[RockCrusher]

Found several M2s listed for sale at dealer web sites. Picked a dealer. Started the purchase process online.

Got a call from the dealer. Car was spoken for and sold for $10,000 over sticker.

Was told the dealer has no more M2s coming (and the same goes for the M240i -- yeah wrong forum...).

If I want an M2 I will have to order it and then the odds are the dealer would be granted the allocation to satisfy the order.

Will be at my local BMW Wednesday. Will sit down and have a serious talk regarding ordering an M2.

A few days ago when I spoke with the salesman I was told the dealer wants a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit for a M2 order. I expressed extreme reluctance to put down a $1000 non refundable deposit.

But someone here pointed the car with its level of performance and a manual transmission -- not sure I'd spec it with the carbon fiber roof to "delete" the sun roof but possibly no sun roof either -- would *not* be all that easy to move if I backed out of the car.

So I guess I could agree to a $1000 deposit though I'd see if the dealer would accept less and get it sorted out before hand under what conditions I could refuse the car -- I'm thinking if it came in not as I ordered it or with (shudder) damage while in transit -- and not have to forfeit the deposit.

[tastywasty]

If it's a custom order it should come in exactly how you order it.

The issue now will be how long it'll take to get an allocation on an M2 at this stage.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Found several M2s listed for sale at dealer web sites. Picked a dealer. Started the purchase process online.

Got a call from the dealer. Car was spoken for and sold for $10,000 over sticker.

Was told the dealer has no more M2s coming (and the same goes for the M240i -- yeah wrong forum...).

If I want an M2 I will have to order it and then the odds are the dealer would be granted the allocation to satisfy the order.

Will be at my local BMW Wednesday. Will sit down and have a serious talk regarding ordering an M2.

A few days ago when I spoke with the salesman I was told the dealer wants a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit for a M2 order. I expressed extreme reluctance to put down a $1000 non refundable deposit.

But someone here pointed the car with its level of performance and a manual transmission -- not sure I'd spec it with the carbon fiber roof to "delete" the sun roof but possibly no sun roof either -- would *not* be all that easy to move if I backed out of the car.

So I guess I could agree to a $1000 deposit though I'd see if the dealer would accept less and get it sorted out before hand under what conditions I could refuse the car -- I'm thinking if it came in not as I ordered it or with (shudder) damage while in transit -- and not have to forfeit the deposit.

All of the above is normal. While some have put down no deposit, many have put down more than $1,000.

[zero21]

I put down 5k but it was refundable. Good luck ordering the car.

[Game]

A non-refundable deposit for a car that you won't see for a long time doesn't make much sense.

[RockCrusher]

Contacted dealer #2 on my list. Got the cash price. Some nearly $1500 dealer add ons. And a $897 dealer fees...

$70,587. Was taking pics of my trade in (2022 BMW 230i with 6653 miles in excellent condition) when the phone rang.

Objected to the presence of the dealer installed options.

Salesman said maybe the dealer installed options can be removed.

Objected to the dealer fee.

Everybody has to pay that even -- according the salesman -- employees telling me he paid the fee when he bought a new car the other day.

Then he mentioned ADM. I don't recall the amount if he even mentioned it. I said that's a deal killer and I would not pay it. He said demand is high and allocation is low. That may be true but I'm still not paying it. We agreed to an amicable end to the conversation.

So I guess now that I have good pics of my trade in I'll give dealer #3 a shot...

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Game

A non-refundable deposit for a car that you won't see for a long time doesn't make much sense.

A "non refundable" deposit gives the dealer even more leverage when the car arrives and oh by the way we need more money. One can balk but of course the threat one will forfeit $1000 is there even if the deposit can't legally be kept by the dealer.

I feel I would have to do some research on this what is allowed in Arkansas. In fact I did some the other day and there was not much available. So I think I might have to get in touch with an attorney and have a consultation. I want to know what to say and how to say it when (if) it comes to me having to get my deposit back not because I backed out but because the dealer is trying to change the deal.

[RockCrusher]

Not a fail. But I don't have the car yet either.

Car has not arrived yet. Due in soon. End of the month I think the dealer person said.

I did hear the car is a "demo". When I said I have no interest in buying a demo was told there are no test drives of the M cars. It is just a showroom car. (Halo car I think how they are referred to.)

Was told the dealer can't sell the car until some time in April. Think this jives with what I read here.

