Well, we tried to preorder a 2007...

[JMJBimmer]

<<Sorry this is so long>>

Our local dealer had no interest in selling one. We walked in knowing exactly what we wanted including all the options and the price we wanted "out the door" ($800 over dealer invoice = 2%). I figured since this car would not be sitting on their lot and they didn't have to sell us on anything - $800 profit would be a fair starting point.

Their starting point (and ending point) was $200 off MSRP after you tack in all of their dealer fees ($399 "prep" and $150 for "filing"). The whole process took about 10 minutes. The local dealer's bottom line, that's our number take it or leave it - the 2007s will be flying out of here so we don't need to come down on our price. They were very friendly and there was no pressure, but they didn't even try to get our number.

Oddly enough, this is the same experience I had back in '98 when I wanted to preorder my '99 Z3. That time I walked in and told the salesman flat out "I want to buy a '99 Z3." I couldn't get the guy to call me back after the initial visit (my initial offer was 4% over DI)! I guess if they are not going to get full MSRP on the sale, they have no interest in it at all!

The bright side of the Z3 and why I didn't swear off BMW all together was a dealer an hour away bent over backwards to make sure I got that Z3. We haggled back and forth and settled on a price WELL below where the local dealer would consider. They even drove over to pick me up when my car arrived at the dealership.

I hope the X3 has a happy ending...I never thought we'd run into a dealer that didn't want to sell a car.

[rebound]

Are there any other dealers conveniently located? Sounds like you've got a relationship with this one, but maybe you should try another, especially if they "want" your business?

I've had (a very few) dealers blow me off before. They didn't get my business then, or since. Reward good service with your business...

[mwbbmw]

One of the points my dealership first made when we even started the process was that they don't sell OVER invoice!!! Well, that's good because I don't pay OVER invoice . Beyond that, there really isn't any negotiation. Our guy did work with us on some issues later (on our third that we bought - and several referrals) but the fact are:

They are the largest dealer locally.

The only other local dealer is high pressure, low service.

They will sell the car at list price - so why discount?

It kind of sucks but if I wanted an econo deal I'd either search for used or buy a different brand. I would be willing to go with the frist option but the second one just isn't for me!

[AzNMpower32]

Hmm my local dealer is one of the largest on the East Coast, so yea it's no pressure. I don't know about the demand for the 07 X3, but usually my dealer will do $800-1000 over invoice on order, in stock, or ED. Yea, they're kind of like Mr. Big Shot so they don't need to get all pushy or haggle endlessly. But it all works out in the end, the cars sell themselves and it's #4 nationwide. If you don't make an appointment beforehand, all the sales reps are going to be too busy to help you.

[JMJBimmer]

We're going to try the other local dealer, but if anyone can recommend dealers they have had success with, that would be great!

[JCL]

Nothing wrong with a dealer selling a car at retail when there is demand for that car. I get choked over the concept of 'additional dealer markup' but what is wrong with retail pricing when there is a lineup of customers?

I would do just about anything to avoid haggling over a new car price, so I may be biased, but it seems to me there are two groups of dealers.

The first group rely on their sales dept for the profit; play games at selling at a set price over dealer cost, or at least what we believe dealer cost to be, since the rebates aren't shown; will always beat another dealer quote, and so on.

The second group charge a higher price at time of the sale, but tend to invest in service technician training, service department facilities, and owner loyalty programs (not reward points, rather things that improve the customer experience). The service department is a contributor to the bottom line, not a necessary evil.

I choose to deal with the second group. Rather than looking at sales margins over dealer cost, how about rating the dealers on the quality of after-sales service, the availability of loaner cars, etc? BMW even help by doing surveys. They know themselves who is in each group.

I realize that it isn't all black and white, and some low-price dealers do give good service, but all I am saying is that I wouldn't focus solely on tranaction price.

Good luck.

[r6girl]

Originally Posted by JCL

Nothing wrong with a dealer selling a car at retail when there is demand for that car. I get choked over the concept of 'additional dealer markup' but what is wrong with retail pricing when there is a lineup of customers?

i agree! why would a dealership *have* to sell you a vehicle at a price you want that may not even be line with what the market demand will support? if a dealership just rolled over and did that every time, i'd be worried that i'd need to find a new dealership for my service appointments because that first one would probably go out of business.

the key is choice - you have a choice to try to work with another dealership and work to get the price you want. the first dealership you went to chose not to meet your desired price. i don't think it's reasonable to write off the first dealership because of this (unless they were rude or unprofessional, though you noted they were neither) - they were simply making what they felt was a smart business decision to continue being profitable.

i love my X3, and i was willing to pay more over other brands to get one. i wouldn't expect a deep discount on a new model in a premium brand. yes, i'm sure it happens from time to time, but there are so many factors that could come into play (customer history with the dealership, the salesperson needing to sell a certain number of vehicles in a time period to hit a sales goal, etc.) that i would think it's more the exception than the norm.

[acucu]

uuuuuu..... how about buying it 500 over invoice anywhere nationwide and servicing it at your local dealer- the dealers get paid by bmw on warranty and maintance work

the new x's are no different than any other car in terms of sales- there's always a dealer out there that is happy to make 500 for 3hours work to locate and ship you the one u want at a deal.

work hard and you'll find it

[Bimmer4life]

JMJBimmer, what dealer in FL didn't want to sell you an X3?

[Juanted]

Originally Posted by JCL

Nothing wrong with a dealer selling a car at retail when there is demand for that car. I get choked over the concept of 'additional dealer markup' but what is wrong with retail pricing when there is a lineup of customers?

I would do just about anything to avoid haggling over a new car price, so I may be biased, but it seems to me there are two groups of dealers.

The first group rely on their sales dept for the profit; play games at selling at a set price over dealer cost, or at least what we believe dealer cost to be, since the rebates aren't shown; will always beat another dealer quote, and so on.

The second group charge a higher price at time of the sale, but tend to invest in service technician training, service department facilities, and owner loyalty programs (not reward points, rather things that improve the customer experience). The service department is a contributor to the bottom line, not a necessary evil.

I choose to deal with the second group. Rather than looking at sales margins over dealer cost, how about rating the dealers on the quality of after-sales service, the availability of loaner cars, etc? BMW even help by doing surveys. They know themselves who is in each group.

I realize that it isn't all black and white, and some low-price dealers do give good service, but all I am saying is that I wouldn't focus solely on tranaction price.

Good luck.