Waitlists in US legit?

dab33d · 09-23-2007, 12:57 PM

I currently have 2 Deposits and am on the WL at 2 dealers in pretty good spots #4 / #7 . One of these dealers who is in the middle of nowhere in CA , promised MSRP . Anyhow, I went to a dealer yesterday with my girl to look at 528's for her and talked M with one of the sales managers there. This is what he told me:

1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL.

2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish.

My question is , how valid do you guys think this is. Basing upon previous experiences with the e46, was this the case as well. Do you think my 2 deposits (which both have been cashed) will hold up and will give me a better chance to be first to take delivery ? ALSO, what about what this sales mgr had to say? Any feedback would be appreciated !

aerisolphaln · 09-23-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dab33d

1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL.

2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish.

Well, if you lived in Iowa, you'd be able to pay MSRP and be able to order the new M3 the way you want it. I guess that's a pay-off for the crappy winters.

Tobizach · 09-23-2007, 01:02 PM

That sounds more in line with ripoff crap dealers, like we have here in NV, hence my deposits are all with out of state dealers. Dont be fooled good dealers stick to their word.

Even when the new Z06 1st came out there were some dealers that were selling without any markup etc.. Perhaps you have to look elsewhere.

Bmwboy018 · 09-23-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dab33d

I currently have 2 Deposits and am on the WL at 2 dealers in pretty good spots #4 / #7 . One of these dealers who is in the middle of nowhere in CA , promised MSRP . Anyhow, I went to a dealer yesterday with my girl to look at 528's for her and talked M with one of the sales managers there. This is what he told me:

1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL.

2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish.

My question is , how valid do you guys think this is. Basing upon previous experiences with the e46, was this the case as well. Do you think my 2 deposits (which both have been cashed) will hold up and will give me a better chance to be first to take delivery ? ALSO, what about what this sales mgr had to say? Any feedback would be appreciated !

The best advice that i can give you is to keep an eye on those dealerships and even find out via Bmw NA how many they have received to make sure you get your allocation number. Bmw worldwide does not like customers being ripped off..... You always get some very dishonest characters out to make the quick buck "with that said, money is money", but where is the honour... If you put down your hard earned cash, you deserve the rite to have that allocation number or if one falls through earlier at the specific dealership..... They take your money incase you shop around and get one quicker via another dealerhsip.... I learnt the hard way from a cunning sales exuctive..... I demand it in writing and I watch them very carefully, so if they try and say I am number 1 and they give me number three I will know it... Its not that difficult to do.... Just have to speak to some people at the top and explain your stituation... Remeber, Bmw is out to look after there customers and will repremand those dealerhsips in a huge way who go against them.... Nobody wants to loose there dealership as its not so easy to obtain.....

Smoltz · 09-23-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dab33d

I currently have 2 Deposits and am on the WL at 2 dealers in pretty good spots #4 / #7 . One of these dealers who is in the middle of nowhere in CA , promised MSRP . Anyhow, I went to a dealer yesterday with my girl to look at 528's for her and talked M with one of the sales managers there. This is what he told me:

1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL.

2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish.

My question is , how valid do you guys think this is. Basing upon previous experiences with the e46, was this the case as well. Do you think my 2 deposits (which both have been cashed) will hold up and will give me a better chance to be first to take delivery ? ALSO, what about what this sales mgr had to say? Any feedback would be appreciated !

BMW Dealers are independant companies, some are honest, some are dishonest. YMMV. If you have your deposit in at a dealer that you trust and have done business with before and they have been honest with you in prior dealings then you should be all set. If you have your deposit in with two dealers that you have worked with and have been reputable then I would say you have covered your bases.

As to what that sales mgr had to say, he is correct in that there are some dealers that undoubtly follow such practices, particularly in certain geographical areas where demand outstrips local supply, however he is wrong in the sense that his implicaiton that ALL dealers follow said practices. THere are honest dealers out there.

-Adam

rvacha · 09-23-2007, 02:34 PM

Welcome to California! My dealer has a standing policy not to ever charge higher than MSRP (one of the many reasons I keep going back). In fact at one time they had one of two remaining unsold Z8s in the country and still didn't charge above MSRP. I can't prove they honor the waitlist, but I am fairly sure they do.

m_bazeepaymon · 09-23-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dab33d

I currently have 2 Deposits and am on the WL at 2 dealers in pretty good spots #4 / #7 . One of these dealers who is in the middle of nowhere in CA , promised MSRP . Anyhow, I went to a dealer yesterday with my girl to look at 528's for her and talked M with one of the sales managers there. This is what he told me:

1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL.

2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish.

