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

mattr82 · April 2006

I don't know where you are located. Some have been offered a 2.9% for 60 month rate from BMW which is obviously great. If they don't give you a good rate from BMW financial, check other credit unions.

bdr127 · April 2006

The best APR for any CPO BMW is the 2003 5-series at 2.9%.

BTW, why is APR your only criteria?.... Say you were equally happy with a 3-series for $30k and a 7-series for $60k but the 3-series had 4.9% and the 7-series had 3.9%, both for 60 months. The 3-series would have a payment of $564/mo with total interest of $3885 over the 60 months, while the 7-series would have a payment of $1102 with total interest of $6137.....

I'm not sure why the absolute lowest APR is the only criteria. Is it because you've had bad interest rates in the past and want to get a good one this time? Even still, you should also consider other criteria in addition to APR....

tenzo · April 2006

Hi. Guys
I got a 06 325i 9K miles on it, and plan to trade in to 03 M3 conv. w SMG and NAV (42800, dealer asking for and pretty much all the available options on it) they are willing to pay 29800 for my 06 325i and here is the detail. Tell me what you guys think about this deal.
Thanks

My 06 325i
STEPTRONIC Automatic Transmission $1,275
Premium Package $2,900
Cold Weather Package $1,000
Xenon Adaptive Headlights $800
All-Weather Floor Mats $78
Aluminum Pedals $85

raln48 · April 2006

On a 36 month / 45k mile lease on a '06 330xi through BMWFS, can someone convey the current information regarding the following:

1) Residual value (%)
2) Money Factor
3) Acquisition fee (range)

Thanks.

wayne6 · April 2006

I'm about to take the plunge and buy an 330i in the next few weeks (unless there's real news about the coupe release date). Does anyone have recent info on which dealers in the LA area are making the best deals and if they had good/bad experiences? Also, what is the going amount over invoice I should expect these days? Thanks.

ckm1515 · April 2006

1) Residual is 62% of MSRP - non negotiable
2) MF is .00195 - dealer can mark up by .0004
3) $695 - dealer can mark up by $200

Obv, #2 and #3 are negotiable

jzcarr25 · April 2006

OK...Ive been reading this forum for a while. Just got off the phone with the dealer. Here are the lease variables he gave me on a 330i, sport/premium/6-speed.

3 yr/ 12k

Resid - 64% - looks good
MF - .00250 -- that is WAY high
Acq Fee - $825 -- high too

OK..before I go guns a blazin on this guy I want to confirm. The base rate for April is .00195, and this IS negotiable? He told me the only way to get it down was to give him a security deposit. Is that true?? Also, the Acq fee IS negotiable?? Is the base rate still $625? Thanks for your help!

getwirednen · April 2006

1) M.S.R.P.: $ 43,770.00
2) L.E.V.%: 62.00%
3) Lease-end Value: $ 27,137.40
4) Selling Price: $ 40,925.00
5) Term: 36
6) Money Factor: 0.00208
7) Adjusted Cap Cost: $ 41,240.96
8) Cash Cap Reduction: $ 309.04
9) Total Sales Tax: $ 600.15
10) Acquisition Fee: $ 625.00
11) Tag/Title Upfront: $ 74.00
12) Doc Fee Upfront: $ 398.00
13) Security Deposit: $ 4,200.00 (MF buy down)
14) Base Monthly Rental: $ 533.98
15) Tax Rate/Amt: 3.0000%$ 16.02
16) Total Monthly Payment: $ 550.00
17) Amount Due At Start: $ 5,554.47

2006 325i
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Sport Package
Automatic transmission
Comfort Access
Park Distance Control
Xenon headlights
Navigation System
Premium Hi-Fi system
Satellite radio prep

jaxdave · April 2006

Dealer in N. Florida is offering the following deal:
2006 325i
Sparkling Graphite
Steptronic Automatic
Premium Pkg
Sport Pkg
IDrive/Nav
Adaptive Xenon Headlights
Sirius Satellite Radio

$39,515 plus Tax, Tags/Registration.

This is below Edmunds TMV and also below KBB "Book Value". Sounds like a decent deal to me. Any idea what the going rates above invoice are in FL right now? Any opinions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

raln48 · April 2006

Thanks for passing this along.
I meet with the dealer in 1 hour to pick up the new car.
I'll see what they throw at me.

