[Koolkozak]

So Im in the market for a used 335, 2008 and up, less than 45K miles, coupe, silver or gray exterior, black interior, under $23000. I went to this local dealership (not BMW) and they havent been able to find a car for me so the owner tells me if I give him a 1000$ deposit than he will go to the auctions and hunt the car down for me.
Does this seem reasonable? Or is he just trying to milk money out of me? What should I do? Its hard to find one in my area, i look on cars. com and auto trader but nothing worth the look. And I dont seem to be brave enough to buy a car off ebay without checking it out first.

[jaykayelemenohpee]

Well he isnt just going to go and purchase a car at auction for you for free

[Datsik]

What you really need to do is raise how much you're willing to spend. It's going to be hard to find a 335 with under 45k miles for under 23k unless it has a lemon/branded title. If you don't want to pay more then I would suggest looking for one that does have a lemon title although it's going to hurt your resale value. As far as it being hard to find I know how it feels; it took me 4.5 months to find my car and I had to get it shipped from San Francisco, I put done a 1k deposit and they shipped it over but it was through a BMW dealer. Best of luck though.

[BMV///M3]

Originally Posted by Koolkozak

So Im in the market for a used 335, 2008 and up, less than 45K miles, coupe, silver or gray exterior, black interior, under $23000. I went to this local dealership (not BMW) and they havent been able to find a car for me so the owner tells me if I give him a 1000$ deposit than he will go to the auctions and hunt the car down for me.
Does this seem reasonable? Or is he just trying to milk money out of me? What should I do? Its hard to find one in my area, i look on cars. com and auto trader but nothing worth the look. And I dont seem to be brave enough to buy a car off ebay without checking it out first.

www.bmwusa.com

Find yourself one, get a CPO and enjoy. Pull the history of service as well.

[williamf]

I suspect the dealer is trying to tie you to him. He will have your $1K and make it very difficult for you to get it back. Also, the simple act of giving over the $1K is a well known negotiating tactic. You have already committed.

Not only will it be difficult to get your money back if ANY thing does not go perfectly, you will have zero negotiating position. You are being setup to be raked over the coals.

Go somewhere else.

[N55]

Not sure if you searched hard... But...

2008 Black Coupe 335i 35k Miles for $25,000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...#ht_500wt_1182

2009 Silver Coupe 335i 52k Miles for $23,850 (I know a little more over the miles you want, but...)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/335i-...#ht_6605wt_956

[N55]

Or.. IF you are willing to compromise a 1 model year (2007) for lower miles..

2007 Graphite Coupe 335i 34k Miles for $23,980
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...t_22897wt_1182

2007 Graphite Coupe 335i 35k Miles for $22,950
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPORT...t_12191wt_1196

[E902009]

Your criteria is pretty tight. I hope you're flexible on the options it has. It is possible, but you can't be too picky at that price point.

Now, the $1,000 deposit part...Perfectly doable. In fact, I have actually done this myself with my wife's car. I told them "here's $1,500. I want to use this as a deposit toward the car I end up getting. I'm not in a hurry, so I'll give you up to three months to find what I want. After three months, I'm pulling out." The dealer agreed and found me EXACTLY what I wanted in six weeks. My wife has a Toyota Highlander, and this was bought not too long after the tsunami in Japan as well as a flood in Thailand, where a lot of the interior pieces are made. We wanted a specific color, which was rare, with specific option groups.

So if you can front the money, and the dealer is highly praised by a lot of people, then go for it. But get everything in writing. Give them a time frame, so they're not dragging their asses. And typically they don't cash the check until they find you a car, and you have agreed to purchase it.

Good luck!

[gpb]

Paying a $1000 fee for a dealer/broker to find and buy a car for you at auction is not bad. For that fee he should identify possible matches, you select which one(s) he should bid on and set the maximum bid, then he goes and buys one of them and sells it to you for auction price plus $1000. If you don't have an established relationship with him, maybe give him a check to hold with the expectation that you get the uncashed check back if he's unsuccessful at auction.

Giving him money up front before he ever identifies a prospect is not what I'd do though.

[Koolkozak]

Thanks guys I appreciate your input. Can I just write it down on a piece of paper the terms of the 1000$ that i want and have then sign it?

That 2009 onEbay looks good, but it's in Texas I'm on the east coast... How can I know it's a good car without inspecting it or test driving it?or getting records on it before I buy it?

[Agentphish]

Originally Posted by Koolkozak

Thanks guys I appreciate your input. Can I just write it down on a piece of paper the terms of the 1000$ that i want and have then sign it?

