BMW Dealership won't allow me to test drive a used vehicle that they have for sale

[2SCOOPS]

I understand their stock issues, but you cannot buy a vehicle without test driving it...they have to then only advertise cars within their floor plans going forward to avoid this

100% agree. whether a car is a R100 000 or R1 000 000 a test drive is a no brainer.

 

[2SCOOPS]

I wonder if the dealership insurance only covers vehicles that are part of their dealer stock.

Thats what they have told me.

 

[2SCOOPS]

Dunno, I'm confused now - I understand if they have specific stock you can't drive - what is "similar" Is it the same car/engine just some small spec differences?

Totally different model? To me you can't expect to drive/see the EXACT thing you want, but it should be the same model/drivetrain even if the spec is different or the interior options are different.

Similar meaning exact same car in terms of model/drivetrain.
Why would i want to drive a similar vehicle and not the vehicle that i am interested in which is at their dealership for sale?
Just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[TBP88]

Similar meaning exact same car in terms of model/drivetrain.
Why would i want to drive a similar vehicle and not the vehicle that i am interested in which is at their dealership for sale?
Just doesn't make sense to me.

New car or 2nd hand? If it's a new car this does make sense to me. If it's 2nd hand then agreed, 2nd hand it *does* matter.

 

[2SCOOPS]

New car or 2nd hand? If it's a new car this does make sense to me. If it's 2nd hand then agreed, 2nd hand it *does* matter.

It is a 2nd hand vehicle(used).

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

I've detailed how I was rejected for test drives when car shopping. It's HILARIOUS to me that anyone would think to buy *anything* without driving it. Sure maybe if you have R100s of millions and are just calling ferrari to get the latest whatever. But for normal folk where the car is a seriously big expense I'd like to get at least 20mins behind the wheel of it in motion...

Things have certainly changed since 1990.....my Dad was in line for a change out of company car and arrived home on a Friday with a e34 525i which the salesman had given him for the weekend. They swapped cars so my ol' man could really get a feel for the 525i. Needless to say the order for his new 525i went in on the Monday.

 

[TurboLlew]

This is wild... and for a used car. If it was a brand new car I would understand offering you a drive in a similar model. The whole idea of test driving a used car is to see if anything is wrong with that exact car you are buying.

And these days it is not impossible to find a 500K comment or repair with less than 5000km on it... or 1043km . There is also an M2 driving around with a 400K+ comment (well I would hope it was commented) that was crashed during PDI and a very low mileage M8 with a R1M+ comment. Point being you cannot take anything at face value when buying used. You have to absolutely test drive the specific car you are buying.



Whatever bean counter or consultant dreamed up this process needs to be fired because it is so far detached from a 'good' or even 'decent' customer experience.

I feel like the solution is:

Go to Porsche
Drive Macan
Drive Cayenne
Choose one
Negotiate extension on plan to be included in price
Acquire
Don't look back

 

[TBP88]

This is wild... and for a used car. If it was a brand new car I would understand offering you a drive in a similar model. The whole idea of test driving a used car is to see if anything is wrong with that exact car you are buying.

And these days it is not impossible to find a 500K comment or repair with less than 5000km on it... or 1043km . There is also an M2 driving around with a 400K+ comment (well I would hope it was commented) that was crashed during PDI and a very low mileage M8 with a R1M+ comment. Point being you cannot take anything at face value when buying used. You have to absolutely test drive the specific car you are buying.

View attachment 30511

Whatever bean counter or consultant dreamed up this process needs to be fired because it is so far detached from a 'good' or even 'decent' customer experience.

I feel like the solution is:

Go to Porsche
Drive Macan
Drive Cayenne
Choose one
Negotiate extension on plan to be included in price
Acquire
Don't look back

Yeah, sorry, it wasn't 100% clear whether it was used or new.

If it's used then this is a walk far far far away story. ABSURD scenes. Go to another brand or dealer that treats you (and your time and money) with respect.

 

[rogg45]

Craziest thing I've heard in a long time - that you cannot test something you want to buy. What will they pull next

 

[Mytfine]

Look i can understand asking for proof of income but 10% deposit, norrafuk.

 

[TBP88]

Look i can understand asking for proof of income but 10% deposit, norrafuk.

Honestly, even proof of income is insulting, but ok, fine if you're not a previous ferrari/mclaren/lambo customer they have some right for you not to be wasting their time. On an X3???

 

[TurboLlew]

Honestly, even proof of income is insulting, but ok, fine if you're not a previous ferrari/mclaren/lambo customer they have some right for you not to be wasting their time. On an X3???

Guys I have never been declined a test drive at Ferrari Porsche or Lamborghini, nor asked about my income. If anything they try to encourage you to drive something. I often show up looking like a peasant (Granted showing up in a nice-ish car I guess). Ferrari will even encourage you to drive something like a 296 if you've gone in to buy a car half the price. Different model of selling (they know once you're in, you'll likely find ways to get other things later).

Porsche is similar. They have their own quirks but will always try their best to get you to experience something. That's what they are selling ultimately - if you rely on a spec sheet you will never buy a Porsche or Ferrari. Once you sit in it and feel it/smell it etc your heart response kicks in.

This thread from the start has been completely wild because this is how brands kill enthusiasm. The worst for me has been Mercedes where they assume that they have nothing in your price range (when I have gone CLS63 and E63S shopping in the past and ended up with M5s both times). This is very much a dealer driven thing since (as I've said before) the AMG team that takes us out every year to experience all their cars at eg Gerotek or Zwartkops, is absolutely next level (BMW can learn alot from them). I even joked BMW needs their AMG experience team and Merc needs to recruit BMW Sales people LOL.

The fact that BMW is treating people this way is very disappointing.

I will say the experience I had in December was not amazing vs the last 10 years. The reason I am still in my F90 now (which I am, in hindsight, grateful for) is because they dragged their heels on giving me a trade value (I was actually happy with the trade value) and then I had to chase for info on the cars I was interested in plus ultimately they didn't find me the M8 that I had actually wanted. I have yet to hear back on any M8 since. Maybe I am far down a list or long forgotten? I've sent people to the same guys and they bought X3s and other small cars - maybe that's what they get incentivised on these days? I dunno.

I suppose they have too many fish jumping into the boat now that Audi/Merc have shot themselves in the foot so many times? Unlike Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche, these are guys that have my whole financial history/car history available to them and know very well they could be selling me anything sitting on the floor, new or used.

Now that the momentum to buy something has gone and I am in the (as I say) "Do Nothing" mode, I have zero need or appetite to actually shop at BMW in future. A dangerous position for them surely if a multiple M car owning person has turned from a hot lead to stone cold? How many more of me are there?

I am not sure I even care about paying the premium for a car being froma dealer and in warranty/plan anymore at this point, considering how they address issues (the same thing that put me off Merc when we had the w205)

I feel like there is a price to all of this that they will be forced to pay later...