BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

postoak · April 2002

This dent was on the bodyline -- which is a very tough place to get one out. Randy worked continously for over 30 minutes, tapping and prying. I heard him talking to himself once or twice, which made me a little nervous, but the finished result was -- I can't see or feel any sign of the dent! He said that a lot of PDR men couldn't successfully handle a dent in that location. By comparison, a "normal" dent can be removed in as little as 3 minutes. Total cost for this operation was $45.

So, seivwrig (or anyone else in the north Houston suburbs), I would definitely recommend Randy Gaskill at 832-423-4303.

shipo · April 2002

The calculated residual (from the leasing company) on my 1999 328i, PP, Xenon, HK, In-Dash CD, Metallic, 5-Speed is $24,343 as of 30-Apr-2002, I have 38,000 miles on it, and it too is very clean.

I just checked the TMV calculator here at Edmonds, and the resultant price is $23,335 for Private Party resale, $1,008 less than my buyout. It would be interesting to see what BancOne would take, were it that I was trying to buy it or resell it myself. I did exchange a few E-Mails a few weeks ago with someone here at Edmunds about possibly selling it to him, however, his Credit Union would only allow him to buy from an "Authorized Re-Seller/Dealer", and BancOne had no way of accommodating that requirement.

Hmmm, Note to self: remember to order a new headliner plate so that I can remove my UGO before turning the car back in.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dl7265 · April 2002

i went back and checked my vehicle on edmunds, 1999 323i Silver metallic /Grey leather SP,Moonroof,in-dash cd, fogs, and auto.

shows a trade in value of $19859.00 and a private party of $21,712.00. Also i see the base 323i is $3588.00 less than 328i, which is a bargain considering it was closer to 6k new as i recall.In any event said dealer offered 23k on my car. Sounds like i got a more than fair offer considering the numbers u ran.

DL

nobee · April 2002

I think both the phatnoise and the ipod has their advantages, however, my primary concern is mostly asthetics (shallow me, I know, lol). With the phatnoise system I can can have it hiding in the trunk and have the full advantages of an MP3 player straight through my stock system. With the ipod, it'll sit nicely in the lower compartment but how does it actually interface with the stereo and can I use the ipod with windows OS? The negative aspect of Phatnoise is definitely the price and the USB connection. I have actually decided to wait until the price comes down a bit and they implement USB 2.0. Now that's fast! http://phatnoise.com

-nobee

nobee · April 2002

the picture with me, you can barely see the front end of my bimmer! lol. anyway, got 4500 miles and she's going strong. Hit 135 mph again yesterday! I love it!

-nobee

luftig1 · April 2002

All of these hard disk drive (HDD) based music servers benefit by being able to hold much more music than a CD changer. The HDD in the Phatnoise/Kenwood Keg is made for automotive and can handle the shock and temprature variations well. Not sure on the iPod, but I would assume it is ok for shock, but not for temprature and would not want to leave it in the car on a summer day.
A better solution in my oopinion is a CD player that can decode MP3 CDRs, 10 hours of MP3 music on a CDR is typical and reliability is not an issue. The new Camry, while nowhere in the specifications can play these MP3 disk as can some Ford trucks.

nyccarguy · April 2002

WOW...serious amount of posts between Sunday & Yesterday! The net was down here at work yesterday (Stupid, Rotten ISP). Another great ED post! You're all making me jealous. Congrats on your new car!

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. If I decide to get a BMW as my next car, I'm going to have to order it back to basics via ED. 325Ci (or i) with SP, Heated Seats, & Moonroof (Add Fold down rear seats & Trip computer if I go with the i).

I've got many financial decisions that will have to be made within the next few years and a loan to payoff a new BMW probably isn't in my best interest (neither is emptying my savings account). I've never been one to live outside my means.

I live in the "high-rent district" (Read Manhattan). For me to buy a $30,000 BMW and have it sit in the driveway at my parents' house (for me to drive once or twice a month) while I make loan payments on it is not too smart. I'd like to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend sometime in the next 2 years (From what I hear, they can get kinda pricey). I work in the extremely volital advertising industry (The Tech Stocks of jobs if you will). I don't make much money to begin with (not yet at least, but I'm not doing too bad for a guy who's going to turn 26 tomorrow)!

CPO BMWs are a great alternative, but I'd rather have a new one just because I've only had new cars in my 10 years (3 cars) worth of driving life.

I've been looking into some sporty coupes (under $25K) and may hold off until the car after my next car (5-7 years) to get a BMW for myself.

