BMW dealer employee car scheme

[Hunter80]

Hi. I currently own a 428i and a mini. My wife is about to take a job at our local BMW dealership and I've heard they have very good car lease schemes. She's only going there part time as a receptionist but I'm wondering if this would enable us to switch the 428 for a m3 and the mini for a cheap 1 series. Does anyone know anything about the scheme and how it works and what prices you typically get? Is it not taxed as benefit in kind etc?
Sorry for the boring post but excited at the prospect of finally being able to get an m3.

[Wills2]

I think the great employee rate is for BMWUK employees not dealer employees which of course aren't employed by BMW? Judging by the cars my local dealer guys drive there isn't one.

[Ashway]

there is a scheme and she will be entitled to preferential rates, my sales exec was able to secure a car for his brother through the scheme so its not just for BMW employees but also family of dealership employees

[OutlawX3M]

From experience, dealer employees are not manufacturer employees so one doesn't qualify for the employee discounts/programs. Yet even as a dealer employee, I had a login to the manufacturer's "internal" website where I could get that information and on occasion, there were programs for dealer employees (either $$ off or special financing/lease options).

Some dealers offer discounts to employees because "hey, they have to drive so why not one of my cars". This usually means below invoice price on high-volume cars and maybe invoice on higher end models. Depends on the dealership.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[Hunter80]

Ah no problem. Seems as though it's all a little unknown but hopefully there will be something in place. Badly want a m3 but am only paying 450 per month for my 428 and I know it will set me back a lot more than this without such a scheme.

[KM79]

Yup you're right and the scheme is called 'Alphadrive'.Its entitled to dealer employees not just BMW uk employees.Got my last 2 4 series on it.M3/M4 where on there too last time I looked and both where under £450 a month.

[GOLFFRR]

Center Employee Leases are available to full time employees at the bmw dealerships. usually have to be a full time employee and be employed for atleast 90 days till you can take advantage of the CEL. Thats how it goes for the most part out here in the states. Could be different over there but def some great deals for employees on leases.

as far as swapping out your current car that would all depend on the value, the term of your ownership, etc..

Tell your wife congrats on the new gig!

[Hunter80]

Thanks. This is really helpful. Especially the info from km79. I have heard of alpha drive but thought that was just their corporate car lease programme to other companies using them? I don't suppose anyone know the pricing do they roughly and whether things such as maintenance insurance etc. Thanks again all

[Don Molina]

Originally Posted by KM79

Yup you're right and the scheme is called 'Alphadrive'.Its entitled to dealer employees not just BMW uk employees.Got my last 2 4 series on it.M3/M4 where on there too last time I looked and both where under £450 a month.

Alphadrive is a fleet manager for big companies that can arrange preferential prices and leases for employees of participating companies.

When I used to work for a big MNC in Switzerland we used to get a leaflet once every quarter and they were collaborating with many dealers. You could even get deals at the Maserati dealer.
Funnily enough, the Maserati dealer network is the Ferrari importer so both brands share the shops. I don't know if you could get the discounts on the Ferraris though

[KM79]

Originally Posted by Hunter80

Thanks. This is really helpful. Especially the info from km79. I have heard of alpha drive but thought that was just their corporate car lease programme to other companies using them? I don't suppose anyone know the pricing do they roughly and whether things such as maintenance insurance etc. Thanks again all

You're can choose maintained or non maintained.
24/30/36 months
It's a finance deal rather than a lease.
No upfront deposit
You can buy car at end or hand back and walk away.
Mileage is adjustable,I have mine set to 8000 a year.
Q3 hasn't been that great but the Q2 pricing was great.
Of top of my head an M135 was £275,a 335d was £300,a 435d was £350,535d was £350,x5 40d was £400,M3 was £450,M4 was £495,M5 was £500,M6 was £800 and i8 was £1000😉

It's done thorough 'Alphabet','alphadrive' is a term BMW have taken on themselves.

[Hunter80]

Thanks. Really useful. Are those prices all in with vat and maintained?

[KM79]

Vat yes ,not sure about
Maintained.it was about £25 a month extra for maintained.prices change wildly by quarter though.If you get access to the scheme chances are the prices will be different again.

[DazC]

Originally Posted by KM79

You're can choose maintained or non maintained.
24/30/36 months
It's a finance deal rather than a lease.
No upfront deposit
You can buy car at end or hand back and walk away.
Mileage is adjustable,I have mine set to 8000 a year.
Q3 hasn't been that great but the Q2 pricing was great.
Of top of my head an M135 was £275,a 335d was £300,a 435d was £350,535d was £350,x5 40d was £400,M3 was £450,M4 was £495,M5 was £500,M6 was £800 and i8 was £1000😉

It's done thorough 'Alphabet','alphadrive' is a term BMW have taken on themselves.

Geez that's wild. Would love to be applicable for that scheme.

[Hunter80]

Brilliant. Thank you very much. Fingers crossed I may be putting a m3 pic on here in a few months

[KM79]

No probs,nearly got myself an m4 this time round but wimped out and played it safe and got another 435D.

[Chompers]

Great deals indeed throughout 'Alphadrive' you have to be working for the dealer for a least 6 months before being eligible for the scheme. No M3/4 in Q3. Lets see what Q4 brings

X3 35d looked the best value this 1/4. No need for maintenance on the 2 year deals

[Hunter80]

That's annoying. She starts in a week and I was hoping for access to get it.

[Hunter80]

Hi guys. Out of interest do m3s come into the scheme and how long is the wait for one? I ask as wife started working the dealer now but walked in today and they are saying m3s don't come onto alpha drive and I would have to buy it new. There's one in the showroom that's stunning for 54k. Any views on best course of action? I really want a m3 but need to keep monthly cost right down as getting work done to house so money is tied up.

[Jmiller12]

Originally Posted by Hunter80

Hi guys. Out of interest do m3s come into the scheme and how long is the wait for one? I ask as wife started working the dealer now but walked in today and they are saying m3s don't come onto alpha drive and I would have to buy it new. There's one in the showroom that's stunning for 54k. Any views on best course of action? I really want a m3 but need to keep monthly cost right down as getting work done to house so money is tied up.

Yes they do! My wife works at the dealer and was able to get me my M3, for an incredible price.

[Hunter80]

Thanks jmiller. When was that roughly. They are saying you can't get them on there anymore and it's unlikely to come back. Haven't got a clue what to do.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Hunter80

Thanks jmiller. When was that roughly. They are saying you can't get them on there anymore and it's unlikely to come back. Haven't got a clue what to do.

I looked back through the Alphadrive offers for the previous 1/4's. The M3 & M4 were available in Q1 & Q2. As Q3 is probably the busiest in England/Scotland, I expect BMW wanted any stock/allocation to be available for retail customers. Q1 next year will likely be the next time they are back on the list. I also understand that it is down to the DP/Sales director as when you can order a car on Alphadrive and that 6 months is a guide worth asking the question with whoever looks after the Alphadrive orders in your corporate dept.

[Hunter80]

Thanks chompers. Annoying as means I'm being lied to despite wife working there. How much was a m3 on the scheme and how long was the wait to receive it? Is it a huge delay in getting it? I can't stop thinking that while the 54k m3 in the garage is stunning, it's going to cost me around 650 per month and on alpha drive it will be sooo much less. I don't want to be impulsive but gagging to get a m3.