Anyone ever been refused M3 test drive?

chungdae · 01-23-2011, 01:27 PM

I walked in to a local dealership here and the sales associate refused a test drive. I, then, asked for a manager or a higher authority and a "sales manager" came to explain that "it's policy that they do not offer test drives unless I am 'serious' on purchasing the car." I stared at him and handed him three stacks of $10,000 from my bag. Eyes boggled, the manager quickly accepted the "collateral" and I received my test drive. After the test drive, I asked for my down payment back. The manager was now "sucking up to me" and asked why I wanted it back. I simply told him, "I was ready to buy, but your attitude and tone changed my mind from this dealership to the next. I'll buy it from somewhere else." Long story short, I ended up going to a different dealership where they did not haggle me for a test drive and purchased the car there.

Glop · 01-23-2011, 01:56 PM

Being a drug dealer sure has its perks!

ManAndMachine · 01-23-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chungdae

I walked in to a local dealership here and the sales associate refused a test drive. I, then, asked for a manager or a higher authority and a "sales manager" came to explain that "it's policy that they do not offer test drives unless I am 'serious' on purchasing the car." I stared at him and handed him three stacks of $10,000 from my bag. Eyes boggled, the manager quickly accepted the "collateral" and I received my test drive. After the test drive, I asked for my down payment back. The manager was now "sucking up to me" and asked why I wanted it back. I simply told him, "I was ready to buy, but your attitude and tone changed my mind from this dealership to the next. I'll buy it from somewhere else." Long story short, I ended up going to a different dealership where they did not haggle me for a test drive and purchased the car there.

Surprised you didn't make it rain in the middle of the dealership

MaxL · 01-23-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 996TTE92M3

Did you have nothing better to do then to rub it in a SA's face?

It's good fun and probably, and a favor to SA, as it'll save him some lost clients in the future. I imagine he wanted to drive the new car more, so why not drive to a dealer and help SA become a better person

Race_Doc11 · 01-23-2011, 02:50 PM

Test drove 2 different ones from the same dealer before buying mine which I didn't test drive

I even drove a ZCP like a month ago just for fun...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwykstra

they can't take a M3 for a test drive?!? Interested in a M3, so I went to a dealer in Atlanta that had 6 in stock. Asked to test drive a M3 as they had DCT and manual. The sales guy told me they don't test drive M3s. Gave some BS about performance cars and not test driving them. So they have 6 M3s in stock and none are driveable? So I'm curious, is this standard across most dealerships or this one just run by idiots.

Gearhead999s · 01-23-2011, 02:54 PM

I am pretty sure that I have never test driven a BMW model that have had in our household.Mostly because we usually order them out of the 1st production and there have never been any cars that were around when we ordered the cars.I have never been disapointed by these cars and why bother with a testdrive if you do proper research beforehand.

mrkbbd · 01-23-2011, 02:59 PM

I've actually never been denied a test drive and I'm pretty young (in my mid-20s). In fact, one time was at a Mercedes dealership and there was a SLR that was unlocked. I got in it and a salesman brought the keys over for me without even asking for them and asked if I wanted a test drive. I told him thank you but I definitely could not afford this car and wouldn't feel right putting miles on it.

TRY...M3 · 01-23-2011, 04:49 PM

They let me test drive an 08 M3 brand new at 19

kibosh · 01-23-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_yogi

You're a millionaire software developer? Holla Balla!

I wish... but the SA didn't know that

TRY...M3 · 01-23-2011, 04:55 PM

And I did 130! Hope none of you guys got that m3 haha!

Ben Choad · 01-23-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Are you Julia Roberts?

LOL

dwykstra · 01-23-2011, 09:11 PM

Yeah. It was Global. I don't know why I came here to test drive the car. Convenience was the biggest reason, I was on 285, checking out an Audi, and wanted to test drive a M. I've had a previous lame experience there before which turned me off, but I figured that with 6 Ms in stock, they had to have one I could test drive. Guess I was wrong, the sales guy told me I could demo a 335. "It's pretty much the same thing." was what he said. Really??? Then, why would I want to buy a M3???

I bought my 335 from United Roswell, and I'll agree that they're pretty good. It was just out of the way Saturday and not convenient to what I was doing. It will be without a doubt the LAST time I go to Global.

OMID INC · 01-23-2011, 09:33 PM

several years ago when i purchased my e46. it was allegedly one of the last ones in socal (end of 2006) so i said meh and bought it anyways.

