italiannyc

Ok guys. Test driving today

If I can negotiate better pricing for an AWD version or Tech Package on the V6.. Which in your opinion matters more? I don't want to have a big payment, which I know I will have if I get the v6 tech AWD. Can only have one or the other most likely

So in the end, based on your experiences with the TLX, which would you rather have if the price was the same?

I like up north but I don't really drive much in the snow

Thanks

Speed_Racer

If I had to choose from the 2 options you're referring to I'd go with the AWD option. Most of the tech features you can use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay for. And make sure you get the residual numbers for either model. I think your lease would be cheaper with the AWD vs the Tech package also. Non-tech models have a better residual value according to Edmonds.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

AWD isn't just for snow, it's for fun too!!
I would pick the SHAWD over FWD ANYDAY!

Saintor

Neither. I suggest that you take the cheapest V6.

pyrodan007

I would take the tech package if not too much more, avoids 'should have' syndrome and some features are worth it to me (Canadian model, not sure for USA).

BEAR-AvHistory

Hard choice SHAWD + Tech looks to be a real nice car with the V6. If pushed by price think I would take the Tech version unless I lived in snow country & did not have anything else to drive.

Not a fan of stripped cars so would get one or the other if not both or look too another brand.

italiannyc

So I just test drove the V6..

The first thing I noticed is that compared to my ILX, it had more space. I felt very cramped in my ILX so that was a positive

The second thing I noticed was that it was damn quite on the inside. Blows away my ILX in that regard. I also really noticed that while driving, I didn't feel every little bump like I do with my car. It felt like a much more refined and comfortable drive

In regards to power and speed, this messed with me a little bit. It deff felt heavier and larger and I could not tell if it was moving faster then my ILX. I really believe that has to do with the fact that when I push the gas in my car, you hear everything, you feel everything, it kinda jerks you around. I did not feel that with the TLX, and I am pretty sure thats a good thing and the way its supposed to me. I am sure it was probably faster than I realized.

So now for pricing. My current ILX is a premium package. I received the blind spot sensors ( no Acura watch ) better sound system with 10" sub ( I believe that was the size, probably wrong, and its NOT the ELS system ) and it has the better leather.

As soms
My best price came from the 18 TLX STANDARD V6 PACKAGE

Came out to around 365 a month with zero down. 7500 miles a year ( rolling over 8000 from my current, so it evens out to the 10k I wanted )

Tech package was around 444 a month with zero down.

414 with 1000 down

* Didn't get a chance to drive AWD, but was told the pricing is similar to the 444, without the tech package

I am confused now.

The standard has a base sound system ( how bad is it? ), the lesser of the two leather and is missing those blind spot sensors ( but adding Acura watch that I didn't have before )

I don't know if I can justify 50 more a month ( with money down )

I mean lets be serious, 370 a month sounds a lot better than anything over 400

Now I have to think this weekend and see..


Sigh

007Acura

Best advise would be to email a bunch of dealerships with the lease terms you want. This will help you get the best deal...

Saintor

It is always a good practice to ask a quote to 2-3, but I would be surprised that these figures would improve significantly... Buyt hey $10/mo is $360 more in his pocket at the end of the lease.

You got me here. It is very bad, IMO. I found the sound of our Civic DX 2012 better just to tell you... might be indeed a good reason to with the Tech. I am not interested in NAVI and the 2018 has a better integration with Android.

italiannyc

italiannyc

Went with the tech V6.. 390pm 1000 down. I just wasnt feeling the quality of the leather in the base, and wanted to try the ELS system. I don't mind the 1g down

chiawei

BEAR-AvHistory

How?

I just looked at a 530 stripped base that no one in their right mind would buy. Numbers per BMW Finance were $2500 down @ 36 months with 10K miles a year was $650. That's $230 a month more then he is paying.

Saintor

No you can't.

chiawei

chiawei

chiawei

BEAR-AvHistory

The number was straight up from BMW Financial, no dealer involved. You can't count discounts etc because they are variable, geographically applied & come & go. Also the number of BMW's you bought in the past is factored into the loyalty discount, mine was over $1K. That said I could see in the $500's I am there with a $63K 2018. I cannot see a stripped 530 for $444 a month with any deal.

Also back to my original statement who would buy a stripped 530 in the first place? Put any options on it to make it a worth while car that you would be happy with & you are up $5 to $7K minimum in MSRP.

That is not to say he paid too much. I think he could have gotten a better deal but if he is happy with how it turned out all is well. Way too much pi**ing on peoples Cheerios when it comes to pricing & getting a deal. I have yet to see in any car forum someone put up a price that someone else did not jump on with you paid too much.

I tend to shop hard, walk out etc but still am smart enough to recognize there is still money on the table. Dealers selling at or below cost go out of business quickly. You can't lose money on every sale & make it up in volume.

On the finance side BMW has always been very aggressive on setting up lease deals, most likely the best in the industry overall for the customer. Still BMW pulls down about $8K per car making them a very profitable car company.

Saintor

No because it has not an engine fit to this class of car. I would certainly have a stripped 540i. I have no idea why you value options & packages so much.

BEAR-AvHistory

Agree the engine is not suitable for a 5 series I would buy, said that already, but a lot of people might want a 5 they could not afford with a I6T. Marketing plan seems to work since they sold over 40,000 in the US alone. Bet most were 530's. Smart move on BMW's part a lot of those 5's went out the door for a lot less then I paid for my 4 series. They have a nice pricing overlap among all the series so some one looking in the upper 3/4 of one series can move up a series for the same money by giving up a few extras.

As for why I get specific options its because I like what I like, no other reason then I buy what pleases me.

