Parts discounts? If not all the same, who has the biggest?

[JamesAustin]

At Saturday's 5-series launch party, I overheard a conversation at the membership table about BMWCCANCC's vendor discounts on parts. I always assumed that everybody who gave us anything gave us 10% (aside from BMW of Sterling's 20%-on-Saturday promotion). But what I overheard seemed to say that some dealers give us 25% and even 30%, at least some of the time (on some of the parts).

So, what's the full story? Which vendors give us which discounts?

I felt bringing this up while enjoying Passport BMW's generous hospitality would be uncouth...

[1996 328ti]

Parts discounts vary. I don't know what the discount is these days. Some dealers may markup the price then give a discount, while others give discounts straight of MSRP. 25% is approaching wholesale, I'd be surprised if a dealership was giving that to everyone unless they had a wholesale account.

Many years ago I took a survey of all the dealers. Prices really varied.

[pseto]

Overall pricing at any dealership varies widely and there are several 'levels' of discounts for retail and wholesale. Dealers can set their pricing however they want and usually give a CCA discount on a certain 'level' of pricing, whether its MSRP, invoice, wholesale, or whatever they want to call it.

I always tell people to shop around b/c some dealers include CCA discounts on labor too, but ultimately they can change their pricing at any given time for whatever reason. This is why years ago we stopped publishing specific discounts, its too hard to keep track.

[JamesAustin]

Exactly. It's the "out the door" price that matters, not the supposed percentage off of a base price that varies between dealers.

Well, I was assuming that everyone begins at "official manufacturers suggested list price" (which nobody actually pays) and that dealer prices in the same area don't really vary all that much.

[1996 328ti]

Well, I was assuming that everyone begins at "official manufacturers suggested list price" (which nobody actually pays) and that dealer prices in the same area don't really vary all that much.

Some dealers markup from MSRP and then give a discount.

Attached is a survey I did more than 15 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if it still holds true for some.