I've always had a place in my heart for the Honda Prelude. Many consider this car ugly, but I happen to like it. It was discontinued as of late 2001, but there are still some prelude sitting on dealer lots. I've contacted a local dealer and he's trying to locate one for me. I'm sure I'll be able to get the car I want for around $20K. Granted it is no BMW (and many will argue it has a bit of a weight problem, but I don't race or track the car anyway), but the Prelude is a blast to drive (especially for a FWD car). If I can't find the Prelude I want, I'm going to take a look at the Acura RSX Type S. I sat in one at the NY auto show and it is really growing on me.

Last but not least, I was pondering my financial future while strolling through the NY Auto show and low and behold there was an Electric Red/Black 3 series Coupe with a 5 speed (It was a 330Ci, but you get the picture). What a gorgeous car!

Sorry for the long post all!

seivwrig · April 2002

You thinking smart. Take your time. You don't want to place yourself in a financial bind. I got my BMW based on the fact that my wife and I decided to pay for the house that we are in now (her parents house) and then move into a new house in 5 five years. My car will probably be paid in 4 years and maybe my college loan.
My first new vehicle was my pickup because I needed cheap reliable transportation especially given I was riding the bus and living in a high rent area prior to marriage. Marriage has actually helped me financially but my wife and I try to live on one income. BMWs are nice but they are not the end of the world. You are not promised tomorrow but God might still let you live.

nyccarguy · April 2002

And that also reminds me, I'd also like to buy a condo (either here in the city or close by in NJ) in the next few years. Real Estate is the best investment you can make around here. I feel as if I am excreting my money in rent away every month.

tenet1 · April 2002

Save your money if you are going to buy a new car to drive it 2 times a month. That doesn't sound like a sensible way to spend your money unless you are loaded.

I would rather have a nice pad in the city. You dont need a car there and you can always rent (or fly) when necessary.

nyccarguy · April 2002

I do actually need a car for road trips (there's so much to see and do here on the east coast). I probably could get by without a car, but I'm a car nut, so I can justify owning a car. My Saab which I curently lease should just about hit the 36,000 mile maek when the lease is up in December. I guess the once or twice a month is a bit of an exaggeration. Renting a car in the city can be quite expensive, and plus the rental companies don't have stick shifts. And I'm definitely not loaded!

rshaw11 · April 2002

Thanks Murry, Allano and others that responded to my questions yesterday. I've never owned a BMW and am trying to get all the facts straight before I buy.

I've been rethinking my decision about not getting the Sport pkg. I would not be driving the car hard, mostly commuting to work, but have read a lot about the seats and their comfort. Any thoughts on this?

And I hesitate to bring this up, but my alternative choice is an Acura TL (not the S-Type) Lots of power and features, less money, but uninspired styling, and not a BMW. Anyone gone through this same decision process?

Thanks again for your patience and help.

dave330i · April 2002

Going to my first Car Control Clinc this weekend. It's going to cost $130 to fix the cracked fog lamp. What's annoying is that I never use the fog lamp. Last, but not least, Maryland's the 2002 NCAA National Champs. Go Terps!

roc50mg · April 2002

GO WITH THE BIMMER! Acura is okay, but you'll be much happier with the bimmer.

dave330i · April 2002

Try out both seats. I like the SP myself, but your needs may differ. TL is a dressed up Accord, and if you really want to save money, Accord would be a better deal.

genie1 · April 2002

a nice pad in the city. You dont need a car there and you can always rent (or fly) when necessary.

I'd have to disagree. Every city-center I ever lived in got mighty inconvenient without a vehicle. I lived in mid-town Atlanta and down-town Toronto for a couple of years, without a car, and let's just say it's no picnic.

I tried, I really did attempt to live in Toronto without a car. It would take me twice as long to get anywhere using public transport - 1.5 hr commute each way by subway and bus as opposed to 45 mins by car.

Not to mention the inconvenience of grocery shopping, exposure to elements, unreliable schedules. I could go on.

While I am a strongly vocal advocate of public transportation, I'm disappointed in the reach and frequency of most systems.

nyccarguy: what do you do in the ad world? What are rents like in Manhattan?

tokfan · April 2002

OK not much luck with my last question.. Given this is the sedan board and I ask about convertibles, but the other boards seem very much dead so I hope you bear with me.

Anyhow my question now is if anyone here has any idea of how accurate the TMV prices are for used BMWs?
The car I'm looking for (94-95 325iC) has a retail TMV of about $15-17k (plus options) and private about $12-14k. I'm not very experienced in negotiating and it makes me uncanny when all the listings I see seem to be about $5k over priced.

