Need advice—X5 M purchase this week

[Sandbag]

I live in a state that has no BMW dealers. I found the car I want online on a dealer website. The dealer is a 450 mile drive from where I am. I called them put a hold on the car. Later this week I will go there to experience the vehicle and purchase it.

Here is some information on the car. Sorry about the all-CAPs below. I cut and pasted it from the web page.

2012 BMW X5 M

ACTIVE VENTILATED SEAT PKG
BAMBOO BEIGE PERFORATED MERINO LEATHER SEAT TRIM
BMW APPS
CARBON LEATHER TRIM
COLD WEATHER PKG
COMFORT ACCESS KEYLESS ENTRY
DRIVER ASSISTANCE PKG
LEATHER DASHBOARD & CENTER CONSOLE
MONTE CARLO BLUE METALLIC
PREMIUM SOUND PKG
REAR CLIMATE PKG
SOFT-CLOSE AUTOMATIC DOORS

The list price for this configuration is $99,125, I will be adding window tinting to the driver's side and passenger's side windows, along with the Clear Bra to the front end of the car. They will install a towing package. I also will be getting a spare tire, jack, and related stuff for flat tires (I will be taking the run-flats off in wintertime to have Blizzaks or X-Ice tires on the vehicle).

My questions for you:

1. I would appreciate any tips you may have on negotiating a good price with the dealer and what you think I can get this car for.

TrueCar.com shows a dealer cost of $90,005, a factory invoice of $92,290, an average price of $98,116, and the sticker price of $99,825 (which includes Destination Fee). These amounts do not include the add-ons to the list in the previous paragraph.

TrueCar.com says:
"For the base model, the average price for a new 2012 BMW X5 M is trending $2,442 below the manufacturer's sticker price. For the one available 2012 BMW X5 M trim line, the average savings is 2.798% below the sticker price."

"The 2012 BMW X5 M has a TrueCar Price Flexibility Score of 81, which indicates that new car buyers have the potential to negotiate a price significantly below the average price paid. Unfortunately, because the flexibility is high, it also means that many car dealerships are selling the BMW X5 M above the average price paid."

2. This is my first BMW, and what a glorious machine this is, so I don't know how long I will have it. Any ideas on the advisability of extending the Maintenance Program Upgrade and the Extended Vehicle Protection?

I know maintenance from the dealers is not cheap, but I don't if extending the Maintenance Program Upgrade will save money for me. What experiences have you had with this and the Extended Vehicle Protection plan. I did find out that if you sell the car while the car in in the Extended Vehicle Protection time, you can get a prorated refund or transfer it to the new buyer. The Maintenance Program Upgrade is transferable, but there is no refund available.


3. When you need a windshield replaced, do you get it done at the BMW dealer or have you entrusted your baby to local glass repair places? I'm asking, because once I have the car at my home base, the closest dealer is 200 miles away.

Thanks in advance for any input and thoughts you will have for my situation.

--
Kevin

[motordavid]

Extending the Maintenance or 'warranty' at time of purchase is not necessary, and is a considerable expense on top of the 100G car, imo. It can be purchased 'down the road', when you get nearer the expiration of either. And, you may not have the car 4 yrs out.

As for price, no opin, though some of the pricing mavens here will have some advice for you.

The other consideration is the distance you will have to travel for BMW dlr repairs on any glitch/fix under warranty...and, hoping you don't have a fail situ, as that is a long flatbed ride for a dlr.
GL, mD

[Sandbag]

Originally Posted by motordavid

The other consideration is the distance you will have to travel for BMW dlr repairs on any glitch/fix under warranty...and, hoping you don't have a fail situ, as that is a long flatbed ride for a dlr.
GL, mD

I have spoken to many BMW owners who live in my town about how they deal with service and breakdowns. They all claim that they only need to go to the nearest dealer once a year for service for in warranty vehicles (depending on mileage driven—15,000 miles a year or less). Out of warranty cars get fixed by the local independent BMW guy. Breakdowns are interesting, along with cars with "issues". If you can get the car to the dealer, they give you a loaner and/or a plane ticket home and one to come back for the car. Sometimes the dealer flatbed trailers the car back to you and they take the loaner. There are a lot of BMWs locally and in our state, Montana, and there are protocols for dealing with this stuff. It can be a hassle, but it is the price you pay to have a BMW here. It is much more of a commitment than having a local dealer.

