[Balster]

So I have recently discovered from a colleague at work who has also ordered a 520d M Sport LCI, that he got a discount of 19% from Stratstone. This made me cry as I got 11%. So I am going back to my dealer (car is in fixed order mode - no changes can be made) who is not Stratstone, to see what they can do. If my dealer can't match that 19% what options do I have:
1) Cancel the order, get deposit back and order car from Stratstone?
2) Stick with the same deal?
3) Speak to the head of Sales/Finance?

'Putting the customer first' is my dealers byline

Will I get my deposit back?

I don't want a car knowing that I could have got a better deal elsewhere - takes the shine off a BMW a little bit.

Thoughts?
And what sort of discount should really be expected?


Cheers.

[c-hri-s]

I think your negotiation window has closed, that's the nature of sales.

I guess you could cancel and lose your deposit. Would you save more than your deposit cost?

There are lots of factors at play with discounts. The exact model of car, if they have one they want to shift (or a build slot booked with no car to fill it), what PX you took in, what options you've gone for, what finance you have/haven't taken.

I've always played dealers off against each other. When one refuses to sell you a car for that price and you're figuratively waving your debit card at them, you know you're somewhere near the limit.

If it makes you feel better when I bought my 3 series I only got 11%, this was after others were getting 20% ... but I bought at a bad time.

They will never sell you the car for the least they can charge, they will sell you a car for the most you're willing to pay.

Same with houses.

[Beancounter_74]

Firstly - there do seem to be some discounts to be had. I didn't get 19%, but I wasn't far off at just over 17%. Mine was made up with money off from BMW and also the dealer (Sytner).

Where do you stand.....hmmm, I'm not sure, you'd need to check the paperwork you signed regarding your deposit, but I guess they will not be too keen as they car is fixed and cannot be changed.

I also don't think they will be too keen to negotiate down significantly (roughly £3k) as clearly you were happy with the price at the time. Unfortunately these things happen in life.

Have you gone for standard options and spec (ie easy for them to move on) or is it a little off the wall and could mean they are left with it on the books for a while? As I'm sure this will effect their decision.

How much deposit have you paid, if small enough (mine was £500), you could still be in the money by walking away and buying from Stratsones. Just a thought

[Balster]

It was £1000 deposit. The spec was very specific, have a look at my signature.
Your right its approx £3k saving. Anyway, I've sent my dealer an email and I am waiting for some feedback from them - the 2 people that I am dealing with were away today.
It does say something in the contract about deposit being returned 'to circumsatances beyond our control' - I will look into it tomorrow.

[Nasman]

I'd definitely ask the question though - nothing ventured, nothing gained. You're more likely to get an extra than money off at this stage so bargain hard. You never know, you may just get some goodwill or adaptive drive perhaps!

[Nasman]

Sorry, just read that it is fixed so can't be changed - dopey me! I'd ask the question even if it is in fixed mode.

[Piers]

19%?? off base car pre VAT or fully completed invoice price, the two things are very different. I am genuinely amazed if that was the case. I would like to know specific figures before I panicked. I have seen claims of big discounts on this site, then when you see the figures they are not what was originally talked about!!

[Balster]

The discount mentioned was from a colleague at work - thats what makes it worse! Smug git that he is too!!
And I sent off an email to Stratstone(where my colleague ordered the car from), I got a reply from the dealer principal saying 'yes we can give you 19% discount with help from BMW'.

[Piers]

Originally Posted by Balster

The discount mentioned was from a colleague at work - thats what makes it worse! Smug git that he is too!!
And I sent off an email to Stratstone(where my colleague ordered the car from), I got a reply from the dealer principal saying 'yes we can give you 19% discount with help from BMW'.

19% off what? pre vat base price or fully specced car? I believe it to be base, as the two dealers I played off each other got to the same price within ££'s of each other

[Balster]

from the email - final invoice price.

[Piers]

Originally Posted by Balster

from the email - final invoice price.

