What is a Realistic Used Price?

[Best4x4xFAR]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Friend,

Given the economic meltdown, you hold all the cards. if you know what you want, deal directly with the used car sales manager and shop a bit.

Other thought is to get a buyer for yourself at the local auto auction (should save you the dealer markup)

One would think. We made an initial offer of $26K (and ultimately offered up $27K before leaving) on the '05 Highland Green Sports Package 4.4i. We thought that was a more than fair offer, especially given it did not have the sunroof, rear window shades, NAV, Premium Audio or much else (it was basically a 4.4i sports and cold weather package only). Its front tires were a bit thin as well, surprising to me that they made CPO.

They pretty much laughed us out of the showroom, claiming they had paid $27,600 for it at auction, and blatantly stating that the downturn in the economy is not affecting sales of 'premium' automobiles. I find it really hard to believe that they paid that much at auction for it, and that they would list it for sale at $29,995 if they had, used car profit margins are usually much wider than that. I guess I will see in 30 days or so if I am right, or the dealership is.


The Silver one was pretty banged up, had alot of wear on the interior, and didn't drive very well, validating my wife's fear that the CPO program is fairly bogus, and highly dealer dependant...

Originally Posted by JustinR

The problem I found is that since the 4.4's get basically the same fuel mileage everyone wants one over the 3.0's. I searched all of the dealerships within 200 miles of us and the couple that were available one day were gone later that day or the very next day. They basically can't keep the 4.4's in stock around here. That makes it a lot harder to do any serious negotiating, despite what the economy is doing.

The dealer we visited was pretty arrogant in their feelings that they could sell it all day long at $29,995, and were not willing to budge. But we are finding even 3.0i's seem seriously overpriced in our area..

[princetonX5]

Your post is identical to mine from a little over a month ago...although I didn't get as warm a reception from everyone (so kudos to you). I've had the exact same experiences. Being in the NY area, I guess the CPO luxury market has not yet felt the economic burn. But here's the good news (or what I perceive to be good news)..........I got a call from a tri-state area dealer who had been arrogant and had the attitude that these cars were selling before the lessees were turning their cars in. Now all of a sudden -- and for the first time---he called me 3 times about the same car. 2005 4.4 Black on Black "Loaded to the Gills" (not my words)...sport package, premium, cold weather, NAV etc...13K miles ...for $32,500. I didn't bite because now I am thinking...maybe I should wait until December?!!? Keep in mind that I don't need the car until January. Some food for thought.

[rangerfan]

I'll be selling my X in December.

2004 4.4i, loaded to the gills Seriously, it is. 41k miles as of today, and in gr8 shape. If you can hold out, perhaps we should talk. I would rather not cannibalize the car, I want to sell it to someone who has an appreciate for what a great ride it really is!

[Werewolf]

Got your message. The only thing I would guess is that the market for 'premium' automobiles is stronger in DC (assuming MD = suburban DC) b/c of govt work (i.e. missing some of the econ meltdown)

True premium autos (ferrari, bentley, big exp Mercedes) are largely exempt from the economy. BMW is an aspirational brand where middle class and upper middle class stretch to buy / lease them. I cannot believe the pricing for BMWs let alone gas guzzling X5s haven't collapsed to some degree.

I live in car crazy SoCal. 2001 BMW X5s sold by owners sell from 13500 to 15000 with 70-100K miles (std option packs).

Just b/c they overpaid at auction doesn't mean you should. I would think a car dealer getting out from a SUV in this market at par would be a win.

I think they're bluffing. I would also consider shopping in a wider radius for a deal (philly?)

BTW green is not a very popular color for the x5 (I like it) so I would beat them up a bit on that

[TwinsPoppa]

Just curious. Is this the same car? Listed as 4.4i but looks like a 4.8is to me and doesn't seem to be CPO:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...r_id=100027606

Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR

Found an '04 '04 4.4i CPO, 51K miles, premium, cold weather, non NAV or Premium sound advertised at $25,992. Haven't spoke to the dealer about pricing yet.

[ZsX5o3]

lol wow. someone buy that fast

[dcoller]

Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR

Okay,

Hello All. Hope this is not too abrasive for a first post. My wife has decided she wants an X5 (E53) for an everyday driver. Though we'd prefer to have a manual 3.0i, it seems like it will be too much hassel (long travels) to get a manual transmission X5.

As such I have encouraged her to consider the 4.4i as well as the 3.0i (the EPA numbers for fuel economy are nearly identical, so it seems dumb not to consider it, unless I am missing something). Wow, are prices all over the place! We are looking primarily at dealerships, with the hopes of picking up a CPO for a good price, but what is a good price?

We drove a '05 CPO (bought at auction, still had the grease pencil writing on the windows) auto, premium, cold weather, no NAV, no Premium sound, 34K miles, advertised at $34,999 (seems high based on the two that follow). Dealer has indicate not much room to move on the price.

