A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » BMW
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Negotiating with a dealer



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old July 23rd 05, 01:23 AM
330xi
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Yo Kevin, the head room in an E46 or E90 is exactly the same with and
without sunroof.




"Kevin Rhodes" > wrote in message
...
>
>>Why did you special order a car without a sunroof?
>>
>>This feature has value, even if you don't use it. Frankly, I can't imagine
>>not using it, even if all one does is tilt the rear up for ventilation.

>
> Biggest reason for me would be the lack of headroom in cars so equiped. I
> am
> fairly tall, but EXTREMELY long in the torso - I flat don't fit
> comfortably
> in most European cars with sunroofs. Getting rid of the sunroof gives an
> extra
> 1-2" of headroom. Which is too bad as I would rather have one!
>
> Kevin Rhodes
> Westbrook, Maine
> 91 318is - no sunroof - with headroom
> 00 Saab 9-5 - with sunroof, without headroom
> 74 Triumph Spitfire - infinite headroom :-)



Ads
  #12  
Old July 23rd 05, 01:30 AM
330xi
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

What's wrong with the American Car buyers, MB is trying to sell you a
Chrysler and
Audi a fancy VW , both handle like crap as well. BMW is making the best car
in it's class and
they aren't selling?

In Canada, most are getting grabbed before they hit the lot.
BMW store were selling September production vehicles weeks
ago and if you want an xi you better get your order in now or
you will miss the first batches and have to wait alot longer.




> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Don't know why you'd want AWD, but the E90 AWD sedans will be available
> in October (according to the latest dealer bulletin).
>
> Around here (New England) the E90 is selling slowly - dealers have lots
> of stock, and are pressuring customers to buy. I'm sure deals are easy
> to get - in the range of $1k to $2k off MSRP. I didn't push hard
> myself, since I like the E46 so much more than the E90.
>
> At least half of BMWs are custom ordered. Ordering is easy - pick what
> you want, they build it, you can track it's progress on the Internet,
> and your car arrives at the dealer 6 weeks or so later. There is no
> extra charge - you pay the same thing. (In fact, if you pick up your
> custom ordered car in Germany, you pay LESS). Unless you absolutely
> need a car right now today, there is no downside to a custom order at
> all. In fact there's are big advantages - you get exactly what you
> want, and the dealer doesn't have a chance to add extra crap like
> "paint protectant".
>
> You might be able to custom order a E90 AWD starting in September -
> that's when cars start being produced.
>



  #13  
Old July 23rd 05, 01:30 AM
fbloogyudsr
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"330xi" > wrote
> Yo Kevin, the head room in an E46 or E90 is exactly the same with and
> without sunroof.
>
>
>


Wrong. I think you should measure yours, then come to Seattle
and measure mine.

FloydR '01 330xi
  #14  
Old July 23rd 05, 03:25 AM
Jeff Strickland
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

My Bentley manual does not indicate any difference in headroom for a
sunroof, or not.





"Kevin Rhodes" > wrote in message
...
>
>>Why did you special order a car without a sunroof?
>>
>>This feature has value, even if you don't use it. Frankly, I can't imagine
>>not using it, even if all one does is tilt the rear up for ventilation.

>
> Biggest reason for me would be the lack of headroom in cars so equiped. I
> am
> fairly tall, but EXTREMELY long in the torso - I flat don't fit
> comfortably
> in most European cars with sunroofs. Getting rid of the sunroof gives an
> extra
> 1-2" of headroom. Which is too bad as I would rather have one!
>
> Kevin Rhodes
> Westbrook, Maine
> 91 318is - no sunroof - with headroom
> 00 Saab 9-5 - with sunroof, without headroom
> 74 Triumph Spitfire - infinite headroom :-)


  #15  
Old July 23rd 05, 04:08 AM
joe_tide
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

According to the E46 new car brochure, headroom with moonroof = 37.0" and
w/o moonroof = 38.4".

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
...
> My Bentley manual does not indicate any difference in headroom for a
> sunroof, or not.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Kevin Rhodes" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>>Why did you special order a car without a sunroof?
>>>
>>>This feature has value, even if you don't use it. Frankly, I can't
>>>imagine
>>>not using it, even if all one does is tilt the rear up for ventilation.

