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

dave01282000

Thanks for the advice, I will be sure to check on best offers, as I know the invoice for the options I want is $28,815. They assured me they can get the car I want in about 2 days. I told them I'll get back to them after I sell my current car, which will hopefully be soon. I'm down in Corpus Christi TX which has a dealer and the closest are one in San Antonio and 3 of them in Houston. I plan to contact them all, as a few hours to drive for big savings isn't that bad. I will keep you guys posted as this develops...

hoopsref

Do you have an invoice price on the model with options you are looking for? Did you consider the 530? From comments I have seen on this board and from other BMW owners, their seems to be very little lost in handling and alot gained in ride, comfort, space and reliability. Just a thought. Of course I'm an old f@&+ at 48, so that could just be my impression. Besides I have a steptronic not 5 speed. Happy hunting.

chile96

I'm from Houston and had to deal with all those guys there. I ended up buying from Advantage Dwontown but I KNOW the best deal will be at Garlyn Shelton in Bryan/College Station. They don't claim these MACO & systems training fees so I'd be willing to bet you could get a rock solid deal for around $29500 there!

bostonian1

got a 2003 325xi yesterday from Herb Chambers in Boston.

price paid:
-- 950.00 over invoice (edmund's invoice)

features:
-- alpine white
-- black leather
-- auto
-- premium package
-- cold weather package
-- H/K sound
-- floor mat
-- 2.9% APR

did not pay MACO, but did pay document fee.

Thanks to this message board, I think the fair price for a 325xi is about 1000 - 1200 over invoice.

my buying experience:
-- arm yourself to the teeth with info from this board;
-- know what are must haves and what you can live without in terms of features;
-- go in the dealership on a sunday about one hour before they close, so the sales person may be more agreeable to make a quick sale;
-- stay away from sales persons who say they do not know edmonds.com. they are either trying to play you or just plain ignorant.

I may be able to bring the price down by a hair, but I'm already happy with the price I've got.

happy car shopping!

dave01282000

It appears you guys have had good experiences with fightingchance.com? Since I only have one local dealership (the nearest is 150 miles away) the whole fax idea sounds really good. This will certainly be a learning experience no matter how it pans out. Please bear with me, as this is the first BMW (and brand-new car) I've ever been in the market for. Am I ever glad that I came across this site.

thanks
Dave

livethelake

I got 2% off msrp. Car supposed to arrive next week.

memphis10

Here is the car I am interested in. Can someone tell me if the prices for mats and documentation fee in line with what they have paid. Also, what would be a good price for this car.

2003 325i, 5 speed

Base: $27,800, xenon: $700, sport: $1400, premium: $2700, destination & hdl: $695, metallic paint: $475, mats: $150, and documentation fee: $198. Total: $34,118.

jim1395

i just bought a 03 325i, 5spd, sport pkg, prem pkg, and heated seats. total price was 31040. i'm in CT. this was one of the few 325s with the sport pkg in ct and i looked everywhere. i could care less about the premium pkg but since it was such a good deal. i got it with 2.9%

memphis10

Thanks for your response. When did you buy your car. I have checked with a few dealers here in the midwest and they are all quoting 2.9% as the interest rate. With the kind of deal you got, I wouldn't mind flying to Ct and buying a car.
Thx

lakebuns

Looking at 325XI,auto, moonroof, got them down to low $31's. They tell me they are only making 8% on 3's, I don't buy it ! Salesman say's he only going to make $ 100 on deal.

Any Ideal what dealers are making on volume, ect. ?