I know these are the seller's "dream" prices but $5k seems like an awful lot to negotiate down, it's something like one third of the total price.
If the TMV is pretty accurate then to me these asking prices are not even in the ball park; should I open my own negotiation with an equally low value that is $5k lower than TMV?

I got slightly screwed on my last car purchase; not much, and I really love the car so it does not feel so bad. I would like to make sure it does not happen again, so any advice would be very much appreciated.

/M

nyccarguy · April 2002

I'm an account executive for a small company that produces direct mail for Citibank (Read Annoying Credit Card Solicitations). My rent is high ($1640/month for a One Bedroom), but quite reasonable considering the neighborhood I live in (The Upper West Side). I used to pay $1750 for a Studio on the upper east side (read border of Harlem). I know I can make a mortgage payment with what I pay in rent.

tokfan · April 2002

...but "hot diggity!!" now I don't feel so bad about our $1800 mortgage.

genie1 · April 2002

Cool. I was an Art Director at a company that does healthcare marketing for clients mainly in NY, Chicago, Naples and Louisville - lots of DM aimed towards seniors. LOL! I then switched to Media planning and buying (tons more work and fun) prior to leaving the company and moving to Toronto.

I've since switched to the client-side but miss agency life.

Rent in downtown TO is comparable, $1600+ for a 1br condo on Bay St.

dl7265 · April 2002

if you scroll up a few post i discuss the value related to my 323i Sport, the TVM and the real trade offers. A while back there was a duscussion about the used car market being a little flooded.. having said that looking at dealer CPO cars i see they are still way over priced..

good luck
DL

millerro3 · April 2002

not sure if this was answered or not, auto headlights are part of the premium package on the 330i, na on the 325i. It is simply another setting on the headlight switch that will allow the headlights to turn on and off with the car, or when it gets dark outside they will automatically come on. Not the same thing as daytime running lights...hope this helps :-)

Rob

seivwrig · April 2002

Is the cost the big thing here?

When I started looking for a car, Acura TL was on the list. But when I looked at the price of a fully loaded Honda Accord SE V6, I wondered what the difference. My change of heart was in the test drive. Most cars in the near-luxury range are good and similarly price. At $27K, a base 325i is a good value. What is really at stake is sport(performance) vs luxury(gizmo)? If you drive hard, the SP is a value especially mated with the 5-speed. Otherwise, get a naked 325i with a 5-speed and call it a day. You still get a nice car. I went without the SP because I want to eventually get an M-aero pkg. I don't drive hard enough to warrant SP. Not getting the 5-speed, that was probably a mistake (I hate driving in traffic). Buy what you like but don't kill your bank account.

seivwrig · April 2002

There is an aftermarket product that can be purchased if you want automatic headlights on your 325.

shipo · April 2002

In November, I moved my Mother from her tiny NYC apartment to our house, and then to Scarsdale in late January.

In NYC, she had a 650 square foot two bedroom apartment in Tudor City (41st and 2nd), that was literally crumbling around her (she lived right below the Penthouse Garden, and her walls were so wet, that after a year or so, pictures started falling off the walls because the nails had rusted through). The building made several vain attempts to fix the water problem that was causing the walls to crumble, all to no avail. The only thing they were ever successful in doing was raising her rent, which was $4,900 per month when she moved out!

She now has a REALLY NICE 900 square foot one bedroom in Scarsdale in a very charming old building that is something like $1,900 per month.

So as to stay on topic (sort of), the nice thing about the Scarsdale place is that I can drive my 328i over there and NOT have to hire a guard to watch it while I am visiting. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

jpnwdc · April 2002

A few weeks ago, I posted some questions on the 325i. One of my concerns about the 325i is the seats. I really need an 8-way adjustable seat and don't want the Sport Package. Currently, with the Premium Package you get a 6-way power seat. Someone on this board thought that beginning with March production, BMW was putting 8-way power seats in the 3-Series. I went to the bmwusa website, and sure enough it shows 8-way power seats with the Premium Package for the 325i.

However, I contacted the BMWUSA 800 number to see when cars with the 8-way seats would begin showing up, but they knew nothing of this enhancement.