>>
>> Biggest reason for me would be the lack of headroom in cars so equiped. I
>> am
>> fairly tall, but EXTREMELY long in the torso - I flat don't fit
>> comfortably
>> in most European cars with sunroofs. Getting rid of the sunroof gives an
>> extra
>> 1-2" of headroom. Which is too bad as I would rather have one!
>>
>> Kevin Rhodes
>> Westbrook, Maine
>> 91 318is - no sunroof - with headroom
>> 00 Saab 9-5 - with sunroof, without headroom
>> 74 Triumph Spitfire - infinite headroom :-)

>



  #16  
Old July 23rd 05, 12:14 PM
John Carrier
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Somebody." > wrote in message
.ca...
>
> "John Carrier" > wrote in message
> ...
>> A few observations. The price will depend on the local market. If
>> dealer
>> stock is gathering water spots on the lot, negotiation is possible. If
>> turnover is rapid, probably not. If a particular model is desirable,
>> many
>> dealers will tack on a "market adjustment."
>>
>> BMW has no holdback (typically 2 - 2 1/2 percent of MSRP or Base price),

> so
>> the sticker has no hidden profit behind it. (There are occasional dealer
>> incentives on selected models, check the internet.) Some dealers have to
>> pay so much per car into an advertising program (some pass it on to the
>> customer, some eat it, but either way it affects the price).
>>
>> Yes, you can negotiate a special order car. Expect to make a deposit.
>>
>> I'd approach it this way. Tell the dealer what the invoice on the car
>> you
>> want is and explain your idea of a reasonable profit for him and the
>> indicated final price. Be realistic, he's got to make at least
>> $1500-2000
>> on the car even if he's high volume ... There's overhead to meet. See if

> he
>> buys into your logic.
>>
>> R / John

>
> The correct approach, I'd say. If dealer a) won't, dealer b) might. And
> they all will at a certain number. Just buy from whoever goes the lowest,
> if you know the invoice.
>
> No harm in a moderate drive to pick it up, if it saves you lots. Service
> can still be at your local dealer.


It's worked for me on a number of cars. Sometimes the dealer was so quick
to say "Yes" I wondered if I miscalculated the offer. A couple times I'd
get a "You know sir, that's only $XXX above invoice" and not so much as a
counteroffer. (the same dealer says, "We'll beat your best deal or give you
$100 .... REE GARD LESS!" Uh huh.)

If you can work two (or three) dealers against each other in a bidding war,
it's usually advantageous. In my small local market, that means an
out-of-town competitor. I've had salespersons threaten that the service on
a not-sold-here car might not be forthcoming. "Oh, can I quote you in my
letter to the head office?" Then again, if it's a BMW dealer, they're well
aware that BMWNA is pretty aloof and/or toothless WRT it's dealer
organization.

R / John


  #17  
Old July 23rd 05, 09:09 PM
GRL
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I concur with you about a sunroof. I think they are a monumental waste of
money, invite eventual leaks, and steal headroom.

Only reason to have one is so the passenger can tilt their seat back and
look at the clouds go by.

They are absolutely no substitute for a convertible. Not even remotely
close.


"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>
> "J Strickland" wrote
>>
>> Why did you special order a car without a sunroof?

>
> I deliberatly bought an A4 without it. I was going to order one like
> that, but then the dealer was able to locate a car with the exact options
> I needed (pretty much every other option minus sunroof) at another dealer
> lot.
>
> I had an Accord before, with a sunroof, and never used it, so that's why I
> didn't want it. There are also issues sometimes with the sunroof acting
> up on its own and/or leaking water - didn't need any of that either.
> Finally, you get more headroom space without a sunroof.
>
> Maybe the issues I mentioned do not pertain to BMW, but those were my
> reasons.
>
> Pete
>
>



  #18  
Old July 23rd 05, 09:12 PM
GRL
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Have you actually looked at the thing?

If it ain't selling here in the U.S., it only means Americans still have a
modicum of taste and Canadians have lost all theirs.


