[rak299]

I need to get rid if a 2-year-old 2-door (F32) and replace it with an F30. It's a great car but I cannot fix the not-enough-doors problem. I know I can trade it in and get a low-ball price from the dealer. The dealer isn't excited about it because it is a manual transmission one that he might have a harder time selling, even though it is low mileage and he could sell as a CPO. I think newspaper ads bring out all the creaps. Where do people do that sort of thing?

[JamesWWIII]

It's going to sound a bit low-rent, but I sold my last two cars (both V6 Honda Accord Coupes) on Craigslist. They both sold quickly for the price I was looking for, and I didn't even get that many emails from tirekickers or dealerships wanting to lowball me. I wouldn't advise putting your phone number in the ad, though.

[BEM-S4]

I've had a dealer sell a car for me you end up giving them a little $ for the hassle and are getting a new car from them too, but if you've got a good relationship they'll take it on consignment and do all the work.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by JamesWWIII

It's going to sound a bit low-rent, but I sold my last two cars (both V6 Honda Accord Coupes) on Craigslist. They both sold quickly for the price I was looking for, and I didn't even get that many emails from tirekickers or dealerships wanting to lowball me. I wouldn't advise putting your phone number in the ad, though.

+1 for positive Craigslist experience with used car, though was not a BMW.

OP should also post in Forum Classifieds, especially as vocal posters complain about lack of MT cars.

[uncleruckus]

Post it in the classifieds section of this forum (as well as your local regional sub forum).

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

+1 for positive Craigslist experience with used car, though was not a BMW.

OP should also post in Forum Classifieds, especially as vocal posters complain about lack of MT cars.

I sold my F22 in the classifieds here it was very smooth

[Sea-Tac]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I've had a dealer sell a car for me you end up giving them a little $ for the hassle and are getting a new car from them too, but if you've got a good relationship they'll take it on consignment and do all the work.

i never would have thought you could do that. Thats really a good idea. Especially, if they can make a sale to you for a new car.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sea-Tac

i never would have thought you could do that. Thats really a good idea. Especially, if they can make a sale to you for a new car.

Even if you broker the deal yourself they'll often do what they call a pass through deal for a fee equivalent to an hour of shop time for an inspection since technically they buy from you then immediately sell to new owner. They must ensure, for example, that they don't sell someone your problem car with crap brakes.

This is often very helpful when exiting a lease early, or just good for a sale because you don't need to do any paperwork, buyer gets all his shit taken care of gets a title and plate in the mail, can get financing etc. when I sold my F22 through the classifieds here I got a new car from my dealer. The F22 was a lease so new buyer and I sent a few pieces of into to dealer beforehand and he was in and out of there in 10 minutes.

[Sea-Tac]

I love this forum. Its these little tips that can save you time, energy and cash. I'll be selling my wife's 2016 3 series in a few months and I'm going to talk about consigning my car to them for resale. This is a good bargaining tool as well, because we have three BMW dealerships within a 50 mile radius or so, all begging to get you to buy a car from them. Thanks again. Really helpful info.

[SoCal_NSX]

Spend like $30 on a proper autotrader.com ad.... it will sell quickly with the right price.

GLWS

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sea-Tac

I love this forum. Its these little tips that can save you time, energy and cash. I'll be selling my wife's 2016 3 series in a few months and I'm going to talk about consigning my car to them for resale. This is a good bargaining tool as well, because we have three BMW dealerships within a 50 mile radius or so, all begging to get you to buy a car from them. Thanks again. Really helpful info.

Just a heads up they tend to do that for high demand cars. No disrespect to the Mrs. or her lovely 3-series, but you'll have a lot more takers for something like an M2 that's impossible to get an allocation for. It's worth asking, and in the mean time market yourself. Most should be willing to help on a pass through.

[wrickem]

I’ve had really great luck selling “Non budget” cars on Autotrader. When I sold my M3, the guy who bought it was being discharged the military and moving back to NJ...he saw it online in Afghanistan.

