getting quotes on bmw leases. Using the leasehackr calculator as a guide (much appriciated)
when dealers get back to me…they are stating just the monthly cost.
what do i request so i can see all the details?
Thanks!
I’m wondering the same. Only received a monthly payment with no other info besides MSRP. I replied asking for the lease worksheet and was only sent the residual value. This is after waiting 3 days for a follow up…
Dealer discount before incentives. Money factor.
Another strategy is to do all the research on target sale price, MF, RV, and rebates in advance. Then, craft your ideal target in the calculator.
From there, make an offer based on the output.
I find that approach to be better in many cases and also cleaner.
Often times people get hung up on that wrong thing. They read a few articles and feel like, “OMG OMG it isn’t base MF, so I can’t take this deal.”
If you craft it in advance, it doesn’t matter how they hit your target as long as they do.
If a dealer wants to discount a car more in exchange for a higher MF, let em.
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Don’t forget to find out dealer fee, for certain brands some dealers can mark up acquisition fee as well, figure out if they’re adding any hard adds (phantom footprints, nitrogen, etc).
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I think that’s what typically the dealers would do.
I need to make it very clear that I need to see the detailed calculations with the pre-incentive discount and the money factor. But still, some dealers never provide the information that I need. And that’s exactly why you need to talk to many dealers. If you feel that it is difficult to discuss with a specific dealer, it is highly unlikely that you can get a decent deal from that dealer.
They think that you’ll take their quote and then shop it with other dealers. hence the lack of detail
That is true. What I would do then is basically ask verbally for the variables on the lease calculator:
Discount (pre-incentive)
MF
RV
Dealer fee
Acquisition Fee
Gov./Tag fees
Max MSDs (if applicable)
Incentives Available
Then with that information, you will be able to make a respectable offer. I would only tell them the payment you want: For example: $525 sign and drive with Max MSDs. If the dealer asks you how you got to that payment, show them the calculator.
I’ve bought several cars new, with reasonable negotiation success, but this is the first time I’m thinking of leasing and am learning how it works.
It sounds like the advice here is it’s the opposite of buying. When buying, the payment isn’t the important thing. the total cost is what you are negotiating. For a lease, to some extent, it really is the payment (and due at signing amount) that you are negotiating.
Same with buying if you know all of the factors/variables. Payment is all that matters. For example, you may get the price you want and then they can add fees or not give you as much value on the trade in.
The most important thing is to be educated and knowledgeable regarding the process of buying/leasing a vehicle.
Many times, dealers fudge the numbers on the contract for their own records but ultimately if you are getting the payment you want then you are good.
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I think you’ll find that there’s a lot of us that advise against focusing on the monthly payment and DAS amount, and instead focus on what goes into the lease. Just like financing, the monthly/DAS is simply an output of the calculations rather than an input.
As to the OP’s question here… pre-incentive discount, MF, and dealer fee (if you’re in a non-regulated state) are all you really absolutely need to ask. Everything else can (and should) be found/confirmed independently.
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Agreed. This is good advice.
I rarely ask for a specific breakdown but if the outputs match my initial estimate/goal, then it’s fine.
There’s a whole spectrum on the payment shopping vs. self-calculation approach. I do a hybrid approach where I know the numbers going in, but don’t overwhelm the dealer by asking for a breakdown of every single detail.
I create a ballpark target figure, based on my research of programs and the market price, and go with that. If it’s helpful to introduce more detail, then I do so (e.g., “If you can do a selling price of $XX,XXX at buy rate (.00110), I can swing by today or tomorrow to take delivery. Let me know!”). Short and sweet. Most of the work is in the research that goes into creating an aggressive but realistic target deal.
The best deals are the ones that involve as minimal time and effort for the dealer as possible. Granted, this only works in a competitive market where dealers focus on volume rather than gross profit – and can afford a few “loser” deals.
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Strong!
Also, I do find most BDC managers and reps dislike when a prospect sends a breakdown of the entire deal (calling out MF, RV, etc…)
It immediately triggers them to assume the prospect is a know-it-all or on a site like leasehackr 
I hate to say it, but it’s the reality.
Agree. By asking the pre incentive discounts and the money factor, the dealer would know that you are at least an experienced shopper and might play less tricks. When I suggested 11% off pre incentive discounts and the base MF, most of the dealers (in the Midwest) just honestly said they could not do that, the best they could offer would be 5-7% off. Still, some of the dealers kept playing tricks hiding numbers (e.g., giving a low monthly payment but need a few thousands down payment). I just passed those dealers to save time.
That’s interesting to know. So they would like to see something like:
If you can do a monthly payment of $XXX with 0 down or (0 DAS), I can swing by today or tomorrow to take delivery.
Is that correct?
That is my experience
I think a BDC manager on here could provide better insight
But thats what I hear when I speak w them
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As an alternative data point, I have had dealers say no to a monthly presented like that, but yes to the same deal broken out. Fear of Low Payments does pop up in some cases.
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After they send in an offer, I will just be like oh okay and what’s the residual and money factor. The rest the info they give you is enough with those 2 things to see what’s going on
I worked on getting my sister a lease a couple days ago… this is the email I sent to about 10 dealerships:
Hello,
I have worked out the following numbers for a Civic Sport AT for a 36/12 lease:
MSRP: 23555
Selling Price:21200
RV: 62%
MF: .00085
Incentive: 500
Dealer fee: 600
Reg: 100
Plus NJ tax
These numbers come out to $255/month with just the first month out the door. Will you accept this deal?
If yes, we can come in tonight or tomorrow to sign.
…
I got replies from 3 dealers saying they could do the deal. We picked the closest one.
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Yeah, this is the only reason why I asked dealer to give detailed pricing quote. If they won’t give it but deal sounds reasonable, I will wait till get to sit down with the Finance Manager to print the contract. I will review the contract and if I see some of those trick, I walk away.
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