Thanks again.

mattr82 · April 2006

In doing your car in edmunds, I came out with: $41,240 MSRP $37,820 Invoice. Your price is 1695 over invoice. I am not sure on the Florida market, but I think you should probably be able to do better than this. I would shoot for between 500-1000 over invoice, the latter which is probably attainable given some work. To give you an idea I paied approx 500 over invoice in New Jersey, but we have a very competitive market with many dealerships within a small radius. In looking at this heavily optioned 325, I can't help but think that you should look into a less heavier optioned 330. The premium package is less on the 330, as well as the standard xenons. I don't know how important all of these options are to you, but I feel going up in the 3 series badging should be of top priority over a plethora of options. In the end I feel that I will be able to recoup around 1/2 of the approx 4k difference between the 325 and 330 once I decide to sell the car, so I considered it to be a good "investment" for me. The 330 also includes bigger brakes, 17 inch tires, chrome trim on the grill and doors, and the Logic 7 sound system. I have went over the difference in the 325 and 330 quite a bit, as I was faced with the same dilemma myself. After doing everything on paper, it appeared to me that the new 3 should be either options out as a bare 325i or a lightly optioned 330, in order to maximize value.

I would send out a mass e-mail to every dealer in Florida asking what they can do for this car Our The Door and for them to break it down for you. Once you have the best price, you can repeat the process to see if any of the dealers will beat/match this price. It takes a little work, but can save you a decent amount of money. Good luck.
Matt

kyfdx · April 2006

The numbers I see show 61% residual and a new money factor of .00195 on the '06 330Xi..

Assuming those numbers are correct.. the money factor has dropped for April on the AWD models..

regards,
kyfdx

jaxdave · April 2006

Thanks for all the info. I have not really considered the 330i because one of the options that I really want is the IDrive/Nav. Before anyone jumps all over me about that, Yes I have played with it extensively and I am one of the rare people who actually likes it. With that being said, the difference in price to move up to a 330 plus the $2K IDrive option puts me out of the range I want to spend.

I have e-mailed all of the dealers within 200 miles, though that is only about 5 dealers, and the price mentioned above is the best so far. I took it back to the other dealers and none would even consider matching it. One dealer told me flat out "Take the deal from the other dealer". Unfortunately the only BMW dealer in in Jacksonville has a lousy reputation for service. The dealer I got the best price on is about an hour away but offers pickup/dropoff valet service when you need to have the car serviced. Basically this means they will send someone with a loaner to my home or office, pickup my car and leave me the loaner until they bring my car back. That has some appeal since I don't really want to use my local dealer's service dept. Anyway, I may try to expand the e-mails out to more dealers further out in the state. Thanks again for the info. I really appreciate the input.

skobola · April 2006

I can certainly agree with you about pricing the Bimmers in Florida, as there appears not to be too many dealers and people really want these cars. I thought that the worst market is Miami, as there are only 2 dealers and it appears that everyone wants one! Therefore, I ordered mine from a dealer in New York, as they appear to have much lower pricing - namely I got my new 325i for $910 above invoice, which is unthinkable in Miami, as they are selling it at MSRP or at best for a little bit less. In order to ease the delivery pains, I opted to pick up the car in Spartanburg, which is actually a very nice pickup, and you would be able to be home in just one afternoon, immediately after your delivery ends. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck!

raln48 · April 2006

Thanks. I discovered this to be true yesterday when I signed the lease and picked up the car.
The original deal was negotiated in February when the money factor was .00225. The car was ordered then. The commitment from the dealer was to pass along their buy rate.

When they presented me with the paperwork yesterday, they kept the rate at .00225, even though the buy rate had dropped to .00195.
Fortunately I was aware of the money factor reduction. They grudgingly lowered it to .00195. This made a $21 per month difference in the payment.

Anyway, the car is fantastic -- much better than I had expected it to be.

Thanks again.

getwirednen · April 2006

Anyone can share with me their experience with ordering a "special order" 330i? How long did it take?

Can you "lock in" residuals and money factors from the time you order the vehyicle?

ckm1515 · April 2006

Total elapsed time, from purchase order to pick up, was 7 weeks. Longest wait was at the dock and across the atlantic.

