Dealer won't let me test drive! What's up?

drkbrent · 03-10-2008, 03:16 PM

Everyone, please tell me what you think: I'm a 2nd car buyer from my local dealer, my M3 is coming in at the end of the month, and the dealer won't even let me test drive their new demo? Is this normal? What do you guys think!?

attorneyscott · 03-10-2008, 03:29 PM

My salesman, Emery at BMW of Dallas (who is a helluva good guy by the way), told me that yes, I can drive the demonstrators (the have a E90 and a E92), however I MUST keep it under 5500 rpm, and if anything untoward happens (e.g., I crash the car), he gets fired!

That's a lot of pressure - I'd hate to see my buddy get fired!! Plus, keeping it under 5500 rpm would be a monumental challenge.

All the same, I'll probably wind up going over there and driving it this week. The E90 at BMW of Dallas has the "fox red" interior with the carbon-look leather - it's a VERY hot-looking interior. the carbon leather is a lot cooler in person than it looks in pictures.

mkoesel · 03-10-2008, 03:41 PM

Its quite common. Many dealers want to sell the demo as a new car (and as soon as possible), and so do not want extra mileage on the car that would turn off potential buyers. Mine would not allow me to drive their standard-issue AW demo coupe either.

timsev · 03-10-2008, 03:48 PM

I would understand them not letting you if you were to just walk in off the street. But if you are a returning customer, they should let you. If the dealer doesn't put forth any effort to keep you as a customer, then they don't deserve your business.

You should demand freebies instead of a test drive.

Jinxter · 03-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timsev

I would understand them not letting you if you were to just walk in off the street. But if you are a returning customer, they should let you. If the dealer doesn't put forth any effort to keep you as a customer, then they don't deserve your business.

You should demand freebies instead of a test drive.

+1

rvacha · 03-10-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timsev

I would understand them not letting you if you were to just walk in off the street. But if you are a returning customer, they should let you. If the dealer doesn't put forth any effort to keep you as a customer, then they don't deserve your business.

You should demand freebies instead of a test drive.

But to be the devil's advocate he already has an order in and won't be "sold" by doing a test drive since he already is. I can sorta see the dealer's stance here

timsev · 03-10-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvacha

But to be the devil's advocate he already has an order in and won't be "sold" by doing a test drive since he already is. I can sorta see the dealer's stance here

good point. It's just bad karma.

rvacha · 03-10-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timsev

good point. It's just bad karma.

Really good karma is owning an M3!

911 Now · 03-10-2008, 04:36 PM

I'd find a new dealer if you can. I went by my dealer in Tampa just to look at the demo today and they offered a drive knowing that mine is on the way. I wanted my 1st drive to be in mine so I refrained as I'm only a couple weeks away.

sayemthree · 03-10-2008, 04:41 PM

is it really a DEMO or is it a car for sale?

Jack's dad · 03-10-2008, 05:04 PM

Same question I was going to ask. Isn't the point of a demo to demo it? My dealer, also in Tampa, called and offered me a demo, knowing that I am anxiously awaiting my car. I did keep the revs down and treat the car right, as it will belong to someone at some point.

WCH · 03-10-2008, 05:07 PM

Seems to depend on the dealer and their situation. On one hand, if I were going to buy the car, I wouldn't be excited to have had it serve as a demo. On the other hand, it doesn't do a lot to make a customer happy.

For my S6, they let me "test drive" it when the car was delivered to their dealership. I had a deposit down with a clause that said the final deal was contingent on my test drive. Since they only ever had one car at a time, this way they could allow potential customers to test drive the car they often ended up buying.

In any case, my dealer is going to let me try their demo next weekend even though my car is ordered. You should see if there is another dealer around.

drkbrent · 03-10-2008, 06:41 PM

I really appreciate the responses! After discussing it with the GM, they have agreed to let me take a quick spin in the demo. Obviously, they want me to keep it below 5,500 rpm and I told them no problem. So, my quick spin around the block will happen tomorrow!

timsev · 03-10-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkbrent

I really appreciate the responses! After discussing it with the GM, they have agreed to let me take a quick spin in the demo. Obviously, they want me to keep it below 5,500 rpm and I told them no problem. So, my quick spin around the block will happen tomorrow!

awesome! Did you tell him that the M3post.com crew will hunt him down if you don't get a ride?

batchelorc · 03-10-2008, 08:45 PM

I have an order in at BMW of Nashville. Got a call offering a test drive of the demo... Haven't taken it yet..

