[Sac2012]

Recently got in the market to get back in a car after I realized I don't use my Jeep the way it is meant to be used. So looking at the new F30 and finding this website, I am sold on one.
But I am already getting aggravated at my one and only local dealer... I work 9-10 month out of the year offshore so a lot of my transaction is through email. Hell I bought my last 2 cars through email, just came in to dot the "i's" and pick it up.
So far I built the F30 I wanted online, submitted it to my local dealer. After 2 days I finally get an email back and all he keeps talking about is I need to come in to talk about this, I need to come in to discuss that. Starting to get the feeling they don't want to deal at all.

[gerbs]

You really need to go in person to negotiate a car deal with BMW. It is fairly impossible to do over the phone/email. I suspect it is due to the dealerships being flooded with requests without much backing - and they are not going to give you a good deal unless they know you're serious (it also dilutes the dealership's value & pricing if they wheel and deal on any non-personal offer). Even though you can apply this principle to any vehicle, it's just sort of a fact when buying "premium" vehicles.

I understand your situation, but it makes things literally 100x more fluid when you are there to seal the deal. "going in to dot the i's" is not really an option. Try to be a bit more flexible.

[Sac2012]

I don't mind going in, but all I'm looking for right now is a ball park figure for my trade in and they won't even give me that. I can understand if it was a moderate mileage car or whatnot. But it is a 2012 with less than 9K miles on in. I sent them the VIN and detailed pictures with dates on them so they know it's not out of date. I even sent them a approved letter of finance because I don't use any dealers finance.
It is just frustrating because I live in the sticks, my nearest dealer is 85 miles away(One way). When I finally do get home, I don't like spending all day at a dealership just for them to low ball the crap out of my trade.

[Merlin93]

Originally Posted by gerbs

You really need to go in person to negotiate a car deal with BMW. It is fairly impossible to do over the phone/email. I suspect it is due to the dealerships being flooded with requests without much backing - and they are not going to give you a good deal unless they know you're serious (it also dilutes the dealership's value & pricing if they wheel and deal on any non-personal offer). Even though you can apply this principle to any vehicle, it's just sort of a fact when buying "premium" vehicles.

I understand your situation, but it makes things literally 100x more fluid when you are there to seal the deal. "going in to dot the i's" is not really an option. Try to be a bit more flexible.

Not sure that I agree with that completely, I think it depends on the dealership and the CA. Other than coming in to put down the deposit, I did everything else via email on my recent order. I'm planning to handle as much as possible that way, including all the accessories, so when the car is ready (which should be in the next few weeks) I will only need to sign the papers.

In the OP's case, I agree that you probably just need to come in, that or at least get on the phone with them.

[Sac2012]

Sorry for my little rant earlier. Putting up with the wrong dealerships can be aggravating. Been talking with the next closest dealer from me and ending the business day not so irritated. They actually have a internet manager and the service has been way better!

[wolke9]

Don't feel like you have to go to a dealership in person. I haven't found this to be true and have purchased at least 3 cars through email. I'm in VA and just leased a '13 335i M-Sport from a NJ dealer all through about 2 emails. Know your price you want to pay, incentives, etc and farm out your offer.

I'm dealing with a known and reputable CA who frequents this site and others. You have to do a little legwork but its worth it in the end--at least to me it was.

Also, there is nothing thats says you have to trade in your current car at the dealership where you are buying your new car. Several dealerships nowadays will buy your car even if you aren't buying from them. Inventory is still low in different areas of the country and many d'ships will buy your car outright. Shop around!!

My VW dealer has already agreed to purchase my '10 GTI even though I'm not buying from them. Do some research on this forum and save yourself some money, time, and hassle of just going to whomever is closest to you. Most, if not all, of your resources are here--use them!

PM me if u want and I can give you additional details on my purchase.

Im doing a PCD in Nov and if you are any bit of an enthusiast, you would have a great time picking up your car down there.

