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

kennynmd

I think you can get more off. There should me more options than those 2 for that MSRP amount. Anyways, I was told by a salesman that he would meet me in between the MSRP amoutn and the invoice amount. Meaning, if MSRP is $36k and invoice is $33k he would split the difference, therefore selling price would be $34.5k.

snsn

I just traded my 2001 Toyota Sequoia in for a new 2006 325i with ZPP, Automatic and Xenon headlights. I purchased at $700 below MSRP. They are selling like hotcakes here (NE Florida) AND this is the only BMW dealership within a 100 mile radius. They have presold 50+- already. I wanted a white or silver one; but, would have had to order it. They showed us a monaco blue that just came in. When my husband and I saw it, we fell in love with it. Besides, we don't see many in this color. Probably could have gotten better pricing, but we are very happy with our purchase. This is our first BMW!! My best friend has a 328 convertible and raves about it.

100grandman

I think both of you guys answered my question and I think both of you guys are right to a certain exent.

Blue guy I don't think it matters if you tell them upfront about your trade or at the end. The bottom line is they're going to try to low ball you on your trade regardless. However, you and I both know as you mentioned that if you don't know what you're doing the dealership is going to take advantage of you in a BIG way. ie. rate, trade-in, down payment etc.

Virtual I think that you were right that telling them upfront about the trade is the best thing to do and you also said the dealer is not going to lose money on a trade. However, I'm in sales and commissioned sales people are in it to make a lot of money and if they can knock your head off they will. In your example you're assuming we're talking about let's say a 2001 anything with 70 thousands miles on it. Of course the dealer should be looking at a wholesaler because the chances of him selling it on his lot are slim to none. But let's be realistic, if the book value is $10,000 and the wholesale price is $7000 why are you saying that the dealer won't tell the customer it's $3,500 and haggle to $4500 or $5000? 99% of the guys out there are going to try this.

In my example, my wife has a 2004 RX 330. The wholesale on that car is $25,900. The book is $29K+ to $31,000 depending on what source you use. Now I guarantee you that the dealer is going to come to me at $25,900 knowing right now that he's going to put that SUV on his lot and ask $34,000 which is what they're going for in my area. So by offering $25,900 and I take it, even if he put $1500 into it to clean it up, do you really think that that's not highway robbery if I don't know better? Ultimately he's bought the car for $27,400 and even if he gets talked down by $1500 from a potential buyer of the car he still has a $5200 profit margin worst case.

virtualbmw

The current MMR (wholesale auction report) on the 2004 RX330 AWD is 33,380 with an average of 18k mi. These are actual sales figures not projections or estimates. I'd get some wholesale bids on it if I were you.

I don't know what sales business that you're in but in the retail automotive industry it takes a career to be successful not one lucky deal. The days of "knocking someone's head off" are just about gone. Especially, at a franchise like BMW, where the shoppers are generally very knowledgeable. The big commissions for salespeople either come on high ticket, low supply vehicles (7 series, 6 series, 4.8's, M cars) or on volume bonuses. Although, I must say, that 3 series are paying more than usual right now.

If you do feel like they are trying to "knock your head off" there is no reason to get all personal and hateful about it (like some people). It's just a business transaction and it takes a mutual agreement for either party to gain.

100grandman

Virtual,

I'm in the mortgage business. For us more and more customers are becoming educated about the process. However, many of them are getting bad information from other people that aren't in the business. ie. friends, family, realtors etc.

I don't know you personally but you seem like a very knowledgable guy in the whole process. As I said, all of you guys seem to give good sound advice no matter which side you represent. I'll take your advice since you've been there and done that. Thanks for the help.

Kirstie_H

100grandman, yours is a good reminder that big financial decisions shouldn't be made based on the advice of any one person - you need to seek out several sources of information & advice,then make the best decision based on everything you learn.

