New M5 in Chicago ?

[Brian R]

Can anyone tell me if they know of a new M5 available in the windy city area.
But please, none of the 20 grand over retail s--- you guys stand for.
I need one for an American collegue.
Cash waiting!

Thanks

Brian R.

[StupidGrin8UP]

But please, none of the 20 grand over retail s--- you guys stand for.

How delightfully arrogant!

[MarkM5Lauderdale]

Wow, I wish I knew where that extra $20,000.00 came from that I supposedly payed!
Following is not meant to be compared to the M5. But the situation is similar. You have to decide what you'll pay and convince the dealer.
Went by a Chrysler dealership recently to look at a PT Cruiser. Looked at the sticker price, salesman promptly came over and point out the that sticker price was not the price of the car. He said "We charge an extra $6,000.00 for market adjustment." Told Him "I did not pay over for that $70,000.00 automobile sitting there. I'll be dammed if I'll do it for this piece of crap. It aint that cute!" Now guess what dealership I'll never set foot in again? They had 12 PT Cruisers sitting on the lot. None sold. None likely to sell with their attitude. I consider it a dealership on borrowed time. Customer service is supposed to be first, not customer scr*wing.
Mark

[StupidGrin8UP]

Good for you Mark. I hope those PTs sit out there and rot.

Unfortunately, in our country the law of supply and demand still applies. I don't know what the alternative is - you can't really blame the dealers if people are willing to pay more - but I'll tell you, my BMW dealership has a very special place in my heart for selling me my beast (it'll be here next week!) at MSRP, which I consider a fair price considering the demand vs. supply.

[Brian R]

Mark, I was being a bit literal when I wrote 20 grand, but certainly there are some differences between what (you) will pay and what we will pay. I know of nobody since the XK550 debacle who has paid over list price for a car. We would start to haggle at 5% and settle for list on a highly desirable model like an M5, but NEVER pay more.

This has recently seen one of the biggest and most successful consumer rebellions here in the UK. We were paying more than any country in Europe for our cars, The list on an M5 basic spec, was £60k. As a result of this and as one of the few benefits of being (nearly) in the EEC, some enterprising people were buying cars from Europe. (remember we drive on the Left, “correct”, side of the road) and were making huge savings on full UK spec cars. I did this and saved £14K. on my M5.

There were a lot of car import companies who were prepared to do the same for the family car market and savings of up to 25% were being offered.
One of the results of this was that car sales for August (traditionally one of the busiest months) were so bad that all the car makers were forced to re-think their prices.

BMW were one such maker and the list price of the M5 is now £52K for the same spec car, but even now I would not stand in a BMW showroom and hand over that amount of money, and they know it.
I would adopt your attitude to the Chrysler salesman, so why should the BMW salesman expect any different treatment. That’s the bit I guess I cant get my head around, its not arrogance, as suggested, its just the difference between the way our markets work. A bit like the process of electing governments, ours seems to be a bit different from yours.

However my original question stands, where can I get a new M5 in or near Chicago, and to prove I have no axe to grind, Ill pay “sticker”

Brian R

[StupidGrin8UP]

BMW were one such maker and the list price of the M5 is now £52K for the same spec car, but even now I would not stand in a BMW showroom and hand over that amount of money, and they know it.

I find it ironic that you, who are so quick to say that you'd never pay over MSRP live in the country that was paying the most for the M5 - far MORE than we all have been paying - for a long time.

At any rate, it is good for you that BMW lowered UK prices and I hope you're right about the dealers not expecting you to hand over the money for even the new lower price.

However, I do disagree that our systems work differently - they are both based on capitalism. If the supply is low and if people want the car badly enough, they will agree to pay more. I find it hard to believe that there aren't any marques that don't command a premium at some time in the U.K. And in the U.S. that situation is VERY RARE.
Even for cars such as the Honda S2000, M5 and even the beastly ugly PT Cruiser which have in the past or do currently command premiums, once the few die-hard enthusiasts get theirs the premiums quickly disappear. For example, the M5 commanded at most a $10K premium in the wealthiest, car-craziest parts of the country (e.g. N. Calif.), but the most I've heard of lately is $5K. I'm sure the premium will be gone soon.

Also, my earlier comment about arrogance was the fact that you stated that we put up with the premiums out of choice and that you'd never do such a thing. If you did your research before mouthing off like that you'd realize that Americans are very good at getting around problems like this as well. Unfortunately by the time you can find a car from Europe, ship it over, pay taxes and certify it for driving here you've spent the same amount of money anyway, plus the hassle of dealing with all the people and the risk that you might be dealing with a crook vs. just either buying from BMW at over sticker or waiting for a better deal.

Finally, in my case I am paying sticker for my 2001 M5. It was due in New Jersey port last week.

[johann]

Guys,

Don't make this into to US vs Europe (eg. UK) war! There are differences between UK and US as well as there are differences between Sweden and UK or any other coutry for that matter.

Fortunately the simple rules of supply and demand still works in most of our countries, this also gives some of us the oppurtunity to make enough money to buy a M5 or any other car that comes to mind. So please, stop this whining about prices over MSRP and accept the rules of supply and demand!

Regards,
/Johan



[This message has been edited by johann (edited 13 November 2000).]

[fais2000]

johann,

well said

fas

[Brian R]

Dear StupidGrin8up,
or can I just call you Stupid, as we are getting on so well?
I have been participating on this board since I found it back in May and have never encountered the the hostile attitude you display. Everyone else appears to have a sense of humour and maintain a dignified approach to posting and I fail to see why you are the exception. I have a great many American friends and I love my frequent visits to the USA and have never encountered hostility, you do your countrymen no favours. However, lets agree on one thing. Dont call me and I in return will not call you.

Brian R

[StupidGrin8UP]

Brian,
Thanks for your note. Once the name-calling starts, I lose interest.

And by the way, you can look up the phone numbers of Chicago area dealers on bmwusa.com and see if any have allocations for you right now at MSRP. That's how I found mine. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by StupidGrin8UP (edited 14 November 2000).]

[StupidGrin8UP]

[This message has been edited by StupidGrin8UP (edited 14 November 2000).]

[FSLAPPE]

I have a 2000 Royal Red/Carmel M5 that I may be willing to sell. I purchased it new from Fields BMW in Northfield, Illinois after 13 months on the waiting list. (They are a great dealer by the way) It now has 10,500 miles on it and looks exacltly the way it did when I took delivery in March. I may be willing to sell it at a fair price, certainly not more than MSRP, particularly if I can get a 996 TT which I'm now looking for. Let me know.

FSLAPPE@AOL.COM

[Brian R]

Hi, FS. I dont know your name but thanks for your reply, I think my friend has set his heart on a new one but I will pass the info on yours back to him.
Thanks again
Brian R