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BMW X3

4185 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2013 at 1:30 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 251 of 419

#2495 of 4185 Re: 6-Speed On Lot [timmboj] by markcincinnati

Mar 03, 2006 (6:45 am)

Replying to: timmboj (Mar 02, 2006 6:12 am)
We ordered our 2005 3.0 X3 with virtually every possible option AND the 6spd.
 
The deal on ordered cars will be NOT one penny worse and according to the dealers (Audi and BMW) can more often than not be better than an inventoried item. Why? The profit margin on an ordered car CAN be better for at least one reason and sometimes more.
 
For example, regardless of the source of the money, the dealers borrow the money (even if it is from themselves) to finance the inventory they carry. This alone makes the "amount the dealer has into a car" likely to be higher and at the same selling price (as an ordered car) have a lower margin. An on lot car has "carrying costs" in it, sometimes substantial carrying costs (as a percentage of Net Profit, i.e.) Other costs may or may not contribute to the ordered car's attractiveness for the dealer -- but the trade off is the dealer, if only offering ordered cars, would loose the "instant gratification crowd" which is the vast majority of purchasers. Sign of the times, I guess. No patience to wait for the one the way YOU want it, so you "settle" for what's on the lot, telling yourself, often, that "well, at least I got the color I wanted," and puttering off, wishing you had one with heated seats or upgraded sound system or sat nav.
 
Damn. I hate when that happens.
 
 
 
In our fair city, there was ONE X3 3.0 w/a 6speed (a customer had ordered it and changed his mind) during our initial test drive. It was, other than Premium Pack and Sport Package pretty much a strippie.
 
We test drove the steptronic and felt like "running away" it was so crude (it constantly shifts up a gear, down a gear at the slightest grade change -- even with the 3.0.)
 
So, we configured the car -- and wanted both the stick and the secret weapon SERVOTRONIC ($250) steering -- 7 weeks later our car came in and the price that we had negotiated 7 weeks prior was "a better deal" than ANY car on the lot by almost $15 per month on a 36 month 45K mile lease with $250 (the cost of the Servotronic) down.
 
At just under $47,000 the X3 was $581 per month, including tax. We did add the in-arm-rest BMW brand phone mounting cradle and dealer sourced Kleen Wheels for a total additional out of pocket cost of ~ $450. We added these accessories within a month of purchase since the phone uses the car's battery and the car's roof top shark fin antenna for clearer, drop-out-free (and hands free) phoning with our tiny tiny Sony T637 Bluetooth phone.)
 
Ordering is often LESS money.
 
6speed manuals are almost never put in inventory -- and more's the pity, for once you drive an X3 3.0 with a stick you will swear you are driving a BMW 3 series -- it is just soooo good.
 
Servotronic, servotronic -- don't leave home without it.

#2496 of 4185 Re: 6-Speed On Lot [markcincinnati] by davidc1

Mar 03, 2006 (7:49 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 03, 2006 6:45 am)
You are right that it is more profitable for the dealer if you order. But by the same arguement, most dealers are more willing to move the inventory since they are a drag on the floor plan. Loss minimization of sort.

#2497 of 4185 Re: 6-Speed On Lot [timmboj] by x3cubsfan

Mar 04, 2006 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: timmboj (Mar 02, 2006 6:12 am)
I ordered an X3 with a 6-Speed about 3 weeks ago. I'm in So. California and the dealer did a search in the western U.S. and came up with only 2 on dealer lots. Like you, I refuse to settle for an automatic. I will take delivery in May, and I think the X3 will be a kick to drive the the manual. Also, I will own something rather unique, which I think is cool.
 
Good luck!

#2498 of 4185 Order Cutoff Date? by analyzer

Mar 18, 2006 (5:55 pm)

Can you still order a 2006? I live in Vancouver WA and would probably order from Rasmussen BMW of Portland (OR) or Kuni BMW of Beaverton but I'm wondering how much time I have left.