"330xi" > wrote in message
...
> What's wrong with the American Car buyers, MB is trying to sell you a
> Chrysler and
> Audi a fancy VW , both handle like crap as well. BMW is making the best
> car in it's class and
> they aren't selling?
>
> In Canada, most are getting grabbed before they hit the lot.
> BMW store were selling September production vehicles weeks
> ago and if you want an xi you better get your order in now or
> you will miss the first batches and have to wait alot longer.
>
>
>
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Don't know why you'd want AWD, but the E90 AWD sedans will be available
>> in October (according to the latest dealer bulletin).
>>
>> Around here (New England) the E90 is selling slowly - dealers have lots
>> of stock, and are pressuring customers to buy. I'm sure deals are easy
>> to get - in the range of $1k to $2k off MSRP. I didn't push hard
>> myself, since I like the E46 so much more than the E90.
>>
>> At least half of BMWs are custom ordered. Ordering is easy - pick what
>> you want, they build it, you can track it's progress on the Internet,
>> and your car arrives at the dealer 6 weeks or so later. There is no
>> extra charge - you pay the same thing. (In fact, if you pick up your
>> custom ordered car in Germany, you pay LESS). Unless you absolutely
>> need a car right now today, there is no downside to a custom order at
>> all. In fact there's are big advantages - you get exactly what you
>> want, and the dealer doesn't have a chance to add extra crap like
>> "paint protectant".
>>
>> You might be able to custom order a E90 AWD starting in September -
>> that's when cars start being produced.
>>

>
>



  #19  
Old July 23rd 05, 10:30 PM
Jeff Strickland
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hmph, an inch and a half. Who woulda thunk it?

I'm 6'1", and my '94 is the first car with a moon roof that I can
comfortably fit in. I have to remove my hat, except baseball caps, but that
is a small price to pay.



"joe_tide" > wrote in message
...
> According to the E46 new car brochure, headroom with moonroof = 37.0" and
> w/o moonroof = 38.4".
>
> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
> ...
>> My Bentley manual does not indicate any difference in headroom for a
>> sunroof, or not.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Kevin Rhodes" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>>Why did you special order a car without a sunroof?
>>>>
>>>>This feature has value, even if you don't use it. Frankly, I can't
>>>>imagine
>>>>not using it, even if all one does is tilt the rear up for ventilation.
>>>
>>> Biggest reason for me would be the lack of headroom in cars so equiped.
>>> I am
>>> fairly tall, but EXTREMELY long in the torso - I flat don't fit
>>> comfortably
>>> in most European cars with sunroofs. Getting rid of the sunroof gives an
>>> extra
>>> 1-2" of headroom. Which is too bad as I would rather have one!
>>>
>>> Kevin Rhodes
>>> Westbrook, Maine
>>> 91 318is - no sunroof - with headroom
>>> 00 Saab 9-5 - with sunroof, without headroom
>>> 74 Triumph Spitfire - infinite headroom :-)

>>

>
>


  #20  
Old July 24th 05, 02:53 AM
John Carrier
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"GRL" > wrote in message
...
>I concur with you about a sunroof. I think they are a monumental waste of
>money, invite eventual leaks, and steal headroom.
>
> Only reason to have one is so the passenger can tilt their seat back and
> look at the clouds go by.
>
> They are absolutely no substitute for a convertible. Not even remotely
> close.


Opinions vary. I use mine frequently and year round. Never had a leak or
mechanical failure with 3 different cars over 11 years.

Admittedly not a substitute for a convertible nor meant to be.

R / John


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What to do If a dealer does a bad alignment. chris777 via CarKB.com Technology 5 April 20th 05 04:16 PM
Jeep, Chrysler quality and cust. service - YUCK Birdbrain13 Chrysler 18 February 19th 05 03:31 PM
300C order problems [email protected] Chrysler 7 January 21st 05 05:55 PM
dealer replaced radio, still doesn't work caburnham BMW 5 November 20th 04 06:08 PM
Main Dealer or Independent Service Richard Goulding Audi 10 November 15th 04 12:25 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.