How much more will the 2004 models be ?

hoopsref

What is the MSRP & invoice on your car? The 8% is probably about right between the MSRP (33,045 & Invoice of $30,340. You will probably have to ad in the MACO the dealers will tell you they have on each car. However, even though BMW does give the traditional "hold backs" that most cars companies give on each car sold, they still will get some additional profit on this car (& others they have sold)based on the Consumer Satisfaction Index (CSI) they receive. The sales rep may not get any of this money. This could be another 3% os more. There are also some dealer incentives on a few models, but not the 3 series sedans. The 325 Ci & CiC has $2500 incentive, 330 Ci & CiC has $3000. I just bought a 530 ($4000 incentive for $3200 BELOW invoice) for $40,575. If you want your best deal, go to fightingchance.com and buy their package for $30. It will save you some bucks.

memphis10

"If you want your best deal, go to fightingchance.com and buy their package for $30. It will save you some bucks."
Can you elaborate how it helped you.

pat

Check the 5-Series PP discussion. Use the "search this discussion" to find hoopsref's posts.

I don't want to get into again here, because it is almost beginning to look like solicitation for that site....

(I'm not accusing you of that hoopsref, don't misunderstand - but let's just refer folks to your previous posts, ok?)

Thanks.

hoopsref

I fully understand. I do feel like an ad for them...lol. I wish they would send me a commission on everyone that goes there. I have given alot of FREE advise here and more on the on the 5ers board. Here are some prior posts to check out on the 5er's prices paid board:299,302,307,359. I have given some boiler plate ideas, as well as talked to and emailed directly a few posters to help them get better deals. They helped me save at least $2000 if not more. There was one recent poster on the 5 board who said he thought he got a good deal because he paid $360 OVER invoice on 530 in the beginning of August. Then he found this board and found out about the incentives for me and some others, (which by the way are NOT listed on Edmunds list because it is a dealer incentive). He then realized that he paid $3000+ more than he should have. I had received help from others here also, and just want to help back. By the way Pat, I also promote this site several times a day (more than the other site)to friends & clients. When is my commission check coming? Good luck.

jim1395

memphis10, i bought the car 6-28-03, and took delivery 6-30-03. the funny thing is that i didn't have to negotiate at all. i researched pricing on the internet and had a figure i was willing to pay. and his first offer was it, so i said ok.
ps. my figure was $850 less than edmunds TMV

pat

heh, I'll bet you get your commission check from Edmunds right around the time you get one from fightingchance. Thanks for understanding.

;-)

tomlins

Anyone have any feedback on JMK BMW?

sailoverfuel

sailoverfuel

I like the suggested idea of faxing multiple delaers with specs although some flexibility may be good for "on the lot cars" such as 03 models that need to be sold.

What about those of us who plan to lease the lease price is just one of the numbers that can be negotiated (right?).

Questions:

Is the Money factor negotiable?
Is the residual value negotiable?

What else???

L

igorvodov

Jim,
So you bought your car at about $100 over the invoice and 2.9% financing. It is an amazing deal. I am in the market for 2003 325i with auto transimission but the dealers here in NJ are not willing to go below $1000 over invoice and they are quoting 3.9 % financing. They don't even want to negotiate.

kyfdx

Residual not negotiable...set by lending source.
money factor...not negotiable, unless they are marking up the rate the bank gives them...

You negotiate the price of the car on a lease, just like you do if buying it... The residual is based on the MSRP, so that number won't change, no matter what price you negotiate for the car.

kyfdx

jim1395

it was $500 over invoice, and i did get the 2.9%. i did see an ad in this weeks paper, and they were advertising 3.9% as well but it was at a different dealership. i don't know what to tell you, maybe you should apply for finance directly at bmwusa.com. unless you have less than perfect credit, you should get the 2.9%.

idealsound

Yesterday I purchased a Jet Black BMW 325i 2003 with
1)Premium Package
2)Sports Package
3)Leather Trim
*4)Manual Transmission (no charge)
MSRP ~$34,000
I got it for 32,000 flat. It took about 2 rounds of negotiations, The Dealer originally started at 33,000 Then brought it down to 32,500 - then Finally 32,000 - It's roughly $800 above invoice, and roughly the same as the Edmunds TMV of a vehicle.