My question is , how valid do you guys think this is. Basing upon previous experiences with the e46, was this the case as well. Do you think my 2 deposits (which both have been cashed) will hold up and will give me a better chance to be first to take delivery ? ALSO, what about what this sales mgr had to say? Any feedback would be appreciated !

Until allocations begin Waitlists are legit if the Dealer makes it legit

Until then we are just pawns, thinking we have the M3 coming unless you get something in writing

AndrewAZ · 09-23-2007, 04:07 PM

You pay to play.. I timed it so that my lease would end after the new M's been out for a while and by then I hope they will have 2-3 of them on the show room.. But with the current pricing estimates I am looking elsewhere for my next car.

SpencerM3 · 09-23-2007, 08:48 PM

The dealer that I use here in L.A. has ALWAYS had a policy of NEVER marking cars up undr any and all circumstances. Dealer mark ups are total BS.

Deathboy · 09-23-2007, 09:22 PM

Always get it in writing that you will be paying M>S>R>P> on the sales order. They have a tougher situation trying to slap on extra money for some rediculous demand fee,and you have it in writing. Most legit dealers will have no problem commiting to what they have put in writing.

JEllis · 09-23-2007, 11:01 PM

^ As others have said some BMW dealers, especially in CA I have noticed, have policies that prevent them from charging over MSRP. However, I would nto be surprised to see other dealers marking cars up.

Davo2003 · 09-24-2007, 12:10 PM

I can validate the OP's point. I am ordering through MSP but I talked to the dealer where I will take courtesy delivery. My salesman who delivered my last one told me pure and simple, no wait list, 5K over MSRP, first come first served and buyers are lining up. He already knows I am just taking delivery at his dealership, not purchasing there, so he really has no motivation to BS me and I've known him a couple years now for what it's worth.

FifthStreetz · 09-24-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dab33d

I currently have 2 Deposits and am on the WL at 2 dealers in pretty good spots #4 / #7 . One of these dealers who is in the middle of nowhere in CA , promised MSRP . Anyhow, I went to a dealer yesterday with my girl to look at 528's for her and talked M with one of the sales managers there. This is what he told me:

1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL.

2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish.

My question is , how valid do you guys think this is. Basing upon previous experiences with the e46, was this the case as well. Do you think my 2 deposits (which both have been cashed) will hold up and will give me a better chance to be first to take delivery ? ALSO, what about what this sales mgr had to say? Any feedback would be appreciated !

Thats because you live in Cali...

Markups are my dealer is unheard of and my sales guy even had customers coming from Florida when the M6 was released to get it at MSRP.

GL

GregW / Oregon · 09-24-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathboy

Always get it in writing that you will be paying M>S>R>P> on the sales order. They have a tougher situation trying to slap on extra money for some rediculous demand fee,and you have it in writing. Most legit dealers will have no problem commiting to what they have put in writing.

Yes, and also get in writing that you deposit is refundable. Since you have not seen the car yet, that is reasonable.

Sedan_Clan · 09-24-2007, 02:18 PM

Alot of dealerships here in CA mark-up prices. In fact, I have yet to find one dealership here that doesn't. The one reason that I continue to purchase from Shelly BMW is because I have an extensive history with them, and can generally get around the mark-up in most situations. With the new M3, I may not be so lucky, but then again, I'm not purchasing the car right away, so I won't have to deal w/ mark-up by the time the lease on my 330i is up.

SS32 · 09-24-2007, 02:45 PM

When I placed my deposit, the dealer stressed the fact that the car would be MSRP, nothing more, nothing less.

dab33d · 09-24-2007, 04:47 PM

Sup Fellas,

Thanx for the insight.. I think imma pull my deposit at the dealerwhich im #7 on WL b/c that dealer seems "sketch" and also am going to contact the other dealer to ask for something official in writing regarding the refundable deposit and also "msrp" statement. All i have right now is a confirmation email, which might not be enough ...

mdrobc13 · 10-20-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo2003

I can validate the OP's point. I am ordering through MSP but I talked to the dealer where I will take courtesy delivery. My salesman who delivered my last one told me pure and simple, no wait list, 5K over MSRP, first come first served and buyers are lining up. He already knows I am just taking delivery at his dealership, not purchasing there, so he really has no motivation to BS me and I've known him a couple years now for what it's worth.

I concur...I too have ordered thru military sales and no mark up infact if it holds true cost should be 10% lower than MSRP. 05 e46 M3 MSRP thru mil sales was $50k and mil sales MSRP was $44k. So my signed e92 M3 PO is for $49500 as of Sep 08 with a 30 May delivery. Hope that holds date wise but if it slips a few weeks that's okay.