#2499 of 4185 Re: Order Cutoff Date? [analyzer] by markcincinnati

Mar 19, 2006 (9:40 am)

Replying to: analyzer (Mar 18, 2006 5:55 pm)
We ordered a 6spd manual X3 at the end of March 2005.
 
It took 7 weeks to come in.
 
If the timetable remains about the same, you probably have another 2 weeks or so to order a 2006. If you wait until May, my bet would be, however, that the car would probably be an '07.
 
The dealer should know the dates for the MY's.
 
We negotiated EVERYTHING when we ordered the car.
 
Down payment = $250
Term = 36 months
Miles = 45,000 total
Due delivery = sec dep + first mo payment ($581)
 
Ordered X3 3.0, 6sp.
Gloss Black
Teracotta Montana Leather
Premium Package
Sport Package
Cold Weather Package
Bi-Xenons / adaptive headlights
Upgraded Sound System
Sirius
Servotronic Steering (VERY IMPORTANT and $250.00 MSRP)
Satellite Navigation
Parktronic (F+R)
In arm-rest BMW Sony T637 phone cradle
 
Regrets: privacy glass not ordered; and, we assumed the car would come with HomeLink (it doesn't); also, the car does NOT come with folding power mirrors as do almost every other German car costing north of $46K.
 
We added dealer accessory called KleenWheels (about $110.00) and carpeted (came with the car) AND rubber BMW mats.
 
We love the car. Have 16,000+ miles on it. Has had two replacement sets of wiper blades and one oil/filter change.

#2500 of 4185 Re: Order Cutoff Date? [markcincinnati] by bodble2

Mar 21, 2006 (2:58 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 19, 2006 9:40 am)
mark, I know you're a BIG fan of servotronic. But, interesting enough, the reaction from the automotive press has been lukewarm at best on this feature. I can't quote the sources exactly, but I recall reading comments to the effect of "could take it or leave it" to "option to avoid, along with iDrive".

#2501 of 4185 Re: Colors [ycnyc2] by jed

Mar 21, 2006 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: ycnyc2 (Mar 01, 2006 9:40 pm)
In my opinion the steel blue color looks great in some lights but a little lavender in others. Because of this we opted for the silver gray and except for the fact that more than half the rest of x3 owners seem to have done the same, I'm happy with the color.

#2502 of 4185 Re: Order Cutoff Date? [bodble2] by markcincinnati

Mar 21, 2006 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Mar 21, 2006 2:58 pm)
If possible take a test drive of two X3's one with and one without Servotronic.
 
I have read some of the reviews of some of the OTHER BMW's with the Servotronic steering -- I know what you mean.
 
Here is one immediate difference that you can feel:
 
The road feel improves with speed with the Servotronic steering. The degree of effort to turn the wheel at very low speeds (and when you have a stick shift you may turn the wheel from time to time with only one hand) decreases.
 
Servotronic as implemented in the X3 decreases the steering effort the slower the car goes, regardless of engine speed.
 
Conversely, the road feel and the effort required INCREASES along with road speed.
 
My Audi A6 (2005) has it, my previous Audi did not have it and it seemed overly boosted and isoltated from the road feel at speed. At the time, I was not unhappy with it.
 
We got the Servotronic X3 first -- and actually, as I recall at the suggestion of edmunds.
 
If you can drive an X3 with and without, I suspect you will notice the difference and like it.

#2503 of 4185 Re: 6-Speed On Lot [timmboj] by rlou

Mar 22, 2006 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: timmboj (Mar 02, 2006 6:12 am)
I just ordered my from a So.Cal dealer. The price is excellent, $300 over invoice.

#2504 of 4185 Got mine! by ycnyc2

Mar 22, 2006 (7:13 pm)

Got my X3, in Silver gray, premium package, cold weather, navigation. Love it! I've gotten so many compliments on the car! Definitely love the servotronic, i think the difference is definitely noticeable.

Messages Page 251 of 419

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