[dj128]

Hello everyone, been reading the posts for several months now, but finally registered today. Gonna jump in and purchase my first BMW in the next few weeks, but need some advice about how best to approach the dealers to get the best price. Any suggestions? Email? Walk in? I've only been to the Boston dealership.

I've driven both the 328xi and 335xi and it was an obvious choice. Going for the big gun. Just can't decide between Monaco Blue/Saddle Brown or Space Gray/Coral Red?

[Mr. BMW]

Are you going to order or buy off the lot? I would think you might get a better deal buying one of the lot since they are probably looking to move them with the economy the way it is right now.

I've had 4 BMW's and have ordered each one. The way I look at it is, if I'm going to spend 40K+ on a car, I'm going to get it exactly what I want.

The first thing I would do is build one online with the options you like. Then you can go on Edmund.com or carprice.com or whatever and get the invoice price.

Next you can checkout inventory of some of the local dealers online and see if they have what you want. I think you will find a lot more 328xi vs 335's.

As far as color, Monaco is stunning when clean. It's tough to keep clean though but if you have a garage you will probably be OK. I have Monaco with black and love it!

[Roowah]

Congratulations on taking the step into the BMW family! A word of warning...you'll never want to drive anything else. I was able to order my car exactly the way I wanted it. The hardest part was the wait!

I'm the kind of person that likes to do my negotiations face to face. Fortunately, we live in an area that there are a lot of BMW dealerships, so you should shop around for the best price. If you'd like, feel free to PM me and I'll let you know who I recommend.

Both color choices are very nice. I do agree with Mr. BMW that the darker colors do take more maintenance. Space grey is a good middle ground, and with the coral red looks great.

[blueaudi18]

jsut go in a dealer and say u want to order your car and u want to pay only 500 over invoice. If they say no, jsut walk to the next dealer.

Like MrBMW said, you have to know the prices first. So build the car online and go into the dealer prepaired.

i'm sure u can get the car at invoice now if you try hard enough.

Dont buy off the lot unless it has everything you wanted. Nothing more, nothing less.

[dj128]

Will the dealerships give you just as good of a price if you order your car versus driving one off the lot? What's the usual wait on an order? Will they honor the 0.9% financing even if your car arrives after 5/31/09?

[BMWFanboy]

Try bimmerfest.com, that's what you're looking for.

[Roowah]

Originally Posted by dj128

Will the dealerships give you just as good of a price if you order your car versus driving one off the lot? What's the usual wait on an order? Will they honor the 0.9% financing even if your car arrives after 5/31/09?

I ordered my car, but I really had no choice. I wanted a MT and they didn't have any on the lot. I would recommend going to several dealerships and working to get the best price.

As far as I'm aware, as long as you order your car and submit financing prior to the special financing deadline, you can be locked into the rate for up to 60 days.

[blueaudi18]

its all the same. they will try to sell u one on the lot saying they will give u a better deal than if you order. Thats jsut BS talk. I order mine, and got a good deal for back than. 1000 over invoice.

plus u are locked in on the rates like above person said.

[patbaker82]

I ordered my car and paid invoice for it. I basically told them, I'll sign the papers right now if I can get invoice.

[dj128]

Wow, which dealership was this???

[TL]

my vote is for the space gray/red leather. I orig wanted that but they told me i would have to wait 3 months so i got the black/black on the lot. black is nice when it's clean but it's so hard to keep clean in the winters.

i agree with Mr. BMW. best bet is to shop/compare online first and then see which dealership carries the car you want and then call them up. they're hurting really bad so there should be lots of room for negotiation (remember it's a buyer's market) good luck with the purchase and post some pics when you get it!

[jpsum]

Stay away from ALL Herb Chambers!!!
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239917

[jopa489]

Peabody is a great place. I'd also avoid HC at all costs, I really don't like the huge megadealers.

As everyone else said, do your own homework and know the numbers.

[dj128]

Wow, is herb chambers that bad? Good to know.

So are there any hidden fees that I should avoid? Stupid taxes or fees, etc.? I was going to ask for invoice price, but will anyone actually do below invoice prices?

[holson]

Despite all the bad rep that HC gets, I got my 335 from them. I got the best price and to me that's all that mattered. It's a plus that my CA and sales manager still treat me well to this day.

I cross shopped with 3 other BMW dealers in the area, one in Peabody, one in Norwell and one in Norwood. The only other one that got close was the Norwood dealership.

Peabody told me to 'go away' () and Norwell couldn't match it (profesionally turned my offer down - well appreciated).

i really think it's not as much the dealership as it is the person you deal with.

If you're interested i'll PM you the name of the sales rep that I dealt with. As long as he's still there I would not hesitate to deal with HC - otherwise then the re-evaluation begins

there's a few other fees: MACO and training fees I think - but depending how desperate the dealers are to move cars they might absorb them and even sell the car below invoice. It never hurts to cross shop - it's fun

good luck

[blueaudi18]

+1 ^^

HC initially gave me the best price(1000 over invoice in dec 07). Norwood only agreeded to match after i ordered from HC even though i did go to norwood first. They said the car is too hot right now for them to sell that low. Only reason i switch to norwood cause they promise to get the the car a couple weeks earlier.

[branabolic]

try tulleybmw in nashua. oh and i have space grey/ coral red.... the space grey hides dirt well and looks amazing when clean, also hides swirls and imperfections decently. as for the coral red, if you wear jeans alot, you'd better buy a good leather cleaner like zaino. but damn does that red look amazing!!

[TL]

Originally Posted by dj128

Wow, is herb chambers that bad? Good to know.

So are there any hidden fees that I should avoid? Stupid taxes or fees, etc.? I was going to ask for invoice price, but will anyone actually do below invoice prices?

Try not to pay for documentation fees. At HC and many dealership they have this fee typed into the P&S making you think it's mandatory but you can tell them you don't want to pay it. it's usually $200 but i have seen it as high as $600 at a toyota dealership in worcester, ridiculous!

[TL]

Originally Posted by BMWFanboy

Try bimmerfest.com, that's what you're looking for.

Here's the link
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...t=confidential

[TL]

Originally Posted by jpsum

Stay away from ALL Herb Chambers!!!
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239917

Oh shet, that's my post but it was the service dept though. Like what some of the guys said here, it's just depends who you get as a CA.

[dj128]

First of all, thank you to everyone for the valuable input. Everything has been VERY helpful...

Just got an offer from HC for a new 335xi coupe for 500 over invoice + PDI fees 275 (what the heck is that?) and mats 130?!?! Ordered, not on the lot.

I was surprised that I would have to pay for floor mats after spending nearly 50k on a car!! Anyways, I got him to waive the PDI fee and floor mats. Should I take it?

[Kev]

That's a pretty good deal if the PDI and mats are waived.