I’ve listed 9 cars there and have a 100% sell rate through them, all within a month. I even sold my Aunt’s pristine “time machine” (1988 Pontiac Bonneville with 13k miles, absolutely showroom new after 28 years) for a decent buck there to a motion picture studio!

[Mouse]

I've also had great luck selling/buying on Craigslist. The trick is posting an informative ad with lots of good pics. I've bought and sold on craigslist and when someone puts time and effort to sell a car, they've usually put time and effort to take care of them as well. YMMV, but as long as the ad is VERY descriptive, you should have very good traffic of emails or calls.

Don't do this:

For sale BMW... Sporty!
Good condition
low miles
call/text for info.

With one picture that was taken with a potato.

[BEM-S4]

The one thing I'd have "on request" would be service records. You can redact your personal info and PDF the whole thing easily - assuming you're insane like me and save all of this stuff in a binder for each car.

[Billfitz]

I've sold my last two cars on Autotrader, both at my asking price, both in less than 10 days. Nobody reads newspapers, that's why they're going out of business.

[jgoens]

Ive used craigslist. My tip is to put a competitive price on it or you will spend a lot of time just keeping it clean and having people come by to see it over and over. Price is the big thing and you should only price it a little over the minimum you would take so they can offer less and you will still hit your number...unless you want to wait it out and hope for more.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

The one thing I'd have "on request" would be service records. You can redact your personal info and PDF the whole thing easily - assuming you're insane like me and save all of this stuff in a binder for each car.

Not insane at all. I also PDF all service records and receipts. :-). Saves time and money plus creates a trail for buy back process should it ever be needed.

[jmg]

I always try Carmax first. They have a slightly different incentive to buy than private party or the dealer. While they do sell cars they have bought, a lot go to auction for parts. I sold a car on there for $3k more than what the dealer was going to give me for. It doesn't hurt to try, the offer is good for a week. See what you can get, and see if you can get more on craigslist.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Mouse

I've also had great luck selling/buying on Craigslist. The trick is posting an informative ad with lots of good pics. I've bought and sold on craigslist and when someone puts time and effort to sell a car, they've usually put time and effort to take care of them as well. YMMV, but as long as the ad is VERY descriptive, you should have very good traffic of emails or calls.

Don't do this:

For sale BMW... Sporty!
Good condition
low miles
call/text for info.

With one picture that was taken with a potato.

Agree 100%

I overloaded the ad with practically everything except service records.

Buyer even commented how complete everything was in listing.

Originally Posted by jmg

I always try Carmax first. They have a slightly different incentive to buy than private party or the dealer. While they do sell cars they have bought, a lot go to auction for parts. I sold a car on there for $3k more than what the dealer was going to give me for. It doesn't hurt to try, the offer is good for a week. See what you can get, and see if you can get more on craigslist.

Carmax offered me $12k. Sold on Craigslist for $18k.

Carmax typically wants cars where they can make a 50% profit so late model BMWs will not bring a great price, IMO.

BMW CPOs average about a $2800 profit to the Dealership (remember the CPO process and warranty cost them several grand). Some more, some less.

[The Airman]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I've sold my last two cars on Autotrader, both at my asking price, both in less than 10 days. Nobody reads newspapers, that's why they're going out of business.

Actually, I sold my last one through the newspaper.

I used the buck shot method and put ads with pictures on the board at work, craigslist, Autotrader, and the newspaper. The newspaper ad included an online color ad with pictures and a print ad, and they both "ran until sold" for the cheapest price.

I got a lot of tire kickers with Autotrader, and a lot of spam with craigslist.

[rak299]

Thanks for the suggestions

[EBS0712]

Join BMW CCA and put it in their Classified. Having a stick will make it VERY attractive to the membership. Go to BMWCCA.org and click on join. You'll also have a better chance of getting a good price from a fellow enthusiast.
Good luck.
ps ... you'll also get a $500 rebate on the new F30 courtesy of BMWCCA and BMWNA.