Was told there were 8 people ahead of me. When I expressed some doubt all 8 would back away was told it is possible. The 8 all ordered the car with an automatic.

So can't say it is a fail yet. Will have to wait and see what 8 other interested prospective buyers do.

And of even if I'm the last prospective buyer standing reach an acceptable deal for the car. No ADM, no $600 nitrogen filled tires and such...

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Car has not arrived yet. Due in soon. End of the month I think the dealer person said.

I did hear the car is a "demo". When I said I have no interest in buying a demo was told there are no test drives of the M cars. It is just a showroom car. (Halo car I think how they are referred to.)

Its called a HEA.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

Its called a HEA.

HEA? What does that stand for?

Oh, nevermind. Just found this on the internet. Wonderful thing the internet...

"What exactly does 'HEA' mean? It stands for 'Handler-Erst-Ausstattung', so basically first cars to be produced and aimed to be used as dealer demos."

Have to wonder if the car's quality is compromised being it is produced and aimed to be a dealer demo car?

[diavliyo]

Cuál es la diferencia?

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

HEA? What does that stand for?

Oh, nevermind. Just found this on the internet. Wonderful thing the internet...

"What exactly does 'HEA' mean? It stands for 'Handler-Erst-Ausstattung', so basically first cars to be produced and aimed to be used as dealer demos."

Have to wonder if the car's quality is compromised being it is produced and aimed to be a dealer demo car?

No, not compromised but specced randomly.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by diavliyo

Cuál es la diferencia?

What's the difference?

Halo or HEA? Dealer claimed while the car was a demo car the dealer claimed it did not allow test drives of the demo car. It is for show.

Or HEA vs. just a "regular" production car? Maybe no difference. Hope it is no difference.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

No, not compromised but specced randomly.

Well, that's good news. I did see one with a 6-speed and with a carbon fiber roof.

But I have seen several more and it seems -- if the prelim info on the cars which have yet to arrive can be trusted -- that Zandroot Blue seems to be too common to be random... However, the car looks very good in that color.

A good number are 6-speeds but automatics are in the majority.

[RockCrusher]

Got a quote on insurance for a representative M2 from my local State Farm agent.

The M2 is $97.40/month.
My 2022 230i is $87.28/month. (This gets traded in when/if I buy the M2. I don't have room for 3 cars.)
My just purchased 2023 MINI JCW is $84.91/month.

Have good coverage with I think deductibles towards the high end of the available range.

[GrannyShiftG80]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Got a quote on insurance for a representative M2 from my local State Farm agent.

The M2 is $97.40/month.
My 2022 230i is $87.28/month. (This gets traded in when/if I buy the M2. I don't have room for 3 cars.)
My just purchased 2023 MINI JCW is $84.91/month.

Have good coverage with I think deductibles towards the high end of the available range.

my insurance keeps telling me the m2 is not a real car and it must be the m235 or m240

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Got a quote on insurance for a representative M2 from my local State Farm agent.

The M2 is $97.40/month.
My 2022 230i is $87.28/month. (This gets traded in when/if I buy the M2. I don't have room for 3 cars.)
My just purchased 2023 MINI JCW is $84.91/month.

Have good coverage with I think deductibles towards the high end of the available range.

Many variables besides the year and model of car go into an insurance quote. This should be taken with a grain of salt..

[JustinHEMI]

Ah, yeah, I hope so, because Geico quoted me 1300 for 6 months by adding M2 to my policy.

Guess I'm insurance shopping as well lol.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by Allenssmart

my insurance keeps telling me the m2 is not a real car and it must be the m235 or m240

Have you tried giving them a VIN?

[GrannyShiftG80]

Originally Posted by Rx-7ames

Have you tried giving them a VIN?

Yeah they told me the vin doesn't work

[diavliyo]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

What's the difference?

Halo or HEA? Dealer claimed while the car was a demo car the dealer claimed it did not allow test drives of the demo car. It is for show.

Or HEA vs. just a "regular" production car? Maybe no difference. Hope it is no difference.

Un vehículo de demostración si se puede modificar en España para el cliente

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by diavliyo

Un vehículo de demostración si se puede modificar en España para el cliente

My HS Spanish fails me. I had to resort to google translate.

Translated: A demo vehicle if it can be modified in Spain for the customer

Not sure what you mean. But I have no desire to modify or have the dealer modify the M2 for me. I just want it left unmolested and this means not subjected to test tests.

I am really wondering if these early demo cars will avoid being allowed to be test driven.