Dolphin Gray

AGREE! My dealer who sells both BMW and Audi made the case for a loaded 335I over the S4 I ordered. He said BMW residuals have always been a litle inflated but it helps them sell cars. The payment was approx $120 per month less for the BMW. I feel the S4's all wheel drive is better and I wanted the S-tronic, and I really liked the S4 interior.

I live in MN so all wheel drive is important. If I lived in a sunnier climate with no snow, I honestly would have probably gone with the 335I, still a wonderful car.

DrGP

Lets face the reality. BMW are almost always going to lease for less money than a comparable Audi. At least for the past few yrs and the present. Reasons are that BMW is subsidising the leases to keep lower so that they can sell more cars . Thus their MFs are lower. Also the Residuals are set higher because the demand for used BMWS has been historically higher than Audis. However, these practices rely on selling BMWs in larger numbers than Audis. It has also resulted in some significant financial issues with BMW in the current economic climate. I have found that on a purely economic basis, the BMW will cost you less to operate especially when you consider the included free maintenance. You have to decide whether you want to pay a little more for the features of the Audi or whether the BMW is a better bang for the buck. My previous 2 cars were Audis that I leased. I believe Audi was subsidising leases at that time. Currently driving a 335i because I could not get an S4 at a decent lease rate. Currently have a B8 S4 ordered. Lease rate for both is similar but not the same. $729/month VS $730. BUT, my Audi lease is for 42 month VS 36 months on the BMW. Also I put $1000 down at lease inception on the BMW and now I am putting $2500 down. Free maintenance is not included. BUT, I made the decision to spend the extra money to drive the car I wanted. Not the best decision based purely on finances. But a decision that I made because I like the B8S4 better than the E90/92 BMW. BTW, I have been very happy with the BMW

SM82

997C2S, sounds like you have a good-looking car on the way. I test-drove a 6spd MT S4 last month and am actually going through the process of deciding between the 335 and the Audi. If the price is within reason between the two I would go with the Audi simply because living in LA, EVERYBODY has one. Love the Audi when I test drove it and they gave me a preliminary MF of .0014/5 which with $3,500 qouted me a $670 +10% CA tax. Obviously, this was off the MSRP of $52k but I wanted to know what you (997C2S) or anyone else had been quoted or locked in on a monthly price. I hope and I think it would be reasonable to be able to get out the door for mid- to high-$600's/months for a PP with Nav (something similar to yours). Does that sound feasable?

DucatiSim

My initial quote on a non-nav S4. I ultimately went with a Brilliant Black, Alcantara, Sport Diff, 6MT, B&O, Audicare - $613/mo, 36 mo, 15k/yr, $4k down.

A bit lengthy, but here's detail from the sales guy's email on my initial quote for a Brilliant Black, 6MT, Alcantara, B&O, carbon inlay:


MSRP INVOICE

45,900 42,687

825 825 Freight

850 790 Bang & Olufsen

500 466 Carbon Dash Inlays

____ _____

$48,075 $44768



$45,500 Sale Price

<$1500> Current Loyalty Discount

$44,000 Net Sales Price

$ 2,747.94 Sales tax (Purchase)

$ 299.00 Doc fee

$ 165.00 Reg,Title,Emissions

_________

$47,211.94 “Out the Door” purchase



Lease rates and residuals can be “Locked IN” Other

Incentives, including Lease Loyalty cannot. The lease

payment you get today (at the time of your order) will

be the worst case scenario, and will only get better

If the rates or residuals improve. If they get worse

you are protected.



Here is a free lease class!



(MSRP) X (Residual % Rate) = Residual



(Selling Price) – (Residual) = Depreciation/Term = Principal

[(Selling Price) + (Residual)] x (Money Factor) = Interest



Principal + Interest = Lease Payment



Add sales tax, and Finished.



($48,075) X (52%) = $24,999 (Buyout, or Residual Value)



($45,500) – ($24,999) = $20,501 / 36 months = $569.47 (Principal portion)

($45,500) + ($24,999) = $70,499 X .00116 (current rate*) = $81.78



$569.47

$ 81.78

______

$651.25 Sub-Total

$ 39.08 CT Sales/Use Tax

$690.33



What is due when you pick up a leased car:



$690.33 1st monthly Installment

$625.00 Acquisition Fee (Pre-paid Finance Charge to leasing company)

$165.00 State Registration Fees

$299.00 Documentation fee

$ 65.34 Sales tax

______

$1844.67



You will notice that I have not applied your $750 Loyalty Incentive or Total of $4000 cash. If you apply that money, your ‘up-front’ cost is reduced from $1844.67 to $1094.67.

If you want to add $2905.33 more to make your out of pocket an even $4000, your total payment will drop by $86.59 to $603.74



Metrics - $86.59 X 36 payments = $3117.24. The interest savings for putting the extra $2905.33 DOWN is only $211.91. I’m not sure that I would bother. Use your three thousand for something else unless the monthly outlay is more important than the down payment to achieve it. There just isn’t enough savings in interest. Your call.

SM82

Ducati, really appreciate the write up. Thanks for the help