[Viffermike]

... if you're in the right situation and play your cards properly:

Today I ordered a '25 M2 from a dealer (Dealer A) I've purchased three previous cars from, all financed via third party. My test drive a few weeks back was at another dealer (Dealer B) that, in my market, has been leeching business away from the first dealer.

This morning, after dropping my current car off at Dealer A for a warranty repair, I mentioned to my service guy that I'd be talking to an SA about possibly ordering an M2 when I picked my car up -- and I did just that, after letting the SA with whom I test-drove at Dealer B know I would be by after 'a couple of errands'.

I was up front and transparent with the SA at Dealer A about my history with them, with my test drive experience (a nearly hour-long one) at Dealer B, with my expectation on price (was aiming for 3% or so below MSRP), and with my intention to go to Dealer B immediately afterward to give them a chance to match whatever deal I made with Dealer A, since it had been so accommodating with the test drive.

The GM came over; we talked a little more. He promised a December allocation/production slot from a sister dealership. Then, he amended the offer sheet. His offer:
7.6% under MSRP
I then mentioned that I'm a USAA member, through which the M2 has a $1,500 rebate. With that added, my deal:
9.7% under MSRP

For reference: The gap between invoice and MSRP on the M2 is roughly 6%.

I never went to Dealer B today. Signed the offer sheet and put a deposit down at Dealer A. The SA at Dealer B 'understood' - and I did tell him that if Dealer A screws anything up, he'd be my guy.

Loyalty can matter. Competititon can matter. Transparency can matter. Having cards to play at the right juncture can matter. If you've got all of those available to work for you, that's the kind of deal that's possible.