--
Kevin

[LeMansX5]

You should not be paying more than $1000 over invoice, although you can find better deals. The more you load the car the more $$ discount.

[motordavid]

Sandbag,
Now I get the dlr situ in MT...
I would still skip ordering the Maint/Ext Warr up front, imo.

We just did 3+ days zooming south through Big Sky Country...
fabulous state, imo.
GL, mD

[Shrooman]

First question is, is this your dream build for the car? If it is not, you can have the car built to your exact specifications from many dealers for 1000 or 500 over invoice. Because the cars are manufactured here in the U.S you get them often within 30 days as I did mine last month. I used Car Bargains to find me the best price locally, and my report back had 3 of 7 dealers give me a 1000 over invoice quote for my 2012 X5M , so that should be your absolute maximum you pay plus option prices. The quotes from car bargains are often from fleet managers so no haggling whatsoever. If it's not your dream build I would pay below dealer invoice, around 78-79k plus options.

-Remember to clearbra your rear wheel arches and lower door sills and rocker panels.
I did mine and you cant even see it. Rock chips are a real problem.

-Get extended maintenence later

-Get windshield done at BMW unless out of warranty.

-Remember, there is absolutely no reason for you to ever pay MSRP. Only those who are not informed pay MSRP. If you cannot get 1000 over dealer invoice on your own, Pay $250 and have car bargains shop dealers for you..they will compete blind for your business and in the end you decide who to buy from.


Shroom

[Sandbag]

Originally Posted by Shrooman

First question is, is this your dream build for the car? If it is not, you can have the car built to your exact specifications from many dealers for 1000 or 500 over invoice. <snipped>

-Remember to clearbra your rear wheel arches and lower door sills and rocker panels.

<snipped>

Shroom

This is my dream build for the car. I wanted this color and interior, along with the packages. It's just right for me.

I forgot to mention, yes the clearbra will do the rear wheel arches and lower door sills, too. The window tint and clearbra are being done at the BMW dealer.

--
Kevin

[Shrooman]

Dealer Invoice for the X5M is 79,720 dollars without options
ZAV $1730
BMW apps like $250
ZCW $545
322( keyless entry) $910
HUD $1185
ZPS $1275
ZRC $635
SAT RADIO $320
323 -$545
Bamboo extended $3460

So this should be close to your price...they don't need to know it's your dream build when negotiating. Good luck! Send pics

[Psalm40]

Don't pay more than $1000 over dealer invoice. You can go to the American Express Auto Buying website (type that into Google) and find the closest dealer to you that will guarantee that price (you can always quote Parkplace BMW in Rochester,MN as offering that price, they will). Otherwise, good luck! I found that the Monte Carlo/Bamboo combo was a little too light for my taste. I was offered a 2011 loaded in the same colour for $90,000 flat three weeks ago.

[998M]

I would agree to no more than $1,000 over invoice as well. And to extended warranty later. I live in Wisconsin. We do not use as much sand for the winter as CO does. I still have the entire front of the X5M covered in 3M. Plus sills and rear fenders. Having lived in CO for a winter. Windshields are destroyed. There is a company that makes a 3M type of material for protecting windshields. Much cheaper than replacing the windshield every spring. It is nearly perfect optically. I cannot remember the name of the company. It iwas in a Road & Track. I will see if I can find it later. Might be a great option.

Pirelli does make a Scorpion ice and snow run-flat. Might be an easier option than a spare.

The V8 twin turbo will be awesome in the mountains. I had an S4 and it was a rocket. Turbos are not affected by the altitude.