Residuals are non negotiable and set forth by BMWFS. The money factor is 'negotiable' in so much as a dealer may mark it up by .0004. Assuming they did that, then one can negotiate for the buy rate factor. If one was to have ordered a 06 330xi in Feb and took delivery in April, you should request the current rate factor of .00195.

bdr127 · April 2006

Anyone can share with me their experience with ordering a "special order" 330i? How long did it take?

Can you "lock in" residuals and money factors from the time you order the vehyicle?

It usually takes, on average, around 5 weeks to go from ordering to coming in at the port. Then to get to your dealership, the time varies based on location.

If you do a credit app and submit your info/price to BMWFS, then you can lock in the current rates for 60 days.

bdr127 · April 2006

Thanks for all the info. I have not really considered the 330i because one of the options that I really want is the IDrive/Nav. Before anyone jumps all over me about that, Yes I have played with it extensively and I am one of the rare people who actually likes it.

I wish more people were like you and actually tried it out.... Like you said, it's really pretty straight-forward, but somehow the auto media still has the idea that the current iDrive is like the 2002 7-Series. Good for you for actually "test driving" iDrive...

jzcarr25 · April 2006

OK...where do people live that get the .00195 MF rates? I have tried 3 dealerships, 2 in NC and one in DC and all 3 have quoted me .00250. None of them seem willing to negotiate the rate either? Is this something that they wont neg on until they feel the deal is final, or does it require that you are a return BMW customer, etc?? It seems like a lot of people on this forum are getting the .00195 with little hassle. Im not having much luck. Has anyone else run into this?

blueguydotcom · April 2006

Have you explained to the dealer that you know the buy rate and you're willing to let them have a point or two profit on it?

Honesty works best in this situation. My dealership tried a 4 point bump. I balked and explained why. They came back to earth. also let them know as it's a lease, you'll be back in 3 years time. A return customer is gonna be more profitable in the long run...

jzcarr25 · April 2006

Ive told each one, your buy rate is .00195 and they even confirm that (in a subtle way). The problem is I have no leverage, if all the dealers I am working with give a .00250 rate then I cant go back to them with an offer to beat. So far the price negotiations have been fairly easy, but they are really fighting me on the MF. Interestingly, I thought the latter would have been easier. .00250 is a dramatic mark-up and makes a serious difference in the monthly payment. Im to the point now where I will use the dealer willing to go with .00195 and pay to ship the car.

jaxdave · April 2006

Thanks for the additional info. I am actually getting pretty close to your NY number right now. I got a call back from my local dealer this morning (the one who told me to take the other deal) and they have now beaten the best offer by a few hundred bucks. So I am about $1200 over invoice at this point. To be honest, I had never thought of going out of state to order. I had planned to do the Spartanburg delivery anyway because I think it would be a lot of fun. What were your costs to register the car back in FL again from out of state? I seem to remember it being pretty expensive when I first moved down here 10 years ago. There was some kind of extra tax or something as I recall.

kyfdx · April 2006

The .0025 rate is without a security deposit.. They are marking it up the maximum.. If you made a deposit, the maximum rate would drop to .00235...

I'd be upfront with them... and tell them you won't lease, except at the base rate..

NC? Spartanburg is close.. you can do PCD, and it won't matter where you buy it from..

regards,
kyfdx

dogsambam · April 2006

My lease on my 2004 325i is up in 3 weeks. I went to BMW to get a quote on a 2006 equipped the exact same way as my car is now. The sticker is basically the same as my 2004, as is the discount on the car which I received in 2004. The lease is almost $200 more than my car was in 2004. This makes no sense, and when asked about it, the dealer was very evasive. What are the money factors on a 24 month lease with 12000 miles a year and the depreciation percentage? Looking at a 325i, Silver with a sticker around 36,500. They are also going to use my car for a tax savings becasue its trade in value is the same as the buyout. I am ready to walk to a different brand. Please help. $200 more a month sounds rather steep, and in all my years of leasing cars, I have never seen a lease go up so much, even on a new body style.

jzcarr25 · April 2006

Thanks kyfdx..What is PCD?? Is that like free shipping to the plant in Spartanburg? Its only 2 hrs away from me. I have been pretty blunt with these guys and I have gotten the same story from 3 separate dealerships in 2 states. Does anyone have names of dealerships where they got the .00195 rate?

raln48 · April 2006

Try Motorwerks BMW in Minneapolis.

kyfdx · April 2006

I'm just guessing, but there were probably decent 24 month lease incentives on the the 325i when you got yours two years ago..