I think the point is geographics...if you go to your local dealer (like I 1st did) and you're in a hot geographic area...expect to pay +MSRP as far as cost and to be further down the wait list for your order and to get your car. Two dealerships in my area were talking #6 and #15 respectively before I did my mil sales order which would have placed me somewhere around late summer 2008 to early/spring 2009 for delivery from the dealers mouths. But I also reiterate that if you have a good relationship with your dealer and have purchased before then you should be able to work out favorable terms in your favor. But otherwise its supply and demand....it seems.

PortoM3 · 11-07-2007, 02:01 PM

I can't get a straight answer out of the dealers in my area. I was wondering if anyone lives in WA state that is having the same problem. One dealer told me they can't take my deposit as they can't guarntee me a car on time (I need it by March 08). Another dealer told me to give him $5000 NON refundable deposit and said there is very good chance I can get it by March (that is still not guarnteed to me). The guy who wanted the five grand didn't say how much the car will be, or if it will be at MSRP. Can anyone help and give me some advice. Thanks

Eclipsis · 11-07-2007, 02:34 PM

I have it in writing from my dealer that I'm the first person on the list and that I'll have it at MSRP.

swamp2 · 11-07-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmwboy018

The best advice that i can give you is to keep an eye on those dealerships and even find out via Bmw NA how many they have received to make sure you get your allocation number. Bmw worldwide does not like customers being ripped off..... You always get some very dishonest characters out to make the quick buck "with that said, money is money", but where is the honour... If you put down your hard earned cash, you deserve the rite to have that allocation number or if one falls through earlier at the specific dealership..... They take your money incase you shop around and get one quicker via another dealerhsip.... I learnt the hard way from a cunning sales exuctive..... I demand it in writing and I watch them very carefully, so if they try and say I am number 1 and they give me number three I will know it... Its not that difficult to do.... Just have to speak to some people at the top and explain your stituation... Remeber, Bmw is out to look after there customers and will repremand those dealerhsips in a huge way who go against them.... Nobody wants to loose there dealership as its not so easy to obtain.....

Nice post. I am interested in the exact method you suggest for keeping an eye on the cars that have been delivered to your dealer. Seems more difficult that you seem to allude to. Thanks!

lucid · 11-07-2007, 08:17 PM

BMWNA cares about these things. If you are #10 on the list, it would be difficult to sort things out. However, I am #4, and if I am still without an order number that I can trace on the BMW website within 3-4 months of the arrival of the first customer car in the area, I'd have a pretty strong case that they did not honor the deal and can fax the deposit slip, which say #4 @MSRP written on it, to BMWNA, or at least threaten to do so to put pressure on the dealership.

09-23-2007, 12:57 PM	#1
dab33d Private First Class Drives: 2008 E92 AW/FR M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCAL Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	Waitlists in US legit? I currently have 2 Deposits and am on the WL at 2 dealers in pretty good spots #4 / #7 . One of these dealers who is in the middle of nowhere in CA , promised MSRP . Anyhow, I went to a dealer yesterday with my girl to look at 528's for her and talked M with one of the sales managers there. This is what he told me: 1) Waitlists are complete bull, dealers will sell the car to anyone who is willing to pay the highest amount, regardless of position on the WL. 2) The car will be marked up 10k-20k at initial release. If you wait 3-6 months, this amount will drop to 5Kish. My question is , how valid do you guys think this is. Basing upon previous experiences with the e46, was this the case as well. Do you think my 2 deposits (which both have been cashed) will hold up and will give me a better chance to be first to take delivery ? ALSO, what about what this sales mgr had to say? Any feedback would be appreciated !
	Tweet

09-23-2007, 08:48 PM	#9
SpencerM3 Sauce Drives: 2009 SSII E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,035 iTrader: (1)	The dealer that I use here in L.A. has ALWAYS had a policy of NEVER marking cars up undr any and all circumstances. Dealer mark ups are total BS. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 \| Silverstone II \| Black Novillo \| HRE P40's \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Jet Black Kidney Grilles \| SSII Side Reflectors \| SSII Side Gills \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes \| Macht Schnell Filter \| Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe "M3 drivers have no friends." - Jeremy Clarkson

09-23-2007, 11:01 PM	#11
JEllis Brigadier General Drives: E36 M3, 997S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,157 iTrader: (1)	^ As others have said some BMW dealers, especially in CA I have noticed, have policies that prevent them from charging over MSRP. However, I would nto be surprised to see other dealers marking cars up. __________________

09-24-2007, 12:10 PM	#12
Davo2003 Captain Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Jerez and loaded Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 652 iTrader: (0)	I can validate the OP's point. I am ordering through MSP but I talked to the dealer where I will take courtesy delivery. My salesman who delivered my last one told me pure and simple, no wait list, 5K over MSRP, first come first served and buyers are lining up. He already knows I am just taking delivery at his dealership, not purchasing there, so he really has no motivation to BS me and I've known him a couple years now for what it's worth. __________________ Crying is for babies, little girls, men who have just had their ears ripped off, and men who have toasted MDCT's due to service errors.

