Trying to pull the trigger...

[BKScripto]

I posted here about a month (or so) ago when I first started dealing for a 135i. Thanks to this forum - I got armed with enough info and hit a few of my local dealers.
Here is the best price I could get after some long negotiations.

135i 6MT AW
Black Leatherette
M Sport Package
Comfort Access

$36,400 + taxes/tags/$459 dealer fee (rip-off).


I believe the invoice on this car is about $35,445. So, the question would be - is $955 above invoice a good price when factoring in MACO/Training fees for a U.S. delivery?
The sales associate said they would be making a $300 profit at $36,400

I told the SA to make it an even $36,000 and they had a deal, but he wouldn't budge.



I would use the "payne" method but I have a trade-in and only have 2 dealerships within a 120 mile radius.



I would be comfortable enough to order at 36k even, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get it. I know its only $400 but still...

What do you guys/gals think about this deal?

[tyler9595]

IMO, invoice +$955 is a smoking deal. I would do it if you love the car.

[BKScripto]

Originally Posted by tyler9595

IMO, invoice +$955 is a smoking deal. I would do it if you love the car.

Yep, seems like a sweet deal to me, just wanted to see if everyone agreed.

The only reason I haven't already ordered the car is because of the $459 dealer fee, ouch! Thus the reason for asking the dealer to do 36k even. That would make the dealer fee easier to swallow.

[jkp1187]

My gut instinct is that the price is a little high. Still, are they giving you a good deal on the trade-in? That may be why they're standing tough on their profit.... Can't do anything about MACO/training fee or title costs, but that "dealer fee" is just a fancy name for profit.

That said, why limit yourself by geography - is that just because of the trade in? You can always do a Performance Center Delivery pickup at Spartanburg, SC for free.

Are you special-ordering a car, or just buying one off the lot? If special ordering, maybe the price is somewhat reasonable.

Ultimately, though a thing is worth what its purchaser will pay for it. If you feel comfortable with that price, don't let me stop you. You'll probably get better service from a dealer if you buy the car through them, and that might be worth an extra couple of hundred dollars on the front end.

[BKScripto]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

That said, why limit yourself by geography - is that just because of the trade in? You can always do a Performance Center Delivery pickup at Spartanburg, SC for free.

Yes, I'm limited because of my trade. Their giving me KBB trade-in value.
I guess I could try to sell it to Carmax...

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Are you special-ordering a car, or just buying one off the lot? If special ordering, maybe the price is somewhat reasonable.

Special order. Most of the dealers around here order with premium packages and automatic trans.

[singular]

Originally Posted by BKScripto

I posted here about a month (or so) ago when I first started dealing for a 135i. Thanks to this forum - I got armed with enough info and hit a few of my local dealers.
Here is the best price I could get after some long negotiations.

135i 6MT AW
Black Leatherette
M Sport Package
Comfort Access

$36,400 + taxes/tags/$459 dealer fee (rip-off).


I believe the invoice on this car is about $35,445. So, the question would be - is $955 above invoice a good price when factoring in MACO/Training fees for a U.S. delivery?
The sales associate said they would be making a $300 profit at $36,400

I told the SA to make it an even $36,000 and they had a deal, but he wouldn't budge.



I would use the "payne" method but I have a trade-in and only have 2 dealerships within a 120 mile radius.



I would be comfortable enough to order at 36k even, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get it. I know its only $400 but still...

What do you guys/gals think about this deal?

So, excluding taxes and tags, it invoice + 955 + 459 = invoice + $1414

IMO - I'd shop around some more.

[dunny]

FWIW, unless they are giving you an amazing deal on your trade (and it was at least $15k or more) then I'd pass on the $995 deal. Bottom line is that dealerships make money even if they sold you the car at invoice pricing with no BS dealer fees.

For standard delivery I have a deal setup for $100 over invoice. I think I can swing that to invoice + no fees if I pushed a little harder. Of course this is because I've purchased from this particular dealership before but I have heard of $100-$500 over invoice around these boards.

For ED pricing, I have 4 or 5 dealerships offering me $500 over ED invoice/wholesale. Basically the price comes to $5k off of sticker for the same configuration above minus the comfort access. I was looking at around $35k out the door for my ED deal.