Anyone know more about this?

genie1 · April 2002

I heard a awful ad on the radio yesterday. It went something like this...
____________________
Woman: Toyota Camry
Man: BMW 320i
Woman: Toyota Camry
Man: BMW 320i
Woman: Toyota Camry
Man: BMW 320i

VO: Do you know you can get a BMW 320i with blah, blah, blah features for only a little more than a Toyota Camry XLE? (or something to that effect)

Man: BMW 320i
Woman: BMW 320i
______________

(ugh!)

tenet1 · April 2002

Guess you never lived in NYC. I would not compare life there with Atlanta (the 2nd most car dependent city in the US) and Toronto. Millions get by without cars in New York. On the other hand, I do love my car but would certainly give it up if I were to move back there again, especially if I was using it a few times a month. Cab rides in NYC are pretty cheap for getting around when a subway may be inconveneint.

laurasdada · April 2002

Just a thought on the potential engagement ring purchase:
"Is two months salary too much to pay for an engagement ring?" (To quote/paraphrase a DeBeers ad, I believe).
Yes, it is quite a bit too much! Buy a nice ring, but save the big $$$ for you and yours' to buy a home (and BMW!). Priorities...
I bought my evil wife her engagement ring about 12 years ago in Westport, very nice diamond, Tiffany setting, not extravagant or too expensive. For our 10th anniversary she had it remounted and was truly surprised at how high it appraised for vs. what I paid! Knwoing me (cheapest man in the world), she figured it was a CZ anyway!

Traded our '95 Saab 900 for evil wife's new RX300. Good car, the Saab. Hatchback carried everything...!

jjshabadoo · April 2002

genie wrote - I'd have to disagree. Every city-center I ever lived in got mighty inconvenient without a vehicle. I lived in mid-town Atlanta and down-town Toronto for a couple of years, without a car, and let's just say it's no picnic.

Please trust those of us that have or do live in New York City. It IS better not having a car unless money is not a factor and you can garage it anywhere you go. I would agree with whoever said you'd be better (cheaper) off renting a car on the weekends to get awhile.

dave330i wrote - TL is a dressed up Accord, and if you really want to save money, Accord would be a better deal.

I don't agree with you here. For the extra $4,000 (approx.) you spend on the Acura, you are getting a five speed vs. a four speed, better seats, heated seats, an upgraded Bose stereo, larger wheels, HIDs, a longer warranty, extra hps, heated mirrors, cruise controls on steering, etc. Besides, what if someone said the 330 was just a dressed up 325 and that if you wanted to save money, the 325 would be a better deal?

We have both a 330i and 3.2TL. I would say both are great cars and you can't go wrong with either. Of course, you will be much more happy driving the BMW. When I take the BMW out, I think about how much fun driving it will be. When I take the TL out, I think about how much time it'll take to get to where I'm going.

shipo · April 2002

Hmmm, in the last 25 years, I have lived in Detroit, San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit (again), San Francisco, Chicago (with a 4 month stint in NYC and a 3 month stint in Dallas) and finally NYC.

Of all of those cities, the ONLY one where a car would be a significant liability would be NYC. I lived in NYC proper for a year before moving to NJ, and during that time, I had a car for about 8 months. In an effort to park at an affordable rate, I had to walk from our apartment (88th and Columbus) to 110th and CPW, where the parking was ONLY $410 per month, then there is the insurance, and the traffic, and the vandalism, and the "Squeegee Men", and the ever present city operated tow truck drivers (they seem to let cars double park on 57th all day long, but God forbid, if you double park for 2 minutes on 88th street, to take a sack of groceries up to your apartment, PRANG, your car is in the Bronx, and its $400 (fines and fees) CASH to get it out of hock). All in all, it's best to rent/cab/subway/park your car at your folks, than to own, drive and park in NYC.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dave330i · April 2002

I stand corrected. Last tim I check (couple years ago), TL and Accord shared the same engine. I just checked again, and they do differ.

genie1 · April 2002

NYC is unique when considering getting around sans-vehicle in North America.

I did spend some time there a couple of years ago, and got around well without a car...but it is probably the only city where one is not inconvenienced by the lack of a vehicle.

I can only compare my short stay there with longer stints in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Detroit, Atlanta, Toronto and various parts of Indiana where I was sorely inconvenienced by the lack of personal transportation.

nyccarguy · April 2002

That's why I leave the car at my parents' house. The Upper West side is so tight when it comes to parking spots on the street. It was much easier to find spots when I lived on the East Side. My 'hood is much better now, and I don't mind driving around aimlesssly looking for a spot for 45 minutes to find a spot on the street when I do bring my car into the city. Garages...that's the business to be in! Oh, just to stay on topic, there's a lot of BMW 3 series parked in garages and on the street in the city!

mjones6 · April 2002

you mentioned adding an M-aero package. How do you do that? How much does it cost?

seivwrig · April 2002

I don't have it but I plan to buy the kit next year, if my wife let's me. I believe that Bavarian Autosport carries it. I can let you know this evening. I also like the M steering wheel. More to hold on too! I know that it is cheaper in Germany.

