Ordering 3.0si this weekend - hidden costs?
 

First of all I would like to thank all of you for the great information you post on this site - it really helped me figure out what options I wanted to go with. I've been searching for a new car to replace my existing 4x4 for over a year now, and have finally negotiated a final selling price on a brand new X5 3.0si. The final selling point for me - believe it or not is that I insisted my next truck had ventilated seats. For those who are fans of the option, you know that very few SUV's have this feature - and the BMW was the obvious choice given the competition (Escalade, Navigator, Lexus LX, Range Rover).

Details:

Space Gray
Black Perforated Leather
Dark Bamboo Trim
Premium Package
Active Ventilated Seat
Cold Weather
Tech
Auto Tailgate
Comfort Access
Running Boards
iPod/USB

The question I pose, is one of additional or hidden costs. Since I am paying for this car in cash, I'm wary of additional last minute options the dealer will try to add to the car once it is delivered. This is my first BMW, but know from experience that other dealers have always tried to do this on me before.

I plan on getting the windows tinted by the dealer - but that's it. Are there other things that I need to be wary of? Are there other costs that aren't evident on the invoice such as floor mats or other things that I will need to pick up the cost of as well? Are there other things I should consider given that I plan on keeping this car for the next 10 years?

Many kind regards for this great board, I look forward to posting pictures when my new baby arrives in April.

Congratulations, you will enjoy the vehicle. Request for carpet floor mats & liners upon arrival, if not they may add it later, but most dealerships will give it to you for free. I got the carpet floor mats and liners free.

I just picked up my X a couple hours ago and there are no "hidden" costs. The extras were stated up front on the invoice sheet they give you right after you place your order. This included a $45 dealer [supposedly optional - for handling your registration] fee, $10 inspection fee, and the very last thing that you pay at pickup (other than the invoice total) is a $149 [2-yr] registration fee (for NYS). Your numbers may be different by state but those are all the fees.

Congrats on your new ride and, a minor group of cash buyers, here, lol!

Most of the BMW Stlrs are pretty legit at delivery and I would not expect
yours to tack on any BS; I would press for carpeted mats, etc., as mentioned.

Do yourself a favor and do not be pressed for time or rushed, when taking delivery.
Skip work, whatever, but do it in daylight and take your time.
The info your sales guy should go over for you, with you in the driver's seat and he/she
riding shotgun, is complex and initially overwhelming, esp.being new to BMW. Ask questions,
fiddle with stuff, etc. Make sure your IPod, phone, bluetooth things are woikin' too.

I would rec'd a close "walk around", looking at the car for any cosmetic crap and to make
certain all the goodies you ordered are on the car. Daylight for this...

I would not hand over the balance until you have done the walk around and received the
in-car indoctrination...show them you have the funds, but it should stay in your pocket until
you are completely satisfied, imo. This isn't a 300 buck item you are buying at Walmart...

Good luck and enjoy your new ride.
BR,mD

EDIT: Sorry, I misread your post; I thought you were picking your car up, not ordering...
the sltr may try to tack on a DealerPack/AdPack cost; I'd argue against it.
And, here is an old, but good, Delivery Checklist from the front Info Page of this site:

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/g...checklist.html

In addition to the valuable suggestions above, I would be prepared for the dealer to offer you a list of 'recommended dealer options', usually tacked on at the time of closing, and often handled by the 'business manager' instead of the sales rep. The list includes carpet protection, fabric/leather protection, paint protection, undercoating, tire insurance, and so on.

Without exception, these 'options' are the highest profit area for the dealer. You will sometimes hear variations on the theme that you need to have these packages for the warranty to be valid. In general, that is nonsense. Just about any of them can be done with a spray can from Walmart if you want the Scotchguard or whatever.

I wouldn't take any of them; some suggest that the tire insurance is a good deal because you will beat the odds and get more benefit than the up front insurance cost (if you regularly and repeatedly beat the house odds, I suggest you drive the new vehicle directly to Las Vegas).

Good luck, and enjoy the X5.

I've never gotten any floor liners or anything like in past vehicles. I'm a little confused. So should I get floor liners and floor mats included with my X5 for free? Are rubber mats a separate accessory we can buy or are rubber mats the same as floor liners?

It depends entirely on your dealer. BMW doesn't include mats from the factory. Some dealers throw them in as a courtesy. Sometimes you can negotiate for them; again, it depends on the dealer. Rubber lines are usually available through the parts department.

My dealer throws in carpet mats, BMW wheel locks, key fobs, and on the last few vehicles, either a die-cast model, or a selection of BMW car cleaning supplies, or something similar.

> I'm wary of additional last minute options the dealer will try to add to the car once it is delivered.

Just insist that the dealer give you a complete/Total "out the door" itemized price in writing that includes everything, including taxes, title fee, dealer prep, etc. I have never had a problem getting this from a dealer.

Congratulations. Your car is almost exactly like mine down to the interior color and wood option except for fact that I did not order the Ventilated Seats. I think that BMW Dealers are for the most part able to be trusted. When I ordered my X5, I signed a contract with the dealership describing all the costs at delivery from the price of the car down to the NYS DMW fees. This served to protect both the dealer and myself.

I would not worry about any hidden costs. Good Luck. :thumbup:

My dealer gives the Carpet floor mats, wheel locks, a 15% BMW Parts discount, and a $50 BMW Lifestyle Accessories Gift Certificate with a new vehicle purchase.
I bought two BMW keychains with the gift certificate and and used the discount on the all-weather liners which I had to order.