Need advice to purchase new 2012 X5 35i

[Matt_UKTX]

Originally Posted by ychang

Thanks to all of you. I signed today with $500 above invoice price before option credits and rebates applied. It was not tough and rough at all because I brought my weapon that Matt told. Finally they took my offer. I didn't want to do ping-pong game because they gave me another sweet thing. Today I got the production number and it is scheduled to 51wk. Thanks all again. I will not look back anymore. Let's enjoy!

OK, so give us the details

What did you order?
From who/where?

Congrats... Make sure you post pics when it arrives

[Matt_UKTX]

Originally Posted by 12cmim3

I forgot that OP was from Atlanta, in which case, yes, those other options are great ones.
Now, I'm not saying I'm an expert negotiator or buyer, which I'm not, but maybe I'm missing something here. What exactly is wrong with the Truecar site or the ZAG site? I place a vehicle in there, and they give me a quote of approx $300-400 over invoice. Then they have a list of dealers who will honor that cost. How is this different, or more difficult than the way you were mentioning? In fact, it seems to be a lower cost over invoice than your method of asking for $500 over invoice. Did I miss something about Truecars? I only used the site as a basis for my negotiations with the internet department (I don't go into dealers either, except to test drive a car), and haven't used the dealer listed on the site. But it seems to me that this route is just as easy, with a good price, as well. The only bad thing seems to be that sometimes the dealer that honors the price is a little farther away.
So, am I missing something here? I'd really like to know...for future purchases.
TIA

I don't think there is anything "wrong" with those sites as a starting point for communication, but I wouldn't take the values they provide as absolute. If you can get $300-$400 over invoice (BEFORE rebates are applied) then that's a great deal. Remember though, often times these sites have already factored in all rebates and incentives. This is why you have to be informed as to what you qualify for. For example, $300 over invoice on a 35d where you might have $6000 in rebates, is LOUSY.

My point is, you should be able to buy any BMW for $500 over dealer cost. End of story. If the site offers you that, then I think it's a great tool.

[12cmim3]

Originally Posted by ychang

Thanks to all of you. I signed today with $500 above invoice price before option credits and rebates applied. It was not tough and rough at all because I brought my weapon that Matt told. Finally they took my offer. I didn't want to do ping-pong game because they gave me another sweet thing. Today I got the production number and it is scheduled to 51wk. Thanks all again. I will not look back anymore. Let's enjoy!

Congratulations! Definitely post up some pics!

[12cmim3]

Originally Posted by Matt_UKTX

I don't think there is anything "wrong" with those sites as a starting point for communication, but I wouldn't take the values they provide as absolute. If you can get $300-$400 over invoice (BEFORE rebates are applied) then that's a great deal. Remember though, often times these sites have already factored in all rebates and incentives. This is why you have to be informed as to what you qualify for. For example, $300 over invoice on a 35d where you might have $6000 in rebates, is LOUSY.

My point is, you should be able to buy any BMW for $500 over dealer cost. End of story. If the site offers you that, then I think it's a great tool.

OIC...it seems that you can get the values BEFORE incentives. then you can go back and add the incentives that apply to you into the price. I thought you were saying that those sites suck and are inaccurate. But I agree that these sites are only good if they can offer the prices, therefore making it a good research tool. And if they DO offer great prices, then they're good purchase tools as well.
I assume you mean "buy any BMW for $500 over dealer cost" AFTER incentives, right?

[Lubehead]

Please don't get me wrong because I have driven very far to buy a car to save a few thousand and would do it again. I don't want to be seen as a defender of dealers because I'm not, but I will say that having a relationship with a dealer can go a long way towards your long term happiness with a vehicle. If you can make a deal with a dealer close to where you live, you will get better service than someone who purchased their vehicle elsewhere. It's a fact of life, dealers will tend to give a bit more to those that have purchased the vehicle from them and in fact some buyers are very loyal to specific dealers because of that.

I suppose if you never own a vehicle out of warranty it may not matter, but even then, you do get extra attention because you bought from them. Just something to think about.

[12cmim3]

Originally Posted by Lubehead

Please don't get me wrong because I have driven very far to buy a car to save a few thousand and would do it again. I don't want to be seen as a defender of dealers because I'm not, but I will say that having a relationship with a dealer can go a long way towards your long term happiness with a vehicle. If you can make a deal with a dealer close to where you live, you will get better service than someone who purchased their vehicle elsewhere. It's a fact of life, dealers will tend to give a bit more to those that have purchased the vehicle from them and in fact some buyers are very loyal to specific dealers because of that.

I suppose if you never own a vehicle out of warranty it may not matter, but even then, you do get extra attention because you bought from them. Just something to think about.

I definitely see your point. I have a couple friends who always go back to the same dealer when they purchase their cars. At the same time, I find that the dealers I've worked with no longer work at the dealer after a couple years. I didn't go with a truecars dealer because of the distance and ended up going with the same dealership that I bought my last BMW at (not the same dealer but the same dealership, which supposedly got me a "loyalty" type service).
However, I do have 2 cars out of warranty and I find that I go to independent shops afterwards. During the warranty, though, I find that a relationship with the service advisors have benefitted me more than that with a dealer. In my case, at least.
But I get what you mean, though...seeing how my friends get more attention for going back to the same dealer.