Has anyone else noticed this about prices on BMW

[Lifted07Duramax]

I've noticed by browsing through autotrader that if the BMW is being sold by a BMW, audi, mercedes type dealership that they usually want $1-2k more than if its being sold by some smaller used car lot.
Is there a reason for this? And no theres no warranty to any of these cars even by the BMW dealership. Im talking 06-07 3 series

I found one that I want and its not too far but they want $2k more for the exact same car that I can go get but have to drive another 400 miles

[ndog14]

Really? Did you look at Audis and Mercedes on Audi, BMW and Mercedes lots? Are they also marked up? What about Hondas on Nissan and Toyota lots?

And Saabs, oh wait they're prices are as bottomed out as they can be.

[02325]

usually dealers are 1-2k more cause they have actuatly looked and the cars and fix stuff like brakes, put on new tires, service them (oil/filter changes, etc). alot of used car lots dont even touch them beside wash them and sell them.

I know my dealer does a full inspection of the cars. if it needs tires,brakes, service, etc it gets done. we even fix scuffed up bumpers interior trim (if broken/missing, etc). SO yea dealers are more. its not rocket science.

[Lifted07Duramax]

usually dealers are 1-2k more cause they have actuatly looked and the cars and fix stuff like brakes, put on new tires, service them (oil/filter changes, etc). alot of used car lots dont even touch them beside wash them and sell them.

I know my dealer does a full inspection of the cars. if it needs tires,brakes, service, etc it gets done. we even fix scuffed up bumpers interior trim (if broken/missing, etc). SO yea dealers are more. its not rocket science.

Ok smartass what I mean is if you go a to a chevy dealership vs a euro dealership. The chevy dealership would be asking less than a euro dealership for some reason. Its like because a BMW is on a BMW lot wether its used or not they ask more for it then 2 dealerships down that has the same car and close mileage but sits at a Ford dealership

[thenewBMWguy]

I think what the other people said still applies.

The BMW dealer is going to know more about the car and be able to see things that may be wrong, where the ford mechanic may not even know to look.

But you are correct also, they can charge a bit of a premium because you are buying it at the BMW dealer. I would say it is a peace of mind thing.

I bought my BMW at a (respectable) Ford dealership. I immediately brought it to the BMW dealership and had them do an inspection/detail. The level of service at the BMW dealership was much better and they make you feel like a king lol. Yes, I know that is only because they want me to bring it to them for the $2k repairs.

[Karbon]

Because they probably put work into it for minor issues or they might have CPO'd it.

A Chevy dealer has no clue about BMW's so I doubt they will fix anything and they can't CPO it. They will sell it as is.

[Knight F Mohawk]

We recently purchased a BMW from a GM dealership, and I negotiated a fantastic deal on it. The salesman simply admitted that it needed some minor attention, and their technicians weren't comfortable working on it. That is a problem that you wouldn't have at a Euro dealer.

Also, a domestic dealer is likely going to offer less for a BMW as a trade in vs. a Euro dealer, because they understand that it's not for their customer base. That makes it possible for them to sell cheaper and still turn a profit.

-Will

[Craig B]

Also think of the closer competition from Chevy dealer to Chevy Dealer....BMW dealers are spaced much farther apart in comparison which can help create that premium price.

[BMR3SN]

Knight said the 2 words that explain it....... Customer base.
A Ford dealership will have a harder time selling a Chevy. Doesnt matter if its domestic or import. Its just how it is....... Same as dealer pricing vs indy or private sale. A dealership will just about always be higher from sales and/or service. Why? Because they can. Partly because of expertise on the given brand, a dealership has higher overhead to cover.

[Lifted07Duramax]

well CPO doesnt matter as the car Im looking at is a 2006 or 2007 so it couldn't be CPOd the 2007 can but it'd be almost out of warranty anyways.
It looks like a 2yr bumper to bumper is 1,500-1,800 depending on dealer.

It really makes me think about just buying one without warranty since I should be able to do most work myself. Unless I get real unlucky I cant see spending 1800 on repairs unless something major happens.

[crackerjack1000]

You just noticed? It's been like that for a long time. Official dealers always mark up their cars, but be aware some don't do anything to the cars. So just because you buy it from the dealer doesn't mean it's going to be good.

From personal experience dealers are a huge scam.

[Lifted07Duramax]

You just noticed? It's been like that for a long time. Official dealers always mark up their cars, but be aware some don't do anything to the cars. So just because you buy it from the dealer doesn't mean it's going to be good.

From personal experience dealers are a huge scam.

Well I can buy it from a private party as I wont be financing but Im alil leary of buying from a private party too. Unless the owner was an older person and had maintence records. Atleast I guess that way you know who the previous owner was instead of buying from a dealer where you have no clue who drove it before.

[smc850ci]

Well I can buy it from a private party as I wont be financing but I'm a lil' leery of buying from a private party too. Unless the owner was an older person and had maintenance records. At least I guess that way you know who the previous owner was instead of buying from a dealer where you have no clue who drove it before.

True, you are always better off if you can get the maintenance records (from a young or older guy). And you're right, that way you can see how the previous owner took care of the car. Plus it should cost less from a private party.

[BMR3SN]

Carfax will have maint records from most major dealers listed..... My last 3 vehicles had all service records included. Carfax is just about standard these days.

[Lifted07Duramax]

Say the car is taken to a walmart or a jiffy lube or something to have the oil done and tranny flushed or whatever service they want done. Will that show up on carfax?
or does it need to go to a dealership?

Im not leaning towards the 550i again after driving a 2008 328i today.
Not that I didnt like it because I do but for the same price or a tad bit more I can get the bigger, roomier, more luxury 550i 2006-2007

[Craig B]

It would have to go to a dealer....walmart, jiffy lube, or like businesses are there to do things as quickly and as cheap as possible. That being said, having the resources to give that info to carfax costs money....so I will go back to the part, they do it as cheap as possible at quick lube businesses.

Also, do not ever get the transmission flushed, sure, a fluid change is not bad, but forcibly removing fluid, will potentially remove other things that will probably cause transmission failure.

[crackerjack1000]

Sad thing is car fax is a joke. out of the many cars I looked at while car shopping 2 had accidents that were not shown on the carfax. You just hav eto play it by sight and ear. Carfax is useless.

[95325i]

If any BMW was serviced at Wal-Mart of Jiffy Lube I would walk a way from it.

I bought my car at a dealer and the next day the car needed service (brake fluid change), and I had to fight with them to get it free (it was a CPO car). You would think buying a BMW at a BMW dealer it would be completely up to date on any service the car needed by the time I picked it up.