I’m a new to leasing, so try to have some empathy for any newbie questions/thoughts if you can. I have read around a bit and lurked a bit, so I have a decent understanding about leasing and my situation, but would like to have a discussion about it if possible.
I’m in the market for a new car and have been hunting for a demo BMW X4 M40i. My search concluded with one at Century West BMW in Van Nuys CA, that had a decent lease special of $599 per month + tax with 3k down. Wouldn’t normally jump on a posted special like that but my 2010 c class transmission blew out so I have some encouragement, and wouldn’t have a problem making those payments.
Well, turns out even though I have plenty of income to show to cover the lease payment, since I’m a first time buyer they wouldn’t approve me and needed a cosigner, or were asking for 6k down to make it happen!
Obviously didn’t take that deal and am now in need of some help. How can I work around this? (BMW stopped their security deposit program otherwise I would have had no problem maxing those). Any referrals of brokers, etc? I can’t get a cosigner so my hands are tied with that one…
Would appreciate any advice/help greatly! Thanks for the awesome community!
What’s your credit score and do you have any car loan history? If you have a bad score and no history, I’m not sure how a broker would be able to help.
What was the MSRP on that X4? Just looking at those initial numbers, it didn’t sound like a good deal anyways.
If you have credit score 700 and above you should be able to get a deal. Try another dealership, there are many demo X4 M40i in LA area. Don’t put down 6k!
I would also recommend you to negotiate MSRP discount. 3k down and $599/m + tax for a ~$64k car (I assume) is not that great. I got 21% off 64k+ demo X4 M40i (with 6k) two months ago.
My credit score is about 700. No car/loan history really, purchased my old c class cash so that doesn’t help. And yea wasn’t sure if a broker would be able to work the bank in a different way to get me approved, was just a thought.
This car was a demo model so it already had a discount, the salesman was giving me the “we absolutely cannot discount this car any further” speech. Was pretty frustrating because i’ve been seeing these cars with listed specials elsewhere at 3k down $500-600 per month, so I know they have room to work with on them.
Thanks for the response man, that’s definitely some great insight knowing you were able to pull that off!
What was your total down + monthly if you don’t mind me asking? Also where are you located?
Hm… My lack of auto loan history didn’t matter for my lease. But it’s also a $43k vehicle compared to the X4. I had perfect credit (>800) and a 6-figure credit line spread over about 40 different accounts which qualified me for the highest tier with Hyundai. It sounds like OP’s credit is fair, but not fantastic, which is why they’re giving him such a hard time. Probably nothing he can do about that fatty down payment unless he improves his credit score and tries again in a couple months, or finds another dealer willing to play ball.
Tbh you might need someone to co-sign or to shop a different brand. I had to shop certain brands for my first solo lease and I had great credit + some of my student loans paid off.
I was in the exact same situation a few months ago leasing my X5M. The dealer wanted something like 10% down because they said BMW would only approve 90% of the cost based on my credit. My credit is very good 750+ and I have no debt of any kind but zero auto loan history as I have paid cash in the past for all my vehicles. After going through all the proof of income nonsense they magically approved me for 100% of the loan so I am wondering if this was some kind of tactic by BMW to try to jack up the MF. I told them either get it done or I will buy a different car and it got approved so now I am just waiting for the car to arrive (taking forever due to individual options)
They will probably ask for proof of income if you get farther along in the buying process.
Thanks, really excited for it to finally come in. Was supposed to be here in June but now its looking like mid August due to delays. Not in LA, but I do live in a similar car market, south Florida.
Massive. Its Century West BMW they move a ton of cars. The guy left me at a position where I said either we’re going to have to negotiate or I can’t make it happen and he was saying it was a stand still. Didn’t seem like he tried too hard to hustle for the sale.
Ended up leasing a 65k msrp for 2k down $600 per month. Very pleased with the deal. It required a cosigner for anyone wondering otherwise I would have had to put around 6k down.
