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

huydttran

This is the best quote i got so far for 2003 330i with SP/PP/Step 5-speed/Bi-Xenon lights/Titanium Silver: 39,410 + tx/lisence (they will throw in the "free" floormats. Out-the-door price come out to be about $42,800. I'm in southern California area. What do you all think?
Thx.

chile96

One thing to consider is that the edmunds invoice of 38100 does not include MACO or Systems & Training fees which would run you about $400 together - not too sure about the exact pricing for your market though. That means you are roughly buying this car about $900 over invoice which seems very good to me. Remember, whatever price you agree upon, there will always be someone out there that got a little better deal. That being said, a good deal is in the eye of the beholder. So if you feel you have been treated well, they are being honest with you, and they have your car in stock, go for it and be comfortable knowing you got a heck of a deal!

Enjoy your new baby.

330ifan

I live in the Houston area, and am getting ready to purchase a new 2003 330i.

I'd appreciate hearing about what kind of pricing versus invoice people have been able to negotiate with dealers in this area.

Thanks.

chile96

I just purchased a 325i in Houston from Advantage 2 wks ago and was very pleased with the service/attention/competency. Keep in mind Houston has a very high market fee BMW makes the dealerships pay them known as MACO. Edmunds does not include MACO on their invoice as it varies from market to market. If I rememeber correctly the MACO fee is $550 - so add this plus $160 for Systems and Training to the invoice from Edmunds. That being said, a very good deal would be only $800-1000 over this price + TTL. Watch out for dealer service fees ~ $250 they try and tack on you in the finance office. I balked at this and they simply removed it with very little arguement. I know that Garlyn Shelton in Bryan does not have these high MACO fees to pay so you can do better pricewise if you don't mind the 90 mile drive. Be wary of Momentum - the sales guys are OK depending on who you get but the service dept is less than desirable. My family and several friends have had HORRIBLE service experiences with their service dept. Email if you would like names of very knowledgable and courteous sales reps at either Advantage or Garlyn Shelton in Bryan.

Good Luck and enjoy your new buy!

bluebeast

Best offers for a 2003 330i, performance package (NOT premium package), xenon, sunroof, leather, metallic paint.

Momentum - $1K off sticker (MACO + training = $710)
Gary Shelton - $1250 off sticker (no MACO / training fees) but that is all they would come off.
BMW of Austin - $1500 over invoice, which came to $1620 off sticker.(MACO + training fees = $560).

My car should be here in a couple of weeks.

330ifan

chile96,

Thanks very much for the feedback. Just to clarify, are you saying that you were able to buy your 325i from Advantage at Edmunds invoice + 710 (maco/training fees) + 800 (dealer profit) + ttl?

Was Garyln Shelton willing to sell for 800 over invoice, without charging maco/training?

How competitive was BMW of North Houston?

chile96

That was my price. I didn't really bother with playing the bidding war w/ Garlyn Shelton b/c I didn't really want to drive up to Bryan and the Advantage guy was so nice/courteous. Garlyn Shelton could prob do better but they do have some MACO/training system fees(just not as much). Also remember, there are about 3-4x the number of 2.5L out there than 3.0L so I am guessing they may be more stingy on their pricing. I have heard from several sources that Mike Pile BMW in Tyler gives the best deals by far but that is a 3+ hr drive from downtown. BMW North would never return my phone calls - maybe my offer price was too low? - but they never even called back to say no thank you!

Good Luck!

PS - i picked up my plates at Advantage yesterday and ran in to my salesman who stopped everything and ran across the street to grab someone to put them on for me. In my previous car buying attempts/deals at other dealers, I usually cringe when I run into the saleman but Advantage I guess is a different story. I highly recommend them if you're buying in town.

330ifan

bluebeast,

Thanks for the feedback on your recent purchase. Did you check with other Houston-based dealers other than the ones in your note (like Advantage or BMW of North Houston, for example)?

Do you feel that there was less discounting because you were looking to get the new performance package?

330ifan

chile96,

Thanks for the additional feedback.