Type it up, make it look pretty, outline exactly what you expect for your $$ and exactly how long he has to make it happen for you, make him agree to sign it.

There's tons of auto auctions around. He can find you the car. Especially if you're mid-atlantic, tell him to come to Manheim, PA.

[NGEE]

Personally, I think this is crazy. I'd never put my car shopping into the hands of someone else. Unless he's a small-time dealer he's not going to call you every time he finds a car at auction. Even if he does, and on your authorization he buys the car - suppose you don't like it?

If you have no agreement and the dealer finds a great car at auction, he wouldn't hesitate to purchase it on the hopes that you'd buy it, because even if you don't buy it he will have no problem selling to someone else.

On the other hand, if you have an agreement and the dealer finds a crappy car that meets your criteria, he can purchase it knowing you're tied in. If you back down after seeing the car, prepare for a shit fight to get your money back.

I can think of a thousand ways for this to go wrong, and only one way for it to go right.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Koolkozak

How can I know it's a good car without inspecting it or test driving it?or getting records on it before I buy it?

Exactly - so why would you consider letting someone else make the decision for you?

[Tom K.]

With that price limitation, you could find any number of CPO 328i models - but a low mileage $23k 335i will either have higher mileage or won't be in very good shape.

Have you searched

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...ry_search.aspx

as BV335 suggested?

Tom

[Koolkozak]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

With that price limitation, you could find any number of CPO 328i models - but a low mileage $23k 335i will either have higher mileage or won't be in very good shape.

Have you searched

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...ry_search.aspx

as BV335 suggested?

Tom

Yes I tried a search but nothing under $25000 in my area. I'm in the northeast ny/ct/mass area

So half of you say don't do the deal, the other half say to do it. I can't decide

[bender rodriguez]

Originally Posted by BV335

www.bmwusa.com

Find yourself one, get a CPO and enjoy. Pull the history of service as well.

CPO worthless... Auction cars are much cheaper. Mine is an auction car through the dealer.

But yeah its reasonable and much better option. Small luxury car dealers do this.. They get 1000 dollars and you get a car you want for much less. Its hassle free for them as they don't have to let anything sit on the lot and try to sale it.

[Koolkozak]

I just don't get why I have to give him 1000 if he goes to auctions anyways. If he wants to get me a car then he will look for one anyways right?

[Koolkozak]

And what if he buys the car with all my specifications and then it arrives but there's a detail that is wrong, or what if I hear an engine rattle or something but he doesn't think there's anything serious...I will be stuck with it..?

[gpb]

That's why you work those details out in writing with them first.

[BMV///M3]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

With that price limitation, you could find any number of CPO 328i models - but a low mileage $23k 335i will either have higher mileage or won't be in very good shape.

Have you searched

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...ry_search.aspx

as BV335 suggested?

Tom

Thats how I found mine, am very happy with it. While the CPO doesn't cover wear and tear items. It would help you out if say...the water pump went out after the factory warranty expired or a DME failure. So I def disagree with those who say its worthless. Those repairs alone could cost you a big chunk of change. Also I'd bet a dealer would be more likely to give you a break or at least work with you on something that wasn't covered and costly.

[kfriceman]

To the OP,

Now that the auction option has been opened to you directly you will need to define the terms of the deal, that is, what is the total price you pay the dealer to buy this car at auction.

Genrally there are 3 different ways you pay a dealer/broker for their services:

Cost of car + fixed fee dollar amount - i.e. $2,000

Cost of car + % of the auction price - i.e. 10% $10,000 x .10 = $100

Cost of car + % of the auction price not to exceed a fixed dollar amount – i.e. 10% of auction price not exceed $2,000 ($2k is the most you would ever pay)

This is the fee structure (the dealer profit), you will need to pay whatever taxes and licenses fees on top if this as well.

Good luck,

-Kevin

[Koolkozak]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

To the OP,

Now that the auction option has been opened to you directly you will need to define the terms of the deal, that is, what is the total price to you pay for them to buy this car at auction.

Genrally there are 3 different ways you pay a dealer/broker for their services:

Cost of car + fixed fee dollar amount - i.e. $2,000

Cost of car + % of the auction price - i.e. 10% $10,000 x .10 = $100

Cost of car + % of the auction price not to exceed a fixed dollar amount – i.e. 10% of auction price not exceed $2,000 ($2k is the most you would ever pay)

This is the fee structure (the dealer profit), you will need to pay whatever taxes and licenses fees on top if this as well.

Good luck,

-Kevin

Decided not to do this.