I like physical beauty versus power. I cannot drive a car fast enough in the US unless you track the vehicle. I cannot see owning an M3 or M5 even if I had the money(OK, maybe the M5 with carbon fibre interior). The automobile laws in this country can really kill a car. There are many cars that I would like to have, but the Grey market is too much hassle. Not that take the French approach to automobiles (form over function). But I feel cars should be like art, i.e. the BMW M1, Alfa 156, Ferrari GTO, MB SL Gullwing.

erickpl · April 2002

Okay, now I feel REALLY dumb here. I installed the transmitter in 2 minutes. It was SO easy.

However, I have the Genie garage door opener thing that has the rotating codes. I tried to program the codes and thought I followed it right. But when I try to press the button to open the stupid garage door, the light on the transmitter just blinks at me (and I think it laughs too).

Is there any special configuration process you need to follow for garage doors/openers that use the rotating code concept?

BTW, the black cover that surrounds the transmitter contrasts nicely with the light interior of my car. It matches the lighting system right next to it. Looks good.

Though the transmitter itself should look a bit more high tech.

brave1heart · April 2002

My wife lived in upper East side (73-rd between 1-st and 2-nd) for 5-6 years in our previous lives (before marriage). She had a base Jetta GL which would be broken in once every couple of years. Parking ticket at $75 at least once a month. Insurance 3 grand a year easily. Double-parking and towing - see Shipo's comments. Scratches - if you care you'd be pulling your hair out. You have to move the car every day because of alternate street cleaning - remember that Seinfeld episode with the guy who was making a living off that - that's very real!! Bottom line: don't keep a nice car in Manhattan unless you absolutely need it or you have so much money that you could afford the parking at $500/month. Manhattan is like many little neighborhoods that are pretty much self-sufficient - nearly every block has a minimarket and/or convenience store and inexpensive diners; plenty of entertainment (most of it free -just stand outside

)), clothing stores and plenty of singles in the bars - why leave the city?!? Just go to Central Park if you need to do some "offroading". If I were to take my family to live in Manhattan, though, I'd be looking for double the pay for BOTH of us for us to be enticed. I love to visit, though.

tokfan · April 2002

I have a Genie opener as well, to program a transmitter to it you have to actually program the receiver (in the opener unit) as well as the transmitter. It should be covered in the manual both to the opener and the transmitter.
It basically includes pushing the program button on the opener, holding in the button on the transmitter for a certain amount of time, and then pushing the button on the opener again.

Of course, this will only work if your universal transmitter is HomeLink compatible.

Hope this helps, if you don't have your manuals or something let me know and I will check mine when I get home tonight.

/M

kominsky · April 2002

"(73-rd between 1-st and 2-nd)"

huh? they have numbered streets going both ways? is it possible to live at the corner of 1st and 1st? i guess i'm more of a bumpkin than I thought... the nearest town to my home has one road running east/west (Main St., what else?) and numbered streets (1st - 5th) running north/south.

erickpl · April 2002

I have a Jeep which works fine. According to the BMW docs (video) you should hold the little transmitter < 2" away from the Universal and it should work. I remember now that I did the programming button on the receiver and it worked fine. I don't remember EVER holding up the little transmitter to the Jeep's homelink system.

Problem is, is there a way to reset the universal transmitter buttons to default so I can reprogram my mistakes?

The garage door opener itself doesn't use the rotating codes. I bought a Genie upgrade package thing from Home Depot that uses the new technology. The garage door opener is Craftsman I think, but the Genie stuff has worked great for the 3 years we've had it, so I know that isn't the problem.

shipo · April 2002

Yes, there is actually a corner in NYC where 1st Avenue crosses 1st Street, there is also a "2nd and 2nd" and a "4th and 4th", however, that is as far as it goes. Much of this area of Manhattan has kept the Pre-Colonial maze of roadways, so that none of the other like numbered Streets and Avenues ever cross.

Good trivia question that. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

nyccarguy · April 2002

There is a 1st and 1st...It was described by Cosmo Kramer as "How can a street intersect itself? The Nexus of the Universe, Jerry!"

kominsky · April 2002

shipo; The street/avenue makes it a little easier, I guess. Do all "Avenues" run one way and "Streets" the other?

nyccarguy; I remember that now... :-)

tokfan · April 2002

Ok, so the genie unit is a separate receiver that you somehow connect to the actual opener?