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

kyfdx

Caveat emptor!!

wla10000

Does anyone know if I can (need) to purchase extra paint protection since I will be ordering one soon? Thanks

kyfdx

...is just an expensive wax job.. Save your money.. BMW paint is top-notch..

tootsie1

WLA 1000.You know I have a jet black 325i and I just addded paint protection (now I work as an F&I manager for a Ford dealership) and because it is a product we sell, I had it applied to my BMW. You know the rap, protects against bird droppings, tree sap, etc.. showroom finish..well it really, really did make a differenc in my case.. It's been over a month and is still as smooth as glass, and high gloss. I park outside, so it was worth it to me to try..the cost is 300 ( a good detail job is what 150?) so I think it is worth it, simply for the gurantee..I know most people laugh at the idea, think it is a waste of $$, so that is why I qualified my post, telling you I am in the business, so you don't think I have ulterior motives..just saying I got it on my BMW and am happy I did so..word to the wise..just have exterior applied first and go back a few months later to have interior treated that way you can enjoy the new car smell a little longer.

amt7565

Howbout stupid water spots from apartment water sprinklers?

tootsie1

well, the best advice is to get that stuff off asap and not let it bake in..but the warranty does say it protects against acid rain, so one would hope apartment sprinklers should be covered too. I would say proably 1 in 20 new car customers adds delaership paint protection to their car. Personally I don't present it that much, because I know the perception is that it just an overpriced wax job so unless they have children and/or pets, or getting a dark color car that is going to be parked outside, or a top of the line model, like a t-bird, new mustang, escape hybrid..truth is factory paint is better than ever and shouldn't fade..but this is for someone who really takes a lot of pride in their new car and wants it to be as close to perfect as long as possible..

wco81

Give me a break.

They should be paying you to put a box in your car so they have the privilege of charging you $13 a month for radio.

Aren't there aftermarket satellite kits that let you listen in your home as well as your car on the same subscription?

I know those portable things cost nowhere near $500.

wla10000

without it means I have to wax the beauty more often :P

bookman2

I am astounded by the deals people are getting in other parts of the country! Here in the Chicago area no one is moving off MSRP. I have an '06 330i on order and I've found it to be a total seller's market. I managed to nibble an extra $500 from the dealer for my trade ('02 E39, SP, Prem Pak, Auto) but that was it!

hbx55

Jet black, black leather, walnut wood, manual, cold weather, premuim package and sat radio prep. I wanted monaco blue but there don't seem to be any manual tranny ones in that color and I can't wait 2 months for a custom order.

MSRP 34,970
Invoice 32,070

I'm paying 33,600 in Rhode Island. So of the 2900 diff between invoice and MSRP, I pay 1530 and dealer pays 1370.

First ever beamer/new car.

blueguydotcom

First ever beamer/new car.

lot of BMW owners get picky about this...

Apparently bimmer is for the cars and beamer/beemer is for the motorcycles. Shrug. Shocked me too but on other boards some people go nuts about it.

dl7265

Car Cover? $125 or so?

dl7265

Everyday im told at work nice beemer... I reply i don't drive a motorcycle.... So they shake their heads and walk away looking confused. Its gotten quite funny actually.I think at this point ive trained them, their just trying to get a rise outta me

DL

rroyce10

.. **In my example, my wife has a 2004 RX 330. The wholesale on that car is $25,900. The book is $29K+ to $31,000** ...

Where did you see $25,900 ...?

Unless this thing has been used a dumpster, has 90,000 miles and was repainted by Billy the blind man, there's not an 04 RX330 awd that will see $25,900 ..... most "clean" 04 awd RX330's with miles in the 20's will do all of $31,0 on the trade side .. unless maybe it's a dark color in the south and it doesn't have any leather and missing the slider ....... $25,900.?? .. now thats some incorrect information ...................

Terry.

100grandman

I'm serious.

It's a 2WD, white, leather, 6 disc changer, roof, power everything etc., in good condition and serviced by Lexus and KBB says about $25,900 on a trade in. That's why I figured that they'd try to offer me this price or close to it on a trade.

rroyce10

........ Miles and location ...... no hits no runs no errors.?

Terry.

kyfdx

Terry.. FWD, not AWD...

york3

Ordered my 2006 325i in the end of april. picked it up on june 7th...

