[cohenfive]

We went looking at a local 15 M235i over the weekend, sort of my cheap version of a mid-life crisis car (not really in crisis, just want a fun car to complement our X3). Really liked it as I thought I would. Coming from a long line of bmw's, it is clearly quite familiar in feel to me. So I'm in negotiations now..Need some hand holding that I'm doing the right thing!

15 M235i auto, MW/Black, all options including a bunch of factory cosmetics (exhaust tips, m side mouldings, valence, pedals). 18k miles, car is in really super shape. Garaged all the time, washed/waxed by hand, etc. Owner is buying an X3 as he and wife are expecting, so other option is probably trading it in. Tires will need replacing soon (PSS), wheels perfect except one spot on one wheel (couple of inches of mild rash).

What do you think would be a good outcome for me on price, he was asking $37k originally but is coming down. Thanks, have to get back to him with my final offer later today.

I'm nervous now that it is crunch time.

[sectachrome]

From my own research that seems like a pretty fair asking price. I'm looking for a similar car, and I would aim for about $35k. I wouldn't be afraid to walk away though, there will likely be more cars to choose from on the used market come spring/summer.

[BEM-S4]

Keep in mind all those options don't really amount to crap in the secondary market. Nice to have for you but not a huge boost in value for him. Call BMW and ask about warranty and maintenance transfer. Forget if it was in 2015 or 2016 but at some point the second owner loses the free maintenance for sure. I know when I sold my 2014 the new owner got it. Really matters if you plan to keep the car long term because if you have it you can extend, once it's gone no way to get it back.

Also ballpark number I'd say something in the $34K range would be good - make sure you get a pre purchase inspection that he pays for. Those tires aren't cheap either you're probably looking at $1K for new rubber, just FYI.

[sectachrome]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Keep in mind all those options don't really amount to crap in the secondary market. Nice to have for you but not a huge boost in value for him. Call BMW and ask about warranty and maintenance transfer. Forget if it was in 2015 or 2016 but at some point the second owner loses the free maintenance for sure. I know when I sold my 2014 the new owner got it. Really matters if you plan to keep the car long term because if you have it you can extend, once it's gone no way to get it back.

I think the Free Maintenance transferability only applies to 2014s.

[cohenfive]

Interesting, didn't know that the maintenance no longer travels over to new owner. Not that big a deal, mostly oil services for the next two years on this car since it is a 2015. Car had a recent service (will check again to be sure when), might also have to spring for a set of wiper blades.

Funny story--on all my other bmw's, my local dealer would swap wiper blades every single time I was in for warranty service. They never asked me, just put on the form 'customer says blades are streaking' and replaced them. Except for the last time I brought it in, where they asked me if I wanted new blades and whether I wanted the new ones in the package in the car for a future swap...but at the end, they said they couldn't do that so they had to install the new ones. I guess corporate was catching onto the game.

By the way, sticker on the car is $55k. All packages, auto, plus the factory cosmetic add ons. He also bought a spare set of mirror covers and had them painted black to match the door sills, which I thought was a nice touch.

I'm thinking just below $35k, car is pretty much immaculate. Zero issues other than tires this summer and the one small curb rash on one wheel.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by sectachrome

I think the Free Maintenance transferability only applies to 2014s.

It switched in 2015 or 2016 for sure I couldn't remember. I do remember making a big deal of that when selling my 2014.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

I'm thinking just below $35k, car is pretty much immaculate. Zero issues other than tires this summer and the one small curb rash on one wheel.

What color wheels? I had a rash on mine that were the lighter ones and the dealer's wheel guy fixed it for a case of beer. It was impossible to tell it had ever been there. The darker ones I have no idea, can only opine on lighter being very easy to touch up.

[cohenfive]

Lighter grey. I was wondering if there's touch up paint in that color, the scratching to the wheel is very superficial. He was blaming it on his wife driving the car!

[cohenfive]

Do any of you have an idea what a dealer might give him in trade?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

Do any of you have an idea what a dealer might give him in trade?

high 20s best case

[sectachrome]

Someone in another thread also mentioned being offered $30k from CarMax for a no option 2015 with 5k miles if that's helpful.

[Dylan86]

Lots of good advice here, let us know how it works out! Sounds like a beauty!

D

[cohenfive]

Thanks gang. High $20's is way too low for trade in. My guess is $32k, it's really pristine other than the minor rash on one wheel. Other than only having heated seats instead of cold weather package, it has everything, which is how it got to $55k+ msrp. Plus he's buying another car, so they have multiple sources of profit.

He's given me too much info, not that it matters all that much. Said he had a buddy of his make him an offer which he said was 'way too low', otherwise it's me or trading it in. He is anxious to order his new car by the end of the week which maybe gives me a bit more leverage, but I don't want to be unreasonable either.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

Thanks gang. High $20's is way too low for trade in. My guess is $32k, it's really pristine other than the minor rash on one wheel. Other than only having heated seats instead of cold weather package, it has everything, which is how it got to $55k+ msrp. Plus he's buying another car, so they have multiple sources of profit.

