Leases -- Color options and dealer trading?

RedmumbaSeattle · 03-11-2013, 12:38 AM

I'm interested in a 335i convertible, but since convertibles don't have a huge market up here in Seattle, they carry less stock. California, on the other hand, has a ton of nice ones in a variety of colors.

When I visited the Lexus dealership looking for a specific color, they bent over backwards to try and find a dealer close by--however, the closest one was in Tuscan, and they offered to negotiate a dealership-trade (or something) and ship it by truck, both free of charge, should I choose to lease it. The BMW dealer didn't offer this sort of service, and in fact told me I would be charged a $5k fee in addition, to change the color and get it custom.

So, my first question is, what is the typical dealership policy on this? There's a beautiful Le Mans Blue convertible down in LA that I'd love--but not if I have to drive 12 hours for an oil change! Is this something they're often open to negotiating? Or does it vary dealer by dealer?

Thank you!

Andrew

billspreston · 03-11-2013, 02:04 AM

If your local dealer is going to be difficult, simply contract the dealer in LA and negotiate the lease through them and have them ship the car directly to you. The only "extra" charge you should see is for transportation which could be up to $1,000+ from LA to Seattle. If they aren't charging you for transportation, you are likely paying for it somewhere else. You'll also have to pay MACO/training fees ($480?) when swapping with an LA dealer.

I purchased a BMW via dealer swap in the opposite direction (Seattle to CA) a few years ago and it was painless. My local dealer was quite cooperative, however.

bizzyqu · 03-11-2013, 08:26 AM

My e90 M-Sport was a dealer trade back when I bought it in 2010 between virginia and new york, also painless.

RedmumbaSeattle · 03-11-2013, 11:52 AM

Yeah, based on what I'm hearing, it's starting to sound more and more like this is a dealer issue... whelp, guess I'll have to make the trip out to Bellevue next weekend! They have more choices there anyway.

Thank you for both of your replies!

Ryan9095 · 03-12-2013, 08:40 AM

$5k? This is absurd...totally a dealer issue. It is their job to find you a car that you want. Let them deal with the logistics you shouldn't be involved. And you can bring your car into any BMW service dealer so if the car comes from LA you don't have to drive back for service!

03-11-2013, 12:38 AM	#1
RedmumbaSeattle Private 4 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 xDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i [0.00]	Leases -- Color options and dealer trading? I'm interested in a 335i convertible, but since convertibles don't have a huge market up here in Seattle, they carry less stock. California, on the other hand, has a ton of nice ones in a variety of colors. When I visited the Lexus dealership looking for a specific color, they bent over backwards to try and find a dealer close by--however, the closest one was in Tuscan, and they offered to negotiate a dealership-trade (or something) and ship it by truck, both free of charge, should I choose to lease it. The BMW dealer didn't offer this sort of service, and in fact told me I would be charged a $5k fee in addition, to change the color and get it custom. So, my first question is, what is the typical dealership policy on this? There's a beautiful Le Mans Blue convertible down in LA that I'd love--but not if I have to drive 12 hours for an oil change! Is this something they're often open to negotiating? Or does it vary dealer by dealer? Thank you! Andrew
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03-11-2013, 02:04 AM	#2
billspreston Colonel 313 Rep 2,251 Posts Drives: G87 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (13)	If your local dealer is going to be difficult, simply contract the dealer in LA and negotiate the lease through them and have them ship the car directly to you. The only "extra" charge you should see is for transportation which could be up to $1,000+ from LA to Seattle. If they aren't charging you for transportation, you are likely paying for it somewhere else. You'll also have to pay MACO/training fees ($480?) when swapping with an LA dealer. I purchased a BMW via dealer swap in the opposite direction (Seattle to CA) a few years ago and it was painless. My local dealer was quite cooperative, however.
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03-11-2013, 08:26 AM	#3
bizzyqu Captain 148 Rep 604 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	My e90 M-Sport was a dealer trade back when I bought it in 2010 between virginia and new york, also painless. __________________ 07 E83 X3 BSM Sport-->10 E90 335i xDrive BSM M-Sport-->13 F30 335i xDrive EB M-Sport-->16 MKVII LB Golf R --> 19 F22 M240i xDrive MG
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03-11-2013, 11:52 AM	#4
RedmumbaSeattle Private 4 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 xDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i [0.00]	Yeah, based on what I'm hearing, it's starting to sound more and more like this is a dealer issue... whelp, guess I'll have to make the trip out to Bellevue next weekend! They have more choices there anyway. Thank you for both of your replies!
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03-12-2013, 08:40 AM	#5
Ryan9095 Captain 60 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 2022 430i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	$5k? This is absurd...totally a dealer issue. It is their job to find you a car that you want. Let them deal with the logistics you shouldn't be involved. And you can bring your car into any BMW service dealer so if the car comes from LA you don't have to drive back for service!
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