How I Scored a Fabulous Deal from the Comfort of My Easy Chair

[Jack in Jax]

For those reading this thread and thinking they perhaps 'owe' their business to the local dealer - or thinking the purchase will guarantee good service - be sure to use the dealer rater that's on-line: www.dealerrater.com/search/

Many dealers have not acquired a large number of reviews, so the rating number itself may not mean much. However, even mediocre ratings are hard to find among the BMW dealers in several SE USA states I reviewed, and the customer reviews are usually chilling.

Jack

[pheller]

Well, just faxed to 11 dealers across MA, NH, and RI. We'll see who bites :-)

[Upgrade+]

Robert, I'm in the process now of trying to get a good deal on a 135i. I am just looking to get sport package and leather option. What do you think is a possibility price? Meaning, is it possible that I could get these options included for no higher than $36,000-$37,000? Also, i'm in upstate NY. Do you think that dealers in the upper east areas will be less willing to bite on my offer? Should I offer $37000? That's the price I want.

[robert.payne]

UpGrade+,

Just looking at your proposed configuration, I think that $36,500 - $37,000 would be a very reasonable, and likely achievable, target to shoot for. If you'll look back through this thread, as well as a few of the others on the pricing forum, you will find that several other people have achieved similar savings.

Definitely don't limit yourself to just a couple of dealerships. Shop around. You should be able to find someone willing to accept your offer.

good luck,

-robert

[WishBone33]

UpGrade+,

Robert is right. U have to email/fax/call to many different dealerships. You said you are in NY. I am in North Carolina and i was emailing every BMW dealership in North Carolina and some in FL, VA, TN, GA, SC, PA. U cant limit yourself to just your surrounding dealerships. I offered $1,000 over invoice and some replied with counter offers, some replied with No, some replied with "your offer is unreasonable," but 1 accepted. That's all it takes. Just 1 to accept your offer, so really, the odds are in your favor. After that 1 dealership accepts, its a whole new ball game because you can take that accepted offer and see which dealerships will match it. Luckily for me, my local BMW dealership matched the offer AND waived the training fee. Would they have accepted my $1,000 over invoice offer without having the accepted offer from the other dealership? probably not, so cast a wide net. Then see if any of your local dealerships want to match it. Good Luck

[Upgrade+]

So should I bring a print out of accepted offers to my near by dealers and see if they match? The only issue for me would be finding a way to get to dealers that are farther away (I don't suppose they would deliver to the dealers close to me?). I think for the options I want (leather, sport package) i'm going to offer $36,500. Anyone feel that's reasonable or that I should ask at a lower price point? I wanted navigation as well but it's a $2,000 dollar option. So total for all 3, I was going to offer $37,500. Think that would be a good offer? Sorry for all the questions, but this car is consuming me and I want to get the ball rolling and want to get the best deal like the others in this thread have done. Thanks all. Also, when it comes to emailing, who do I send to?

[HPADDICT]

UpGrade I am in the same boat as you. I have a 06 sti with 11,500 mi. The dealer offered me 23,500 trade in and 500 off MSRP. I think he will have to do better then that. Let me know what you get worked out.

[Upgrade+]

Hey HP. I'm going to sell my car privately rather than trade. You only have 11.5k on your car and they offer 23,500?? Hell no. Don't take it. Sell privately and put a for sale sign in your window when you drive. It'll help. I always get offers for mine. Good to see your making the switch from a great car to an awesome one.

[WishBone33]

UpGrade+

Yeah u have to bring them a printed out copy of the accepted offer(s) because with out it, they wont believe u

[xLOKOx]

LUCKY YALL 1ers!!! Great deal Robert. I'm currently doing a work assignment in naples, FL and i wasn't able to get a deal on the 135i. They offered 42,875 + all other fees. I was willing to give $20,000 down payment and finance the rest for 24 months...plus my poor credit didn't help (i wasn't approved). My plans are to wait another 3 months and i'll be able to save another $9K...and if delivery takes 8 weeks...i'll be able to save another $6k...Grand TOTAL=$35K...hopefully after 5 months the 09's will be out and i'll be able to get a great deal.

[BMW=BeggingMantoWife]

Can someone tell me if the Dealer pays the Training Fee and MACO Fee when doing ED.
Thanks

[guardianangel3290]

So heres my deal, I cant decide between an EVO X and a 135i coupe.
I can get a fully loaded EVO for 33k at South Coast Mitsu
Every BMW dealer i talk to about the 135i quotes me 36,775
All i want is a base alpine white with the sport package
If i can get find a BMW dealer willing to sell one for 35k or a little lower I would bite in a heart beat
any advise?
is this a fair price?