09-24-2007, 02:45 PM	#16
SS32 Major Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,404 iTrader: (0)	When I placed my deposit, the dealer stressed the fact that the car would be MSRP, nothing more, nothing less. __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns

09-23-2007, 01:02 PM	#3
Tobizach Female Car Enthusiast Drives: By the seat of her pants. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SouthWest Posts: 353 iTrader: (0)	That sounds more in line with ripoff crap dealers, like we have here in NV, hence my deposits are all with out of state dealers. Dont be fooled good dealers stick to their word. Even when the new Z06 1st came out there were some dealers that were selling without any markup etc.. Perhaps you have to look elsewhere.

09-23-2007, 02:34 PM	#6
rvacha Captain Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 745 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Welcome to California! My dealer has a standing policy not to ever charge higher than MSRP (one of the many reasons I keep going back). In fact at one time they had one of two remaining unsold Z8s in the country and still didn't charge above MSRP. I can't prove they honor the waitlist, but I am fairly sure they do. __________________ '03 X5 4.4i Blue/Tan '06 E90 330Xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Terra '08 E92 M3 6MT Jerez/Speed Cloth <-- Evil Twin

09-23-2007, 04:07 PM	#8
AndrewAZ Major Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Posts: 1,244 iTrader: (0)	You pay to play.. I timed it so that my lease would end after the new M's been out for a while and by then I hope they will have 2-3 of them on the show room.. But with the current pricing estimates I am looking elsewhere for my next car.

09-23-2007, 09:22 PM	#10
Deathboy Second Lieutenant Drives: Space gray E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 296 iTrader: (0)	Always get it in writing that you will be paying M>S>R>P> on the sales order. They have a tougher situation trying to slap on extra money for some rediculous demand fee,and you have it in writing. Most legit dealers will have no problem commiting to what they have put in writing.

09-24-2007, 02:18 PM	#15
Sedan_Clan Capoeirista Extraordinaire! Drives: AW E92 M3 (prev. an E90 IB M3) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone! Or running your plates... Posts: 4,271 iTrader: (8)	Alot of dealerships here in CA mark-up prices. In fact, I have yet to find one dealership here that doesn't. The one reason that I continue to purchase from Shelly BMW is because I have an extensive history with them, and can generally get around the mark-up in most situations. With the new M3, I may not be so lucky, but then again, I'm not purchasing the car right away, so I won't have to deal w/ mark-up by the time the lease on my 330i is up.

09-24-2007, 04:47 PM	#17
dab33d Private First Class Drives: 2008 E92 AW/FR M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCAL Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	Sup Fellas, Thanx for the insight.. I think imma pull my deposit at the dealerwhich im #7 on WL b/c that dealer seems "sketch" and also am going to contact the other dealer to ask for something official in writing regarding the refundable deposit and also "msrp" statement. All i have right now is a confirmation email, which might not be enough ...

11-07-2007, 02:01 PM	#19
PortoM3 M3lover Drives: SSII M3 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 342 iTrader: (0)	I can't get a straight answer out of the dealers in my area. I was wondering if anyone lives in WA state that is having the same problem. One dealer told me they can't take my deposit as they can't guarntee me a car on time (I need it by March 08). Another dealer told me to give him $5000 NON refundable deposit and said there is very good chance I can get it by March (that is still not guarnteed to me). The guy who wanted the five grand didn't say how much the car will be, or if it will be at MSRP. Can anyone help and give me some advice. Thanks

11-07-2007, 02:34 PM	#20
Eclipsis Colonel Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LA & OC, CA Posts: 2,550 iTrader: (6)	I have it in writing from my dealer that I'm the first person on the list and that I'll have it at MSRP.

11-07-2007, 08:17 PM	#22
lucid Major General Drives: E30 M3; Expedition Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 8,057 iTrader: (0)	BMWNA cares about these things. If you are #10 on the list, it would be difficult to sort things out. However, I am #4, and if I am still without an order number that I can trace on the BMW website within 3-4 months of the arrival of the first customer car in the area, I'd have a pretty strong case that they did not honor the deal and can fax the deposit slip, which say #4 @MSRP written on it, to BMWNA, or at least threaten to do so to put pressure on the dealership.