reinaldo335 · 03-10-2008, 10:03 PM

2008 m3 for sale

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My M3 Coupe
4.0-liter, V-8 engine
Rear-wheel drive
See all standard features
Base MSRP
Alpine White
Black Novillo Leather
Carbon Leather interior trim
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Technology Package
19" Forged and polished Double Spoke wheels (Style 220M) with mixed tires
Power rear sunshade
Enhanced Premium Sound
HD radio
iPod and USB adapter
Satellite radio
Park Distance Control (rear only)

carbon fiber roof

its over msrp but, the car is available right now, with the best combination.

for sale 74,000 + gas guzzler tax
if someone wants to buy it, contact me reinaldo335@gmail.com

o miles

the car is in kentucky.

mkoesel · 03-10-2008, 10:12 PM

reinaldo, hate to say it but that same car has been shipped out to dealerships across the country and is available at many of them at MSRP, not 5k over like you are asking.

Epacy · 03-10-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

reinaldo, hate to say it but that same car has been shipped out to dealerships across the country and is available at many of them at MSRP, not 5k over like you are asking.

It's ok, he's reposting this in 6 different threads and the price keeps changing. Initially it was $73k.

mkoesel · 03-10-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

It's ok, he's reposting this in 6 different threads and the price keeps changing. Initially it was $73k.

Yeah. Hey, ok, so it might be 5k over MSRP, but don't worry - at least its being sold by some shady guy in Puerto Rico.

"I am Reinaldo. I hook you up with M3. No?"

sayemthree · 03-10-2008, 10:56 PM

0 miles? unlikly . most new BMWs I have bought have 7 to 8 miles.

drkbrent · 03-10-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timsev

awesome! Did you tell him that the M3post.com crew will hunt him down if you don't get a ride?

Exactly! I was going to print this entire thread and tell him "Here's what my buddies on m3post.com have to say about my test drive!" Plus, isn't there something called a "Customer Satisfaction Survey" that all manufacturers send to customers AFTER the sale? Sure wouldn't have looked good for them if they wouldn't have taken care of the test drive issue!

reinaldo335 · 03-11-2008, 11:00 PM

you are right maybe 7 or 8 miles, i havn't seen the car yet, i'm bringing it over here, i do not want people to hate me, i'm sorry, i just posted it to see if someone wanted to buy it, because taxes here in puerto rico is what s going to be really expensive, so, if someone was looking for this car, i have the car. its 5 over msrp but it can be negotiated, i'm picking up the car tomorrow, there are many dealers selling stories, and there are many people who make deposit a year ago and havn't recived the car, my car has the best color, aw/carbon fiber roof, 19" wheels, its the best.

