Would you compromise on your option choices for a good deal?

[eeesh2u]

Hey guys...here's my story.

A week ago, I wasn't in the market for another personal car. I have a 2006 330i, creeping close to warranty expiration, so I was trying to sell it. I stopped by our dealer to look at buying a Scion xB for my business, and walked over the BMW dealership to say hi. I just asked if there were any deals to be found since I was trying to sell my car (or else buy the extended warranty, and then still sell it).

There was a 2008 Interlagos Blue/Silver M3 coupe. All options except extended leather. Its a 6mt. Its been there since spring, sitting in the showroom. I was offered about $900 under invoice on the car. Sticker was $69.7 and offer is $63.7.

I am a technology consultant, so things like DCT give me nice feelings inside but I love manuals just the same. The silver looks better than I thought, though I would have gone with black extended (or Caramel/Saddle, come on BMW!). Interlagos blue is a bit more purple than my tastes, but still looks like it could be a nice color in the long run.

Its an opportunity to move my current car (used market isn't looking to good right now) and buy a car I probably wouldn't have considered if it weren't for the great finance and lease deals BMW is offering. The M driving school is icing on the cake...

What do you think? Is the deal good enough to go for it? Yes, a lot of options aren't my first choice, but I don't think they are bad choices either. Looking for input! Thanks!

[jlaw]

For me, the answer is yes... to a degree. There are some things I would be absolutely unwilling to compromise on (exterior/interior color, or navigation for example) and others that I am completely ambivalent about (premium sound, comfort access, cold weather package, PDC, etc).

I think in the end this is a decision only you can make. Some people have several colors they like, I just happen to be particular. If the compromises are made in areas that aren't dealbreakers for you, go for it. This is an amazing car and I doubt you'd regret it.

[Reedomn]

come on Joel..."sometimes ya just gotta say what f@#k..and make your move".....
You will love it..great color combo!!

[eeesh2u]

fair price? I think its about 860/mo if I go the lease route...don't plan on keeping it beyond 3 years or so.

[C17MooseDriver]

Which part is the compromise? The Auto tranny, I mean DCT? Or the other color or options.

[eeesh2u]

Originally Posted by C17MooseDriver

Which part is the compromise? The Auto tranny, I mean DCT? Or the other color or options.

6mt, but its not a bad compromise, I like manuals just the same. The color choices, again, not bad, but I would have done it differently. Some of the options I could care less about...and I like the extended leather.

[MTROIS]

I am not sure how good the deal that you are getting is (I mean, did you even shop around??)... but I know that for me, getting this car was such an event that I had to custom order it to be 200% happy with it. By that I mean colors, MT, Tech Package, Rims, etc... there was no way I would have been able to compromise on them. May be would I have been able to compromise on a few things like HD radio, PDC... so in the end, you have to feel 100% comfortable with your choice (unless money is not a factor for you and/or you plan on reselling in a few years only).

[frankzlin79]

eeesh2u: Did you have to haggle for the dealer to offer you $900 below invoice?

[eeesh2u]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

eeesh2u: Did you have to haggle for the dealer to offer you $900 below invoice?

not much. I've pushed for more...

[ebohon]

No Compromise. For a car such as this, get the exact options you want. That's what I did and still got $1k below invoice after I got up from the sales persons' office and started to walk out. The downside is that you have to wait for delivery, which in my case will be about 2 months once my car is delivered first week in November. The dealer had a couple of cars on the floor that they wanted to unload on me with this or that offer.

[frankzlin79]

$1000 below invoice on an ordered 2009? Sheesh why aren't TX dealers giving me offers like that?

