$15,000 bottle of bubbly? No problem

Jeff Falk, president of BMW of Manhattan, has an advantage over real estate brokers.

They can’t bring their wares to the doorstep of the investment and banking community, but he can.

In July 2005, BMW of Manhattan opened a second showroom on Wall Street. He said his company plans for bonuses, ensuring it has enough inventory to satisfy any urges to buy a sleek BMW.

Falk said he’s running an ad that says: “My bonus is faster than your bonus.”

And you can’t forget that Wall Street essential — the fancy suit.

“It definitely means business,” said Phil Kornblatt, director of retail for Hickey Freeman, a maker of fine suits that are popular on Wall Street and routinely cost $1,500. “We noticed a big increase in sales, and I believe most of it is due to the bonuses.”

Charles de Rancher, 24, works in New York for Bayern LB, a German financial institution. The conservative Frenchman says he has no intention of running out and buying a car or taking a trip to Las Vegas.

MORE ON HOLIDAY BONUSES Goldman breaks Wall Street bonus record Holiday bonuses flooding New York City Automakers offering high-end holiday gifts Forbes: Why your bonus is a goose egg   Video: Santa has been good to big bosses   Video: Have exec bonuses gone too far? Vote: How much is your year-end bonus?   Sound off: Do you get an annual bonus?

Like many young financial whizzes, Rancher is going to invest his money in a safe place, one that promises a decent return over the long haul.

“I’m sorry, I’m a pragmatic guy,” he said. “The bonus goes to repayment of the principle on my new mortgage.”

So far, nobody has snapped up Aaron’s “Methuselah,” a 6-liter bottle of champagne.

But he’s hoping. Hoping some Wall Street executive with multimillion-dollar bonus buys it for a New Year’s party, making it the most expensive bottle of wine he’s ever sold.

“It would be one hell of a New Year’s party,” Aaron said.

And one heck of a bonus for Aaron.

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