[LC200HE]

I’m just curious if there is a way to verify if a dealer has an allocation or doesn’t have one.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

I’m just curious if there is a way to verify if a dealer has an allocation or doesn’t have one.

Have you asked the dealership? They are really your only source.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

I’m just curious if there is a way to verify if a dealer has an allocation or doesn’t have one.

I approached my local BMW dealer about a M240i and was told it has no allocation for one. Then the M2 was mentioned and I was told the same thing.

But was told if I ordered a M2 (or a M240i but I have since decided it will be either a M2 or nothing) I might still get what I ordered as the factory would be more inclined to give a dealer an allocation if it had customer who ordered one.

Was told I'd have to put a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit when placing the order.

I balked at that.

But just last night while I have an eye on several M2s at various dealers I did build one online and submitted the build to my local dealer for a price.

Pretty sure that non-refundable deposit will come up again. However, some more knowledgeable here have pointed out that the M2 is not going to be a car for the BMW masses. The implication is if I balk and refuse the car the dealer could be stuck with a rather difficult car to sell.

I can see this point. Mine is spec'd with a heated steering wheel and 19"/20" M Light Alloy Jet Black wheels, M Compound brakes with red calipers, and Live Cockpit Pro with heads up display. The Carbon Fiber roof ($2600?!!!) was believe it or not tempting to get rid of the sun roof but to pay $2600 to remove an option? I don't think so.

And a 6-speed manual.

While I have some confidence that I could end up buying one of the manual equipped HEA cars that a number of dealers have received -- one dealer told me he had 1 HEA car with a 6-speed and had 8 customers with cars on order all were ordered with an automatic transmission -- I'm also thinking with an ordered car I get a more recent built car and that means possible a better car for it.

Provided of course my local dealer is granted an allocation. If it is fine. If not I get my $1000 back and then submit my build to another dealer one that at least got a HEA car. The 3 dealers I've talked to that have received an HEA car also have customers who have ordered a car and thus I believe more likely to be granted an allocation for yet another ordered M2. Mine.

But the negative is I submit an order through my local dealer and pay the $1000 non-refundable deposit. Then I wait and wait and wait to learn if the dealer will actually be granted an allocation. In the meantime an HEA car becomes available but I'm unable to act upon it as I have a car on order and if I cancel the order I'm out $1000.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I approached my local BMW dealer about a M240i and was told it has no allocation for one. Then the M2 was mentioned and I was told the same thing.

But was told if I ordered a M2 (or a M240i but I have since decided it will be either a M2 or nothing) I might still get what I ordered as the factory would be more inclined to give a dealer an allocation if it had customer who ordered one.

Was told I'd have to put a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit when placing the order.

I balked at that.

But just last night while I have an eye on several M2s at various dealers I did build one online and submitted the build to my local dealer for a price.

Pretty sure that non-refundable deposit will come up again. However, some more knowledgeable here have pointed out that the M2 is not going to be a car for the BMW masses. The implication is if I balk and refuse the car the dealer could be stuck with a rather difficult car to sell.

I can see this point. Mine is spec'd with a heated steering wheel and 19"/20" M Light Alloy Jet Black wheels, M Compound brakes with red calipers, and Live Cockpit Pro with heads up display. The Carbon Fiber roof ($2600?!!!) was believe it or not tempting to get rid of the sun roof but to pay $2600 to remove an option? I don't think so.

And a 6-speed manual.

While I have some confidence that I could end up buying one of the manual equipped HEA cars that a number of dealers have received -- one dealer told me he had 1 HEA car with a 6-speed and had 8 customers with cars on order all were ordered with an automatic transmission -- I'm also thinking with an ordered car I get a more recent built car and that means possible a better car for it.

Provided of course my local dealer is granted an allocation. If it is fine. If not I get my $1000 back and then submit my build to another dealer one that at least got a HEA car. The 3 dealers I've talked to that have received an HEA car also have customers who have ordered a car and thus I believe more likely to be granted an allocation for yet another ordered M2. Mine.

But the negative is I submit an order through my local dealer and pay the $1000 non-refundable deposit. Then I wait and wait and wait to learn if the dealer will actually be granted an allocation. In the meantime an HEA car becomes available but I'm unable to act upon it as I have a car on order and if I cancel the order I'm out $1000.

You are far better off going into the dealer to do your build and get your printed order sheet.

If younrefuse the car at delivery, they will have absolutely no issues selling (basically immediately). The only caveat to that could be if you added the carbon bucket option.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

You are far better off going into the dealer to do your build and get your printed order sheet.

If younrefuse the car at delivery, they will have absolutely no issues selling (basically immediately). The only caveat to that could be if you added the carbon bucket option.

