Working for BMW comes with its perks, and for car enthusiasts, one of the most exciting is access to exclusive employee car programs. These programs offer attractive leasing and purchasing options on BMW vehicles. It’s important to understand the distinctions between these programs, especially when comparing them to contractor discounts or other publicly available offers. Let’s delve into the details of BMW’s employee car programs to clarify what benefits are available.
Types of BMW Employee Car Programs
BMW provides different lease programs tailored to various categories of employees. These programs are generally categorized based on the employee’s role and employment status within the BMW organization. The primary programs include:
Job Assigned/Lease Program (JA/L)
The Job Assigned/Lease Program, often abbreviated as JA/L, is designed for BMW corporate employees whose roles necessitate the use of a company vehicle. This typically includes positions such as area managers and dealer auditors. Managers within BMW corporate are also eligible for this program. One of the key features of the JA/L program is its comprehensive nature. It generally includes insurance coverage within the lease agreement, simplifying the process for the employee. Furthermore, these leases often come without mileage limitations, allowing for extensive use without penalty. Historically, as of early 2019, the program allowed for vehicle upgrades to a new car every 9,000 to 11,000 miles, ensuring employees always had access to relatively new models. The pricing under the JA/L program is notably competitive. For instance, a JA/L lease on a BMW 750 X DRIVE was reportedly around $550 per month, inclusive of insurance. This cost could be further reduced based on the employee’s professional grade within BMW, with potential discounts ranging from $210 to $550 per month for grades PG8 through 12. Other models like the M550 were priced around $500, and even high-performance models like the X6 M were available for approximately $775 per month under the JA/L program, all including insurance.
All Employee Lease (AEL)
The All Employee Lease program, or AEL, expands the availability of employee car benefits to a broader range of BMW corporate employees. While details might vary compared to the JA/L program, AEL still offers significant advantages over standard consumer leases. While generally slightly more expensive than JA/L, the AEL program still provides excellent value, especially considering the inclusion of insurance in many cases. For example, under the AEL program, models like the M550 might lease for around $650 per month, and the X6 M for about $999. Even high-end vehicles like the BMW i8 were reportedly available for lease at around $999 per month under the AEL terms. Like JA/L, these prices often included insurance, making them particularly attractive.
Center Employee Lease (CEL)
The Center Employee Lease program, or CEL, is specifically structured for employees of BMW dealerships, also known as centers. Unlike JA/L and AEL, CEL programs are typically structured more like traditional leases but incorporate substantial pre-negotiated discounts. This means that while dealership employees don’t get the same deeply subsidized rates as corporate employees in JA/L or AEL, they still benefit from pricing well below retail market rates. Historically, in 2016, it was reported that a BMW M3 could be leased for under $600 per month with a sign-and-drive arrangement through the CEL program. This type of program is particularly advantageous for models that typically have fewer discounts and maintain higher residual values, such as M series cars and other performance vehicles.
BMW Contractor Discounts vs. Employee Programs
It’s crucial to differentiate between these employee lease programs and the discounts available to BMW contractors. Contractor discounts exist, but they are generally less substantial than the dedicated employee lease programs. In fact, contractor discounts are often comparable to, or even less favorable than, what a skilled car broker can secure for any customer. While contractor discounts might have been more appealing in the past, before the rise of widespread car brokerage services offering deep discounts, they are no longer considered particularly special in today’s market. It’s suggested that a contractor discount might be only slightly more aggressive than typical supplier discounts available to employees of partner companies, and certainly less attractive than the dedicated employee lease programs. For contractors looking to lease a BMW, it’s often recommended to bypass the contractor discount altogether and instead consult with a car broker to potentially achieve discounts in the range of 11-13% off the vehicle price, which could be significantly better than the contractor-specific offers.
Conclusion
Bmw Employee Car Programs, particularly JA/L, AEL, and CEL, offer significant benefits to eligible employees. These programs provide access to BMW vehicles at considerably reduced lease rates, often including insurance and other perks. While contractor discounts are available, they generally do not match the value offered by these employee-specific programs and may not be as competitive as deals obtainable through car brokers. For anyone eligible for a BMW employee car program, exploring these options is highly recommended as they represent a valuable benefit of employment within the BMW organization.
