First post! I am new to BMW and looking forward to owning one in the future.

I am starting to save up for my new goal= a new 328i sedan. I want to get the base model with the leatherette seats, no options except sport package. Does anyone know if these are hard to find at dealers? I have heard that they usually only stock ones with a lot of options to get you to buy more. I really want to spend less than 35k on it since the msrp base price is around 32k. Any help is appreciated

Thanks all

If you're saving up to buy in the future, just order one equipped as you want it 2 months in advance of reaching your savings goal. Then your car will show up just as you're ready to buy.

Yes they are, at least around here. Most of our dealers seem to stock either base sedans (with auto and heated seats) or fairly loaded coupes.

That is what my wife and I have done. Were are actually four months out since I am waiting on my bonus. We ordered a 328i yesterday for pickup at the end of April.

If its manual transmission your looking for, then you will definitely have to order your BMW. Not alot or if any dealers will order sports package, leatherette and manual transmission.

I am considering leasing a 328xi coupe. I visited a couple of local dealers and did not see a car with all of the options I want; so I am thinking of ordering.

I have never ordered a car before.
Is it still possible to negotiate a discount off MSRP when you place an order?

I just ordered one in December, I test drove both the manual and automatic from the same dealer. They had them in base trim with a few options. Around here, it seems that they had more 3 series with base or close to trim than they did fully decked out. I ended up ordering mine because they couldn't find one anywhere in the US with the options I wanted.

Supposed to get it end of feb or about 8 weeks after ordering it. (its in the paint shop now lol )

Is it still possible to negotiate a discount off MSRP when you place an order?

Definitely, although it depends on the dealer. Usually they're more willing to deal on an ordered car since it's not going to sit on the lot but if they've got excessive inventory the reverse might be true.

I was able to get $1000 off MSRP and I ordered, and I am a horrible negotiator.

thanks for all the replies

Looks like I might have to order, I only want the manual, standard leatherette, and sports suspension. Glad to see that some dealers are still willing to negotiate even with the ordered car.

Any sales rep at a BMW dealership should be able to do an inventory search. The way I understand they can either find a car at another dealership (in this case they'll try to charge you a transport fee) or a car that is in transit from Germany but has not been sold yet (in this case they can do a swap with the dealership that ordered it, and there shouldn't be any fee).
The point is, if they can't find any car with your specs, you know you have to order for sure.