I noticed the TMV has gone way down recently, it used to be that you couldn't really negotiate (from what it seemed on Edmunds) but now, I would say shoot for $500-$1000 above invoice (considering they don't have any holdback) that's their true profit. (There are probably other sources of profit I'm missing)

About $500 always seemed to me as the "Fair Profit Amount" for a car through a totally inexact personal science.

I got my car through a salesman named Spencer, and it was a relatively painless process (though you do need some backbone in the negotiation process)

Realize you have the option to get up at anytime and walk away, don't worry about being rude - just do it if you're not happy or are uncomfortable

Happy Driving!

hoopsref

$500 is a great profit margin most of the time on a new BMW. But keep in mind changes in the market... For example, The 5er's and some 3er's have had incentives on them the past two months. Over on the 5 board, a "new" poster had just found this board a couple weeks ago after buying his 530 the beginning of August for $350 OVER invoice. What would normally seem to be a good deal was actually not. He paid about $3500 too much.

evantodd

what is best price for 2004 325xi
prem package, cold weather, automatic, leather, metallic paint

I have been offered $36,430 and 36,800

bmwx5

This is a great board and as I am getting closer to buy a 325xi in New Hampshire I wonder what would be the best price to negotiate. I am looking at edmunds and MSRP with basic options = $36820 and Invoice = $33775 (base MSRP+AUTO transmission+ +PP+Leather+herman Audio). If I take the invoice and subtract $3000 (epr hoopsref's boards) it should be $33775 - $3000 = $30775 and I have no problem with that. Does anyone see it otherwise. Sometime in OCT, 2003 I wiould prefer tobuy.

kyfdx

hoopsref bought a 5-series... No incentives on 3-series sedans. $3000 under invoice will not be possible.

regards,
kyfdx

igorvodov

The dealer here in NJ says that sometimes in October, 2003, they will run out of new 2003 3-series sedans and then the 2004 will not go for less than 400 off MSRP. Do you think he is telling me the truth or just pressuring me into buying 3-series now. He does not want to do 500 over invoice and 2.9 % financing.

hoopsref

kyfdx is correct. The sedans currently do not have an incentive. It always possible things could change as they get closer to the new ones rolling out, but I wouldn't bet the house on it! The 3 series is the hottest movers for BMW. You will do well if you can get it around $1,000 +/- OVER invoice, from the reports I have read. You are looking at an all wheel drive also, which may be in short supply. There were some incentives on 3 coupes, but then you would be without the xi. If you have not looked at the 5ers, you might consider them if you can still get one with the incentives. You will only be a grand or so higher than a 325i. Others here swear that a good set snows with the DSC will get you through most stuff. It was a poster from NH that helped me lean that way myself. I live in the Boston area, so I hope he is right cuz I got the sport pkg to boot. Now I am looking for some snows. New or used. Good luck.

nobee

Back in '99 I owned a 530i over in Germany. I would take that car everywhere. It was so solid. But when the leaves turned and the weather got colder, I wasn't sure how my RWD vehicle would handle the snow/ice. Most people believed they could survive the winter with their all-season tires if they drove carefully, but most people were wrong--evident by all the bimmers laying by the side of the road...

When I finally decided to purchase winter tires it changed my way of thinking..It was sooo night and day. When I put those suckers on, I drove with increase confidence and drove on snow/ice like it was butta! The best test was traveling down south through the German snow straight onto the Austrian slick and curvy roads to one of my favorite ski resorts near Steinplatte. A testimony to my great driving skills...or was it the tires?? ;-)

Trust me, if you're going to buy a BMW, invest in 4 x winter tires and possibly some wheels. They help 100%! Emotionally, they provide you a peace of mind that you'll have great traction in bad wx and physically, you won't have to expend any energy getting your Bimmer out of a ditch..

