, making up for the market rate MF.

Kirstie_H

A reporter is interested in speaking with someone today (Wednesday, Sept. 8) who shopped for or purchased a new vehicle in August. If you would like to discuss why you decided to buy a new vehicle, or started looking for one, in August, please contact Pam Krebs, Edmunds.com PR, at pkrebs@edmunds.com with your daytime telephone number. Thank you.