BMW dealer vrs private dealership

Hey all,

Just wanted to pose a question about what you all think is a better route to go when purchasing a new / used BMW. I live in Charlotte, NC and there are several BMW dealerships within a few minutes / hours drive from my house. I am also aware of alot of private dealerships that are not a true BMW dealer but sell BMW's and other "luxury' automobiles. My question is - what and who should I go with once I start looking to purchase my bimmer? I have seen alot of good deal on bimmers at carmax.com and some other dealerships..I am just not sure if that is the route I want to go. Any advise would be great, expeirences, etc. I notice that the prices of the model and year I am looking at seems to slightly lower at non BMW dealships - is there something I should be looking out for? Basically I am planning on getting a 2002 - 2005 330i this time next year. More then likely it will be a 03 - 05 330i but I would take a 02 as long as the mileage and price were good.

Thanks!

papahawk

Reply » BMW dealer vrs private dealership

You can get a BMW dealership to give you really good prices on a new BMW if you just know how. For a used BMW, go private, they're cheaper and the same thing.

Reply » BMW dealer vrs private dealership

The only reason I would go though a BMW dealer is to take advantage of the CPO. Some cars should be coming off lease and you'll be able to find one CPO'd. IMO, it's worth it.

If you go through a non-BMW dealer - get a Carfax at the least. BMWs are such that I would even get a PPI done on one if it didn't come from a BMW dealer as a CPO car, or the CPO status remained with the car if you went though a private party.

The places around here I looked at either got their BMWs from auctions or on trades.

Reply » BMW dealer vrs private dealership

I bought mine used from an indy (Sport cars and Imports only). Had the Carfax and I got a bumper to bumper (less $100 Deduc.) for 3 years. The work is done at any BMW Dealer. The CPO's where just too pricey at the dealers around me. They were a good 5 to 10k more.

Reply » BMW dealer vrs private dealership

Stay away from private sales...... I mean the ones where say, i personally sell u my eta. Its not worth it and they are usually thrashed. Try getting one from a private dealership that specialise in bmw's and has a good reputation, that way u get the good stuff and they know whats going on. Sometimes they may give u a warranty

Reply » BMW dealer vrs private dealership

Quote:

I disagree. I only trade in my junker vehicles. Some get wholesaled-others go for sale on the used car lot.

Any that are good for retail I sell them privately. My S2000 I sold privately and sold it for 5k over any trade in I was offered-which was still 1k below what the dealers were asking at the time.
Regardless of whom you purchase from have an independent shop look at the car before purchase. Some dealers are crooked and just because they say it is CPO or "one owner" I still believe you should pay a couple hundred bucks to have it checked out.
Read the threads here about what people do to their lease cars. These lease cars become the BMW CPO cars. Would you rather purchase a car from someone who initially bought a BMW and 3 years later was comfortable enough with the car to sell it privately or a lease return that may have been leased to someone who doesn't give a crap about the car and only washed it when the car needed to be returned?

Page 1 of 3