Stripped 530 $52.650
Stripped 540 $58,200.
Minimum 540 I would buy $68,100
M-Sport, adaptive handling package, M brakes & HUD.

If I wanted a bigger 4 door car as opposed to my smaller coupe that would be the least 540 I would get. More then likely there are a few other things my wife might like that I would add to it.

Saintor

Just to say that the stripped 540 can be had in Sport Line Design for 58K, I am fine with that. But honestly, that new 5 doesn't appeal that much to me, (kinda has been there done that, same feeling as the F30).... I think that I would rather consider the CTS V-Sport.with massive promotions..

mapleloaf

Well said and completely agree. I would add that in general, wherever you are, the gap between, say a TLX and a BMW 5, for example, is going to be similar. If you can get a great deal on one, you will likely, relatively speaking, get a similar deal on the other. When you shop online, using postal codes/Zip codes/Provinces/States, those prices will not vary much at the dealer, as incentives are usually applied online and fees are often understated.

BEAR-AvHistory

The only way to beat the system is with a few German cars. The Performance Center Delivery system for ordered cars lets you shop any dealer in the country for the best deal with the car being delivered through the PCD is Greer SC. Greer is the home of the largest BMW factory in the world & all the "X" cars are built there.

Some of the other manufactures have similar programs. I have only bough one car through a Carolina dealer & non through the local 2 dealers.

You can also get similar good deals with European Delivery picking the cars up in Germany.

chiawei

chiawei

chiawei

Lastly, that 4cyl 530i is actually only 0.2 sec slower in -60 and quarter mile as compare the TLX V6 a spec (via motor trend). More grip and better brakes. Even though drives numb. It’s not a slow car.

BEAR-AvHistory

Fast or slow car depends on your point of view. I would really hate to get my clock cleaned by a TLX while driving a 5 series. There is something unholy about that which would cause me to ask "why did I not get a TLX V6 SHAWD, 540 or M550"? And the TLX does not even have its DOHC V6T yet.

To each his own but I have zero interest in a 530e. Expect that's not unusual here in Carolina. In all of central NC there are only two 530e's in stock $60 & 70K out of a large selection of 5 series cars.

Its back to what you like & what you want to pay. Most here know I am not a 4 or 5 door person except in a SUV. That said I think the sweet spot for a BMW 4 door is the M550.

BTW I did not say the 530e for $60K was stripped. I said at $52K it was stripped & need another $5 to $7K. I did say the 540 was stripped at $60K & needed another $8K.

chiawei

BEAR-AvHistory

The point is simple. You are comparing a unicorn with a real easy to get car that anyone car buy. The guy bought the TLX with 1K down. The 530e has $4600+ in tax credits that you are applying against your down payment to cancel it. No TLX hybrid no tax credit. The dealer $4500 cash off deal for the e is dealer inventory & dead the end of the month. Loyalty bonus is just that you need to have a previous BMW. In the OP's case he does not qualify so that $1000 he does not get..

Also based on geography you cant get some similar dealer & corporate discounts as you go. Average discount on the 530 is 4% off MSRP. Here in the entire state # 10 in population with over 10 Million people there are 4 cars available 1 for $60K 1 65K & two for $70K.
Current in stock BMW 530 deal

MSRP $63,800
Discount $1597
APR Credit $4500
Total before tax tags etc $57,788
So be happy with your deal but don't try to make it as something the OP can get walking into any random BMW dealer

Saintor

It has nothing to do with speed. I have the sense that I will be losing my time explaining it to you.

So here is a quick sum-up by these guys
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...8i-test-review

There is no way the I4 sound delivers the same cachet and enhanced experience as a 6. I have driven a dozen N20/B48 and it always feels like a 2nd best experience, actually pretty lame. At least it is not all gone, as the G30 still has the 540i and even the 550i (V8)

BEAR-AvHistory

Actually the new one 530E is slower then the old one 528E Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec

Their pricing comments:

"Although the 530e xDrive’s $55,695 base price is identical to that of the non-PHEV 530i, our test car rang in at $69,760. More than $14,000 of that was attributable to options, including these packages: $800 Cold Weather, $3400 Driving Assistance Plus (which includes the $1700 Driving Assistance package), $1300 Parking Assistance, $2700 Premium, and $1050 Lighting. Yet the car you see here merely covers the luxury-sedan essentials such as heated seats, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and premium audio. Fiddling around with BMW’s consumer website, we configured a 530e with a sticker price just shy of $84,000. If you really need to brag that your mid-size German luxury plug-in hybrid was expensive, the 530e offers plenty of opportunity."

Point being they don't think & I agree that the basic 5 series punches the luxury card without some serious money going into it.

BEAR-AvHistory

Interesting comments about the 5 series on the BMW form in the STINGER thread:

"IF someone wants a 540i but can't afford one, they can get a G80 loaded with more options and with a less price tag, I'm willing to bet that more people will migrate that way and I'm sure Kia/Hyundai will agree."

"Once genesis sets up separate showrooms they will be a big contender. Infiniti and Acura will be in big trouble since they have some of the lowest consumer satisfaction scores in the industry according to consumer reports."

italiannyc

So coming from the 2.4, I am having a little trouble getting use to the V6 transmission

While I drive, at slower speeds, it almost feels as if I'm using the paddle shifters in my old ILX but not downshifting. Its taking a while to downshift. Its holding

Is this normal and does this improve?

I believe its worse in normal mode compared to the rest.

I guess this is what people meant when they said the tranny was lazy.

2018

twiz03

FYI:
You don't get the Federal tax credit for leasing, the car company gets that credit, most of them apply it to your lease.....

centflatsx

Curious, has anyone recently leased a 19 TLX A-Spec V6 FWD, with no money down? If so what was the deal you got for the selling price and payment? Also location please. Thanks!