Not only are lease rates higher (along with all interest rates), but BMWFS no longer has cheap 24 month leases on the 325i.. The residual is only 9% higher than the 36 month lease, and the money factor is actually higher..

To get any kind of comparable rate, you'll probably have to go for 36 months... and even then, it will probably be $100/mo. more..

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx · April 2006

Performance Center Delivery..

They put you up for a night in a local Greenville hotel.. feed you dinner... Deliver your car the next morning, then give you a car control class and let you drive their car on the track..

All for no extra charge... pretty sweet deal.. If I lived as close as you do, I'd do it. Even if I bought locally.. But, you have to order.. They won't send a car down that is already on the lot..

regards,
kyfdx

skobola · April 2006

The NY dealer charged me $200 for new tag, which is about $140 more than what would cost me in Florida, as I would continue to use my existing tag. But provided that the lease amounted to about $100 less per month, this was a no-brainer.
Considering your lease deal with a Fla dealer, just be careful for them not to apply the usual boosted acquisition fee (in Miami it is $825 instead of $625) and especially not the higher MF, which actually can make the monthly lease price fairly higher (about $25 per month in a 2-year lease if they increase the MF for a maximum amount that BMW FS allows them to do, and what they do here in Miami very, very often).
If you need any help, let me know (see my profile).

jaxdave · April 2006

Thanks for all your help. I will not be leasing however, just a straight purchase. I have a long commute to work and put 20K miles+ on a car every year. So leasing is not really a viable option. It seems like that puts me in the minority on most of the BMW forums. Not sure why really... I guess a lot you guys like to get a new Bimmer every couple of years. I might end up like that too after owning one. Who knows? I'll let you know in a couple of years.

I think I can probably get this deal done with one of these dealers for about $1K over invoice. This will be my first Bimmer and I'm pretty psyched about it. I'm looking forward to a lot of fun driving. Thanks again for your help.

selm · April 2006

Last year BMW threw marketing support on the e46 sedans to sell them once production switched over to the e90 (Jan - May 2005). Now that the production for the coupes will be switching to the e92 shortly, is there any word about BMW throwing support on the e46 coupes? I know no one can predict the future, just wanted to get everyone's best guess.

rats13 · April 2006

I just picked up my 330i at South Bay BMW over the weekend that I ordered in February. I got:
330i
Monaco Blue Metallic
Premium Package
Navigation
Steptronic
Heated Front Seats
Sirus
Comfort Access
Floor Mats

Invoice: $41,090 + $330 MACO :mad:
Price: $42,220 = $800 over invoice + MACO

I think I did pretty good.

I e-mailed 3 dealers asking for quotes: New Century, Pacific & Long Beach and I countered New Century/Pacific. New Century came back the cheapest (just under $800). I then went to South Bay near my house and they matched the $800 over invoice target I had with just a bit of hemming and hawing.

Hope this helps. Good Luck

dexteref · April 2006

How much would you pay for an 06 325I

Jet Black
Premium Package with black leather
Automatic
Sat. Prep

MSRP is $35,870
Selling Price - $34,000
Is this a good deal before I sign the dottted line.
Dealership is in Maryland VOBB BMW.

jaxdave · April 2006

According to Edmunds, at $34K you are about $1085 over invoice. I know in some parts of the country people are occasionally getting $500 over invoice, but I'd say take the deal. I'm not sure what the market is like in Maryland, but down here in Florida I worked pretty hard with 5 different dealers to get to $1K over invoice and felt like that was the best I could do. I'm ordering mine tomorrow for a PCD in South Carolina. Good luck with your deal. Hope it all works out for you.

getwirednen · April 2006

Hi All,

Since the 6 disc changer is a dealer installed option, I was wondering what people out there are paying for this option installed. Personally, I find it odd that I add a $1300 upgraded sound system and don't get a 6 disc changer (like Audi), but oh well... Your experiences are welcome!