Sure if I go ahead with the order I'd do the build at the dealer and review it -- with the build I did from home -- to make sure it is as I want the car.

And as the order progressed I'd check the build to ensure the order details were still as had been submitted and do this as long as I had the right to change/correct the order.

Unless the car came in with a build error of a serious nature and pretty much any deviation from how I spec'd the car would be serious or signs of damage or didn't feel right upon a test ride/drive and in a real bad way I'd accept the car. I'm a cash buyer so financing/leasing would not be a problem.

Not sure about how quickly (or not) the car would sell if I refused it.

To be sure the dealer would probably claim it couldn't give the car away and try to use this to justify keeping the $1000.

I admit too I need to do some research on this deposit question. A few days ago I searched online but all that came up was info on rental housing deposits.

[zero21]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Sure if I go ahead with the order I'd do the build at the dealer and review it -- with the build I did from home -- to make sure it is as I want the car.

And as the order progressed I'd check the build to ensure the order details were still as had been submitted and do this as long as I had the right to change/correct the order.

Unless the car came in with a build error of a serious nature and pretty much any deviation from how I spec'd the car would be serious or signs of damage or didn't feel right upon a test ride/drive and in a real bad way I'd accept the car. I'm a cash buyer so financing/leasing would not be a problem.

Not sure about how quickly (or not) the car would sell if I refused it.

To be sure the dealer would probably claim it couldn't give the car away and try to use this to justify keeping the $1000.

I admit too I need to do some research on this deposit question. A few days ago I searched online but all that came up was info on rental housing deposits.

Dude, it's a thousand bucks. Do you want the car or not? Pull the trigger.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I approached my local BMW dealer about a M240i and was told it has no allocation for one. Then the M2 was mentioned and I was told the same thing.

Was told I'd have to put a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit when placing the order.

Deposits should be refundable for cars you can't even see/touch/read reviews on yet. And if you backed out it's not like the dealer can't easily sell it. That being said, dealers do what dealers do. Mine didn't even require a deposit (previous customer).

[Rx-7ames]

I would be skeptical about any dealer requiring a non-refundable deposit. It just doesn't make sense to me. At my dealership we don't even take a deposit until we have an allocation. Can you find a dealership that will take a refundable deposit?

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Rx-7ames

I would be skeptical about any dealer requiring a non-refundable deposit. It just doesn't make sense to me. At my dealership we don't even take a deposit until we have an allocation. Can you find a dealership that will take a refundable deposit?

Requiring a deposit is just a way to gain (more) leverage. I'm loathe to put down a deposit other than a small token deposit of say $100.

I'm leaning away from ordering a M2 and just seeing what happens.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by LC200HE

I’m just curious if there is a way to verify if a dealer has an allocation or doesn’t have one.

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Requiring a deposit is just a way to gain (more) leverage. I'm loathe to put down a deposit other than a small token deposit of say $100.

I'm leaning away from ordering a M2 and just seeing what happens.

Deposits are normal. My dealership requires $1k for any security. Non-refundable deposits are another story and just seem weird to me.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by zero21

Dude, it's a thousand bucks. Do you want the car or not? Pull the trigger.

Yeah in the overall scheme of things $1000 is not that big of a deal. I mean I would not just walk out and throw $1000 cash to the wind just because it is only $1000 but OTOH putting down a $1000 deposit would not mean I would have to subsist on past its sell by date cat food eating it in a dark and cold apartment either.

Just rubs me the wrong way to be told there is a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit. That suggests to me the dealer wants to put a big hook in my lip and when the car arrives then play games with the price or even tack on an ADM or both.

[zero21]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Yeah in the overall scheme of things $1000 is not that big of a deal. I mean I would not just walk out and throw $1000 cash to the wind just because it is only $1000 but OTOH putting down a $1000 deposit would not mean I would have to subsist on past its sell by date cat food eating it in a dark and cold apartment either.

Just rubs me the wrong way to be told there is a $1000 *non-refundable* deposit. That suggests to me the dealer wants to put a big hook in my lip and when the car arrives then play games with the price or even tack on an ADM or both.

I think everyone here feels the same way, but your order will come out fine and there's little risk with a signed agreement.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by zero21

I think everyone here feels the same way, but your order will come out fine and there's little risk with a signed agreement.

Stopped at the dealer and the word is not encouraging. While 2023 M2s are scheduled to built to (or through) July BMW has apparently only allocated I was told about 150 cars. That's not even one car for even half of the 366 dealers in the US.

If I order a M2 and if the dealer is even granted an allocation I was told I'm looking at not receiving the car until sometime next year.

While I want the car enough to wait that long I just feel uncomfortable having to wait that long.

While the non-refundable deposit is of some concern that I could wait 9+ months for the car suggests to me that since I have waited so long when the car does arrive the dealer could play games with the price or add some markup.