Yes, I'd be interested in the contact information at Advantage and Garlyn Shelton. Your email address is not public. Could you pls check my profile and email to me? Thanks.

bluebeast

Did not check any other dealers, it was becoming quite obvious that the price break I was getting in Austin was pretty good.

jtbruin

I'm looking to get a blue 325i - auto with no extra options excpt the $475 for the color of my car. MSRP is $30,245. Is it acutally possible to get this type of car from the dealer? or would it be possible to special order it? According to edmunds i should try to get it at $29k+ttl? any opinions?

mxpro738

Anyone know the current financing rates being offered for new 330's?

Thanks.

jgravel

Hello everyone, I live in the central Ma. area. I have the Edmunds pricing info. Invoice per Edmunds is $39,305.

My questions are:

*Is the Edmunds pricing usually accurate?
*How close can I expect to get to the invoice pricing?
*With the 2004's I'm not sure if I should wait. Does BMW have any history of making deals to move "last years" models?

Thanks

stray_cat

i've noticed that both edmond's and autobytel have pricing for both 2003 & 2004 models, with the BMW site reflecting the 2004 pricing but labelling it as 2003. are the 2003 models shown on the BMW site actually priced as the 2004 models? or do both edmonds and autobytel have it wrong? are both models available at this time? is there any difference between the 2003 & 2004 models other than the "facelift"?

loubct

Edmunds pricing for invoice and msrp are correct. The questions is how much over invoice can you strike a deal. Several models in the 3 series are currently in model year 2004. Are you buying or leasing? I was able to strike a deal at app. $1500 over invoice. The type of car can make a difference on the deal you get.

stray_cat

ok, so i've learned that the pricing on the BMW website is actually for the 2004 model, although it says that it's for the 2003 model. this would also jive with the fact that you can get pricing for both models on edmunds and autobytel. does this mean that the 2003 model is now out of production?

dusterbuster

you do realize that the 2004 model designation pertains only to the 3 series coupes and convertibles? the 3 series sedans are NOT model year 2004 until this Fall. for some reason, BMW has different release dates for its coupes/convertibles and sedans. the dual pricing that's listed on edmunds for the MY2003 330i is due to the update of the 330i sedan (even though it is still MY2003) in March (6-speed standard, and availability of performance package). in any case, you won't see any MY2004 3 series sedans until the Fall. hope that helps.

jgravel

Hi everyone, I'm getting quotes from 3 dealerhips for this car. Any guesses what would be fair in relation to invoice? 3%? 5%?

Thanks

specialk2980

Hello everyone. I recently got a price quote on a 325i Silver/Black Leatherette, Auto, Premium Package, Heated Seats... 31,148 +TTL What do you guys think? Does anyone think I can get them to go lower?

Thanks

beemer4me

Hi all, I was shopping on the net for a steel-blue 325i with the powers seats and auto tranny as the only options and got back an offer of invoice+ 300 for a vehicle with moon-roof, powers seats,and a few other options I didn't want. They said I would probably have to special order such a stripped vehicle and it would take about 2 months. Anyone from the San Jose, Ca area
care to give some info on which dealers are willing to deal and what the going price is for a
325/330 ?

bgt1

In dec 2002, I was able to get 0% financing on one of the last remaining 2002 330i. The dealership bought the points down from BMW NA BUT gave less of sticker. It still saved me a TON of money.

Hope this helps.

epideme

How reasonable would it be to expect monthly payments between $280-300 on a 325i (jet black, with sand leather only) given a $3,000 downpayment, 36mo, and 12000 mile/year lease? This is based on an agreed upon price of $27,500 which is $800 dollars above the invoice price of $25,460 and includes leather. Can I push for a price closer to the invoice? I live in the Boston area, so does anyone know of any good dealerships or people to go to?

Thanks!!

--Tom

tempus

2003 330i, black sapphire, gray leather, premium, sport, xenon, heated seats, automatic, 5000 miles, non-certified (so no extended warranty) for $37,900 @ 5.95% financing. Does this sound like a good price?

