Recommendations on CA/dealership in the Bay Area

[CalBMW335i]

Hi guys...looking to purchase a 2015 X5 x35i in the Bay Area. Anyone with a dealership or specifically a CA they can recommend that I can get a good deal through? I do have an F30 335i, I purchased through Sonnen, but I did not really care for their service/attitude. Overall not a great purchasing experience and was looking for a smoother process this time. Also very torn between the different lines, leaning towards M-sport but not sure if I want to spend the extra 4800 just for a few aesthetic differences. Other than stepping into a dealership, can anyone recommend a good site/video where I can compare the different lines.

[emranc]

Originally Posted by CalBMW335i

Hi guys...looking to purchase a 2015 X5 x35i in the Bay Area. Anyone with a dealership or specifically a CA they can recommend that I can get a good deal through? I do have an F30 335i, I purchased through Sonnen, but I did not really care for their service/attitude. Overall not a great purchasing experience and was looking for a smoother process this time. Also very torn between the different lines, leaning towards M-sport but not sure if I want to spend the extra 4800 just for a few aesthetic differences. Other than stepping into a dealership, can anyone recommend a good site/video where I can compare the different lines.

I have always bought from EastBay, their customer service is awesome & the price is extremely competitive.

[cobra006]

I didn't have a good experience with BMW east bay in Pleasanton. I'm not sure if the sales guy was just having a bad day, but he was not interested at all in selling me the car. He was checking his phone the whole time during the test drive and didn't say more than 20 words. Not impressed at all. I had good experience with BMW Fremont though. They seem to be a high volume dealer and have lots of inventory. The deal I got was OK, not GREAT, but the overall sales experience was satisfactory.

[cobra006]

BTW I was going to say I'd still recommend the M Sport line. It isn't just cosmetic. If you opt for the M sport suspension it does make a difference in handling in Sport mode. Although that is another extra $950. Plus you get the awesome M steering wheel, which to me was worth it. It feels fantastic.

[CalBMW335i]

Originally Posted by cobra006

BTW I was going to say I'd still recommend the M Sport line. It isn't just cosmetic. If you opt for the M sport suspension it does make a difference in handling in Sport mode. Although that is another extra $950. Plus you get the awesome M steering wheel, which to me was worth it. It feels fantastic.

Yeah actually I've been browsing the forums a little more and I'm really leaning towards the Msport with M suspension. Seems to offer a more comfortable ride compared to standard comfort mode (this car is pretty much for the wife) but sportiness available at sport/sport+ settings.

Anyone have any experience with Peter Pan BMW? We did a test drive there last week and the test drive process is pretty nice. They just let you take the car wherever with no CA to bother you. They literally handed my wife and I the car and we drove around for a good 20-30 minutes.

[SpdAddictRY]

If you're willing to go a little further south, Seaside BMW of Monterey has good customer service. Although I didn't purchase the car from them, their general sales manager was a great guy.

[MattBianco]

My recommendation is that if the difference in price is only a few hundred dollars, buy where you intend to get it serviced. You will develop a nicer rapport with the dealer staff and are at least initially treated much better. Whether it is floor mats, or a cheap key chain, you are more likely to get the nicer gifts from a dealer you will go back to than one you will never see again, not to mention faces you will know.

They all sell the same car +/- a few hundred dollars, but you will need service/maintenance and will break down eventually, and it is more comfortable to go to a familiar place ..... two ¢.

[BimmerSFo]

i buy my cars in Concord BMW since 2006.

i deal with the same person and I dont have to come in until i sign for the car.
he gives great service and always there to help and answer.
however i never take my car to service there because its out of the way for me, but 1 time i did they were really nice about it.

please let me know and i can provide the name.

[NoPII]

I've found that service loyalty doesn't equate to sales and vice versa.

I've bought my last ~10 cars from BMW Seattle, and friends in the bay area (even as far south as LA) have bought from BMW Seattle too, and had the car delivered locally. Always got a great price without messing about with the "let me check with my manager" and "how much are you looking to spend" BS.

I'd get the best deal you possibly can, which includes shopping "out of state". A couple of thousand off the price makes a HUGE difference in the lease cost, and no-one ever asked me "did you buy this here?" when I got it serviced (My first two were from a now defunct dealership further away).

Happy to hook you up with the sales manager in Seattle if you'd like to get a price.

[ddavtian]

I also would recommend Concord dealership. I have had all my BMWs from there (2 X3, X5, 2 X6), all from the same CA. If interested, let me know, I'll pm his information. Very easy to work with, great guy, reasonable.

[inagua]

You gotta go just drive them
Better to see and touch and investigate at a dealership or two