Originally Posted by geri&eric

3. in october to test drive the auto 250, 4. earlier this month to test drive the manual 250,

Originally Posted by HokiPoki

How was the 250 MT versus the 250 auto? I am still waiting until i can drive one before i blindly order it.

Looks like I will have to order it and put down just $500. So do you negotiate the price when you order it or when the car arrives? It seems that in 4 months when the car arrives the prices will be discounted more and probably able to negotiate a better price.

What sort of discound did you negotiate from MSRP?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by chiawei

Couple thing you are wrong on that.

1. BMW has special deal with Lufthansa. And depends on time of season, you can actually fly free for both you and companion. (BMW promotion last year include round trip from any city in US to munich for $0). At most, I have seen people pay $1000 for two to travel prior to peak tourist season (right before octoberfest).

2. With ED, you don't have to stay in europe. If your body can tolerate it, you can fly back the same day. There is no restriction.

3. I guess you don't take vacation at all. I treat ED as part of my vacation. To bring this into discussion is reaching at best.

4. ML/HK are owned by same group. To be honest. E90's HK logic 7 has better sound quality but weak bass. Which is typical of all BMW in lack a usable bass. But from sound quality, I prefer the BMW head unit with logic 7 because its more crisp and clear. But that is subjective.

5. Navi system, having used both lexus/toyota and BMW current system. Both are actually quiet powerful and quiet easy to use. We are no talking about POS mercedes navi. BMW navi has come a long way since 1997 CD rom based dinosour. Its voice command is quiet useful as well. To be honest, both would take back seat to any navi offered by honda/acura.

6. Like i said, no one pays full MSRP on BMW. A good shopper would take the ED route with combination of vacation. The way i see it is simple. I am getting a cheaper car along with vacation. Even adding one week in europe. I seriously doubt that my vacation will cost $5k to offset the price penalty on the IS350.

7. To be fair. I am simply comparing actual cost to me as of today. You can't ignore the fact that ED program exist. Nor you can ignore the fact that BMWCCA rebate exists. Moreover, you can't ignore the fact that I don't need to pay for maint for 4 years and free brake jobs on top of that. A loaded IS350 with all cost considered, cost me $5k more than a loaded 330i. Simple as that.

I am going to wrap up my ED soon. So far airfare i know is around $400 for two on lufuthansa out of SFO through ED program. Hotel from experience using priceline.com (3 start or better) is about $60 to $80 per night (pending location). We will most likely spend 5 days in europe. Roughly speaking about $400 in hotel. That still leaves me at least $4k to spend during those 5 days. (based on my earlier calculation of IS selling at $43k fully loaded).

Even in several month, when IS price comes down by $2k. That would still mean that IS still costed me $3k more. Why spent 3k more and get nothing in return, in which I can take the 3k and have a nice vacation.

If lexus does offer a japan delivery (which is not possible, since majority of customer will not be able to get used to drive on the right hand side), and offer substantial discount. Then it would make financial sense. But the bottom line Lexus simply does not offer program like this.

Originally Posted by pita2go

It seems that i am looking at around 35 or 37 MSRP...

IS250
HID
NAV
18"

Also I am in south florida and it seems that they have to special order it for me since there is no cars with Navigations when I went... but the dealer that I went to don't even want to budge.. i don't know what I should do... anyone got any discount on theirs? Any suggestions? I mean i'm not bad at all.. I usually can make them go under invoice.. but this car seems too new... i never experienced this.. any help?

Originally Posted by lucinda

I don't know where you get 35 or 37K, the HIDs are part of a lux or sport pkg starting at $3500. Plus IS250rwds are not being made with HIDs according to what I have heard. They are not even in production which means no special orders. Unless I have heard wrong I don't think you can get a 250 with HID unless you get awd. Better double check you are really looking at HID for that price.

Originally Posted by geri&eric

i'd say very minor difference. it all comes down to preference--whether you like driving manual or not.

as for negoiating, none! because the IS is new/rare here in hawaii, the dealer won't negotiate. are we doing something wrong?

Originally Posted by pita2go

um.. i haven't seen an IS without HID's... hum.... ???!?!?!

Originally Posted by jabol

I was able to find it...
IS250 AWD with Nav, Black/Black

I got it at $2,500 off MSRP

Originally Posted by loftus112

I got my IS 250 RWD auto with:

Premium Package
18" wheels upgrade
cargo nets/mats/wheel locks

OTD for $35k in So Cal. Basically a little over 1.3k off MSRP. Is that a good bargain?? Please let me know thanks.