Gotta love the U.S.

[starky]

Did some comparison shopping today for a new left hand button cluster; cruise, shield, turn signal, horn and here's the good and bad news:

Living in Canada and owning a BMW can be hazardouse to your bank account.

Polled 4 BMW dealers in southern Ontario: BMW Toronto, McBrides Toronto, Budds BMW Oakville, Wolf BMW London Ontario.

All were comparable and in the $750 + 15% TAX price; $500 for the part, 3 hours labour at $80/hour.

Country Rode BMW, Rochester was the lone dealer in at $296 part, + 180 labour (3 hrs) + 8% tax, with the exchange it works out to $580.

Total savings about $282.

Booked it with Country Rode and I'll even get the opportunity to demo afew of their bikes while I wait.
Love that American service and hospitality.

[RealWing]

Did some comparison shopping today for a new left hand button cluster; cruise, shield, turn signal, horn and here's the good and bad news:

Living in Canada and owning a BMW can be hazardouse to your bank account.

Polled 4 BMW dealers in southern Ontario: BMW Toronto, McBrides Toronto, Budds BMW Oakville, Wolf BMW London Ontario.

All were comparable and in the $750 + 15% TAX price; $500 for the part, 3 hours labour at $80/hour.

Country Rode BMW, Rochester was the lone dealer in at $296 part, + 180 labour (3 hrs) + 8% tax, with the exchange it works out to $580.

Total savings about $282.

Booked it with Country Rode and I'll even get the opportunity to demo afew of their bikes while I wait.
Love that American service and hospitality.

I talked to my dealer about high Canadian prices compared to US. Told him that if I were a BMW dealer I would be really upset with BMW Canada. They have not adjusted prices as the Canadian/US exchange rate changed. They will lose the profit from parts sales and also maybe lose service $$ as we go to US for parts/service. He said the dealers plan to raise with BMW Canada this fall.
I will be buying my more expensive parts from a US dealer from now on.

[brantvol16]

Be interesting to see how far they get with BMW Canada. My buddy wants a new SUV to replace his current X5 and was told that they will charge "what the market will bear without considering US exchange rates". Arrogant behaviour. I figure I saved about 10K CAD plus tax by getting my LT in the US. Plus I got to ride it home!

My opinion is that this situation is not going to change anytime soon so we might as well sign up for a PLEXUS card, get into the fast lane at the border and get used to enjoying US hospitatlity on a regular basis.

[starky]

Be interesting to see how far they get with BMW Canada. My buddy wants a new SUV to replace his current X5 and was told that they will charge "what the market will bear without considering US exchange rates". Arrogant behaviour. I figure I saved about 10K CAD plus tax by getting my LT in the US. Plus I got to ride it home!

My opinion is that this situation is not going to change anytime soon so we might as well sign up for a PLEXUS card, get into the fast lane at the border and get used to enjoying US hospitatlity on a regular basis.

where'd you get your LT?

[brantvol16]

Tennessee - see my post "Done Deal" for a longer story. Did a lot of shopping online, ebay, the works and found a low mileage (1350 when I picked it up) 06. It is an early one so doesn't have all the current toys but the ride sure is sweet!

I see you are in Hamilton - we are close so maybe we'll see each other on the road.

[starky]

Tennessee - see my post "Done Deal" for a longer story. Did a lot of shopping online, ebay, the works and found a low mileage (1350 when I picked it up) 06. It is an early one so doesn't have all the current toys but the ride sure is sweet!

I see you are in Hamilton - we are close so maybe we'll see each other on the road.

the next couple of weeks are booked for me, but pm me when you want to have breakfast in brantford and i'll meet you.

Joel