Hi, I've been spending way too much time searching individual dealer's inventory online to see if there is a 2015 sittting on the lot somewhere that matches what I plan to order in 2016. Besides having a MA execute the search, does anyone know if there is a better way for me to search more than one dealer at a time? Thanks for any assistance.

 

I don't know of any way to search the entire inventory other than asking a dealer to do it for you. You can see over 7,000 new MINIs listed for sale on KBB.COM. Autotrader.com also has a search engine for cars listed there.

 

I had good luck searching on Cars.com.
Note that dealers are really, really terrible at listing an accurate transmission. So you'll see autos listed as manuals and vice versa.
If the listing on the search result is too vague or hard to parse, try running the VIN on bmwvin.com

 

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I have my Saturday night plans! Hunting for loaded 2015 4dr manual transmission and sport stripe seats online with all the inaccurate listings might drive me crazy. Must be part of the marketing strategy to drive business through the MAs. I still like the hunt though. Great cars!

 

Your MA should be able to search their area, I know mine did a search to look for a hard to find combo, they could find certain ones but nothing to my specs. So they should be able to check inventory at other dealers, now if said dealer is up for a trade to your dealer is another issue.

 

That would be rare for one sitting on a dealer lot. Dealers play it safe and only order configurations they know are easy to sell (i.e. auto transmission). Combine manual transmission with the other options you want and the possibility for a match goes down even further. Why not simply place a custom order?

 

Just wanting to see if there is a 15 sitting on a lot that is like the one I plan to order in 16, that might some cash. Found some in RI and MA that got close - manual and JCW interior stripey seats, but not the one. Probably going custom order for spring delivery. Thanks.

 

+1 on the JCW striped seats.

My car is in production right now and I went with those same seats. I checked them out in person before I ordered and they both looked and felt great. And I liked how the green in the stripes is complimentary to the BRG exterior.

If you haven't tried yet, you might see about getting quotes for a custom 2016 now. If a dealer truly wants your business, but know they could loose it to a heavily discounted 2015 from a different dealer, they might offer you a deal on a custom order now. That's what happened to me, and I got a deal on a custom 2016 that I just couldn't pass up...

 

Same for me, dealer did a search for everything available, but nothing was quite right. Custom car is enroute via the Bess (ship) right now