Metallic silver metallic
automatic
black leather

msrp 34,195

price paid 32,125

good deals are out there.......... Long island new york dealership

100grandman

Oh, I'm sorry. It has right at 40,000 and I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area so the AWD isn't really a must have. It just doesn't make sense to me.

bookman2

Clearly I need to move. How do you like your ride so far?

phibei3

looking for 325ci convertible w/ auto trans and hard top in Philly area

a couple questions:

1. is hard top more error prone than soft one?
2. what's the best price with respect to MSRP?

any insights greatly appreciated.

kyfdx

Can't help you on price, but...

The hardtop doesn't replace the soft top.. when the hardtop is in use, the softtop is in the down position..

regards,
kyfdx

virtualbmw

40,000 miles, damn! Now that's a factor. When are you going to have someone appraise the thing?

rroyce10

.......... Thanks Kyfdx, I caught the FWD part ... I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop .l.o.l.

40k ... on a 04.? .... gheeeeez, you're another one we need to get a better dating service for ....

I just love the part where people go -- "it's like new .. super clean, super cared for .. oh by the way, it's got 40,000 miles, all highway though" ..l.o.l... vs what.? ...

I dunno bud, depending on the color, if the rubber is brand new, no kisses, no drive by's, no visits to Maaco, no soccer Mom interior, the service is from yesterday, it looks/feels and drives like a 20k vehicle and it needs -0- ... then it might be worth the mid/tall $26's, maybe the low low low $27's .. the miles are definately going to come back and slap ya upside your head ..... dealers see 04's by the droves with 15/20/25k and mostly AWD's, what's going to make yours so special ...?



Terry.

virtualbmw

look on the bright side ....... it's better than having high miles on an exploder or a trailblazer.

jkam

I talked with a dealer today for a 2006 3251 Jet Black with Steptronic Trans, Heated Seats, and Satellite Radio Prep., who quoted me the following:

MSRP- $32,845 (identical to kbb)

Negotiated Cap Cost is $31,545
Residual $21,020.80
money factor- .00265
36 mo./ 10K miles

Quote was for $379/mo. with 4K down; $426/mo. with 2.5K down.

Is this good?

My calculations, using $450 as a std. acquisition fee and 3% tax, reveals a monthly lease payment of $333.35 for 4K down, and $381.62 for 2.5K down. Are my calculations amiss?

Best Regards,

Joe

mhg

$40,500

For a 2006 330i
Manual transmission
Premium
Coldweather
Navigation
Satellite Radio

kyfdx

First.. you have to make the distinction between "due at signing" and "down payment". These look like "due at signing" numbers.

The standard BMWFS acquisition fee is $625. Dealers are permitted to mark this up to $825, which I'm sure they have done..

I'll never understand why dealers allocate upfront money to cap cost reductions, instead of the security deposit. It appears your dealer has done this as well, as the base MF is .0025, but .00265 with security deposit waiver.

Here is an example of how your lease should look, given the negotiated selling price and $2500 upfront payment.

$32,845 MSRP
$31,545 Selling price
$30,845 Cap cost (Selling price minus $700 cap cost reduction)
64% residual (3yr/30K term)
MF .0025
Due at signing: $2500 -- 1st pymt ($423) + security deposit ($450) + Acq.fee ($625) + Cap cost reduction ($700) + registration fees,etc. ($300 estimated).

Payment $410/mo.+ tax = approx. $423/mo.

Or alternatively (my choice)... Don't make a cap cost reduction, and roll the acquisition fee into the cap cost..

Cap cost = $32170 (selling price + acq.fee)
Payment = $464/mo. tax included
Due at signing = $464 + $500 + $300 = $1264

$1264 at signing, $464/mo.. $500 security deposit back at end of lease..

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

Clue us in... What is the MSRP?

mhg

The salesperson told me that the MSRP is $41,944.

kyfdx

I'm not going to look it up... (you could, though.. KBB.com), but if that is accurate, then $1500 off MSRP seems about the average deal reported on these boards...

regards,
kyfdx

PS.. Don't usually see MSRPs end in the numeral 4.

jkam

thanks kyfdx. you are right- the numbers certainly are "due at signing" and not "down." The dealer was using the shorthand version, which confuses things a bit.