jabrolta · April 2006

dexteref,

My friend got the same car (with out sat prep - $75) at VOB for around $33k. I got my 06 330i from VOB last May and it was very hard to get a good deal then. I paid $750 off MSRP for a Jet black Premium, Sport, and Cold packages. The MD market is a little tuff. I have heard Passport BMW gives good deals. You might want to email all dealers in the MD and VA area

jigga416 · April 2006

I am going to purchase my fist BMW!!
I am looking to get a 323i automatic with sports package. I know it's not much but it is my first new car. I was hoping you guys could tell me what some of the fees are? I have heard there are a lot of fees added to buying a new car. I live in Canada but I think the fees are the same and I am doing a cash.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

raln48 · April 2006

Get or use an iPod instead of the disc changer.

agbasher · April 2006

I put $500 down on custom order 1.5 weeks ago. Can I back out??

I think the only thing I have signed so far is the credit check for approval on the lease. Car will not be in stock until mid-June.

Any help? Thanks!

agb

rats13 · April 2006

My guess is it depends on the State you are in. For example, in California my salesperson said a custmer can even cancel after the car is delivered. Laws may vary depending on the state you are in. At most I would think you could lose a portion of your deposit.

Good Luck

dexteref · April 2006

Thanks !

The dealer is also giving me FREE floor mats and NO processing FEE. Good luck with your purchase.

getwirednen · April 2006

Thanks for your suggestion, however I would rather not have wires all over my dash and coming out the front of my sound system. Unless there is a way to connect the iPod and make it invisible.

flbmw · April 2006

The auxilliary outlet for the IPOD is located inside the center console storage area, so it won't be visible. When you plug into this outlet, the audio output is directed to your speakers. So there won't be any visible wires.

bdr127 · April 2006

My guess is it depends on the State you are in. For example, in California my salesperson said a custmer can even cancel after the car is delivered. Laws may vary depending on the state you are in. At most I would think you could lose a portion of your deposit.

State laws have nothing to do with it.... If you haven't signed the paperwork, then you don't have to buy the car.

However, don't guarantee on getting your deposit back. The reason a dealer takes a deposit is because they are using up their allocation on your car and ordering a car they wouldn't necessarily sell on their lot. If they end up stuck with your custom order, then they would use the deposit to offset the interest that accrues as that car sits on the lot for month after month.....

rats13 · April 2006

"State laws have nothing to do with it.... If you haven't signed the paperwork, then you don't have to buy the car"

They do in California. In CA you are entitled to your entire deposit back at any time before you take delivery. At least that is what my salesguy said.

buckeyebill · April 2006

I am trying to negotiate a price in Mentor, Ohio with a large BMW dealership. My wife wants a 325xi because of weather conditions here-they are horrible during winter. This is what she wants:

325xi
Premimum package
automatic trans.
heated seats
white-not metallic

Dealer is asking for 36,645 before taxes, but including delivery charges.This sounds like $1,600 under msrp to me. Does anyone ahve a feel for midwest pricing and Cleveland pricing in particular? Can I still push him some?

dexteref · April 2006

Thanks for the information. VOB BMW saids no processing fee and Free Floor mats. I'm trying to talk the salesman down to around $33500. Have you have any problems with VOB BMW maintenance service. My car arrives the end of April.
Thanks.

jabrolta · April 2006

dexteref,

VOB BMW service department is terrible. I have experienced problems with them due to lack of knowledge about their own vehicles and a non-caring attitude. My wife has a Ford and her dealership is more professional and caring than VOB. I am very disappointed since paying for premium car one should expect better service. Since I live in the area, I have no choice but to service my car there. I dread going to the service department. I have provided you with a link that describes VOB service department from customers feedback.

VOB Dealer Rater Feedback

Even though they have a low score, it is apparently a problem across the state of MD and VA(See links below). Hopefully BMW NA can resolve these problems with its dealers.

MD BMW Dealer Ratings

VA BMW Dealer Ratings

dexteref · April 2006

Thanks for the heads up. I guess once I pick my car up from VOB BMW service will be a problem in this area. Do you think the VOB salesman are good or have you heard anything about what salesman to stay away from. I'm tried of hearing salesmans say" I GOT TO MAKE A LIVING" when I talk about getting the car $500-$1000 over invoice. Thanks Again. how is your BMW holding up?

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

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