[b8b]

Hi All,

With the prices coming down hard and the economy worsening, I am concerned and hesitant to pull the trigger since a nice car is not a necessity. I try to buy a car, drive it for 4-12 months, and sell it for at least what I paid for it (successful 4 out of 7 times so far, others have minor losses). Here's what I am looking at:
MANUAL Monaco Blue (dark blue) 2007 335i 17k mi Sport & Premium for $26,700 All-In (taxes, title, tags, fees, etc.).

Is this a good deal? Should I wait until next year? Car dealer's line is that after the new year people have tax return money and prices hold for a bit.

I am worried about car insurance too, I have an '06 e90 325i that I was going to give to my wife, but two of these cars might kill me on Gieco premiums (paying $800/yr now with the 325i and an old Toyota Previa mini van for practical purposes, will keep it as it is worth more to me then what someone would pay for it).

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[seanl]

that sounds a bit below market.....is this an auction car or private party?

[b8b]

Originally Posted by seanl

that sounds a bit below market.....is this an auction car or private party?

It's a dealer that buys vehicles from some BMW auction (lease returns)... and you can buy it before the sale if you want. I thought this was a great deal until I saw this recent completed auction list:

11/10/2008 $28,000 6,360 Desert Southwest Manufactu
11/3/2008 $23,000 6,770 Pennsylvania Manufactu
11/3/2008 $29,250 6,856 Pennsylvania Manufactu
11/3/2008 $25,500 7,471 Pennsylvania Manufactu
11/17/2008 $21,750 7,812 Ohio Fleet
11/3/2008 $27,750 8,270 Pennsylvania Manufactu
11/10/2008 $28,000 8,411 Texas Fleet
11/3/2008 $27,500 8,782 Pennsylvania Manufactu
11/3/2008 $27,250 9,706 California Fleet
11/17/2008 $27,000 10,619 Ohio Manufactu
11/3/2008 $24,500 11,808 Midwest
10/20/2008 $27,500 12,350 California Fleet
11/3/2008 $26,000 12,813 Florida Fleet
10/20/2008 $24,000 12,895 California Fleet
10/20/2008 $30,200 12,996 Florida
11/10/2008 $26,000 14,152 Georgia Fleet
10/20/2008 $22,000 14,356 California Manufactu
11/17/2008 $25,500 14,520 Eastern Fleet
11/10/2008 $28,000 14,570 Texas Fleet
11/10/2008 $27,250 15,085 Desert Southwest Fleet
11/10/2008 $23,000 15,402 California Manufactu
11/10/2008 $25,750 16,156 Desert Southwest Fleet
11/10/2008 $26,000 16,236 Desert Southwest Fleet
11/10/2008 $28,000 16,397 Desert Southwest Fleet
11/17/2008 $23,500 16,541 California Manufactu
11/10/2008 $24,250 16,547 California Fleet
11/10/2008 $27,750 18,062 California Fleet
11/10/2008 $25,000 18,741 Desert Southwest Fleet
11/10/2008 $25,000 18,840 Georgia
11/24/2008 $24,500 19,113 Texas Fleet
11/10/2008 $21,400 19,515 Georgia Fleet
11/10/2008 $24,000 21,124 California Fleet
11/17/2008 $24,250 21,836 Pacific NW Fleet
11/24/2008 $24,600 23,794 Eastern Fleet
10/27/2008 $25,750 23,923 Pennsylvania Fleet
11/3/2008 $20,500 24,030 Midwest Fleet
11/10/2008 $24,400 24,215 Georgia Fleet
10/27/2008 $26,000 24,249 Desert Southwest Fleet
10/27/2008 $25,200 25,269 Eastern Fleet
11/10/2008 $27,500 25,356 California Fleet
11/10/2008 $26,500 29,376 California Fleet
10/20/2008 $25,500 29,751 California Fleet
10/20/2008 $26,500 30,178 California Fleet
10/20/2008 $21,000 30,357 California Manufactu
11/17/2008 $25,500 30,911 Texas Fleet
11/10/2008 $24,800 31,972 Georgia Fleet
10/20/2008 $23,500 33,301 California Fleet
11/17/2008 $25,400 33,326 Florida Fleet
11/3/2008 $25,000 36,160 California Fleet
11/17/2008 $20,300 39,960 Desert Southwest Manufactu
11/10/2008 $20,250 54,917 Pennsylvania Fleet
11/10/2008 $19,800 57,841 Southeast Fleet
11/24/2008 $18,000 58,420 California Fleet
11/10/2008 $20,000 58,573 Georgia Fleet

