[mu2002cs]

An i8 popped up on eBay today for $100,000 over invoice. I am not a fan of selling cars over MSRP or buyers "flipping cars" when there are true enthusiasts that are well down on the list. However, I do understand the law of supply and demand. So, thought I'd start a new thread on "Market Price" to discuss what people are seeing and experiencing.

Here's the eBay link. I have no association with this car or the auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-i8-2-DOO...US_Cars_Trucks

[Louv]

I tried to bid.

FleaBay was broken. It won't take my bid.

Whatever.

[ddk632]

The car is in Florida. Why am I not surprised.

[Arezzo]

Originally Posted by ddk632

The car is in Florida. Why am I not surprised.

Seems to be St Petersburg FL. No color or VIN. E seller no previous history.
Weird e bay seller name. Could be a straw seller for a dealer ? Beware.
Strange my local dealer said just today that he could introduce me to a buyer for my car $50K over. Did not seem concerned about it.
Evidently early cars may go for a significant premium on resale

[ddk632]

Yeah, I got that fuzzy feeling it might be a dealer, as well.

I know someone to whom a dealer offered $30k over to buy his i8 - he has one of the earliest build weeks I've heard, not sure the week #; on a side note, it will be delivered soon (barring more Official i8 Launch Official Issues(tm)) and I plan to do a photoshoot of it, which he has graciously offered to do.

My local dealer straight up is $50k over to "whoever walks in and writes the check." Sounds like a bidding war even though they wouldn't admit it.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

An i8 popped up on eBay today for $100,000 over invoice. I am not a fan of selling cars over MSRP or buyers "flipping cars" when there are true enthusiasts that are well down on the list. However, I do understand the law of supply and demand. So, thought I'd start a new thread on "Market Price" to discuss what people are seeing and experiencing.

Here's the eBay link. I have no association with this car or the auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-i8-2-DOO...US_Cars_Trucks

First bid price now lowered to $147k (the actual MSRP) and Buy It Now for $257k has been removed;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131261935218...X:PROI:US:3160

[mu2002cs]

Interesting. I bet his reserve remains close to the original Buy It Now price.

This must be a dealer. I can't imagine a real buyer would auction the car until he legally owned it. Plus, since the VIN is listed, any BMW dealer can tell you who the dealer is.

[Arezzo]

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

Interesting. I bet his reserve remains close to the original Buy It Now price.

This must be a dealer. I can't imagine a real buyer would auction the car until he legally owned it. Plus, since the VIN is listed, any BMW dealer can tell you who the dealer is.

The two dealers in St Petersburg, FL are Reeves and Bert Smith

[Louv]

The eBay listing has been taken down. Dammit... I was the winning bidder. Ok, I was the only bidder... and the Reserve wasn't met.

Whatever.

[ddk632]

Damn and I thought about taking a screenshot, too, but didn't.

I have a feeling that BMW NA might have noticed it and took action.

[Louv]

Originally Posted by ddk632

Damn and I thought about taking a screenshot, too, but didn't.

I have a feeling that BMW NA might have noticed it and took action.

I don't think BMW NA has any power or control over what people do with their cars. In fact, they are legally restricted from interfering in the Dealer's ability to sell cars.

I would suspect that the Dealer might have threatened to boot him (her) out of line if they were going to try to just let the eBay bidder "take their place" in line. And if the customer had to buy it, to stay in line, they'd pay sales tax, and then need to pass that cost on to the new buyer, who would then pay that tax again. Unless the "middle-man" was a registered car dealer.

It's messy.

[mu2002cs]

It's a bit more than messy. He is trying to sell a car that he does not own. EBay may have cancelled the auction, maybe with a nudge from BMW.

Then there is the matter of the Free Maintenance. All cars built after July 1, will not have their free maintenance passed on to the second buyer. Nor, would the second buyer be eligible for the federal and state rebates.

[Peggsy]

Just seen this thread, as stated in my previous new thread there is an i8 listed POA by Romans International :

http://www.romansinternational.com/car/983/bmw-i8
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1408236829111/

[Carac]

Originally Posted by Peggsy

Just seen this thread, as stated in my previous new thread there is an i8 listed POA by Romans International :

http://www.romansinternational.com/car/983/bmw-i8
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1408236829111/

Good luck to them. That's over twice what Hendrick paid for the Concours d'Elegance edition.

[Tilum]

Originally Posted by Carac

Good luck to them. That's over twice what Hendrick paid for the Concours d'Elegance edition.

The £999,999 is just there way of saying POA on AutoTrader. But I must admit I am curious to know what they are realistically hoping to get for that i8. I know it's the first 'Customer car', but other dealer's first customers should be getting their cars V soon, so I'm not sure what they think they'll get for it TBH.

T

[Peggsy]

I have messaged them through their site to try to find out ( curiosity only, not looking at buying another/selling mine ;D ).

[Kevin_Genius@BMWMtLaurel]

Many dealerships are charging over MSRP for the i8, all based off of rarity and how exclusive it is. Other dealerships are also requiring a purchase of a i3 with the purchase of a i8

[ddk632]

Really? Wow! The i3 requirement is a first I've heard of such. Kind of funny. They do go well together, though

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Genius@BMWMtLaurel

Many dealerships are charging over MSRP for the i8, all based off of rarity and how exclusive it is. Other dealerships are also requiring a purchase of a i3 with the purchase of a i8

back before the economy tanked, Ferrari did something similar. You had to be a Ferrari owner from a legitimate Ferrari dealer before you could order a new 430, when they were replacing the 360. Many people bought a Ferrari while they waited, then when they received their 430 they traded in the other F car. There was an 18 month wait or so to get the new 430. The 430 was going for $50-$100k more than MSRP by individual sellers, so this was Ferrari's way of stopping the people flipping cars. Ferrari sold at MSRP without a premium. I saw 430's on ebay all the time back then with the premium. People even selling before they received the car, stating: "choose color and options if purchased by (date)."

I heard rumors that Ferrari was trying to make people sign an agreement not to flip their car for 12 months or give the dealer right of first refusal to buy it back at MSRP.