KrackerXL · 01-23-2011, 09:39 PM

I've test drove every single bmw model at the dealers including a z8 and alpina b7. From the age of 19-20 lol.

Test drove 4 m's before I bought mine. Never one single problem but then again I have a great relationship with my sales person

DrakeKemper · 01-24-2011, 03:51 AM

Talk to the general manager. I had to go to two different dealerships but I finally was able to TD one. Under these circumstances. No going above 4,000RPM's. No going over the speed limit. And Can't go more than 4 miles.

SDSmurf · 01-24-2011, 04:20 AM

I wanted to testride the new SS1000 (it's a BMW, cut me some slack!) to replace my Fireblade, and the sales manager said straight off no testrides. I asked him how many sales he thinks he loses with that policy and he laughed, said "probably fewer than we lost in crashed demo bikes last year..."!

He was actually kidding about no testrides, but still took me to the back and showed me three bikes that had been crashed in the previous month.

He said if I could hold off for about a week that he could source from another dealer which I did.

Didn't buy it, was a bit 'boring' to be honest (and a bit expensive for my budget to be even more honest) but if and when I decide to buy a bmw (he runs both car and bike sections) I'll definitely be going there.

edit: incidentally, I got a test drive in a 135i, picked it up just before 10, manager said just bring it back before 12-1pm. A week later the subaru d'ship refused me a go in their wrx sti. Go figure.

emthreeboy · 01-24-2011, 04:20 AM

I got another story for you which I remember since since it happened!

Back in germany like around -03 when the E60 5-series came out, there was an artical in dayly newspaper about a man wearing jeans, vintage german folk jacket and clogs who walked in to local BMW dealer to buy a brand new E60 5-series. Long story short, they did not take him seriously and he recieved very poor service, so this man went to the BMW dealer in next town whom he bought his brand new car from.

Few days after there he was next to his car in the local newspaper!

And there were interviews with the dealer who turned him down....it was just a mess!

But yeah, pretty cool I think!

sameh · 01-24-2011, 04:57 AM

BNW Nazi: NO TEST DRIVE FOR YOU

T.J. · 01-24-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chungdae

I walked in to a local dealership here and the sales associate refused a test drive. I, then, asked for a manager or a higher authority and a "sales manager" came to explain that "it's policy that they do not offer test drives unless I am 'serious' on purchasing the car." I stared at him and handed him three stacks of $10,000 from my bag. Eyes boggled, the manager quickly accepted the "collateral" and I received my test drive. After the test drive, I asked for my down payment back. The manager was now "sucking up to me" and asked why I wanted it back. I simply told him, "I was ready to buy, but your attitude and tone changed my mind from this dealership to the next. I'll buy it from somewhere else." Long story short, I ended up going to a different dealership where they did not haggle me for a test drive and purchased the car there.

Just finish robbing a bank? Almost like you expected to be denied so you carry around gangsta wads in case you need to make it rain on them

When I test drove my car (used 08 so not really as big a deal) the guy let me have the keys and didn't ride along, pretty great way to actually make a sale by not hassling people while they're driving.

Leozap · 01-24-2011, 12:03 PM

I negotiated the price online first and then stop by for a test drive and bought it.

Leozap · 01-24-2011, 12:05 PM

If they think that you are not serious and just there for a test drive then they will come up with excuses to deny you.

Kyoshi71 · 01-24-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chungdae

I walked in to a local dealership here and the sales associate refused a test drive. I, then, asked for a manager or a higher authority and a "sales manager" came to explain that "it's policy that they do not offer test drives unless I am 'serious' on purchasing the car." I stared at him and handed him three stacks of $10,000 from my bag. Eyes boggled, the manager quickly accepted the "collateral" and I received my test drive. After the test drive, I asked for my down payment back. The manager was now "sucking up to me" and asked why I wanted it back. I simply told him, "I was ready to buy, but your attitude and tone changed my mind from this dealership to the next. I'll buy it from somewhere else." Long story short, I ended up going to a different dealership where they did not haggle me for a test drive and purchased the car there.

Unfortunately, the shift lights on my bullshit detector just hit the red-zone.

