Help with Prices, please!

[bubbakittie]

Hello everyone,

I did a bad thing this week....I strayed from the local VW and Subaru dealerships and wandered into the giant BMW complex to reluctantly check out the 3 series. I just wanted to cover all my bases before buying. One thing led to another and I'm flying down I-35 in a 335xi sedan seeking out some back roads. Then, I made the same drive in a 328xi. OMFG! Prior to this experience, I had generally held disdain for BMW owners believing that staus had more to do with the car purchase than the actual car. Well, officially, I apologize! It is safe to report these 2 machines are the nicest cars I have ever driven! At VW, I drove a R32 and at Subaru, I drove a Spec b and STI. Each car is ok, but there are comprises with each: road noise, exhaust too loud, DSG, suspension tuned to tight, poor ride quality, feels heavy, 18" wheels, poor stereo, too boy racer.....believe me, I could go on. I also looked at Infiniti and Audi: too much chrome, not enough head room...I didn't even driven them I was so unimpressed. And what's with the 3 series seats?....they are soooo comfortable! Everything else too...it was just a pleasure. Despite the high prices, it looks like I'll be buying a bimmer.

I haven't decided on which model to get. I'll need to make that decision eventually, but I'm curious about prices. I know I can really deal at VW or Subaru. At those less worthy places, I can start from invoice and move down.....2% below for the Subbies without negotiating and for the R32, 4k down from invoice if I go through the dealership internet guys.

Here's what I'd like:

328xi+metallic paint+Cold W P+power seats+HD/Ipod/Logic 7+Xenon=40145
or
335Xi+metallic paint+Cold W P+HD/Ipod=43650

Of course, I'll research invoices prices, but what can I expect? Where should I start so that I can get the best deal?

Thanks! :)

[mryakan]

Unfortunately with BMW you start from invoice and move up. I haven't heard of anyone getting at or below invoice and if they did that is rare. I assume you are not leasing, so your only focus is price. I've seen several people here get 1000 above invoice, but that is probably depends on your dealer, supply/demand and your negotiating skills. In any case, welcome to the BMW world, you won't regret it. And yeah, apology accepted :D.

[335iDriver]

Do you have access to fleet pricing through your work? Best deals there. About $500 - $1000 over invoice (I've researched only the 3-series). Best of luck. In todays economy a certified 07' with all the goods is not a bad alternative. When I turn my car in next April its going to only have 20K miles or so.

[paul e]

If you enjoy the prodigious power of the 335i but want to keep it under $40k, there IS an answer: the new 135i! Awesome little beast, will outrun the 335i in stock form, and, will cost around $5k less, depending.... Welcome to BMW!

[bubbakittie]

Thanks for the nice welcome, the info, and tips. :) Certainly not good news regarding pricing, but I'll do my best to twist some arms while shopping around -- not afraid to negotiate if they allow it. Going tomorrow to drive the cars again to come to a determination about which model fits better. I hope the 328 is as cool as I thought it was during the first drive. Of course the 335 is very tempting @ only 3k more the way I have them spec'd. But, I'm a bit hesitant as I worry about the longevity of the turbo motor. The car will be used as a daily driver and is expected to be a keeper.

BTW, I really like the 135, but this needs to be a family car -- one 4 y/o princess and another youngster in the works.

[335iDriver]

Thanks for the nice welcome, the info, and tips. :) Certainly not good news regarding pricing, but I'll do my best to twist some arms while shopping around -- not afraid to negotiate if they allow it. Going tomorrow to drive the cars again to come to a determination about which model fits better. I hope the 328 is as cool as I thought it was during the first drive. Of course the 335 is very tempting @ only 3k more the way I have them spec'd. But, I'm a bit hesitant as I worry about the longevity of the turbo motor. The car will be used as a daily driver and is expected to be a keeper.

BTW, I really like the 135, but this needs to be a family car -- one 4 y/o princess and another youngster in the works.

Bun in the oven.:alright

[PeterC4]

Thanks for the nice welcome, the info, and tips. :) Certainly not good news regarding pricing, but I'll do my best to twist some arms while shopping around -- not afraid to negotiate if they allow it. Going tomorrow to drive the cars again to come to a determination about which model fits better. I hope the 328 is as cool as I thought it was during the first drive. Of course the 335 is very tempting @ only 3k more the way I have them spec'd. But, I'm a bit hesitant as I worry about the longevity of the turbo motor. The car will be used as a daily driver and is expected to be a keeper.

BTW, I really like the 135, but this needs to be a family car -- one 4 y/o princess and another youngster in the works.

Try negotiating your best deal and then consider leasing.

[pappy1911]

I went to Edmunds and found out the invoice. I then offered 2% over to the dealer.
Ended up getting 3.5% under MSRP.

[psucelticXI]

If you enjoy the prodigious power of the 335i but want to keep it under $40k, there IS an answer: the new 135i! Awesome little beast, will outrun the 335i in stock form, and, will cost around $5k less, depending.... Welcome to BMW!

The 135i is awesome, but both models he mentioned were XI models... If he needs AWD, I'm not sure he'd go for RWD...

[psucelticXI]

Unfortunately with BMW you start from invoice and move up. I haven't heard of anyone getting at or below invoice and if they did that is rare. I assume you are not leasing, so your only focus is price. I've seen several people here get 1000 above invoice, but that is probably depends on your dealer, supply/demand and your negotiating skills. In any case, welcome to the BMW world, you won't regret it. And yeah, apology accepted :D.

Yeah, $500 - $1000 over invoice is a pretty good deal. If you're leasing, there are tons of leasing calculator spreadsheets out there to help you. If you're interested in going that route, let me know and I'll hook you up with some.

[bubbakittie]

Bun in the oven.:alright

Yep! :)

[bubbakittie]

The 135i is awesome, but both models he mentioned were XI models... If he needs AWD, I'm not sure he'd go for RWD...

Yeah, I'm most interested in the xi sedans...

[jpat77]

I was able to get a little over a 1000 over invoice here in the SF Bay area
which came out to 2500 below MSRP. It was definitely the best deal offered to me from the several dealerships i visited. Honestly, i think it was a combination of being the end of the month so both the dealership and the salesman were quite willing to come down in order to meet their volume of sales numbers. Even the manager talked to me personally and said if the deal does not get done by Wednesday it would have been void. The next best offer I got on the exact car I wanted was 1300 below MSRP. There was another offer for 3000 below MSRP but it was on other 335s that were fully loaded (~51-52k msrp) but didn't meet most of my specifications.

Anyways my car is
MSRP 40800
Space grey metallic 475
black leather dakota 1450
Nav 2100
Ipod 400
BLuetooth 750
sport 1100
dest and handling 775
grey poplar trim
manual transmission
MSRP 47850
invoice 44100
selling price to me -2500 MSRP
Edmunds TMV 45843
so 45320
Basically they had the exact car i wanted from a previously cancelled order and since not many buy manual, i was in luck they wanted to sell. I feel i got a great deal
especially here in teh SF bay area where volume is really high and there are a lot of well to do types who don't mind spending a lot.
Keep hunting for those bargains!
Im going to make a general post about my purchase just to see if people thought I could have done better.