The BMW docs you have seems to have information about how to program it to a non-homelink type system (then you have to hold your existing remote close to the universal remote and it will "learn" the same code as the first remote).

To program the homelink remote the new remote instead has to be within a certain distance of the receiever (in my case the opener, in your case the separate receiving unit). You don't need any other transmitters at all.

You shouldn't have to reset the universal remote, simply programming it agian (correctly) should do the trick.

Look in the manual for the genie add-on you got and possibly also the manual for the transmitter in the jeep and try the same procedure on the new remote you got.

It also requires a certain amount of voodoo, I remember having to try to program my remote several times (and I swore I did exactly the same thing every time ;o) before it worked.

brave1heart · April 2002

How far are you from the nearest traffic light? What an idyllic setting - one cop for the whole county and he's got wooden legs, just like that song goes...Speedsters' paradise. Hey, there's a fun movie about a small town in which the residents' main topic for discussion is the only traffic light in town. It's called State And Main and it came highly recommended by Bavarian who knows movies like no-one else. I loved it - give it a try, you might like it.

BTW, I am scheduled to go out for my first autoxing event in a couple of weeks and I have to buy a helmet this weekend. What do you recommend?

hpman · April 2002

hpman · April 2002

Sorry, got trigger happy there for a second.

I'm a long time viewer of the discussions here... just trying to learn everything I can from all of you. This has been most helpful in my education on BMW, thank you!

I am in the final stages of shopping for a 2002 330i, SP, heated seats, metallic paint. I am using an auto-broker in the Denver, Colorado area. He came back to me today with a price that was only $600 under MSRP. I discussed with him the fact that it appears deals are being made on both coasts for $1,200 - $1,500 over invoice, as I have witnessed on this site numerous times over the past 12 months. That means his offer is at least $1,000 too high, and possibly as much as $1,300 more than I should be paying. He claims to work with wholesale/fleet managers at over 25 BMW dealerships across the US to get his deals.

Can anyone give me specific examples of where they were able to purchase a 2002 330i for $1,200 - $1,500 over invoice? Or better yet, a dealer in the Colorado area who would agree to such a deal?

Thanks in advance for your help!

mschukar · April 2002

I bought a 325i with SP, CWP, HK... for $1300 under MSRP with the arm rest thrown in ($150).

I would try calling some dealers in the area and see if you get any bites at $1500 under.

-murray

bing330i · April 2002

HP = horsepower or hewlett packard or fiorina-compaq? :->

anyhow, i had offers for my 2002 330i ED for equal to or less than $1500 over ED invoice from the following dealers:
- sterling at newport beach, ca
- new century at alhambra, ca
- cutter at santa barbara, ca
- bmw of riverside, ca

irvine bmw was no bargain and shelly of buena park did not offer. so my success rate is about 66.7%.

that is the southern calif stats.

below is from a guy who did his 2002 330i ED in northern calif last oct.:

QUOTE:

"Niello BMW (Sacramento): $1,500 over invoice, no delaer charges

Cutter Motors (Santa Barbara): $Great quote (will only disclose with Jon's persmission)

Stevens Creek BMW (Santa Clara): $33,914. ($2,219 over invoice)

Concord BMW (Concord): $2,000 over invoice

Allison BMW (Mt. View, I think): asked me to call, after I replied that I prefer e-mail, e-mailed back saying he caould not reach me.

BMW San Francisco: E-mailed back, asked for more info, such as when I want to pick up the car. I e-mailed back, then he e-mailed back asking for my name, address, phone, etc. I e-mailed back asking for a quote first. Never heard from again, however when Cutter was trying to place my order, they found that somebody in BMWSF have already placed the order on my behalf. Needless to say, I called BMWSF asking to cancel the unauthorized order just to find that the person I've dealt with is no longer working for them (no kidding!). The sales manager was helpful and have cancelled the order by the following morning.

East Bay BMW (Pleasanton): $34,351.77 ($2,656.77 over invoice)

Peter Pan BMW (San Mateo): "$185 P.D.I and 7% profit so you be able to get it for 34,111" ($2,416 over invoice). This is the dealer I've leased my 328i from!!! "

END OF QUOTE.

one thing that may be against you is your order does not include moonroof. normally dealers do not like it because non-moonroof cars are harder to sell.

hope this helps. good luck.

BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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