Tanzanite/Cognac F32 - hard combo to sell?

[MitchT]

Currently looking for an F32 440i, though I want Snapper Rocks Blue ideally. I've noticed a Tanzanite Blue one with Cognac leather keeps coming up in my searches. It's been for sale for ages at a Vauxhall dealerrship not far from me. I did some digging and the tax expired on 2 February 2023, so it's been for sale for over a year now. A pic of the service history on the iDrive screen shows the PDI check was on 23 January 2019, yet the date of first registration is 6 February 2020 so, again, it took over a year to sell when it was new. The only other item of curiosity is that the two services it's had are logged as "00000", which is the default code for a car serviced outside the BMW dealer network. There are usually five numbers that are unique to a BMW dealer.

In case anyone's curious, here's the car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

[ChocolateFrog]

Colour combo looks nice to me, if something like that puts people off then I despair.

[MitchT]

I agree, it looks great - a cut above the relatively generic spec that most have. Could be something else putting people off I suppose. I guess a Vauxhall dealership isn't the best place for a car like that!

[StuTheGrouch]

MitchT said:

Currently looking for an F32 440i, though I want Snapper Rocks Blue ideally. I've noticed a Tanzanite Blue one with Cognac leather keeps coming up in my searches. It's been for sale for ages at a Vauxhall dealerrship not far from me. I did some digging and the tax expired on 2 February 2023, so it's been for sale for over a year now. A pic of the service history on the iDrive screen shows the PDI check was on 23 January 2019, yet the date of first registration is 6 February 2020 so, again, it took over a year to sell when it was new. The only other item of curiosity is that the two services it's had are logged as "00000", which is the default code for a car serviced outside the BMW dealer network. There are usually five numbers that are unique to a BMW dealer.

In case anyone's curious, here's the car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

I think that looks fantastic, though I am a big fan of somewhat unusual interiors.

The length of time that it's sat would be a concern, so I would want a full BMW service for peace of mind.

FYI, the URL for Autotrader provide you with the date of the advert going live. So, in your link the numbers are 202302094083688, with the first eight being relevant. That means it was listed on the 9th February 2023.

[MitchT]

StuTheGrouch said:

The length of time that it's sat would be a concern, so I would want a full BMW service for peace of mind.

Definitely. I wonder what a year sitting around would do to the battery?

StuTheGrouch said:

FYI, the URL for Autotrader provide you with the date of the advert going live. So, in your link the numbers are 202302094083688, with the first eight being relevant. That means it was listed on the 9th February 2023.

That's really useful to know, thanks.

I think the price is a tad strong. A while back I saw an approved used 440i with 18k miles for £26,230 so I think this one, without the benefit of approved used BMW staus, or the 12 month BMW warranty which comes with an approved used BMW, needs to be a fair chunk less.

[MitchT]

Also worth considering... the build date is 23 November 2018, and with only 16k miles it might still be on the original tyres, so they'll possibly all need swapping out due to their age.

[StuTheGrouch]

All signs point to skipping this one

[bmwmike]

Or explain all these points to the seller and see if they'll come down a good chunk in order to shift old stock.

[d_a_n1979]

StuTheGrouch said:

All signs point to skipping this one

Agree

There's something about cars like that; that if they've been up for sale for so long, you want to know why and what else might be lurking etc

As an example; I bought my previous F01 730D in Nov 2021; there are still a few F01 730Ds and 740Ds up for sale now; that were up for sale then, and at the same price...

That instantly makes me think they're are deeper issues as well as them being overpriced etc

[MitchT]

bmwmike said:

Or explain all these points to the seller and see if they'll come down a good chunk in order to shift old stock.

I thought about that.

Four new tyres.
New battery.
BMW warranty.
Precautionary service.

That'll be £2k then!

[bmwmike]

MitchT said:

I thought about that.

Four new tyres.
New battery.
BMW warranty.
Precautionary service.

That'll be £2k then!

I'd be asking for that plus the 2k off. Don't ask don't get. It's been sat for yonks. They'll want it gone. Make them an offer if you like it but be prepared to walk.

[simonwhite2000]

That looks lovely. I had an 840 in Carbon Black and Cognac and I absolutely loved the interior colour and always received compliments on it. Black leather is quite boring in comparison!

[ChocolateFrog]

I thought dealers punted stuff on after a few months to avoid this exact scenario.

I don't know how much its overpriced by but everyone immediately gets suspicious because its been sitting around so long.

Edited by ChocolateFrog on Thursday 22 February 11:52

[MitchT]

simonwhite2000 said:

That looks lovely. I had an 840 in Carbon Black and Cognac and I absolutely loved the interior colour and always received compliments on it. Black leather is quite boring in comparison!

Yep, I love it too. Just a shame the lower half of the dashboard isn't also in Cognac to create a continuous flow of colour from the door cards.

ChocolateFrog said:

I thought dealers punted stuff on after a few months to avoid this exact scenario.