[atl_1M]

Wow, those are low. Do you mind sending me a PM with the name of the dealer? Thanks

[E92murdered]

wow i would just on it now i paid 35 w.o tax! i wish i waited! mines cpo black with coral red . with sports and confort and premimum

Originally Posted by b8b

Hi All,

With the prices coming down hard and the economy worsening, I am concerned and hesitant to pull the trigger since a nice car is not a necessity. I try to buy a car, drive it for 4-12 months, and sell it for at least what I paid for it (successful 4 out of 7 times so far, others have minor losses). Here's what I am looking at:
MANUAL Monaco Blue (dark blue) 2007 335i 17k mi Sport & Premium for $26,700 All-In (taxes, title, tags, fees, etc.).

Is this a good deal? Should I wait until next year? Car dealer's line is that after the new year people have tax return money and prices hold for a bit.

I am worried about car insurance too, I have an '06 e90 325i that I was going to give to my wife, but two of these cars might kill me on Gieco premiums (paying $800/yr now with the 325i and an old Toyota Previa mini van for practical purposes, will keep it as it is worth more to me then what someone would pay for it).

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[AJ@ECSMotorsports]

Post/PM the dealer info please?

It looks pretty interesting and if true, could mean I'll have a 335i in my driveway MUCH sooner than expected.

Thanks

[b8b]

Originally Posted by pracing

Post/PM the dealer info please?

Well, this was a deal I was considering for myself

However, I am leaning towards the AT because my ball and chain is... well, you've heard it all before.

If I don't buy it, if I kick down the dealer name (via email, PM me your email address for pics and dealer name), on one condition: you have to give your word to tell him I sent you - hopefully he will give me another good deal on another 335 (I've been working with him for a week now on this one)... I think it will help me out in the future if he knows I sent a customer. He's a very nice guy to, totally straight up, relaxed and no pressure... I wish I'd met him before I bought my 325.

On further investigation (BMW USA couldn't tell me the options, had to call a local dealer), I don't think it has premium (no bluetooth?) but appears to have some premium options, here is what it has:
Pwr Lock
A/C
Side Air Bags
Heated Mirrors
Fog Lamps
Warranty Books
US EPA Label
Traction Control
Woodgrain Interior Package
Directional Stability Control

Pwr Steering
Cruise Ctl
Dual Air Bags
Owner's Manual
Maintenance Records
On-Board Computer
Security System
Dual Air Conditioning
Telescopic Steering Wheel
Run Flat Tires

Pwr Seats - Both
Rear Defrost
50 State Emissions
ABS Brakes
Trip Counter
Floor Mats
Steering Wheel Audio Control
Memory Seat
Tire Pressure Monitor
Push Button Start

Tilt Steering
CD Player
Power Mirrors
Tinted Windows
Power Trunk/Liftgate
Xenon Headlights
Auxiliary Input
Comfort Seats
Rain Sensor Windshield

The tires are Brand new on the rear and fairly new front:
Left Front:7/32"BRIDGESTONE225/40R18
Left Rear:10/32"BRIDGESTONE225/40R18
Right Front:7/32"BRIDGESTONE225/40R18
Right Rear:10/32"BRIDGESTONE225/40R18

It has the sports package with the 18" 162's. Clean Carfax

[b8b]

For those who PM'd me, I will only reply if you included an email address and full name, then I can forward info and also inform the dealer you may contact them - please include your full name. BTW: this is NOT a BMW dealer, just a normal car dealer who sells a ton of BMW's.

This is not a solicitation, I was originally just asking about my own deal I am eying and have gotten some responses, and I'm trying to help those who are interested in this or another deal (he gets killer deals and doesn't seem to reem his customers like other dealers do) and also get some traction with this dealer also if I can bring a customer his way and get another deal from him and favorable treatment for doing so - I think that's OK, right?

[b8b]

PM's responded to. Good luck guys!

[stressdoc]

No premium options on that car. Good deal regardless. Depressing to see what actual auction prices are. I think I will be holding on to mine for a long time, although if I could sell it to a PP for 30 k that is 30/36.5 = 82.2 % of original price after 26 months and 23k miles of heaven.