03-10-2008, 03:16 PM	#1
drkbrent Enlisted Member 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: '08 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA iTrader: (0)	Dealer won't let me test drive! What's up? Everyone, please tell me what you think: I'm a 2nd car buyer from my local dealer, my M3 is coming in at the end of the month, and the dealer won't even let me test drive their new demo? Is this normal? What do you guys think!?
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03-10-2008, 03:29 PM	#2
attorneyscott Smokin' a Siglo VI... 20 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i, Dinan Stage 3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (3)	Mine will but... My salesman, Emery at BMW of Dallas (who is a helluva good guy by the way), told me that yes, I can drive the demonstrators (the have a E90 and a E92), however I MUST keep it under 5500 rpm, and if anything untoward happens (e.g., I crash the car), he gets fired! That's a lot of pressure - I'd hate to see my buddy get fired!! Plus, keeping it under 5500 rpm would be a monumental challenge. All the same, I'll probably wind up going over there and driving it this week. The E90 at BMW of Dallas has the "fox red" interior with the carbon-look leather - it's a VERY hot-looking interior. the carbon leather is a lot cooler in person than it looks in pictures. __________________ '08 E92 335i black sapphire/saddle, 6MT, sport/prem., CA, PDC, Sirius, Ipod/usb, HDR, Htd. Sts., Dinan Stage 3 flash/oil cooler/intercooler/exhaust/Stage 3 susp., MORR VS7's, Goodyear Eagle F-1 GS-D3s, BMW Perf. Parts STSK, Dinan/Quaife 3.08 LSD!! '06 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged; Zambezi Silver/Ivory/Piano Black Wood, SICK NASTY In Car Entertainment - seriously, will make your brain bleed
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03-10-2008, 03:41 PM	#3
mkoesel Moderator 7512 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Its quite common. Many dealers want to sell the demo as a new car (and as soon as possible), and so do not want extra mileage on the car that would turn off potential buyers. Mine would not allow me to drive their standard-issue AW demo coupe either.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2008, 03:48 PM	#4
timsev First Lieutenant 24 Rep 334 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	I would understand them not letting you if you were to just walk in off the street. But if you are a returning customer, they should let you. If the dealer doesn't put forth any effort to keep you as a customer, then they don't deserve your business. You should demand freebies instead of a test drive.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2008, 04:36 PM	#9
911 Now Private First Class 8 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 08 E92 m3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	I'd find a new dealer if you can. I went by my dealer in Tampa just to look at the demo today and they offered a drive knowing that mine is on the way. I wanted my 1st drive to be in mine so I refrained as I'm only a couple weeks away.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2008, 04:41 PM	#10
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	is it really a DEMO or is it a car for sale? __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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03-10-2008, 05:04 PM	#11
Jack's dad Private First Class 6 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	Same question I was going to ask. Isn't the point of a demo to demo it? My dealer, also in Tampa, called and offered me a demo, knowing that I am anxiously awaiting my car. I did keep the revs down and treat the car right, as it will belong to someone at some point.
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03-10-2008, 05:07 PM	#12
WCH Lieutenant Colonel 347 Rep 1,844 Posts Drives: '20 M8C convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (8) Garage List 2022 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2020 BMW M8C [0.00] 2017 Porsche Macan GTS [0.00]	Seems to depend on the dealer and their situation. On one hand, if I were going to buy the car, I wouldn't be excited to have had it serve as a demo. On the other hand, it doesn't do a lot to make a customer happy. For my S6, they let me "test drive" it when the car was delivered to their dealership. I had a deposit down with a clause that said the final deal was contingent on my test drive. Since they only ever had one car at a time, this way they could allow potential customers to test drive the car they often ended up buying. In any case, my dealer is going to let me try their demo next weekend even though my car is ordered. You should see if there is another dealer around.
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03-10-2008, 06:41 PM	#13
drkbrent Enlisted Member 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: '08 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA iTrader: (0)	I really appreciate the responses! After discussing it with the GM, they have agreed to let me take a quick spin in the demo. Obviously, they want me to keep it below 5,500 rpm and I told them no problem. So, my quick spin around the block will happen tomorrow!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2008, 08:45 PM	#15
batchelorc Captain 52 Rep 607 Posts Drives: Deez nuts Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	I have an order in at BMW of Nashville. Got a call offering a test drive of the demo... Haven't taken it yet..
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03-10-2008, 10:03 PM	#16
reinaldo335 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 351 Posts Drives: m3 ZCP 6MT, on order 09 m3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: puerto rico iTrader: (0)	2008 m3 for sale -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My M3 Coupe 4.0-liter, V-8 engine Rear-wheel drive See all standard features Base MSRP Alpine White Black Novillo Leather Carbon Leather interior trim Cold Weather Package Premium Package Technology Package 19" Forged and polished Double Spoke wheels (Style 220M) with mixed tires Power rear sunshade Enhanced Premium Sound HD radio iPod and USB adapter Satellite radio Park Distance Control (rear only) carbon fiber roof its over msrp but, the car is available right now, with the best combination. for sale 74,000 + gas guzzler tax if someone wants to buy it, contact me reinaldo335@gmail.com o miles the car is in kentucky.
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03-10-2008, 10:12 PM	#17
mkoesel Moderator 7512 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	reinaldo, hate to say it but that same car has been shipped out to dealerships across the country and is available at many of them at MSRP, not 5k over like you are asking.
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03-10-2008, 10:56 PM	#20
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	0 miles? unlikly . most new BMWs I have bought have 7 to 8 miles. __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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03-11-2008, 11:00 PM	#22
reinaldo335 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 351 Posts Drives: m3 ZCP 6MT, on order 09 m3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: puerto rico iTrader: (0)	you are right maybe 7 or 8 miles, i havn't seen the car yet, i'm bringing it over here, i do not want people to hate me, i'm sorry, i just posted it to see if someone wanted to buy it, because taxes here in puerto rico is what s going to be really expensive, so, if someone was looking for this car, i have the car. its 5 over msrp but it can be negotiated, i'm picking up the car tomorrow, there are many dealers selling stories, and there are many people who make deposit a year ago and havn't recived the car, my car has the best color, aw/carbon fiber roof, 19" wheels, its the best.
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