Another successful US Saddle Brown order......Finally ordered our E70....

[rh71]

Self-leveling suspension standard on 3.0si? I thought that was a 4.8i-only thing.

Also, how much off MSRP did you get if you don't mind me asking...

[rodybmw]

Originally Posted by rh71

Self-leveling suspension standard on 3.0si? I thought that was a 4.8i-only thing.

Also, how much off MSRP did you get if you don't mind me asking...

Self-Leveling suspension is included with the 3rd row seats on the 3.0.....I guess that's why the 3rd row seats option costs $1700 on the 3.0 instead of $1200.

I haven't talked final pricing yet, but it should be about halfway between sticker and invoice.

[rodybmw]

Something interesting happened in tracking our car. From my past experience with the OC tracking I know that it is behind the real current status. It was waaaay behind with my 545 three years ago as it still said the car was at the VDC three weeks after I had already picked the car up. Well, last Friday (9 days after ordering the car) the OC tracking said "In Production". The phone tracking said "In paint shop"....yet it had the estimated completion date that same day, implying that the car is painted and goes through the entire assembly the same day (Friday). Then I had my dealer do a check on his inquiry system and it said that the car was already done and had gone through QA.

Today I checked the OC tracking just for the heck of it fully expecting for it to be lagging again by at least a few days only to find out that it had skipped "Awaiting Transport" and "En Route" and gone straight to "At Preparation Center". I knew that was pretty much impossible so I checked with the phone tracking and it says that the car is awaiting transport to the exit port. So for some weird reason the OC tracking which is pretty much always lagging behind (sometimes by weeks), has now skipped ahead by at least a week or two.

[jun_of]

Originally Posted by rodybmw

I haven't talked final pricing yet, but it should be about halfway between sticker and invoice.

Congratulations on your order! I'm surprised that you were able to put the order without setting the purchase price first. Did you not put down a deposit? What happens if you don't agree on a price later on? In my case I had to negotiate the price first before I parted with my deposit money. I guess it varies from dealer to dealer. I once ordered a Mercedez but had to cancel and the dealer refunded my deposit.

[mrkbbd]

Originally Posted by jun_of

Congratulations on your order! I'm surprised that you were able to put the order without setting the purchase price first. Did you not put down a deposit? What happens if you don't agree on a price later on? In my case I had to negotiate the price first before I parted with my deposit money. I guess it varies from dealer to dealer. I once ordered a Mercedez but had to cancel and the dealer refunded my deposit.

When I ordered mine we didn't discuss price until I picked it up, just a $1k deposit and they had it 6 months later.

[rh71]

Is $1k the usual minimum deposit and is it refundable in most cases?

[alexmish]

I put down $500, non-refundable. I went between 3 dealers, none of them had refundable deposits.

[proveg]

Originally Posted by alexmish

I put down $500, non-refundable. I went between 3 dealers, none of them had refundable deposits.

hmmm, I put down $500 conditionally refundable deposit when I ordered mine.
At the time I was placing an order, we discussed pricing assuming it stays same from 07 to 08 as well as leasing rates are where I would want them to be, If the changes would not be to my advantage or go over a sertain amount, I could back out of the deal. When I came in and pricing changed to my advantage and leasing rates went up like there is no tomorrow, I was offered my money back if I wished.
We did some more math and came to the conclusion that we are still on with the saddle brown order.
One of the better car buying experiences for me.

[rh71]

Hmm, $500 sounds good... and I'd probably demand that it be refundable if I don't get the saddle brown. I don't think that's too unreasonable.

[rodybmw]

Originally Posted by jun_of

Congratulations on your order! I'm surprised that you were able to put the order without setting the purchase price first. Did you not put down a deposit? What happens if you don't agree on a price later on? In my case I had to negotiate the price first before I parted with my deposit money. I guess it varies from dealer to dealer. I once ordered a Mercedez but had to cancel and the dealer refunded my deposit.

I have been buying my BMW's from the same person since 1995. Over the years he has worked at three different BMW dealers and I've been loyal to him by buying all my cars from him no matter what dealer he is working at, and he has always gotten me some special options...either through BMW NA or directly through his personal contacts at BMW AG and BMW Motorsport. So even if he doesn't get me the absolute best possible deal out there I would still rather deal with him because I don't have to deal with all the BS. He is not a normal "salesman" that sells to walk in customers, he has other duties to perform and only deals with his old clients. Also, he has always been in some position of authority at whatever dealership he has worked at...whether it be a manager or otherwise.....so he doesn't even ask for a deposit from me....even on Euro Delivery cars I have never paid a cent of deposit. As far as the purchase price goes, I don't haggle with him but he gives me good deals anyways, I may save $500 to $1000 if I search all dealers for the "best" price, but it's not worth the hassle and having to deal with arrogant salespeople who don't know half as much about the cars they sell as we do here on this board.