Kirstie_H

A major daily newspaper is looking to interview folks who purchased a car for over sticker price since the beginning of this year. If you have a story to share, please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information by May 28, 2003.

carshopper48

I am having a hard time understanding BMW's pricing (at least what the dealer is telling me). I did my research and came up with an invoice price of $31,140 (including the dest. charge)for a 2003 325i (invoice of $25,460) with leather (invoice $1,320), automatic trans. (invoice $1,210), and the premium package (invoice $2,455). The dealer is telling me that the best they can do is $33,385 which includes tax,title and tags. I was also told that I was getting the car at $500 over THEIR invoice price (the same price employees would pay). This just does not seem to jive with the info. I have collected from various resources. Are these people being reasonable or are they jerking my around?

bluebeast

They're not jerking you around, what NO source of information gives you the individual dealers MACO fee. MACO is a acronym they use to justify salesman training costs & advertising. They all do it and what your dealer charges is different from anothers. Mine here in Austin charged $650.00. However, $2245 seems to be WAY out of line. Highest I've read about was $950.00.

curmidgeon

You said that the $33,385 price they offered included tax, title and tags. What is your state sales tax on vehicles?

pfgenius

I'm looking to purchase a 330 automatic with PP and SP this weekend. Does anyone know a dealer in the Bay Area willing to come down off MSRP?

Also I am looking to trade in my 1995 325i convertable, does BMW offer any loyalty/incentive plans?

Thanks for the help.

imanrd

imanrd

Paid 1200 over invoice including all dealer fees for a '04 330Ci in Phoenix, AZ. Taxes and registration extra. No MACO charges (or if there were, they were folded into the $1200). Got gouged on the floor mats though, $189 ! So, on second thought, make that price @ $1300 over invoice.

Went the internet email bidding route. I have bought 3 cars this was way now and it is the only way to go.

beemer4me

Go to Costco.com and find out who their BMW affiliate is and then call them and ask for the person in charge of the Costco program. I'm still shoppng around for my Bimmer, but I got quoted a price of $250 over dealer cost for a car on the lot and $500 over to custom order a car. Oh yeah, if you do buy this weekend, let me/us know if the Costco thing is everything it seems to be!

magbarn

Don't buy that car, you can probably negotiate a lower price or just buy a new car for a little more. I bought a 2003 330i Sport/6-speed manual/Premium/Natural brown leather/Orient blue metallic paint/Xenon/Heated Seats/Rear side air bags for $39500 prior to TTL. I also got 4.5% 60 months financing!

ksoman

a 2004 330 ci convertible ???
cuz the the other 330 are all 2003 as yet...

loubct

2004 CIC (Convertibles) were being built starting in March of this year. I ordered one and it should arrive any day now.

ksoman

my wife picked up her 2004 convertible on may 15th.. but all the others (non convertibles) are still 2003's so i'm wondering about imanrd's car...

ksoman

he and i are in the same geographical area...
for my convertible i paid 700 below msrp, no MACO.. no extra for tint or mats... that's why imnard's deal interested me... except mine was a 04 convertible and the 04 coupe's are still not out there...

but i've been told its harder to get mark down on convertibles... anyway, its in the past, i should not worry.

imanrd

To clarify:

It is an '04 330CI (coupe -- not a convertible, CIC ?). I don't have the car yet. It should be here sometime at the end of August. I did see some '04's on the lot.

While it is too late to go through Costco (wish I had thought of it), it looks like they use Peoplefirst for their loans and that these loans are 0.25% better than listed on the Peoplefirst web site ! Could make the $50 membership worthwhile. What financing is BMW giving on '04's ?

ksoman

i financed very little on the car and that was done through my wife's credit union at 2.9%... but there are some excellent low rates going around the federal credit unions right now, if you can tap into them.

is your dealership north scottsdale? both they and chapman are fairly good in my opinion.

imanrd

The dealership was Chapman on Camelback and they have been very easy to deal with so far. No tricks, no suprises -- although there was one addition error which I caught. I had a harder time negotiating with the Scottsdale branch (I did with my last car too.)

