E90 Discounts from MSRP for Canadians

Hello.

I live in Vancouver, BC - Canada. Pretty seriously thinking of purchasing the '06 325i.

We currently own a '03 320i and to be honest I completely forget what the MSRP was and what we paid.

I'm trying to figure out how low a Canadian dealer might go on a car like this.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Just go to www.bmw.ca and build your car...

MSRP on the '04 was 39 or so. Invoice is 35 or so.

www.carcostcanada.com will give you all the info (for 40 bucks) but it is well worth it to know exactly what you're doing.

I assume that canadian invoice is 36000$ but i don't think so that we'll be able to find cars at 1500$ over invoice... I'm aiming for 2000$ off MSRP for a base 325i Titanium, manual without SP. If I get 1500$ I'll be happy.

Originally Posted by calvado

I assume that canadian invoice is 36000$ but i don't think so that we'll be able to find cars at 1500$ over invoice... I'm aiming for 2000$ off MSRP for a base 325i Titanium, manual without SP. If I get 1500$ I'll be happy.

That sounds reasonable. When I bought my '04 he gave me 1k off, but then he had to stretch to make what he promised on my trade-in which had a lot more mileage than when I signed the deal, so I figure I got $1500 off too.

With whom are you dealing?

Hi guys, thanks for the input.

I tried: www.carcostcanada.com but the site doesn't have the '06 BMWs so I haven't gone on to purchase anything yet.

Also, any good blue/black book sites in Canada?... wondering what my '03 320i is worth.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by zahir

Hi guys, thanks for the input.

I tried: www.carcostcanada.com but the site doesn't have the '06 BMWs so I haven't gone on to purchase anything yet.

Also, any good blue/black book sites in Canada?... wondering what my '03 320i is worth.

Thanks!

Since the prices haven't changed, I would assume everything is the same as last year.

For Black Book I go to www.toyota.ca and click on "appraise your trade-in". From there you get a temporary license for a single use on Canadian Black Book, that's very useful too.

The only thing is you can't get into the details of your car like options or add-ons, so it's not much more than a ballpark figure.

All 4 dealers located in Mtl & around... I'm going for an internet quote at 1st then I'll go to the one with the lowest quote & prep fees and ask for 500$ off more..

Originally Posted by calvado

All 4 dealers located in Mtl & around... I'm going for an internet quote at 1st then I'll go to the one with the lowest quote & prep fees and ask for 500$ off more..

That's a good idea. I actually test drove a 330i Sports today that my dealer (Jalbert Kirkland) had in stock (6 spd, forgot to use the sixth!!), and he says that most of what he is delivering right now is pre-ordered cars, and when that slows down he'll get to work on the stock in the garage. Maybe they'll deal with that?

Originally Posted by Wolf359

The only thing is you can't get into the details of your car like options or add-ons, so it's not much more than a ballpark figure.

Correct, as ballpark as ballpark can be (don't say ballpark to a Montrealer!!!).

But when I took in my 325i to be appraised, post-accident, they gave it right smack in the middle of the internet figure I had dug up, so it's pretty good.

Have you tried it Wolf? And they're not counting your 10k Dinan upgrade and the fancy angel eyes you had retrofitted at Bimmerfest!! (Just kidding)

Originally Posted by zahir

Hello.

I live in Vancouver, BC - Canada. Pretty seriously thinking of purchasing the '06 325i.

We currently own a '03 320i and to be honest I completely forget what the MSRP was and what we paid.

I'm trying to figure out how low a Canadian dealer might go on a car like this.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

When I purchased mine a couple of years ago, I started by going in-person to Brian Jessel and was completely disappointed with their arrogant attitude. They wouldn't offer a cent below MSRP on a 3-Series.

I decided to FAX all the dealers (attention to the sales manager) in town a sheet showing my desired configuration including the MSRP and invoice data from carcostcanda.com for the vehicle and desired options and said I would give my business to the dealer who FAX'ed me back with the best price by the end of the week. All the dealers replied with full MSRP except for one which was $1K below MSRP. I went in and negotiated a further $1K off the price.

