[TXDaddy]

Never go to a BMW dealer unless you are getting warranty work done - they have horrible deals. Go to an indy off-lease dealer like ecarone.com and drive a bunch of different ones priced to sell. We couldn't be more pleased with the way they treated us (seriously considering Maserati there next after kids take over the 328)...

[kern417]

Originally Posted by jack10525

My definition of a typical bmw shopper is a person that walks into a dealership with a butt load of cash and just buys the car with out questioning price. I am not a typical car owner. I do my own maintenance and do not use dealers unless under warranty.

Actually a typical BMW shopper walks into a dealership and asks how much to rent a car for 3 years/12k miles.

[BigJack75]

Originally Posted by jaysal555

I drove from Orlando down to Fort Lauderdale/Miami look at CPO F32's. They had the most inventory in the state. I went to two dealers at the end of the month and end of the quarter, March 31st. The second dealer had the specs I was looking for. I was offered almost $1k below my final offer still the first dealer via text when I told them I wasn't returning. Kinda ridiculous, I told them my number and they refused to budge when I was there. Anyways I ended up negotiating an out the door price knowing where I wanted to purchase the car. I got over $1,500 over their listed price. I left happy.

Thank you for the story. Mine is the opposite. I am 30 miles south of Miami and I can only find cars with the features I want 50+ miles away. By the time I have been able to go see them, they are gone. I will try as you suggest and reach out via the internet to show interest.

[BigJack75]

Originally Posted by kern417

Actually a typical BMW shopper walks into a dealership and asks how much to rent a car for 3 years/12k miles.

Hahaha. That is very true.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by kern417

Actually a typical BMW shopper walks into a dealership and asks how much to rent a car for 3 years/12k miles.

I guess I am not a typical BMW buyer. I bought my car.

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

I guess I am not a typical BMW buyer. I bought my car.

Me too.. the few the proud these days

meanwhile, not sure a BMW dealership is the best place to be super-cheap.. its not a low-end used car dealership ya know
effort wasted imo
they know what margins theyre after and if it looks like your too much effort, they have others waiting.. its a good product with good demand
at least that's my experience.. you can get a good deal but most good deals are also "good" for them if ya know what I mean

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

I guess I am not a typical BMW buyer. I bought my car.

Me three.

[kern417]

I'm sorry you are all not typical BMW buyers. I will notify the admins so you all get forum badges as "Outsiders."

[BigJack75]

Thank you all for the insight. I am still looking and will try other sources besides bmw dealer.

[bimmerboy71195]

Originally Posted by jack10525

I'm not your typical bmw shopper. I am really cheap and look for the best deal I can find. I also try to figure out exactly what I want and search accordingly. I've visited a couple bmw dealership in search of a suitable vehicle. Never have I had a welcome greeting or been greeted at all. You have to walk into the dealership and ask for help and then you still have to wait a while. I felt like they really didn't need my business. When I did speak to a sales rep (which I believe was for the used cars) he didn't seem too enthusiastic about helping me. I asked about a particular vehicle I saw on the internet. He acted like I was speaking a different language. He looked it up and couldn't find it. It has been sold!!!! I just wish I could find the car I am looking for from a private owner and bypass the dealership all together.

You sound like a customer from hell, if I was a client advisor i wouldn't want to help you either.

[M Smurf]

Like the OP, I was very particular about what I wanted and what I wanted couldnt be had locally. I wanted RWD. Not happening in MN!

Downloaded Cars.com app with my filters and looked for months. Found the car in Georgia. Based on great advice I found here, called up the closest Indy mechanic to the dealer to give it a once over. Best $100 I ever spent! Bought it sight unseen.

Got a decent deal, maybe $1500 under. Arranged a shipper and my sweet ride showed up at my front door few weeks later

Best car buying experience I ever had. Cant recommend enough the PRE-SALE INSPECTION!!

[Elvisfan]

I was looking at a used Mercedes e-400 convertible or a BMW 4 series convertible with adaptive cruise. Could not find a BMW at all. Found a Mercedes in Florida and one close to me. Test drove the 1 close to. This was a 17 with 9,000 miles on it. Turned on the CC. It flashed an error message of a dirty sensor. I would have bought it but too far apart on price. Found one is Florida. A 17 with 10,000 miles. Sounded perfect. Sold my car and flew to Florida. Test drove it. Tried the CC. Flashed an error message. Then safety system failure. Then went into limp mode. Took it back to the dealer. Bought airline tickets and flew back. What are the odds of 2 failures? Even if I had a mechanic check it. Would they have checked the CC? YOU WERE LUCKY.

[IDBGOD]

With the tools you have available to you, the consumer has everything they need. Do your research, get to know the vehicle and the market you looking for, and do your due diligence. You can contact the dealer through many means or put in an inquiry. This usually weeds out the “tire kickers” and people who just waste everyone’s time.

A dealership experience can vary greatly. Some sales associates will walk out to you immediately, others will wait for you to come inside or contact them. Don’t take it too personally. Some people have great experiences and others swear off the dealsership experience entirely. Then again when I was in sales if someone was on the lot I would automatically assume they are buyers. People are too busy and just don’t tend to waste time these days. Usually they are there for a reason.

Bottom line get a good deal, but leave them some profit. Or you can haggle them to death, argue over kelly blue book values and tell them what they bought the car for, the CA makes $100 and they run whenever they see you coming.

[fluke]

I get ignored at the dealership too, brought the Wife and they ran out to meet me. The trick to buying private is to go look a the car, drive it, then make an offer, give them your number, and walk away. If you want to have the car inspected, you can wait for the callback to have it done so you're not spending money on an inspection for a car that isn't yours. I once waited the entire summer for a seller to get back to me but I got the price I wanted on a great classic car I still own.

Stick to your price, don't be an ass and try to renegotiate because after a month or two of waiting because they're "desperate." I didn't try to lower my offer with a car I bought and when the previous owner remembered he had a set of snow tires and wheels months later, he gave them to me for free because I didn't try to take advantage of him. You can't fall in love with a car that's when you lose negotiating power, always remember there's millions of great cars out there.