Anyone else not allowed to test drive the M cars at the dealership?

SilverGrey · 10-01-2017, 05:28 AM

Maybe it's a group policy. I bought 3 new cars from 1 salesman at a small dealership. After the 1st car I was just given the keys and could go on a test drive for as long as I wanted. Last year, I contacted the guy again but they were now part of a much bigger group. I had to provide driving license and sign various forms and the salesman had to accompany me around a predetermined route.

As a serious customer (and clearly you are) they should do everything reasonable to accommodate you. Denying your simple request can only lose them a sale and harm their business.

TouringPleb · 10-01-2017, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon.

Had one of the first in country M135i?s for 24 hour?s on test, a F80 M3 when I was considering that 2 years later, a F48 X1, all from Elms (now Barron?s) Bedford & all for 24 hour?s, the last for the weekend iirc.

Take your business elsewhere.

I didn't find Barons in Cambridge so helpful. I wanted to test a M140 and we'd arranged a time and date for me to come in. Then when he found out I was a copper and could get the car from Park Lane suddenly he had to check if the car was available and suddenly he remembered the salesman who had it was away on holiday.

He didn't even try to get my business.

Did Park Lane let you though? It?s wrong but kind of can?t blame them as they are never getting a sale from you.

I understand they are franchises and wouldn't get the sale but they would have got the servicing.

Also he didn't try to get get close. If he had got to within 20-25 quid a month I may well have bought from him being local. Instead he didn't try. Would have been nice to start a relationship with a local dealer.

As it was Park Lane offered me a great deal on a 440i GC which actually beat one of TRL's deals.

R0B · 10-01-2017, 08:36 AM

I was given an M4 (with 37 miles on its clock) for 48 hours. And that's from a dealer I don't have a good relationship with!

wlightning · 10-01-2017, 09:07 AM

Some BMW dealers just talk sh*t. When I was looking to test drive a 340i, my nearest 2 dealers each had at least a couple in. However both wouldn't let me drive any of them. 1 dealer said that any miles I put on would severely hurt the cars value, so had to arrange for a BMW demonstrator. The other dealer offered no reason but said I could test an F33 440i. I told both to f off and I went elsewhere.

Tengocity · 10-01-2017, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustChris

Pretty odd that. Never had a problem test driving a car.

I wonder why... ?

Chr15b · 10-01-2017, 09:55 AM

Maybe contact bmw uk and ask them if they can assist with a test drive prior to purchase.

Soul_Glo · 10-01-2017, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickcuprar

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

We have a:

435d x drive M Sport Auto F32
320d Sport Auto F30
M3 SMG II E46 - weekend fun as the MX-5 was boring so it was replaced with the M3 E46.

All 3 purchased from the same dealer.

Anyhow we had a windfall and I turned up at Cooper Reading where I have purchased all 3 cars over the past and the most recent being the 435d.

I was told: No one is allowed to drive the M cars Mr X, people just buy them.

So I turn up in an E46 M3 in mint condition and low mileage but I cannot test drive an M4 even in my late 30s? With a clean license?

Anyone else be turned away?

Any dealerships that are worth considering instead?

:

Did the Salesman know you had bought several cars from them over the years?

Probably just shit at his job and just assumed you were a test pilot.

Yep he knew me but I am taking my business elsewhere. The wife is directing on a project for BMW from next week and we will have access to a twenty per cent off offer at Park Lane through the advantage website.

Drek · 10-01-2017, 12:18 PM

I forgot about the time I wanted an E91 335d from Park Lane. The gits wanted me to pay £500 which I could have back if I ordered the car! Their excuse was that as a military arm of Park Lane they didn't have any demonstrators. I test drove the car at another dealership but bought the thing from Park Lane anyway.

moff · 10-01-2017, 12:56 PM

Sytner let me drive anything! Had an i8 for a long weekend.

Find a new dealer!

nickcuprar · 10-02-2017, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickcuprar

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

We have a:

435d x drive M Sport Auto F32
320d Sport Auto F30
M3 SMG II E46 - weekend fun as the MX-5 was boring so it was replaced with the M3 E46.

All 3 purchased from the same dealer.

Anyhow we had a windfall and I turned up at Cooper Reading where I have purchased all 3 cars over the past and the most recent being the 435d.

I was told: No one is allowed to drive the M cars Mr X, people just buy them.

So I turn up in an E46 M3 in mint condition and low mileage but I cannot test drive an M4 even in my late 30s? With a clean license?

Anyone else be turned away?

Any dealerships that are worth considering instead?

:

Did the Salesman know you had bought several cars from them over the years?

Probably just shit at his job and just assumed you were a test pilot.

Yep he knew me but I am taking my business elsewhere. The wife is directing on a project for BMW from next week and we will have access to a twenty per cent off offer at Park Lane through the advantage website.

Ah I see, I have been in the same boat as you then.

When I was choosing a company car I wanted to test drive a Merc. Being the honest chap I was I said it was for a company car and that they probably wouldn't get the sale as I had no control over it. Pretty much threw me out the door. Went opposite to BMW they gave me an F31 in the exact spec I wanted for the morning. They got the business and although didn't go through them they are gonna have 3 years of Tyres, servicing and 1 MOT....

MarkG_M5Comp · 10-02-2017, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

Much more joy at Farnborough. About to test an M4!

Marvellous,

Word of warning, it was that very M4 Convertible in Azurite Black that got me into my M3 last week... enjoy!

