Where to buy an E60 M5?

[LittleBro]

Chaps,

I went to look at an 06 plated M5 today and cant express how disappointed I was with the sales guy. It was at a main dealer and it was the second time we've looked at it. The guy just wasnt interested in a sale, couldnt have been more keen to get out the door and down the pub!

For a >£40k car it was tatty and poorly prepared, and when asked if it could be tidied up, all he muttered was "It'd cost me a grand, I'd be better off trading it". My Bro is ready to go and would have given very close to asking price, cash, if he'd been interested in actually selling the car, prepping it correctly, and offereing some sort of service for the money.

Yet again, I'm appalled by a BMW main agent and want to steer clear of this articular garage for this purchase. Are there any specialists who I could speak to or can anyone suggest a particulalry helpful contact within the dealer network?

I really got the impression from this guy that he has a waiting list for these cars and they're flying off the forecourt! What a complete waste of time. I drove for two hours to see this car today and spent no more than 5 minutes in the salesmans company.

Any pointers would be apreciated.

Cheers

[belleair302]

Where are you located and is there any reason that you want to buy from that dealership? Was it the car and its spec that made you drive so far?

[LittleBro]

We went to that dealer as it was a spec he'd wanted. There are a couple of dealers closer to him, but the spec/colour was worth the journey.

I really got the impression the salesman (top man, aparently) thought we were timewasters. The first guy my Brother spoke to was brilliant, very helpful, took him out for a test drive. We went today with a view to thrashing out a deal and driving the car away, if we could agree one. The long as short of it was this guy was obviously a car sales veteran and really didnt have the inclination to make a sale which was there for the taking.

[taffyracer]

Unfortunately there are alot of tossers like this, personally i'd write and complain to the DP and copy it into the MD and buy elsewhere, there are plenty who will treat you properly so why put up with that sort of crap

[Zod]

Well, it can't have been a BMW AUC, so don't touch it.

[LittleBro]

Zod said:

Well, it can't have been a BMW AUC, so don't touch it.

We were told it was AUC which is why I was surprised it was in need of attention. I would expect a few stonechips, and to be fair, he did say they'd touch up the deep scratch on the wing....whilst muttering "its not worth it, I'd trade it for that....".

Shocking chap. As suggested above, I think a letter to the DP is in order. Funny thing is, I've got a feeling a friend of a friend is high up in this particular dealership.

Cheers guys, thanks for assuring me that I wasnt being unreasonable or a fussy bugger.

[Vixpy1]

AdamT's is for sale on here, will be a well looked after car

[whoami]

Zod said:

Well, it can't have been a BMW AUC, so don't touch it.

Why not?

[john_r]

Where do you live?
How far do you want to travel?
How much do you want to spend?
All cars listed on BMW.co.uk are AUC and can be searched by distance, price, spec, etc, so only place to start really...

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I have bought 4 BMWs in the last 5 years and not one have come from my local dealer due to a similar situation, ( lack of interest in the deal and them thinking that they were in the position of strength). despite me contacting them each time.

I got my M5 from Rydale in Cardiff who simply couldnt do more to accomodate what we wanted and the Z4M came from Bath. This is despite me registering with my local dealer for both cars. I never received any calls from them on the M5 and they were 6k away from the deal I did with Bath on the Z4M.

Keep shopping around.

O

[LittleBro]

Its for my Bro who's based in Northants and he'll happily travel for the right car. We've been looking on BMW and as this is his first BMW (I've had 7 so far and seriously think this is my last!) I suggested trying a main agent so he gets good treatment. How silly do I feel? And given the service I recently recieved, I've lost even more faith in the great BWM service!

Re budget, £40-45k so entry level really, but I think that's a realistic budget.

Thanks for the comment on the good dealer - thats exactly what I am after! (gives me hope! )

[eowen]

My experience mirrors above.

I bought a 3 series from Cooper Croydon who reset the service computer and pretended it had been serviced (confirmed by their own service department it hadnt) amongst other things. AUC means nothing, and they willdo as little as possible in order to protect their margins. If you are looking at a car under 3 years you gain nothing buying AUC - buy a well looked after private car of PH.

[LittleBro]

As its so new, I've also thought about looking at the auctions.....I dont know what the risks are as you'd be protected against it being stolen/damaged and then anything mechanically wrong with the car (faults, rather than wear and tear....so long as its services etc) would be covered my manufacturer's warranty.

Its a dilemma, but I really want to make sure my Bro (and me) dont have to contribute to the upkeep of some helpless disinterested toss pot.

I still cant help but think how hard it would be to go back to this guy if there was a problem too.....I'm pretty sure he'd be beyond useless!

[MattOz]

LittleBro,

No idea where you looked, but this M5 is stunning IMHO and a great change from all the silver/black/blue cars that dominate the classifieds

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Matt

[EC2]

Have you driven one? Personally I hate SMG but lots of people love it.

[Nikah]

MattOz said:

LittleBro,

No idea where you looked, but this M5 is stunning IMHO and a great change from all the silver/black/blue cars that dominate the classifieds

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Matt

looks great in red.really suites it.......

[LittleBro]

EC2 said:

Have you driven one? Personally I hate SMG but lots of people love it.

Hi,

If thats a question for me - no, I havent driven one. I have an 06 M3 SMG and I think the choice is a personal one. I think the SMG is left wanting for pootling around town (or is it my driving!? I suspect the latter....) but when you actually get a bit of open road, I love it! The perfect throttle blips, the speed/accuracy of the gear changes (curl your toes up on changing and its much smoother).

All up, I'd chose SMG again without hesitation.

Cheers

[LittleBro]

Nikah said:

MattOz said:

LittleBro,

No idea where you looked, but this M5 is stunning IMHO and a great change from all the silver/black/blue cars that dominate the classifieds

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Matt

looks great in red.really suites it.......

It does look very good in the pictures.

[jonlwright]

john_r said:

Where do you live?
How far do you want to travel?
How much do you want to spend?
All cars listed on BMW.co.uk are AUC and can be searched by distance, price, spec, etc, so only place to start really...

That's actually not quite true, although it should be!

I went to look at an M6 that was on BMW.co.uk and it turned out to be a SOR car that the dealer had no intention of even prepping or putting a warranty on (had less than a year of manufacturers).

[john_r]

jonlwright said:

john_r said:

Where do you live?
How far do you want to travel?
How much do you want to spend?
All cars listed on BMW.co.uk are AUC and can be searched by distance, price, spec, etc, so only place to start really...

That's actually not quite true, although it should be!

I went to look at an M6 that was on BMW.co.uk and it turned out to be a SOR car that the dealer had no intention of even prepping or putting a warranty on (had less than a year of manufacturers).

Ooh, that's naughty of the dealer then! All cars on BMW.co.uk are supposed to be AUC - they confirmed that to me a couple of years ago and it even says that on the website...