He's given me too much info, not that it matters all that much. Said he had a buddy of his make him an offer which he said was 'way too low', otherwise it's me or trading it in. He is anxious to order his new car by the end of the week which maybe gives me a bit more leverage, but I don't want to be unreasonable either.

Kbb which is always high says $30k. So $28 or $29 from dealer is not an unreasonable starting point. Not like it matters to you though, if you feel better thinking trade is higher go right ahead. I'm just telling you it's not. It's definitely not "way too low."

[cohenfive]

Ok, thanks I stand corrected. Not being critical, I was getting different numbers...but agree that kbb tends to be high. I just ran it, and it shows trade in of between $31.1 and $33.8 for very good condition with the options on the car (it actually has more than kbb has listed). This car is really better condition than that, except it will need new tires in probably 5k miles. That's where my $32k comes from.

But if you are right, or close, then if I offer him $34k I'm probably too high...maybe this car just trades well below all the 'books'?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

Ok, thanks I stand corrected. Not being critical, I was getting different numbers...but agree that kbb tends to be high. I just ran it, and it shows trade in of between $31.1 and $33.8 for very good condition with the options on the car (it actually has more than kbb has listed). This car is really better condition than that, except it will need new tires in probably 5k miles. That's where my $32k comes from.

But if you are right, or close, then if I offer him $34k I'm probably too high...maybe this car just trades well below all the 'books'?

Right so offer him 32k and settle on 34k. I'm running numbers in my area and there's snow on the ground here so in your area maybe a bit better.

Bottom line don't lose the car for a grand or two. You'll waste more time and money trying to find another one and you're already fixated on this one so whatever you find that's not exactly the same subconsciously won't be as good.

If you want all the extra shit paying retail adds up to what $2k? Not that it's worth that now but if you are going to do that anyway no sense in not paying a grand more to have it all done and get what you want now.

[bryan_G01]

Mineral white is a bitch to color match.

If you ever have to paint anything, be prepared for it to never match the rest of your car.

[cohenfive]

Is there anyone that thinks a $34k offer is too low? That's what I'm thinking of offering, but I won't move much if any from there. The car is spec'd perfectly for me (except heated wheel which I only use a few times a year) and is is super shape. Thx.

Made a $34k offer, don't think the seller is going to be too happy, but I think it's fair. Keeping fingers crossed, waiting to hear back. Thanks for all the input, much appreciated. If I get the car it is going to feel like a 'group buy'!

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

Is there anyone that thinks a $34k offer is too low? That's what I'm thinking of offering, but I won't move much if any from there. The car is spec'd perfectly for me (except heated wheel which I only use a few times a year) and is is super shape. Thx.

Made a $34k offer, don't think the seller is going to be too happy, but I think it's fair. Keeping fingers crossed, waiting to hear back. Thanks for all the input, much appreciated. If I get the car it is going to feel like a 'group buy'!

I've been thinking about selling my 2015 and I would think $34K is too low. Mine has 7500 miles, but only had an MSRP of $51K compared to your $55K car. I have gotten 3 trade-in offers so far:

$31K from the BMW dealer on an M2
$32K from a Ford dealer on a Focus RS
$33K from a Chevy dealer on a Camaro 1LE

Given that I would only pay tax on the difference if I were to trade, with CT tax rate at .0635, that means I would have to get AT LEAST $2000 more on a private deal to make it worth it. I would always do the trade-in rather than the private deal, unless I was saving at least $500 on the private deal, because there's none of the hassle of a private sale.

The Ford dealer had software that showed six 2015 M235i cars sell between $31 and $33K at auction, so that's the wholesale price. If your guy is only getting $31K on his trade, then he'd be better off selling to you at $34K (assuming your tax rate is somewhere around the 6.35% CT rate).

[cohenfive]

The car is in California, one of the few states (maybe the only one?) where if you trade in a car, you still pay sales tax on the full value of the purchase (not the net as you describe which is what happens in most states)...Which really sux big time imo, but in this case it might work in my favor.

Hopefully he doesn't think my offer is a lowball, I can probably come up a bit if I have to.

Thanks!

[bimmerfile]

Sounds like a great car. Don't lose it for a couple of bucks.

[snaketh]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

The car is in California, one of the few states (maybe the only one?) where if you trade in a car, you still pay sales tax on the full value of the purchase (not the net as you describe which is what happens in most states)...Which really sux big time imo, but in this case it might work in my favor.

Hopefully he doesn't think my offer is a lowball, I can probably come up a bit if I have to.

Thanks!

Man CA tax is a bitch.

I think you're stressing too much. You're emotions seem to be driving you. If you want an Auto M235i you wont struggle to find another. Besides your offer is a starting point for negotiations. He won't walk away, he'll ask for $36 I bet.