BMW to Allow Shoppers to "Build Their Own BMW"
Many car shoppers wish they could easily purchase the exact vehicle with all the options and colors they desire. Unfortunately, the only way to do this right now is to special order your vehicle which usually takes several weeks and sometimes even months.
Now BMW is looking to change things by allowing consumers to "build their own BMW". With this newly launched online configuration tool, buyers can order the exact vehicle and options they want and get the vehicle delivered in as little as 2 weeks.
Take the X3. A checklist on the site offers expected options such as heated front seats ($500), a panoramic moonroof ($1,350) and xenon headlights ($900). But Also offered are offbeat choices like snowboard carrier ($67) and iPod interface adapter ($185).
Buyers can pick up their built-to-order cars in as few as two weeks after ordering. The quick turnaround time is most likely because, at least with the X3, it's being built here in America.
BMW will offer a number of inducements. For example, colors only available through the build-to-order process, or special features, like unique wheels or other packages.
If it catches on with buyers, the new tool's success could lead other automakers to follow suit, giving consumers more options... for choosing options.
3 Steps Every Car Buyer Needs to Take to Save Maximum Money
The key to getting the best deal is to gather price or lease bids from as many local dealers as possible. Then shop that best price around until no one can beat it. Here are the steps:Step 1 Get Prices From My Trusted Network
Select the vehicle you're interested in to see if there are local dealers in my network who will provide you with their best upfront price. You will get direct access to an internet sales manager who you can further negotiate with online (no need to visit dealership).Step 2 Get Prices From TrueCar / CarsDirect
TrueCar, and CarsDirect are my top 2 online price quote recommendations. These services show you pre-negotiated prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually pretty decent. But remember, you can still negotiate further.Step 3 Complete my Checklist
Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.- Gregg Fidan
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
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- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate
the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
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