[BKScripto]

Originally Posted by dunny

FWIW, unless they are giving you an amazing deal on your trade (and it was at least $15k or more) then I'd pass on the $995 deal. Bottom line is that dealerships make money even if they sold you the car at invoice pricing with no BS dealer fees.

For standard delivery I have a deal setup for $100 over invoice. I think I can swing that to invoice + no fees if I pushed a little harder. Of course this is because I've purchased from this particular dealership before but I have heard of $100-$500 over invoice around these boards.

For ED pricing, I have 4 or 5 dealerships offering me $500 over ED invoice/wholesale. Basically the price comes to $5k off of sticker for the same configuration above minus the comfort access. I was looking at around $35k out the door for my ED deal.

Back when I was thinking of doing Euro Delivery I got a really good price for $400 over ED invoice. Sweet deal! I would do ED but I don't like the fact that I would be paying for my ride while its on a boat back to the US.


Anyway, I talked to another dealer today. They gave me a price of $36,325 + $398 dealer fee. Those dealer fees really suck, and I know, its just another way to make a profit but no dealerships around me seem to want to discount the car enough to compensate.

This dealer mentioned that the "1 series production has been scaled down, so they are a limited production vehicle now." Blah, blah, blah

[comotu1]

I say pull the trigger! You will enjoy every min with the car! I believe the only way to avoid the dealer fee is doing ED. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[BKScripto]

Just thought of something...

I'm getting my invoice price from edmunds.com, which is $35,445 with the options I want.
But if I add $480 for the MACO and Training fees (which are legit from what I read), the invoice would actually be $35,925.

So, if the dealer is selling for $36,325, that's $400 above actual invoice. Am I figuring this correctly? But there is still a $400 dealer fee, which I think is bogus!


Thank you for all your help. I'm just really trying to think this thing through before placing my order...Thus all the pondering

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by comotu1

I say pull the trigger! You will enjoy every min with the car! I believe the only way to avoid the dealer fee is doing ED. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong.

The MACO/Training fee of $180 are unavoidable unless you do European Delivery. Tax/title is unavoidable in any situation. Any other "dealer fee" is just another fancy name for dealer profit.

I believe this is the most up-to-date official BMW invoice/MSRP price sheet:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/pdf/pricin...es-pricing.pdf

I'll bet they're playing hardball with you just because you're doing a special order. They'd probably roll over if you were buying something from the lot.

[Alec693]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

The MACO/Training fee of $180 are unavoidable unless you do European Delivery. Tax/title is unavoidable in any situation. Any other "dealer fee" is just another fancy name for dealer profit.

I believe this is the most up-to-date official BMW invoice/MSRP price sheet:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/pdf/pricin...es-pricing.pdf

I'll bet they're playing hardball with you just because you're doing a special order. They'd probably roll over if you were buying something from the lot.

It's not the most up to date list at all, that one doesn't even have the correct M Sport Package listing and no anti-theft alarm system either.

The most recent list was released 3/10/2009 with an effective date of March 1, 2009. I know because I had it printed out at the dealer but unfortunately they ripped up the first page (invoice page) which printed out before I could snag it.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by Alec693

It's not the most up to date list at all, that one doesn't even have the correct M Sport Package listing and no anti-theft alarm system either.

The most recent list was released 3/10/2009 with an effective date of March 1, 2009. I know because I had it printed out at the dealer but unfortunately they ripped up the first page (invoice page) which printed out before I could snag it.

You're right. Sorry.

I don't think the prices will have changed for those items on the list, though, it's just that the list is missing the new items mentioned above, right?

[zerbitini]

I have a quote for a AW 135, Taupe leather, Premium, Cold Weather, iPod/USB and M Sport package for $297 over wholesale. Plus they are throwing in carpeted floor mats. They ARE charging the $405 MACO and $180 Training Fee.

The only reason I'm haven't taken the deal is that I'm debating between Taupe and Savannah Beige leather.

[Alec693]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

You're right. Sorry.

I don't think the prices will have changed for those items on the list, though, it's just that the list is missing the new items mentioned above, right?

The prices are definitely different, even the base prices of the vehicles. Like I said all I have is the MSRP list (Suggested Retail Price).

If you really want me to get a scan in here I can, let me know.