After I told the dealer I had a better deal in hand from a 3rd party bank, he proposed the following:

32,845 MSRP
31,545 selling price
19,378 residual
.00199 MF
$2,500 due at signing
$405/mo (39 mo/ 12K term)

Based on your numbers above, the cap cost with $2,500 due at signing is $30,845. This deal seems better than the first- I realize the lease is for 3 more months, but it is also for 6K more miles. Do you think this is a better deal, and if so, what would the numbers be without a cap cost reduction?

thanks in advance,
joe

And by the way-- I think the reason they allocate up front money to cap cost reductions instead of security deposit is so that they can tell customers they are "waiving" the security deposit (even though it seems like it is rolled into MF).

kyfdx

There are good and bad things about 3rd party leases.. Things to find out..

Does the lease include GAP insurance?

Is it 39mo/39K or 39mo/36K?

What kind of disposition fees, if you turn it in?

I like to stick with the manufacturer's leases.. you seem to get better service, and they are less sticky about issues at turn-in. If the price is within $10-$15/mo. or so, then that is the way I would go..

However, those numbers look decent..

regards,
kyfdx

100grandman

I'm suppose to do it this weekend.

I realize that the mileage is a factor but according to Kelly Blue Book it's a $5525 difference. That's insane when other RX's in this area with the same mileage and options are selling retail for $34K+.

peakpro

I have found a CPO BMW I am interested in. It is in MA. I live in NJ>

Can someone give me some advice as to what is the best way to approach buying this car. I hav never purchased a car out of state and need info on getting it registered and paying taxes, etc. An anything else. I will be trading in my current BMW for the deal.

thanks

rroyce10

... ** That's insane when other RX's in this area with the same mileage and options are selling retail for $34K+. ....

I think your a little confused .. there is a big difference between an "asking price" and a "getting price" - and sometimes, if you let the ego get in the way, you could end up in the "keeping" side for a long time ..l.o.l..... most dealers will sell a high miler 04 FWD RX330 off his lot for the $29/30ish figure in Nano second ......... Kbb is a guide, not the bible and it gives someone a "ballpark" a "zipcode" to work with .. in the final tally, dealers will use the Black Book and go by the auction reports, especially in the DFW area ....



Terry.

dl7265

I find in DFW that carmax is about the best baromometer. My relatives that live just to the North say they go by the other guide instead of Kbb. I noticed there was about a 3k difference when i configured the same exact vehicle.

DL

100grandman

What really screwed her is she bought the car in July 2003 as a 2004 model. So the car is almost 2 years old even though year wise it's only 1 year.

100grandman

I realize there's a difference between asking and getting. However, if someone is asking 34K they're getting very close to that number for the getting price. No person in sales is going into anything with the notion that they're realistically going to lower their price by 4-5K and still make a decent profit.

jkam

Here are the numbers for the last lease deal I negotiated with the dealer. It is through his 3rd party bank:

$31,545 selling price
$19,378 residual
.00199 MF
39 month term/ 36,000 miles
Net Cap Cost $32,890 (incl acq. fee (595), sec deposit (500), and reg. fees (90))
Due at Signing: $466.62.
Lease: $462.82/mo.

It looks to me that this is:

Depreciation Fee - $346.46
Finance Fee - $104.01
$450.47
Sales Tax - 3%
Total $463.98

A little off, but not by much. The dealer continues to tell me "there is no security deposit," but my numbers are way off when I don't roll the extra $500 into the cap cost.

In any event, what do you think of the deal?

regards,
joe

virtualbmw

MMR on a 40k mi. FWD RX330 is about 27-28. That's strong. I'd be happy about it.

100grandman

Good man. That's what I needed to know. Approximately where I should be. If I can get in that range then I'm not upside down on her vehicle. That's guys! I appreciate it.

saigonboi21

i was reading up on the European Delivery on BMWUSA.COM and it says that you can save up to $8200?? i was wondering can you also save on the packages too or what?? im a little confused on that. and also- dont you have to pay taxes HERE when you get the car??? how much will I really save if I want an 06 325i with just premium and automatic??

blueguydotcom

saigon, not sure ed is useful on a 325i with so few options. sticker is what 35k? ed price with profit is about 31k. Some haggling could probably get you to 33k.

http://blue-guy.com/images/BimmerInvoice.pdf

there's the ed pdf