Soul_Glo · 10-02-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG_M3CP

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

Much more joy at Farnborough. About to test an M4!

Marvellous,

Word of warning, it was that very M4 Convertible in Azurite Black that got me into my M3 last week... enjoy!

That?s the one

Never driven a convertible before but I must say it suits the M4.

dopper99 · 10-02-2017, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

That?s the one

Never driven a convertible before but I must say it suits the M4.

Bear in mind the vert weighs 230kg more than the coupe. So its not 100% representative of the true performance and handling of what the M4 can do.

XWV · 10-02-2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickcuprar

Ah I see, I have been in the same boat as you then.

When I was choosing a company car I wanted to test drive a Merc. Being the honest chap I was I said it was for a company car and that they probably wouldn't get the sale as I had no control over it. Pretty much threw me out the door. Went opposite to BMW they gave me an F31 in the exact spec I wanted for the morning. They got the business and although didn't go through them they are gonna have 3 years of Tyres, servicing and 1 MOT....

For company cars it's better to go through the corporate teams than your local dealer, even if the dealer knows you. When I was getting the 320 our fleet manager arranged my demo cars, a 320d for a week (BMW offered 2 weeks but I was in Holland for the first) and a Jag XE for 12 days (Jag offered 5 days but then tried to collect it from the wrong place). In both cases they were the exact models on my car list, delivered to and collected from my home address.

When I wanted to test a 140 I went to the local dealer. I've never bought from them but Mrs X has twice, they gave it to me for 24 hours with no hesitation.

It's a real failing of the franchise system in my opinion that we're reliant on dealers for demo cars, and it hurts certain manufacturers more than us I think. I had no luck trying to get, or even find someone to ask for, drives in an S3 or Golf R so they had no chance of getting my business.

djcowlin · 10-02-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWV

It's a real failing of the franchise system in my opinion that we're reliant on dealers for demo cars, and it hurts certain manufacturers more than us I think. I had no luck trying to get, or even find someone to ask for, drives in an S3 or Golf R so they had no chance of getting my business.

Had a similar experience with a lowly Golf TSI.

XWV · 10-02-2017, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djcowlin

Had a similar experience with a lowly Golf TSI.

Could have been anything, two different VW dealers and I couldn't find anyone interested in talking to me at all!

BOOF-M3 · 10-02-2017, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evdok

Porsche gave my bro a 911 GTS for the day, never bought a car from them before until after the test drive

Wassa? I have heard of this before but typically repeat customers. How did the two parties come together? Did he fill out a questionnaire etc... ?

MarkG_M5Comp · 10-03-2017, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dopper99

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37psi

That?s the one

Never driven a convertible before but I must say it suits the M4.

Bear in mind the vert weighs 230kg more than the coupe. So its not 100% representative of the true performance and handling of what the M4 can do.

I second this.

I very much enjoyed the Convertible - a very drivable and rapid car although I was surprised with the amount of scuttle shake with the roof down.

My M3 however is rather different, massively More taught and pointed than the ?vert.

10-01-2017, 05:28 AM	#23
SilverGrey Lieutenant 126 Rep 416 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Chestefield, England iTrader: (0)	Maybe it's a group policy. I bought 3 new cars from 1 salesman at a small dealership. After the 1st car I was just given the keys and could go on a test drive for as long as I wanted. Last year, I contacted the guy again but they were now part of a much bigger group. I had to provide driving license and sign various forms and the salesman had to accompany me around a predetermined route. As a serious customer (and clearly you are) they should do everything reasonable to accommodate you. Denying your simple request can only lose them a sale and harm their business.
	Appreciate 1 Soul_Glo13346.00 Quote

10-01-2017, 08:36 AM	#25
R0B Colonel 1535 Rep 2,217 Posts Drives: a car Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Location Location iTrader: (0)	I was given an M4 (with 37 miles on its clock) for 48 hours. And that's from a dealer I don't have a good relationship with!
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10-01-2017, 09:07 AM	#26
wlightning Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 263 Posts Drives: F30 340i EBII Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Some BMW dealers just talk sh*t. When I was looking to test drive a 340i, my nearest 2 dealers each had at least a couple in. However both wouldn't let me drive any of them. 1 dealer said that any miles I put on would severely hurt the cars value, so had to arrange for a BMW demonstrator. The other dealer offered no reason but said I could test an F33 440i. I told both to f off and I went elsewhere.
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10-01-2017, 09:55 AM	#28
Chr15b Private 20 Rep 87 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: North West iTrader: (0)	Maybe contact bmw uk and ask them if they can assist with a test drive prior to purchase.
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10-01-2017, 12:18 PM	#30
Drek Major 579 Rep 1,215 Posts Drives: Ferrari F430 F1 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: West Berkshire iTrader: (0)	I forgot about the time I wanted an E91 335d from Park Lane. The gits wanted me to pay £500 which I could have back if I ordered the car! Their excuse was that as a military arm of Park Lane they didn't have any demonstrators. I test drove the car at another dealership but bought the thing from Park Lane anyway. __________________ Ferrari F430 Spider F1 RRS Autobiography 2CV6 Special www.bmwland.org.uk
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10-01-2017, 12:56 PM	#31
moff Colonel 1363 Rep 2,495 Posts Drives: X4M Competition Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham GB iTrader: (0)	Sytner let me drive anything! Had an i8 for a long weekend. Find a new dealer! __________________ Arrived! 2022 X4M Competition, SPY + Black Merino Gone: 2019 X3M Competition, Toronto Red, Adelaide Grey.
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