New M3 - Selling a deposit???

New M3 - Selling a deposit???

Author
Discussion

cj.ok

Original Poster:

346 posts

217 months

Saturday 21st April 2007
quotequote all
Whats the score with selling deposits/places in a Q?

I've had a deposit on the new M3 for 2/3 years now and am pretty much heading the Q at my local dealer....

The problem is, it now looks like it may finally arrive this year and the timing isn't perfect.... a month ago YES - 12 months time YES - but if it arrives Sept-Dec, the timing couldn't be worse.

I know i could specify a later build slot but then i wouldn't be getting one of the first and thats part of the appeal. Theres no doubt i want one but i'm considering putting my name down for a CSL instead (thinking that they will come along a year or two later).

With such an early build slot i feel i'd be a fool to just cancel but taking delivery and selling on soon after would probably be more hassle than its worth (from much experience with Porsche's!).

Sooooooo, if i were to 'sell my place in the Q' how is this looked upon by the dealer.... Could i walk in and say "I don't want the car anymore but i've agreed Mr Bloggs here can have my spot, is that OK?". Are dealers OK with this or will this be frowned upon?

I've no experience of selling on deposits so any advice would be very welcome.... i 'hear' of it a lot but have never really understood the mechanics.




wrn

432 posts

236 months

Saturday 21st April 2007
quotequote all
It depends on your relationship with the dealer and they will handle in different ways. It is generally frowned upon by dealers (because there are other people out there taking margin where they should be) and by genuine enthusiasts (because it artificially inflates the price of great cars - speculators are a pain in the arse - though you could argue that it helps to maintain residual values initially).

I would/have never done it - for the sake of not much money and quite a lot of hassle I'd rather maintain a strong relationship with my dealer and give the slot away to someone who really wants and deserves it.

bad company

19,474 posts

273 months

Saturday 21st April 2007
quotequote all
It's just supply and demand. Why not take a profit from the situation?

I did this with one of the first Boxsters, the first of previous M3 and an M5. If you want to keep the relationship with the dealer you may want to 'put a drink in it' for the salesman.

baz1985

3,612 posts

252 months

Saturday 21st April 2007
quotequote all
It is a mass-produced performance car and any initial deposit premium will correlate as such i.e. f8ck all.

edb49

1,652 posts

212 months

Saturday 21st April 2007
quotequote all
wrn said:
It is generally frowned upon by dealers (because there are other people out there taking margin where they should be)


I don't quite understand that - I thought BMW dealers weren't allowed to sell above the list price in the UK?

bad company

19,474 posts

273 months

Saturday 21st April 2007
quotequote all
baz1985 said:
It is a mass-produced performance car and any initial deposit premium will correlate as such i.e. f8ck all.


I sold one of the first M3's for £1700 plus the buyer paid the dealer direct for the car. The M5 got £1500. I wouldn't call that f8ck all.

cj.ok

Original Poster:

346 posts

217 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
bad company said:
baz1985 said:
It is a mass-produced performance car and any initial deposit premium will correlate as such i.e. f8ck all.


I sold one of the first M3's for £1700 plus the buyer paid the dealer direct for the car. The M5 got £1500. I wouldn't call that f8ck all.


Thats interesting and sounds like you did OK out of the whole thing too!

Was the dealer happy to change the name of who actually paid for the car and who he registered it to???

bad company

19,474 posts

273 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
Yes it happens all the time. Mr A puts on the deposit (I have one now on the new M3 convertable) then buys it through his company. Just remember to look after the salesman.

cj.ok

Original Poster:

346 posts

217 months

Sunday 22nd April 2007
quotequote all
bad company said:
Yes it happens all the time. Mr A puts on the deposit (I have one now on the new M3 convertable) then buys it through his company. Just remember to look after the salesman.


Thanks for the advice.