Found an '05 4.4i CPO, 40K miles, sports package, cold weather, no NAV or Premium sound advertised at $29,992. Haven't spoke to the dealer about pricing yet. or ?

Found an '04 '04 4.4i CPO, 51K miles, premium, cold weather, non NAV or Premium sound advertised at $25,992. Haven't spoke to the dealer about pricing yet.


I don't want to go older than '04 because of the myrid of changes made in '04, she would prefer NAV, but not a deal breaker. It seems like the 3.0i and 4.4i prices are only slightly different, often with the 4.4i's being less?!? Is everyone just assume the V8 is a gas hog, inflating the 3.0i values?

I'm not trying to deny fair profits, but I don't want to get ripped either. Help! Thanks in advance..

I am strongly considering selling mine because work has offered me a company car would be in a couple weeks but let em know if you would like to know more:
2004 3.0 (and they do get better mileage - not a lot but better)
61k miles
nav. premium, sport, panoramic roof, black ext, grey interior. cold weather, sunshades, privacy glass. I was second owner, bought it a year old at 10k miles from dealer. so it has cpo warranty to 100k and i bought ext maintenance to 100k also.

Let me know if you want some pics.

[email protected]

[Best4x4xFAR]

Originally Posted by princetonX5

I got a call from a tri-state area dealer who had been arrogant and had the attitude that these cars were selling before the lessees were turning their cars in. Now all of a sudden -- and for the first time---he called me 3 times about the same car.

Maybe there is Hope Yet?

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Just b/c they overpaid at auction doesn't mean you should. I would think a car dealer getting out from a SUV in this market at par would be a win.

I think they're bluffing. I would also consider shopping in a wider radius for a deal (philly?)

BTW green is not a very popular color for the x5 (I like it) so I would beat them up a bit on that

I agree, and think they are bluffing as well. Question is will it pay off for them or not. Clearly it won't win my business, but many people are less informed, and more gullible...

The Green wouldn’t have been our first choice (silver is really), but I have to admit it was really cool I person, changing color depending on the angle, and the lighting, almost looking charcoal gray in some light..

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Just curious. Is this the same car? Listed as 4.4i but looks like a 4.8is to me and doesn't seem to be CPO:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...r_id=100027606

Same dealer, and the VIN matches the one we test drove (I was not impressed), but the photo does not. It had alot of 'love marks' on the back bumper, some pretty significant stone chips on the hood's leading edge, the transmission hunted terribly and it lacked the feeling of solidity of most of the X5's that we've driven have. It was a CPO vehicle, but knowing that helps to weaken my opinion of the CPO program in general, obviously it is very dealer specific, and no guarantee of getting a good vehicle...

[TwinsPoppa]

Picture doesn't match and they don't even advertise CPO when it is?! This dealer looks like it's careless and oblivious to everything going on. Granted these people are just employees and maybe THEY are the problem but I would think the OWNERS would care.

You said they seemed arrogant and IMO treated you, a customer, with disrespect. Obviously, they would not get my money.

Well, they better wake up and smell the roses because I think they're being too PROUD. Pride doesn't put food on the table.

Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR

Same dealer, and the VIN matches the one we test drove (I was not impressed), but the photo does not. It had alot of 'love marks' on the back bumper, some pretty significant stone chips on the hood's leading edge, the transmission hunted terribly and it lacked the feeling of solidity of most of the X5's that we've driven have. It was a CPO vehicle, but knowing that helps to weaken my opinion of the CPO program in general, obviously it is very dealer specific, and no guarantee of getting a good vehicle...

[Best4x4xFAR]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Picture doesn't match and they don't even advertise CPO when it is?! This dealer looks like it's careless and oblivious to everything going on. Granted these people are just employees and maybe THEY are the problem but I would think the OWNERS would care.

You said they seemed arrogant and IMO treated you, a customer, with disrespect. Obviously, they would not get my money.

Well, they better wake up and smell the roses because I think they're being too PROUD. Pride doesn't put food on the table.

It is really only the half of it. The guy we were dealing with resorted to plain ignorant behavior near the end, telling us that we should reconsider our taste in vehicles, and that there are plenty of other vehicles that can be had for what we are willing to pay, just not this one. Essentially going out of his way to imply that we could not afford it, just because we didn't feel it was a reasonable price. I’ve spent more money on ‘toy only’ pleasure vehicles, but I refuse to be battered into paying more than I feel the vehicle is worth.

My wife was happy yesterday though, as she got a call from BMW USA asking how her experience was, and she gave them the whole story about how they treated us during negotiations, and how belittling the sales guy was. Not that I think it will matter any, but it was some satisfaction for her, because she was really P.O.'d about the treatment (and rightfully so). Funny too, since they have been running all these commercials lately about how they are under new management, and how their customer service is second to none. LOL!