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.