So 42k car for 34k then? still don't believe it, thats cheaper than broadspeed.

[B33M3R]

Not intending to gloat but I managed a straight 25% off list price which also included all options discounted at the same rate (pre VAT and delivery etc.)

There's always going to be someone somewhere who's managed to get a better deal and I'm sure there will be people who did better than I did.

Chap at your work sounds a bit of a clown. If I could help a mate achieve a good deal I'd go out of my way to do so but if I knew he was already committed and his car was on the way I'd keep quiet as it's obvious that would cause some upset. 11% isn't the worst discount in the world though and I'll bet the vast majority don't even achieve that!

I'd be surprised if your dealer will budge now you've signed the order and agreed on a price and I think you'll be looking at forfeiting your deposit if you walk away now it's build is locked as I think the dealer has to have it.

Best of luck though.

[Balster]

Just spoke to the smug git! He got 17% off the dealer and then an extra 2% assistance from BMW.
To be honest - like Beancounter points out, I was happy to pay the agreed price - so its not all doom and gloom. But the question has been asked to the dealer.

25%!!! Flipping heck!

[fseyyad]

the order i placed recently with sytner ( middle of Dec ) was for an agreed price of 42k vs the list of 51k ( on 530d Lux gross price ) speaking to the other dealers afterwards who were competing for this sale, i definitley got the impression that they could have gone lower - not sure by how much though. drivethedeal provided the best anchor point for comparison puposes

[Balster]

What a day I have had!

Response from the dealer where I ordered the car just defies belief.
The SM emailed me saying that I had to PROVE the 19% discount and also his email was very very threatening - he even cancelled the order on the system before consulting me. But I'm within my 14 days and there's some legal finance stuff that can be used too to get the deposit back.
I recognised the SM's name as I have had a bad experience with him about 12 years ago. And to my horror it was him, slippery as an eel is all I can say and if you get on his bad side he treats you like dirt.
If I had known that he worked there, I would never have ordered a car from them in the first place.
Anyway, been to Stratstone and I got an extra 3.5% and Seal and protect for half price, I feel happier now that I least I tried and got something.

[B33M3R]

So you've managed to cancel your order and place another with Stratstone with a better discount? Nice work!

Seal & Protect is snake oil though, sorry, can't help steering people away from it! You can buy it and apply it yourself for about £40-£60. You'd do better negotiating the servicing pack if you've not got it already.

Also, beware tyre and GAP insurance through the dealers. Hugely inflated prices.

[Beancounter_74]

^^^ Agreed, can't add to that

[Balster]

Deposit returned. Startstone have ordered the car for delivery 1st March 2014.
Result.

The only extra piece of functionality that they tried to sell me was the enhanced Bluetooth, but I can;t see the point of that, I'm going to plug in a 64GB USB stick or a 2.5" SSD drive with music on it.

[Balster]

They would not budge on the Servicing pack - I did ask.
Agreed about the GAP Insurance & other stuff, I got a quote for GAP insurance £150 for 3 years from ALA. Tyre & Alloy wheel insurance - no chance.
Still in two minds about the seal and protect though - but I am leaning towards what you learned people are saying.

In total 14.5% discount + the latest deposit contributions from BMW.
Told the Wife and she nearly wet herself!

Have any of you guys got anything like a net or a luggage liner to stop stuff moving around in the enormous boot?

[dippo]

Originally Posted by Balster

Startstone have ordered the car for delivery 1st March 2014.
Result..

That might be optimistic! I spoke to my dealer yesterday, and my car (ordered last year) is due for delivery to them in week 9 (last week of February), and will then need PDI and valeting. If Stratstone can order a car today and get it ahead of that, then the system confuses me.

[B33M3R]

Some dealers have orders in progress which can have their spec changed before they are build confirmed.

[Balster]

Correct, Stratstone told me that they have a ton of pre booked slots.
I even got a printout via email as proof that the car had been ordered and it showed delivery as 21st Feb.