I test drove a blk/blk 530i with 205 (Steptronic), 522 (Xenon), ZPP (premium), ZSP (sports pkg.) and all I have to say is - AWESOME. I drove it in manual mode and the shifting was opposite to what I am used to in my current Audi A6 2.7T. The weird thing is that with only 225 hp, the 530i felt quicker in acceleration than my Audi which is 250 hp? I guess its because the 530i is 485 lbs lighter.

I asked about the SMG option but the sales person said there are only 3 in the US currently all of which are in color combinations that I don't want. Why are SMG so rare in the 5 series? Even the 545i, there are only a half dozen available.

Well I just need some advice on where to get the best deal now. I am in Orange County, CA. If anyone has any suggests on a specific dealership with a good sales person please let me know.

Is $1500 over invoice realistic for the above car with those options?

 

Welcome to the board, a061444!

Try Shelly BMW in Buena Park-Dave Frische(sp). He's the internet service manager.

Just don't get service there.

Good luck.

You can check edmunds.com for pricing info also.

 

Welcome to the forum a06144 ! If you can stand the waite I think I would order one and then get everything I wanted. Don't forget about the new 6 coming out next year. It has been discussed in several threads here so a search will bring a lot of information. Good Luck!

 

I take my car to Shelly BMW for service. Aside from not giving enough attention to customers because they are overloaded with work (40+ cars a day in service bay), the technicians are pretty competent.

Do you have another that you recommend? Any experience with McKenna, Long Beach, New Century, Crevier or South Bay?

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

 

Welcome a061444!

You have tasted it, be carefull it can enslave You!

Skaffa

 

welcome aboard, a061444 ! i'm assuming you are getting a '05 so $1,500 over invoice is ok. try $1,000 first . but if you are talking about '04, i think you can almost get the invoice price this time of the year. good luck .

 

I've delt with Dave at Buena Park before...in fact I bought a car from him 6 months ago...however having delt with him (and sterling and crevier and long beach and irvine) I would truly recommend you take the time to call Tye at BMW of Riverside. I'm in Huntington Beach so it's well out of my way...but if you call Tye and tell him that Chris with the 545 told you to call...I think you will find that it is time well spent

 

Welcome a061444,

I paid 1,500.00 over invoice in Valencia. So good luck.

Central Cali

 

Welcome aboard, a061444 !

Pls put your location (at least "California") in your profile. Thanks!

 

I'm surprised that dealers are getting more than invoice price for E60s. Southern California must be a different market from where I live. There are three BMW centers here. Two of them have more than one location. All seem to have a good stock of E60s. BMW has increased the MSRP for the E60s several times since they introduced last year. I suspect they are probably willing to take something less than the invoice price, especially on 2004s.