It's a Pretty Common Practice... (archive)

...to place a deposit on a car to get in line for the right to purchase one. I am most familiar with this happening with Mercedes on the SLK, CLK, S500 and most recently with Honda on the S2000. Fortunately, it appears that BMW dealers are holding (or being held?) to MSRP...unlike the fiasco that went on with the S2000.

: I am on a waiting list and I've put down a "substantial" deposit for my place in line. With my deposit I have reserved the "right" to order the car to my specifications as soon as the colors, options and trim details are known. My deposit is in an interest bearing escrow account until the date of purchase. It is fully refundable until the car is ordered.

: Even after that, should I take delivery of the vehicle and decide I don't want it, I am sure I could turn it around in short order. Is there a risk involved? Yeah. Is it significant? I don't think so! Sight unseen, I am sure this will be a HIGHLY desireable car.

: Craig
: '97 ///M3 Coupe, 5 Spd
: Techno-Violet/Mulberry

: : For all of those posters who claim to be on waiting
: : lists and have E46 M3 on order. How did you order
: : a car without knowing the available interior colors
: : and options,exterior colors and the various packages
: : that will be available for the car when there is no
: : information on these items and the final production
: : model isn't even being produced yet?

: : I am very curious how anyone in could put money down on a car that you are not really even sure what it will look like.

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