[novalauren]

just got lease quote which I think is quite high...

$555 per month, 36 months(15k miles), $2500 down PLUS $1800 in "fees"
which includes:
first months payment, $600 sec deposit, and a $625 acquisition fee

$38,595.00 MSRP....325xi, prem and cold weather pack, auto trans

any tips on negotiating? hoping to pay under $500 per month...am I dreaming?

thanks so much

[petesamprs]

Leasing has a lot of variables so it makes sense to take some time to understand what they are. Make sure you've read everything at www.leaseguide.com and other websites.

You live in NJ, like me, so I can help you out. The November program on your 325xi has a base MF of 0.0025 and a residual of 61%.

It looks like you've provided us all the info EXCEPT the selling price, which I can back into from your data. Based on my calculations, and assuming i) your MRSP is correct, ii) your cap cost reduction is $2500 + $625, and iii) you're getting the 0.0025 base 325xi money factor, I calculate the selling price of your car to be $39,491...ie, almost $900 ABOVE MSRP!!!

Looks like a very bad deal to me.

Here's what my "target" deal would be for your car:

- $0 down. No $2500, and roll the $625 acquisiton fee into your payments. At signing all you should pay is first month, deposit, and any gov't fees.
- A selling price at $1000 over invoice. I was too lazy to calculate it for you, so I estimate that invoice was 92.5% of MSRP and added $1000 to get $36,700.
- The base money factor.

Assuming all that, i get a payment of $560/month with zero down. THAT is a good deal.

Right now, your down payment is basically pure profit for the dealer.

[flyinbrian]

You can do better than that. Use a site such as leaseguide.com to calculate the actual numbers. I have a loaded up 330I for about 570/month with only 1500 out of pocket. My terms are 36month with 12,000 a year. MSRP 45,165

[petesamprs]

Some more perspective:

My 330i, which I'm leasing in NJ, based on November's program for 3 yr / 12k miles (64%, 0.00195 MF) is $502.95 / month. That's assuming no cap cost reduction, an MSRP on the car of $40,370 and selling price of $37,975 (1k over invoice).

Hope that helps (even though it's not the car you want, or the number of miles/yr)

For your car, the only way to get your payment below $500/month with nothing down is to get a selling price $1k BELOW invoice (ie, impossible).

[novalauren]

thank you SO much! I just KNEW it was a bad deal...I am definitely calling on monday with the "counteroffer" you suggested....I am fine with a 550ish payment....but couldn't justify it with the 2500 plus all of the fees.....

we never negotiated a selling price...the salesperson sugg it was the MSRP.....but I really just wanted to get some numbers from her as a jumping off point to start negs...

I was also concerned that since the xi is allegedly i demand, deals may not be as "sweet" right now...

[petesamprs]

No problem. If you want, send me a PM with your email so I can send over a very simple and clear excel model I've been using to calculate my lease payments (it's definitely accurate for NJ since my dealer and I are getting the same numbers). It's a lot clearer when you can see where the numbers come from.

Note that my $1k over invoice is "good deal" for a 330i in northern NJ right now...the same may not hold for the xi, or in whatever part of NJ you are in.