[b8b]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I think I will be holding on to mine for a long time, although if I could sell it to a PP for 30 k that is 30/36.5 = 82.2 % of original price after 26 months and 23k miles of heaven.

That's a good perspective, not a huge loss considering driving a slice of heaven

Imagine what Audi buyers have to deal with for the same level of performance!

Plus, these are just auction prices, Manhiem - some of the really low ones are probably lemon-law buybacks or maybe have damage or super-high miles or something - you can't tell by looking. I only know about this specific car.

[b8b]

same auction lots of BMW dealers get their cars from... you just have to have all the info on the completed's, some of those that went low were not in good condition, could be buy-backs, have issues, etc. However, there are some awesome deals to be had. Right now deals aren't as good as december for some reason (I think because ppl are getting tax $ back)

[edl]

Originally Posted by b8b

same auction lots of BMW dealers get their cars from... you just have to have all the info on the completed's, some of those that went low were not in good condition, could be buy-backs, have issues, etc. However, there are some awesome deals to be had. Right now deals aren't as good as december for some reason (I think because ppl are getting tax $ back)

Also, keep in mind two things -

1. Regionally prices may vary. I can tell you the demand for 335's is a lot higher in California than it is in PA.

2. b8b is absolutely right - Cars sell low for a reason.

I'm a dealer who regularly goes to these auctions, and can tell you that it's rare to find a car that meets my criteria (no accident damage/repaint). So don't read all the comparable sales information posted above and think all those cars are pretty. Dealers spend a considerable amount to recondition and certify cars.

For example, here's part of a condition report from a 07 335i with 963 miles (yes you read that right):

DESCRIPTION CONDITION SEVERITY SUGGESTED
REPAIR TOTAL
LABOR
HOURS
Overall Vehicle Inop None Mech Ck/Not Approved .00
Front Bumper Scratched 2" to 3" Repair 7.80
Hood Scratched 1" to 2" Wet Sand .50
LF Fender Scratched 1" to 2" Wet Sand .50
LF Wheel Scratched 8" to 9" Brush Touch .00
LF Door Ding Less 1" PDR .00
L Qtr Panel Ding Less 1" PDR .00
LR Wheel Scratched 7" to 8" Brush Touch .00
Deck Lid Scratched 1" to 2" Wet Sand .50
Rear Bumper Scratched 4" to 5" Repair 7.80
R Bumper Tow Ho Missing TRANS DAMAGE Replacement Req Replace 1.00
RF Fender Scratched 2" to 3" Wet Sand .50
RF Door Ding Less 1" PDR .00
R Qtr Panel Ding 1" to 2" PDR .00
Frame Prev Repair Vsbl Close Insp Frame Chk .50
TOTALS 19.10


ps. Please don't PM me asking for help buying cars. I primarily run my dealership to buy cars for myself.

[edl]

One more thing - I've heard that you can title wash CA lemon-law cars in AZ. A lot of lemon law buybacks sold at CA auctions get purchased by AZ and TX dealers.

[b8b]

Originally Posted by edl

ps. Please don't PM me asking for help buying cars. I primarily run my dealership to buy cars for myself.

PM sent. j/k

Originally Posted by edl

One more thing - I've heard that you can title wash CA lemon-law cars in AZ. A lot of lemon law buybacks sold at CA auctions get purchased by AZ and TX dealers.

Really? When I ask local dealers who are selling some 335i's at way too low prices if they are lemon buy-backs, they tell me. Also, if you call BMW USA with the VIN, you can't wash it out of their system. Maybe you are thinking Salvage? If so, I'd be surprised if AZ was one of those states, but I'd sure like to know.

[edl]

Originally Posted by b8b

Really? When I ask local dealers who are selling some 335i's at way too low prices if they are lemon buy-backs, they tell me.

Dealers are legally obligated to tell you if the car was a buyback. But in practice many don't, and just sign the buyback disclosure paperwork on your behalf.

Also, if you call BMW USA with the VIN, you can't wash it out of their system. Maybe you are thinking Salvage? If so, I'd be surprised if AZ was one of those states, but I'd sure like to know.

No, I was thinking titlewash. That has nothing to do with BMW USA's records, which I highly doubt you can change.

I'm 95% sure you can take a CA lemon-law/buyback, and retitle it in AZ with a clean title. You definitely can in AR.

Of course, titlewashing only works on uninformed buyers. If you're prudent enough to run a Carfax or Vehicle History Report, you'll catch it.