-nobee

newbie11

I was in the market for a new 325xi. Originally, I was looking at a 2003. The best offer I could get was $1200 over invoice. Because there were a limited supply of the AWD's, I decided to order a 2004. Boy am I glad I did that. I ended up getting a better deal on a 2004! I ordered a 2004 325xi, 5-speed, moonroof, metallic paint for only $1000 over invoice. I was concerned about the markup value on the 2004's but was pleased to find out that my car price did not increase! The dealer told me that BMW only increased the price of the premium package by $400. I hope this information helps for people trying to decide whether to go for the 2003 vs. 2004. I am so anxious to receive my first BMW in mid-october! Thanks to everyone on this post for the great information!

bmwx5

Thanks for all the info. I have a friend who let me drive his 525i and this is the best driving experience ever. After reading 'hoofsref' and 'newbee' posts may be I should start looking at 530i with snow tires too. I live in NH and on a hill so obviously I donot want any tailspins during winter and that's why the initial choice of 'xi' but nothing to beat 530i...'will let you know..

scarol4531

Hello,
I just bought a 330i and I also purchased a 2-yr extended warranty for $1700 which would cover me for 6 years total. I will likely only be putting 8,000 miles on the car per year and I do plan on keeping this car for at least 6 years and maybe more. I have owned American made cars up until now and extended warranties has served me well. What do most BMW owners do? I still have time to back out of it. Please help. Could really use some advice. Are there lots of repairs on this car after the 4 yr factory warranty expires?
Carol

ilovebeemers

I would like to buy used (2001, 2002) 300xi with manual trans. and up-to 40,000 miles. Any suggestions on the price in NJ?
I found two:
CPO '01 330xi w/pp, cp, 5-speed, 21.5k miles for about $30k
'01 330xi with the same options but 56k miles for about $23.5k
I think about 23-25K for very clean one is a good deal. suggestions?
what is the reality here? anyone wants to sell? I am not too particular in option as long as it has 5-speed manual. color: no black, white or green.
thanks.

brentsg

I just purchased my first BMW today. It's a 2003 330i with pretty much everything except Navigation. I couldn't afford a "new" 330i so this one has 6000 miles on it by someone at BMW. Since there are currently no incentives it was the best deal I could find. It was about $3000 below invoice (according to the research I did).

I did lose ~6 months of warranty, but the car has never been titled.

B

richjenkins

Hi guys - Wondering about making an offer on a new leftover '03 330i in Silver Gray with ZHP, black leather, moonfoor, Xenons. Invoice is 39415, am thinking of offering 40,400 based on Edmunds TMV and other sources.

Does this sound reasonable???

rj

blueguydotcom

39500 or 600 sounds fine if no MF to dealer rebates exist. I got mine in May for 39900 with almost the same equipment. 3 months later, there should be far more wiggle room.

And don't pay bogus fees like MACO or training or computer. That's a cost of doing business, not a resonable thing to tack on after agreeing upon a deal.

kennynmd

congrats on the new car. Hope you enjoy it.I'm not sure how good of a job you did on the price but the main thing is that you are happy and enjoy the new car!

kennynmd

I have been so busy enjoying my new 03 325Ci, I forgot to post my deal. MSRP was 37,095 and invoice was 34,385. I got it for 32,160 . this was when they had the factory to dealer incentive going on. I love the car and the power for a 2.5 liter car. I got the car from Tischer BMW and the buying process was great and quick. Anyone can email me and I'll give you the salesman's name.

roam396

2002 325i. Dealers couldn't find me a manual trans. I found it from a private party. Silver, 5 spd., 18,000 miles, Premium pkg, Sport pkg, Cold Weather pkg, Harmon Kardon Audio - $24,500. New Jersey

So far - Love it!!!

scarol4531

Hi,
Well since no one bothered to answer my question about whether or not to get an add'l 2 year extended warranty and how likely I'll need it after 4 yrs, 50k mile mfg warranty expires, I thought I would share that I love my new 330i beemer. I picked it up new for $36,200. Includes sports package, premium package, automatic transmission, the harmon-kardon sound system, and xenon lights. I think I did good. I will buy again from this dealership in TX. Awesome service and their level of professionalism plus no pressure salesmen left a lasting impression.

chile96

I'm sure nobody responded to you about the exteneded warranty because nobody really has the right answer. In fact, I'm sure several are contemplating the right thing to do. My take is go ahead and live with the car for awhile and see how it acts. If for the first couple of years everything goes well, then hopefully that will be predictive of how the car SHOULD behave in the future as long as all suggested maintenance is followed even after the warranty expires; and an extended warranty PROBABLY won't be needed. N.B. These are only my feelings and I'm sure others may think completely opposite!

