Taxes on ED Cars? Considerations?

[Lansing]

Looks like if I get a new 330ci, I'll have to order. One very appealing option is to do the European Delivery that so many of you have talked about.

I have spoken to several folks who have done this, and all have had very positive comments. Being new to this, I have a couple questions, and would appreciate your thoughts/comments. I apologize if this has been brought up countless times before.

1) ED - am I liable for sales tax here in California? Anyway to avoid?
2) What other fees are applicable. One dealer gave me a price that was $2000 under the US base price, but said the rest of the options were priced similarly...when going to other sites specializing in ED, I noticed price lists significantly less than what she quoted
3) Any other things to look for?

Thanks all!

Lansing

[FSelekler]

330Ci is a great car and ED is an experience I would like to have as well and planning on the next one.

1) yes, you need to pay sales taxes, no way to avoid it.
2) Besides total taxes you need to pay the freight fee, and sometimes some dealer charges of around $25 to 50.
3) At BMW NA web site you will see the discounts for ED per model. Take the discount, subtract from base MSRP, then add all options at invoice price. That is the dealer cost. Normally, you should shoot for somewhere between $1000 to 2000 over invoice for sales price.

Many try too hard to get closer to 1000 over invoice to save few hundred. My theory is that just find a dealer that treats you nicely and you can trust to obtain good ordering service. In my opinion that is more important. I was stupid enough to spend time and effort to get a low price, and I got an extremely good deal. However, if I were to do it again, I would not waste time for hard negotiations with many dealers; I would just buy for a price around $1400 to 1700 over invoice and enjoy the car earlier than I have. Once you get the car, none if it is important and you hit your head to walls for not getting it sooner. :)

Good luck.

[Lansing]

Appreciate the useful info...!

[Stevarino]

Do it! It is a hellof a way to buy a car and save some money.

[beauport]

I'm still in the process but so far it seems to be a very good price for the car and a great experience. My final price will be 3.5K less than the US MSRP on a 330Ci and I will get to enjoy the car for a couple of weeks in Switzerland after picking it up in Munich. My salesman said he has a customer who does this every year as he saves enough to sell the car at a good price after putting about 10K miles on it and the fun of a new car each year.