The dealer told me not to discuss my deal with any of the other dealers if they inquired - he intimated that the BMW dealers in Vancouver were trying to preserve margins by all of them agreeing not to negotiate off MSRP. I'm sure, even if this was true that they break the rules all the time for their best customers. I don't think he was trying to stop me from shopping my deal around because he told me this the night I signed the papers to order the car so it was already a done deal.

Later, one of the sales managers from one of the other dealers called me and asked what happened and I told them that I was dealing with one of their competitors because they had offered a lower price and he was pretty pissed that I didn't come back and ask for them to beat it! I reminded him that my business was going to the best deal I got back from my FAX and he was a fool for quoting MSRP if he wanted to negotiate. He said he would reconsider his strategy in the future.

I suspect in Vancouver, it will be very difficult to get anything off MSRP for a new 3-Series right now unless you have a very good relationship with someone at your dealership. If that's the case, then I would choose the dealer that is going to give you the best service - and in my opinion, that is NOT BJ. They are too big for their own benefit. A smaller dealership is going to have staff who remember you by name when you come by or call. There is also a dealer in town that offers twice annual track days at a very good price with Driving Unlimited for their driving enthusiast customers.

Originally Posted by virtualrain

All the dealers replied with full MSRP except for one which was $1K below MSRP. I went in and negotiated a further $1K off the price.

The dealer told me not to discuss my deal with any of the other dealers if they inquired - he intimated that the BMW dealers in Vancouver were trying to preserve margins by all of them agreeing not to negotiate off MSRP.

Can you let us know which dealer this is?

I'm in Vancouver too, and had purchased a 330i from Van Auto a few yrs back, but the new 330 sure looks very tempting!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by visor

Can you let us know which dealer this is?

Thanks!

Sent you a PM.

Originally Posted by virtualrain

... - he intimated that the BMW dealers in Vancouver were trying to preserve margins by all of them agreeing not to negotiate off MSRP...

In that case they are price fixing and are breaking the Anti-Combines act. Time to call VPD commercial crimes unit?

Ed

Hey virtualrain, when was the last time you've been to Jessel? From my experience those guys are absolutely the best in Vancouver. Their service is excellent and very personable. Ive had to go in several times over the last year to get things worked on my car. They even didnt charge me for a few things.

I'm able to get under MSRP on my 330i in BJ BMW, but that's only I've a friend got a good relationship with them. If anyone of you looking for the new 3-series, I can refer you to them and hopefully you guys got a deal too.

Originally Posted by araouf

Hey virtualrain, when was the last time you've been to Jessel? From my experience those guys are absolutely the best in Vancouver. Their service is excellent and very personable. Ive had to go in several times over the last year to get things worked on my car. They even didnt charge me for a few things.

I agree that their service is probably good. What turned me off is their arrogant attitude, which is bad enough at most luxury dealerships, but BJ takes it to a new level IMHO. One of the partners at my wife's firm shops there and he loves them and they love him - but he leases a new M-car every year or two... I guess they are going to love him. A guy like me who drops in for service every six months and buys a 3-Series car every 5 years isn't even going to appear on their radar. That's why I like the smaller boutique dealer. I really don't know what BJ offers the average BMW buyer that you can't get elsewhere and I think that elsewhere you can get a more family type of experience.

Originally Posted by Ed328Ci

In that case they are price fixing and are breaking the Anti-Combines act. Time to call VPD commercial crimes unit?

Ed

Relax dude. The price is set by BMW Canada - not the dealers. By them agreeing not to discount is hardly breaking any rules... There is no law that says one must sell below MSRP.

Anyway, despite the fact that they were telling each other they were not discounting, I'm sure they were... as I pointed out, I got a discount and I'm sure others got discounts from their dealers as well under the right circumstances.