Although it varies from dealer to dealer, most will "certify" your car for you for a nominal fee anytime before the warranty expires. If you're talking about some 3rd party extended warranty, DON'T! Nothing but trouble as these are merely insurance policies rather than true warranties and you will have to fight for everything you deserve if a breakdown occurs. Take a look at some of the topics under the finance, warranty, and insurance board and you will understand. Overall, I think the CPO program is a pretty good deal, as long as you're not constantly at the dealer!

BTW, what dealership in TX were you referrring to? I am from there and will be moving back soon so I need the head's up!

thanks
fo

sullender

I just found exactly the car I was looking for and thought that the price I was offered seemed at first glance like a great deal..... Could anyone tell me if this is a deal I should jump on?

2003 325i Titanium Silver
Black Leather interior, Premium pkg, Automatic, HarmonKardon Stereo, Cold Weather pkg

Price offered by dealer: $33,295

Please - just want to see if this is a reasonable price (or a great deal). Thanks.

sckling

Hi Guys,

My first post. I've been looking for a used 330i for a while. Found a '01 silver w/ 56k miles +sports+premium+xenon, $22.9k. Is this a good deal? Or should I get a '02 325i with lower mileage for the same price instead?

kennynmd

I believe that with the options you listed the MSRP would be around 36k. Therefore, I beleve that the price you got is really good. just make sure this is the price that would include other charges such as destination fee and MACO. I just heard that some dealers try to tack on other charges after the price is negotiated. good luck!

hoopsref

This is a sedan and has no (or very little mileage on it, right? That price seems "too good"! By that I mean the invoice is @ $33,095 and they are selling it for ONLY $200 OVER invoice. I know that the '03 coupes & convertibles had incentives of $2,500 last few months. I wonder if they now have it on the sedans. Anyone know? If there is no incentive, I don't know why they are so low on this, but you may have to snatch this one up. Also, I always incourage 325 buyers to consider the 525 right now due to the incentives. They are only a grand or apart and it seems there are still some 525's out there.

kyfdx

Sullender.. $1500 dealer cash just announced on '03 325i sedans. I think that makes your deal just average.. which when shopping for BMW's might be good enough..I know its a pain.

sckling.. Its hard to judge a higher mile car like that, but the asking price for '01 330i's with miles in the high 20's, low 30's is right around $29K. So, I'd say thats a pretty good price. If you can get an '02 325i with the same options and still in warranty for that same price, I would think that would be better. But, that won't matter if you aren't satisfied with the smaller engine.

regards,
kyfdx

blueguydotcom

If the 330i has 1500 manu to dealer cash, look for a dealer that's at least 1200 below invoice.

hoopsref

Thanks kyfdx. I thought that price seemed odd. Is there an incentive on the 330's? Probably not since they are in shorter supply and great demand. Are the incentives listed anywhere (autospies...)?

blueguydotcom: you wrote..."If the 330i has 1500 manu to dealer cash, look for a dealer that's at least 1200 below invoice." That would be @ $300 profit, right? Have you had or seen deals that low? That is an excellent price if you can get them that low.

blueguydotcom

I bought my 330i for $400 over invoice in May. I'd expect with manu to dealer incentives to get to at least 1200 below. So if the 325i has a $1500 rebate to dealers, I'd personally expect the car at 1400-1300 below invoice. i'd settle for 1200 below only if I knew the place wouldn't charge bogus maco fees or other tacked-on fake fees.