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BMW 1-Series

1826 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:50 PM

You are in the BMW 1-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 1 Series, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

Messages Page 172 of 184

#1704 of 1826 Re: Since... [bodble2] by hpowders

Oct 11, 2008 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Oct 11, 2008 1:43 pm)
The problem with that is:
 
 BMW leases are unattractive at this time. BMW wants you to buy their vehicles, offering 0.9% financing on most, if not all 2008 models through October 31st.
 
A 2008 335i coupe can be bought and financed at 0.9%. The same vehicle when leased will have a finance charge of 5.76% with a horrible residual to add insult to injury.
 
The message is clear: BMW does not want to be stuck with a surplus of used vehicles coming off-lease.
 
I find the 0.9% BMWFS offer on most 2008 BMW's "tempting."
 
FYI: The 0.9% is being offered on the entire 2008 BMW model line; that means all 1 Series models too!
 

#1705 of 1826 Re: Since... [hpowders] by fedlawman

Oct 11, 2008 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 11, 2008 5:00 pm)
Since BMW has changed it's focus from leasing to buying, maybe now they will start building cars that are engineered to have more than a 4-year lifespan.
 
I can dream anyways...

#1706 of 1826 Re: Since... [fedlawman] by hpowders

Oct 12, 2008 (7:10 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Oct 11, 2008 6:37 pm)
The trick to buying a new BMW is to order one with as few electronic gimmicks as possible-no premium package, no steptronic transmission, no i-Drive, ordering the reliable inline six, etc;
 
BMW finds itself in a bind. They were the ideal leasing company as few of us would take a chance on long-term ownership. Now with the focus on buying, they will have fewer future customers and their bottom line will take a big hit in the USA. Seeing a BMW on our highways, I'm afraid, will soon be a rare occurrence several years hence.
 
For the very brave or the hyper vehicle-traders among us, the entire BMW line of remaining 2008's (including the entire one Series line) is on sale for only 0.9% financing through BMWFS.

#1707 of 1826 Re: Since... [hpowders] by cdnpinhead

Oct 12, 2008 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 11, 2008 5:00 pm)
"BMW does not want to be stuck with a surplus of used vehicles coming off-lease."
 
Fair enough, but how is this year different from last or the one before? They've been bringing in any number of vehicles over the past several years off leases for residuals that were nowhere near reality.
 
When, and why did they finally get religion?

#1708 of 1826 Re: Since... [cdnpinhead] by hpowders

Oct 12, 2008 (5:09 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Oct 12, 2008 4:49 pm)
We knew those ridiculously cheap leases couldn't last.
 
As a result, fewer "pretenders" will be driving BMW's, restoring some well-needed status to the brand.
 
If BMW thinks the majority of leasees will all of a sudden be converted into buyers, I believe they are quite mistaken. They can offer 0.0% loans, but most folks won't bite because they will be justifiably concerned about expensive out of warranty repairs 4 years down the road.
 
The only thing that makes sense to me is to buy for cash or 0.9% for 3-4 years and then trade the car in at the end of the four year warranty for a new one.
 
BMW must really be hurting-for the first time the entire 2008 1 Series line is being offered for sale at 0.9%

#1709 of 1826 Re: Since... [hpowders] by cdnpinhead

Oct 12, 2008 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 12, 2008 5:09 pm)
". . .fewer "pretenders" will be driving BMW's, restoring some well-needed status to the brand."
 
I hope you're right.
 
However, BMWNA appears to think that status is in the wallet of the beholder. The folks who read Roundel are so, so far away from the vast majority of the people who acquire one new. Many of the articles have to do with cars that can't be bought, either any more, or at all -- small-displacement diesels, the 2002, the 1600, you name it.
 
BMWNA brings what they want to the U.S. and the market will speak over the next few years. It should be interesting.
 
FWIW, I'd be driving a BMW today if I could get a 2 or 2.5 litre diesel wagon with a manual. Or, I could flap my arms and fly to the moon (credit Charles Shultz).
 
Then there's that run-flat tire thing & the dipstick thing. The dipstick wouldn't be so bad if the high-tech substitute actually worked when it was introduced, but it didn't.
 
My put is that BMW is in deep s (let's say stuff).
 
This is going to be interesting to watch.

#1710 of 1826 Re: Since... [hpowders] by bodble2

Oct 12, 2008 (6:42 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 12, 2008 7:10 am)
"The trick to buying a new BMW is to order one with as few electronic gimmicks as possible-no premium package, no steptronic transmission, no i-Drive, ordering the reliable inline six, etc;"
 
No doubt true, but try finding a base BMW available, especially when one ventures beyond the 3-series. Even for a 1 or 3 series, one would have trouble finding one without the premium package.

#1711 of 1826 Re: Since... [cdnpinhead] by hpowders

Oct 12, 2008 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Oct 12, 2008 5:27 pm)
Yes. The run-flat situation turns me off too... as does the user unfriendly turn signals, the new 2-step starting system and the audio controls.
 
BMWNA is really hurting.... no doubt about it.... I have never seen an entire BMW line for sale at 0.9%.
 
With so many 2008's piling up, the outlook for the 2009's looks bleak at best. BMW will have to seriously cut production to the USA.

#1712 of 1826 Re: Since... [bodble2] by hpowders

Oct 12, 2008 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Oct 12, 2008 6:42 pm)
I know CR is no car enthusiast's bible, but they recently tested a bare-bones 135i Coupe and assigned it the highest score ever for a sporty vehicle. In the article, some testers complained about the lack of wood and lumbar support, but it was explained that the car was purposely ordered "sparse" to keep the price down.
 
I have done an extensive search of Florida BMW dealer's new inventory and unfortunately most of the bare-bones 2008 1 and 3 Series vehicles that are left come with AT at a minimum.

#1713 of 1826 So Since by nyccarguy

Oct 12, 2008 (9:16 pm)

BMW is offering cheap financing is it safe to assume the 1 is being sold for under MSRP?

Messages Page 172 of 184

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