BMW main delaers usually punt cars on after 90 days. This is a bit of an oddball though - a BMW for sale at a Vauxhall dealership and both services in the iDrive are showing as "00000" which is the code when it hasn't been done by a BMW main dealer. Maybe it was owned by someone at Evans Halshaw (who don't have any BMW dealerships to my knowledge) and serviced by one of their dealers, hence the servicing anomaly and the fact that it hasn't been punted on.

[I-am-the-reverend]

It looks a very nice car. The tyres and battery will be fine and the Network Q warranty is pretty good. When it expires, take out a BMW warranty. Replace the tyres and battery as and when needed.

Just work out what you want to pay for it and go from there. A 440i will never sell as quickly as a 420d.

[Dannbodge]

Personally I think that's a cracking combo.

Pople are odd though. When I had my E90 with individual merino leather (in dark blue), one interested party said he's remove it and fit black instead.
So he'd go from the best quality leather BMW make (and a £2k option) to the plastic leather fitted in a 320d. Madness.

[MitchT]

I-am-the-reverend said:

... and the Network Q warranty is pretty good.

Would it have the Network Q warranty though? The information for approved used Vauxhalls says "Generally backed by a minimum of 12 months comprehensive warranty cover", but this car says "Minimum 3 Month Guarantee", so maybe as it's not a Vauxhall it has some other inferior warranty on it.

[MarkJS]

I-am-the-reverend said:

It looks a very nice car. The tyres and battery will be fine and the Network Q warranty is pretty good. When it expires, take out a BMW warranty. Replace the tyres and battery as and when needed.

Just work out what you want to pay for it and go from there. A 440i will never sell as quickly as a 420d.

Probably the most sensible comment.

Apart from lack of HUD, that is a very nice (& very unusual) spec'd car in a lovely colour combo - a sunroof is fairly unusual and it has extended leather which is very rare.

I'd pick up the phone and speak to them. They might be very upfront as to why it hasn't moved or there might be a back-story that makes complete sense. I'd be looking for invoices to back up the non-main dealer servicing to confirm what was actually done.

If all that stacks up and you can get to a figure/deal that you're happy with, I'd buy that. It looks in great condition and speaking from experience, they don't come up like that very often.

[stevemcs]

That looks very nice, sunroof and more importantly the extended leather option. Time forsale wouldn't put me off.

[JNW1]

MitchT said:

Currently looking for an F32 440i, though I want Snapper Rocks Blue ideally. I've noticed a Tanzanite Blue one with Cognac leather keeps coming up in my searches. It's been for sale for ages at a Vauxhall dealerrship not far from me. I did some digging and the tax expired on 2 February 2023, so it's been for sale for over a year now. A pic of the service history on the iDrive screen shows the PDI check was on 23 January 2019, yet the date of first registration is 6 February 2020 so, again, it took over a year to sell when it was new. The only other item of curiosity is that the two services it's had are logged as "00000", which is the default code for a car serviced outside the BMW dealer network. There are usually five numbers that are unique to a BMW dealer.

In case anyone's curious, here's the car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

I'd say potentially that looks like a very nice car and if you're interested it's well worth a visit to the dealer if they're local to you.

My G21 M340i was Tanzanite with a Tartufo interior (so quite similar to Cognac) and as a combination I thought it looked great. IMO the interior was much nicer than the default black and also had a much warmer feel than the white which often gets specified with Tanzanite. However, in my experience I would just say Tanzanite is a hard work colour and perhaps not the best choice if you're a bit OCD about how your cars look - it's great when it's clean (especially in the sun) but it shows every blemish and mark and takes quite a lot of effort to keep it looking nice!

Just on the leather, it looks like it's got the leather dash (which is nice) but from the pictures the leather on the seats looks more like Dakota rather than Nappa or Merino; not necessarily an issue but it's not as nice as the softer leathers (albeit more hard wearing). The rest of the spec looks good and personally the sunroof would be a definite plus for me - I know some regard them as an unnecessary and expensive window but I think the extra light improves the ambience of the cabin no end.

As you say, the service history needs some clarification; from memory service intervals are based on mileage or once every two years (whichever comes sooner) and at that age I think that car should have had one minor and one major service by now. So, if it's been serviced outside the dealer network, you need reassurance the correct work has been carried out - a major service will probably be £500 plus so you don't want dropping-in for that as soon as you've bought it!

I agree it's strange a garage that's part of a major chain has had the car in stock for so long and an obvious question to ask them is why. The Autotrader price tracker only goes back to June 2023 but at that stage it was being advertised for £29,830 so it's been reduced by £3,780 (13%) since then; however, with the new registration looming - and presumably more part-ex's incoming - you'd think they'd now be keen to do a deal to move it on. If it's a genuine car I'd have thought it would represent a decent buy at anything under £25k given the spec and the mileage; the garage isn't that far away from me either and if it wasn't for the fact I need rear doors and a hatch I'd go and have a look myself!

Good luck with it all, let us know how you get on if you pursue your interest!