Just a couple of thoughts.

[Sac2012]

Originally Posted by wolke9

Don't feel like you have to go to a dealership in person. I haven't found this to be true and have purchased at least 3 cars through email. I'm in VA and just leased a '13 335i M-Sport from a NJ dealer all through about 2 emails. Know your price you want to pay, incentives, etc and farm out your offer.

I'm dealing with a known and reputable CA who frequents this site and others. You have to do a little legwork but its worth it in the end--at least to me it was.

Also, there is nothing thats says you have to trade in your current car at the dealership where you are buying your new car. Several dealerships nowadays will buy your car even if you aren't buying from them. Inventory is still low in different areas of the country and many d'ships will buy your car outright. Shop around!!

My VW dealer has already agreed to purchase my '10 GTI even though I'm not buying from them. Do some research on this forum and save yourself some money, time, and hassle of just going to whomever is closest to you. Most, if not all, of your resources are here--use them!

PM me if u want and I can give you additional details on my purchase.

Im doing a PCD in Nov and if you are any bit of an enthusiast, you would have a great time picking up your car down there.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Thanks for your insight man! Hopefully this new dealer will work out better, seems to be going smoother already. I have a pretty good idea what I can get my car far. I am a USAA member and really want to do a ED. Just not sure I will enjoy the full details of it being so late in the year. But if I don't do the ED, I am positive I will be doing the PCD!

[Sac2012]

Talking with the dealer today, we agreed on a trade in price for my Jeep. Only thing left now is negotiating price on the car for ED when I get home!

[pawarrant]

I don't think the USAA cash incentive ($1500 off for 3 series) is not allowed if doing ED.

[Sac2012]

Originally Posted by pawarrant

I don't think the USAA cash incentive ($1500 off for 3 series) is not allowed if doing ED.

Probably not. I know most manufactures don't allow you to stack deals or incentives. The guy I've been talking with on email seems pretty cool and honest, so I'm sure we can meet at a good number to make a deal.

[DrtyJrze]

Good luck! I did mine 95% through email/5% phone time. But I didn't have a trade in. Did u try the USAA car buying service?

[Sac2012]

The USAA buying service is not available in my area. I've had a couple friends that have done it and said it is one of the easiest way to buy a car.

[Ghines1279]

as a former Internet Sales Manager of new Honda's, I am not surprised that they are pushing you to come in. I have seen it COUNTLESS times where I would shoot a guy a gutter price on a car (like into holdback) and he would shop the price with 3 other dealers, and some one would say they would beat my price by a couple hundred bucks (which would not be possible), and would get them in the dealership, and then when the buy is there the car they want has an "Appearance Package" and its going to be 500 dollars for Wheel locks and pinstripes. Also the surrounding dealers would shop each other to see what price we were quoting people. Everything you need to know is our there on Edmunds.com. Invoice is invoice, the dealer literally purchases the car from Honda at that price - holdback. If we did a dealer trade with another dealer and they didnt want a car back, i would bring them a check for the car. Any dealership will take a few hundred dollars over invoice for any car they have instock. Also, I feel like its worth it to buy at your local dealer just for the customer service aspect. I went way out of my way for my customers at Honda, from bringing them gas when they ran out on the highway, bringing them the master key for a lock set, 10% all services, to lying to their wives that they were not in here buying a car for their girlfriend on the side. I just think the extra couple hundred bucks is worth the relationship you would build with them. End rant, recap, if you cant go in, give them a call, Email is not personal at all, but a phone call will make a huge difference and you will find them more cooperative. Good LUCK!

[m630]

Ive bought my last 3 BMWs, including the F30, the M6 and the 645ci via 100% email. If you are serious and you use a serious internet sales manager, it can be quick, easy, and trouble free. I never would go into a dealership to try that game anymore, I want a reasonable offer and then Im done, I dont have time to waste with the back and forth nonesense.