I'm pretty sure any pre-purchase sales agreement provided to me by the dealer would have me locked into at least paying "sticker" while giving the ample opportunity to adjust (raise) the price for any reason.

[KevinC]

[zero21]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Stopped at the dealer and the word is not encouraging. While 2023 M2s are scheduled to built to (or through) July BMW has apparently only allocated I was told about 150 cars. That's not even one car for even half of the 366 dealers in the US.

If I order a M2 and if the dealer is even granted an allocation I was told I'm looking at not receiving the car until sometime next year.

While I want the car enough to wait that long I just feel uncomfortable having to wait that long.

While the non-refundable deposit is of some concern that I could wait 9+ months for the car suggests to me that since I have waited so long when the car does arrive the dealer could play games with the price or add some markup.

I'm pretty sure any pre-purchase sales agreement provided to me by the dealer would have me locked into at least paying "sticker" while giving the ample opportunity to adjust (raise) the price for any reason.

BMW will make more cars, don't believe the hype man! The only reason for your wait is you're late to the game. There will be units that hit dealerships that customers backed out of at the last second. There will be plenty of opportunity.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Stopped at the dealer and the word is not encouraging. While 2023 M2s are scheduled to built to (or through) July BMW has apparently only allocated I was told about 150 cars. That's not even one car for even half of the 366 dealers in the US.

If I order a M2 and if the dealer is even granted an allocation I was told I'm looking at not receiving the car until sometime next year.

While I want the car enough to wait that long I just feel uncomfortable having to wait that long.

While the non-refundable deposit is of some concern that I could wait 9+ months for the car suggests to me that since I have waited so long when the car does arrive the dealer could play games with the price or add some markup.

I'm pretty sure any pre-purchase sales agreement provided to me by the dealer would have me locked into at least paying "sticker" while giving the ample opportunity to adjust (raise) the price for any reason.

I dont think your CA knows what theyvare talking about. There are already more than 150 allocations for customizable orders (non HEA) and we are in early March so I expect more to go out in the next month or two.

I also dont think anyone knows when they will cut off the allocations for MY2023 and go to MY2024 as we are dealing with a specific unusual circumstance with this new gen M2.

The bottom line, and no CA knows for sure, is how many allocations will go to each dealer this year, how many MY2023 cars will be built and delivered this year and how many MY2024 cars will be built and delivered this year.

The important thing to know is how many orders the dealership currently has so you know what place in line. The wild card is how many allocations that dealership gets, when they get them and when you get your allocation (if you were to get a place in line).

If they tell you MSRP and are honest about it, the dealership prices wont change but the costs for parts, packages and ultimate MSRP price can change by BMW from MY2023 to MY2024.

[KevinC]

To anyone contemplating placing a "non-refundable" deposit...

1) Negotiate the FINAL price of the car before placing such a deposit, and have the contract drawn up to fully legalize the agreement.

2) Place a time deadline on delivery of the car. If the dealer can't deliver a car by the mutually agreed-upon date - your deposit DOES get refunded.

If a dealer won't agree to both of these reasonable requests - which protect them as well as you, the buyer - then RUN.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

I dont think your CA knows what theyvare talking about. There are already more than 150 allocations for customizable orders (non HEA)

His CA wasn't that far off. There have been 160 allocations. That's pretty much 150.

[Rx-7ames]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Stopped at the dealer and the word is not encouraging.

It doesn't sound like you are really sold on the M2. I would recommend getting an M240. I think you will love the car and it comes in about 10-15k cheaper.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Rx-7ames

His CA wasn't that far off. There have been 160 allocations. That's pretty much 150.

Based on his wording, and maybe I took it wrong, I thought he was saying the CA was trying to say that BMW only allocated 150 cars to be built under the 2023 model year.

[LivingInSalt]

I'm not sure they're aware that the G87 M2 hasn't been released or sold to anyone yet. They also didn't know you couldn't order an M240i with a manual transmission

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by KevinC

To anyone contemplating placing a "non-refundable" deposit...

1) Negotiate the FINAL price of the car before placing such a deposit, and have the contract drawn up to fully legalize the agreement.

2) Place a time deadline on delivery of the car. If the dealer can't deliver a car by the mutually agreed-upon date - your deposit DOES get refunded.

If a dealer won't agree to both of these reasonable requests - which protect them as well as you, the buyer - then RUN.

Yes, that is what I recall from looking into ordering a car some years ago. Trouble is the agreement will probably not be written in such clear language.

Dealers are very good at producing a purchase agreement the ties the hands of the buyer but allows the dealer as much freedom to change the deal in any way it chooses. Yeah, the buyer probably still has the right to say no and walk away but the dealer is counting on after having waited so long the buyer will give in.