[pheller]

Originally Posted by pheller

Well, just faxed to 11 dealers across MA, NH, and RI. We'll see who bites :-)

Done.

Scored the following for European Delivery, completed by order, and have a production number:

135i in Sparkling Graphite Metallic
Cold Weather Package
Sport Package
Premium Package
Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim
Black Boston Leather
Comfort Access
Park Distance Control
Navigation
Premium Hi-Fi
iPod & USB Adapter

For $40500, which by my calculation is $830 over ED Invoice (reflects the option price increases).

Gotta wait a week to see the right data in OwnersCircle :-)

My 3 preferred dates are 9/15,16,17. Lived in Munich for awhile, so I will crash there with friends for a bit, hit the Nürburgring, and most importantly hit Oktoberfest (but after I drop off the car for shipping) :-)

[Imola.ZHP]

^ and someone told me a few months ago that $1k over ED invoice wasn't going to happen...

CONGRATS!

[All4One]

Pheller Congrats. Enjoy the trip. I am doing ED also. It is something unique and probably the best part, for at least in my case.

Were you quoted with the new increases for the options?

[pheller]

Yes, the new prices are reflected in my negotiated price. Updated my post just about the time you posted your reply ;-)

[robert.payne]

Very nice. Great deal, Pheller. ED should be a wonderful trip.

[pheller]

Yeah, too bad it's just over 3 months away...

Still, hard to end a post without a :-) ,it's a great car, I'm happy to be getting it. Will be interesting to see if it's an 08 or 09 given when it will come off the line.

[Ev0lutionSm0ke]

For the past week I have been looking into getting rid of my STI for something that is more luxurious, but still has pickup. This landed me upon many decisions, such as the G37, the IS350, and the 135i. But after finally reading reviews and seeing all the cars in person I decided to go for the 135i. I dont want anything special, all that I want is the Sedonna Metallic Red, with the sports package, and IPOD/USB.

So upon deciding what I wanted, I used the "Payne" method and wrote out a long professional email, and got the fax numbers to 30 dealers around me. I sent the fax at 9 am this morning. When i woke up around 1030, I already had 8 quick responses. In the best deal I found was an invoice of $35,234, and a dealer offered me $36,100. The reason of the higher invoice is due to BMW's markups.

So i would like to tell anyone who is thinking about doing it, that this does work, and that when you put in the time it makes it all worth it. Thank you Mr.Payne! I hope to be selling my STI soon, and picking up a 135I!


Here is the email that was sent back to me

"Hi Glenn,

We received your fax regarding purchasing a 135i coupe. As I am sure you are aware the car as you have optioned will have to be ordered. BMW has increased prices for certain options on cars that are being built. For your car the following will apply. Sport package's MSRP will increase to $1,100, Metallic paint's MSRP will increase to $550 and the destination charge will increase to $825. Please note you cannot order the M sports steering wheel w/ paddle shifters with manual trans. It can only be ordered with auto trans.
We are estimating our invoice to be $34,810 plus our advertising fee BMW charges us of $244 plus $180 for preperation and detail.
This totals $35,234 and we can offer to sell you this car for $36,100 plus tax and tags.

Thanks,
Bru."

[Ev0lutionSm0ke]

Originally Posted by HPADDICT

UpGrade I am in the same boat as you. I have a 06 sti with 11,500 mi. The dealer offered me 23,500 trade in and 500 off MSRP. I think he will have to do better then that. Let me know what you get worked out.

I am in the same boat as both of you, lol. I have an 06 STI with a lot of Mods with only 13,000 miles. I am trying to sell. Hopefully it will all work out for all of us!

[enzo65]

Originally Posted by pheller

Yeah, too bad it's just over 3 months away...

Still, hard to end a post without a :-) ,it's a great car, I'm happy to be getting it. Will be interesting to see if it's an 08 or 09 given when it will come off the line.

It will be an '08. '09s won't be available for ED until mid-October, according to BMWNA ED department. I'm doing ED in September as well so I wanted to find this out too.

[pheller]

Oh well, had really hoped to get the updated iDrive for the google maps integration.

Alas, I'm too excited to back out now.

:-)

What days did you submit for ED?