Hi I am new to both the board and the M3. I just put a down payment on a 2004 M3 cabriolet, I've been told that the build slot will be for early September some time. My question is, does anyone know any rumored differences between the 2004 and 2003 models? My dealer said he won't know much until August.

I am purchasing the car from Pentagoncarsales.com, it seems to be a great deal (if you happen to be in the military), 48.9k for the car, no state taxes or even a gas guzzler tax. Of course I have to go to Munich to pick it up, but hey that's half the fun... How much do they typically sell for in the U.S?


thanks

newbie

I think they go for around the same price. From what I've seen in the dealerships, a lot of them are priced around 50k.

The changes that have being floating around the forums recently include:
-Adaptive Headlights
-Adaptive Taillights
-Minor Facelift to Suit the New 3 Series

I reckon it would be sweet if those were introduced.

poiuyt,

I'd suggest you go to the BMW website and see how much your car retails for as you have ordered it.

I disagree strongly with DINAN. Please tell us where you saw new M3 Cabs selling for around 50K please. Didn't think so.
Even a modestly equipped cab could be in the high $50s. Most folks on the left coast are paying sticker or MORE. In the DC area where I live, I'd say anything more than $1,500 off is hard to come by. That makes your price pretty good in my book.

You have to pay shipping charges to get it home? Why don't you pass along details for other military folks that may wish to follow your lead.

You can find out more by contacting Graeme Mahony at newbmws@hotmail.com. The dealer is located in Darmstad, best deals around in Germany.

I didn't do a whole lot of research on the price before I bought because a buddy of mine (who is a lot like you guys, a BMW fanatic) had already done the research, and previously bought from pentagoncarsales.com. He swears it's the best deal around. There is absolutely no haggling and you simply pay the price they give you. Obviously you have to be active duty military, but you also have to be deployed overseas for 90 days minimum, when you make the purchase.

Like I said the BMW M3 Cab, is 48.9K. Shipping to the U.S. is 700$ (any port), but I think if you buy in the U.S you have to pay destination charges of about 500$ anyways. Options are all MSRP. The best part of the deal (depending on your state) you don't have to pay state taxes which on a 50K car is a LOT! Also in california where I live there is some kind of gas guzzler tax, which I don't have to pay because I am actually taking possession of the car in Germany, driving it around for vacation, and then shipping it back. I checked Edmunds and it appears that the car I'm purchasing (if it were a 2003) would cost 65K (after gas guzzler and state tax) so I guess, the 54K I'm paying after shipping isn't bad... it also seems these M3's hold there value well (but I guess you all already knew that)

thanks

newbie

Originally posted by BigHat
poiuyt,

I'd suggest you go to the BMW website and see how much your car retails for as you have ordered it.

I disagree strongly with DINAN. Please tell us where you saw new M3 Cabs selling for around 50K please. Didn't think so.
Even a modestly equipped cab could be in the high $50s. Most folks on the left coast are paying sticker or MORE. In the DC area where I live, I'd say anything more than $1,500 off is hard to come by. That makes your price pretty good in my book.

You have to pay shipping charges to get it home? Why don't you pass along details for other military folks that may wish to follow your lead.



I just saw one a while ago in a dealership in San Jose selling for 49k.

I just bought a 2003 M3 Cab SMG with all options except nav and hard top. I paid $59,000. Plus state tax. It sounds like you are getting a good deal:D . You will love this car:thumbsup: .

ROB

The changes that have being floating around the forums recently include:
-Adaptive Taillights

I thought we got this on our new 2003's?

Originally posted by t.wak
The changes that have being floating around the forums recently include:
-Minor Facelift to Suit the New 3 Series

I reckon it would be sweet if those were introduced.


Are you smoking crack? Must be because the new front/lights on the 3 look like crap...

Originally posted by DINAN-M5




I just saw one a while ago in a dealership in San Jose selling for 49k.


This is BS. Even the most basic new cab sells for $55K. CA cars selling at sticker or over. So you saying dealers in CA are selling under dealer invoice? That's what a $49 price would mean.

Tell you what Dinan. Buy it. I'll pay $51K for it used. A quick $2K profit for you. Just admit your head in up your a*s.

Just paid 47.400 for my 03.5 silver gray coupe from Pentagon, 19' red leather, primium pkg, xenons. Had to pay the destination charg from munich to Italy, where I'm stationed. Buddy of mine at work got a convertible and I borrowed it a couple days, I don't like convertibles so I ordered a coupe the next day...Sold my 99 Mustang GT 3 days later. Car should be her the end of the month. BTW Civilains and all ID card holders stationed in europe can also use Pentagon.

Can I join, buy the car and un-join? Just kidding. can someone you know who is on active duty do this for you? I've got a friend (I'm sure everyone does too) in the military. Can he order it for me and I take over when it gets here?

03 cab for less than 50k? I think Dinan is getting cab and coupe mixed up. Go easy on him guys.

State sales tax policy varies from state to state, but in VA, unelss the car has been registered under the owner's name for more than 1 year (or 6 months, I forget), the tax will be collected when the car is registered in the state. In MD, ie is about 5 years, unless it can be proven that the tax was paid in another jurisdiction.

As for the gas guzzler tax, it is collected by Uncle Sam, not CA. Also, it does not matter where the car is purchased/delivered, IRS WILL collect it when the car enters US port, new or used. It is techincally due within the quarter or the following quarter when the car was brought into the US.

Sure, you definately need to check your states tax laws, but if you are in the military you can generally ship it over tax free. Because the idea is you shipped a car to Europe when you moved there and you are entitled to ship one back duty/tax free(and it dosn't have to be the same one). In California you have to own the car for 90 days and your out of all state taxes (even if you never lived in Europe). Virginia is a state with really weird laws, so I'd double check if you plan to register it there.

Also, I thought gas guzzler was only for new cars (my dads 76 Chevy burns a ton of gas and he has never paid a gas guzzler tax), but I could be wrong.

Yes, you technically could have a friend do it for you, but you better really trust each other.

Yes, military and diplomats are allowed to ship one car duty free, but that is all the freebie there is. States like CA and WA are easy states to bring cars in through such program, but my point was that just because one buys car through military/diplomat, it does not automatically relieve one of sales tax. It depends on each state's law. I have bought one but won't have to pay VA sales tax as I had it over a year already, and thinking of buying another but since I won't have it for more than a year before I return, I will end up paying the sales tax in VA, and the gas guzzler tax depending on the model.

Here is a good summary on the gas guzzler tax: http://www.liberalartsandcrafts.net/contentcatalog/autos/guzzlertax.shtml
The reason your dad did not pay is because it was built before the tax law was implemented. One thing it does not mention is that even if the car is bought as used, if the tax was never collected on that car, (example would be cars brought in from overseas) it will be collected one way or the other.

This is why European Delievery car purchasers pay for the gas guzzler tax and the sale tax. The laws apply to military/diplomat cars or not.