[Dartanium]

^I wish my local dealers would so something similar as well, actually I would be excited just to recieve the invoice price

[ebohon]

Well... I didn't go to the dealer at first. I did an on-line inquiry and got about 5 local dealers... all had NO discount. So, when one dealer called to place an order for me, I told them that I would not drive to see them because they were further away... why waste my time if they were not competing for business... that got the ball rolling. You have to put dealers against each other and either be real good at bluffing or be ready to place an order. Crevier, my dealer, said NO to me initially. I actually went to them in error... I got two dealers mixed up. Once I was there, I told them I would go to the correct one which was about 15 miles away. If you are in no hurry to buy the car, you have more time to negotiate. To me, it wasn't the money although $1k is $1k. What was important to me was getting the exact options I wanted.

[daltonnnn]

Nope! Can't live without the options now that I have them... Heh.

[eeesh2u]

Well, what if it was $2300 under invoice? Its my latest offer, and I feel like that's something I can't pass on.

[ebohon]

I suppose some things are negotiable. I preferred the alumum trim with Fox Red but i could live with carbon. But, 2300 would not be enough for a compromise on the SS color, 6MT or carbon roof for example IMO. I've had my share of compromises over the years. And its time to get exactly what I want... maybe you are not there yet. Get something you can live with.

[eeesh2u]

Originally Posted by ebohon

I suppose some things are negotiable. I preferred the alumum trim with Fox Red but i could live with carbon. But, 2300 would not be enough for a compromise on the SS color, 6MT or carbon roof for example IMO. I've had my share of compromises over the years. And its time to get exactly what I want... maybe you are not there yet. Get something you can live with.

I can live with it. Its kind of like, I think Black with fox interior looks great, and probably what I would order. But, the Interlagos Blue with Silver looks good as a combo too. And I would have never ordered Alu with that combo, but it actually works well because it has a blueish hue to it (unlike my car's alu). So, its parallel compromises, not steps down.

Still, $2300 under invoice? Thats pretty good right?

[Atny286]

It sounds like you really want the car. In that case better not to ask advise... - you could be disappointed in the answers...
In my mind: no conpromises.
Because compromises is what I do on second hand cars only, when paying a second hand price...

However, the car is the best I have owned so far, colors will not change the performance and a 6MT is the better alternative for 400+ bhp

[ebohon]

Thats VERY good. The dealer had a car with the exact combination in colors I wanted, SS, Fox Red, Carbon Roof, alum trim and I loved the color combo.. the problem was that it was DCT instead of 6MT and had the 19s... i actually like the 18s better, IMO they look more 'track-like'. I didn't even bother trying to negioate a change on the wheels...which they prob could have swapped with another M3. The question for you is what the 2300 is worth? I would have traded wheel options and trim for that money... everything else was pretty much non-negotiable. Im in Cali so cold-wheather package or some of the other options that I didn't buy are not important to me. For example, if the dealer would have given me 1900 off (which would have paid for the upgraded sound), I would have said no..again because I wanted 6MT. I'm also buying this car, not leasing, so I plan to keep it for a while. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!

[Krueger///M3]

Originally Posted by eeesh2u

Still, $2300 under invoice? Thats pretty good right?

That sounds like an amazing deal! I have to think that he other guy is talking about getting 1k under MSRP.

[Krueger///M3]

Originally Posted by ebohon

Thats VERY good. The dealer had a car with the exact combination in colors I wanted, SS, Fox Red, Carbon Roof, alum trim and I loved the color combo.. the problem was that it was DCT instead of 6MT and had the 19s... i actually like the 18s better, IMO they look more 'track-like'. I didn't even bother trying to negioate a change on the wheels...which they prob could have swapped with another M3. The question for you is what the 2300 is worth? I would have traded wheel options and trim for that money... everything else was pretty much non-negotiable. Im in Cali so cold-wheather package or some of the other options that I didn't buy are not important to me. For example, if the dealer would have given me 1900 off (which would have paid for the upgraded sound), I would have said no..again because I wanted 6MT. I'm also buying this car, not leasing, so I plan to keep it for a while. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!

He is actually getting the car for around $6-7k off MSRP.

[steve40704]

in the long run you will always be happier slightly overpaying for exactly what you want vs getting a deal on something you didnt quite want.