I expect to finance only a portion too, unless there is a great interest rate...

bmorofsky

I got dealership to come 2500 off sticker on a 2003 m-3 convertible. No charge for tinting windows. I just needed to buy out my current lease, 1st month payment, tax tags and a small dealer fee. Payment on new car was right were I figured it be on the numbers given. I don't know if they get a hold back, but I was originally told dealers never discount a M3. You never know unless you ask.

socalh2oskier

I have a 2003 325 convertible. I paid $1100 under MSRP in the Los Angeles area (near downtown). The best financing was offered through Chase...4.65%. Based on several other cars I've purchased in the last 3 years, this was not a great "deal" price-wise, but it is a great car.

ksoman

I agree, good deal or not, when you drive off the delivery center, the big grin on your face makes it worth anything and everything....

ksso

benjminn

We are currently trying to get a STEEL GRAY 325 sedan with PREMIUM PKG, SPORTS PKG, BI-XENON, LEATHER, STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION, (Plus floor mats and tinting). The quoted drive-out price to include TTL is 37,700. We would have closed the deal but the dealership (ADVANTAGE Downtown) was taking too long to process our papers. I am taking this time to inquire if any of you think this is too steep. (I'm beginning to think so). Need your advice and quick! While we still have time to cancel.

330ifan

Your price sounds high.

Based on your options, the invoice, including destination, is $32,270. Add in MACO advertising fee of $710 gets a total of $32,980. A reasonable profit for the dealer is $1,000, getting you to 33,980. Title and license is about $160. Tax is 6.25%, or $2,125, for a total of $36,265. They should throw in for free the floor mats. I don't know how much tinting is.

benjminn

Thanks for the response 330ifan. The tinting is an additional $250. The dealer said that that the Edmunds pricing does not include the color adjustment. Is that true? I don't see any amount being added in the edmunds calculator for the color.
I priced the invoice to be $33,050. Plus $1000, MACO 160, tinting $250 = 34460. +tax = $36613. Hmmmm.... I think you are right, they are asking for too much. I've seen a couple of posts here re this dealership (Advantage downtown in Houston) not being willing to negotiate/haggle much. Any houstonians with suggestions on a good dealership?

Thanks again 330ifan.

benjminn

330ifan

Benjminn,

I got the invoice pricing from Yahoo cars (http://autos.yahoo.com/make/), and the charge for metallic paint was included.

Go to my profile and send me an email -- I have some suggestions regarding dealers.

chile96

Listen to 330ifan - I helped her out a couple months back and gave her some good leads. I bought my silver 325i silver/gray lthr, PP, SP, xenons, auto for roughly 1500-2000 off sticker including floor mats from Advantage on the last day of the month. I had walked earlier in the week and they called the last day of March and made an offer I couldn't refuse(in fact Momentum said there was no way they could even match it- even though they're owned by the same company. I guess that just tells the differnece between salesmen!)

BTW 330ifan - what did you end up doing about euro delivery? or did you just buy from Advantage?

take care
fo

ksoman

530i came out tops. That said, I remember a message in some BMW discussion in townhall about the heritage and history of workmanship and quality factor playing in why german car's take the class and premium, but its interesting to note the last few years, Consumer report has been picking tons of Honda's in their best picks list..

ksso

lukyme

Just took a beautiful 330i home last night.
Steel Blue Metallic
ZPP Premium Pkg.
205 Automatic
ZCW Cold weather Pkg.
522 xenons
Floor Mats
MSRP $ 41,770 ???? (According to dealer info.)

Had intended to outright purchase a 325i, but this deal looked real good. Ended up on a 30 mo. lease, 12K per year at $ 545/mo. (tax included)with just first payment and lic. fee down. About $870 out of pocket.
I think I did OK, with price of $39,724 on lease contract.

330ifan

chile96,

I have not purchased yet -- I am going to get a 2004 later this summer; I'm leaning toward leasing, and if so, I will probably not do ED