01-23-2011, 01:27 PM	#45
chungdae The Asian Sensation 56 Rep 708 Posts Drives: 2009 Alpine White M3, S1000RR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (2)	I walked in to a local dealership here and the sales associate refused a test drive. I, then, asked for a manager or a higher authority and a "sales manager" came to explain that "it's policy that they do not offer test drives unless I am 'serious' on purchasing the car." I stared at him and handed him three stacks of $10,000 from my bag. Eyes boggled, the manager quickly accepted the "collateral" and I received my test drive. After the test drive, I asked for my down payment back. The manager was now "sucking up to me" and asked why I wanted it back. I simply told him, "I was ready to buy, but your attitude and tone changed my mind from this dealership to the next. I'll buy it from somewhere else." Long story short, I ended up going to a different dealership where they did not haggle me for a test drive and purchased the car there.
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01-23-2011, 01:56 PM	#46
Glop Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 248 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E93 / 2007 335 coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (0)	Being a drug dealer sure has its perks!
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01-23-2011, 02:54 PM	#50
Gearhead999s Major General 817 Rep 7,887 Posts Drives: RR Velar R=Dynamic M2C R1200GS Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I am pretty sure that I have never test driven a BMW model that have had in our household.Mostly because we usually order them out of the 1st production and there have never been any cars that were around when we ordered the cars.I have never been disapointed by these cars and why bother with a testdrive if you do proper research beforehand.
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01-23-2011, 02:59 PM	#51
mrkbbd Lieutenant 10 Rep 483 Posts Drives: e92 M3 DCT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA/FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Mercedes E63AMG [0.00] 2009 M3 [0.00]	I've actually never been denied a test drive and I'm pretty young (in my mid-20s). In fact, one time was at a Mercedes dealership and there was a SLR that was unlocked. I got in it and a salesman brought the keys over for me without even asking for them and asked if I wanted a test drive. I told him thank you but I definitely could not afford this car and wouldn't feel right putting miles on it. __________________ 2006 e53 X5 4.8is (sold) 2009 e92 M3 2008 E63 AMG
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01-23-2011, 04:49 PM	#52
TRY...M3 Major 86 Rep 1,430 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (2)	They let me test drive an 08 M3 brand new at 19 __________________ e92///M3 TT Lamborghini Gallardo INSTAGRAM: CHRISTIANPERLES Lamborghini-Talk.com: Christian.
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01-23-2011, 04:55 PM	#54
TRY...M3 Major 86 Rep 1,430 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (2)	And I did 130! Hope none of you guys got that m3 haha! __________________ e92///M3 TT Lamborghini Gallardo INSTAGRAM: CHRISTIANPERLES Lamborghini-Talk.com: Christian.
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01-23-2011, 09:11 PM	#56
dwykstra Private First Class 8 Rep 132 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Yeah. It was Global. I don't know why I came here to test drive the car. Convenience was the biggest reason, I was on 285, checking out an Audi, and wanted to test drive a M. I've had a previous lame experience there before which turned me off, but I figured that with 6 Ms in stock, they had to have one I could test drive. Guess I was wrong, the sales guy told me I could demo a 335. "It's pretty much the same thing." was what he said. Really??? Then, why would I want to buy a M3??? I bought my 335 from United Roswell, and I'll agree that they're pretty good. It was just out of the way Saturday and not convenient to what I was doing. It will be without a doubt the LAST time I go to Global. __________________ 07 e90 335i Black Sapphire on Black Leather ZSP/ZPP/CWP/Navi/Sirius/iPod/CA 20% tint/Blacklines/OEM spoiler/OEM style splitters
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01-23-2011, 09:33 PM	#57
OMID INC Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,562 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (6)	several years ago when i purchased my e46. it was allegedly one of the last ones in socal (end of 2006) so i said meh and bought it anyways.
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01-23-2011, 09:39 PM	#58
KrackerXL Lieutenant 26 Rep 422 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: COrona, iTrader: (1)	I've test drove every single bmw model at the dealers including a z8 and alpina b7. From the age of 19-20 lol. Test drove 4 m's before I bought mine. Never one single problem but then again I have a great relationship with my sales person
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01-24-2011, 03:51 AM	#59
DrakeKemper Sexiest Man Alive 91 Rep 789 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Talk to the general manager. I had to go to two different dealerships but I finally was able to TD one. Under these circumstances. No going above 4,000RPM's. No going over the speed limit. And Can't go more than 4 miles. __________________ 2011 BMW X5//M 2008 E90 M3 - 6MT - AA Gen 2 Level 3 1991 Hot Girlfriend
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01-24-2011, 04:20 AM	#60
SDSmurf Private 27 Rep 74 Posts Drives: Subaru WRX Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	I wanted to testride the new SS1000 (it's a BMW, cut me some slack!) to replace my Fireblade, and the sales manager said straight off no testrides. I asked him how many sales he thinks he loses with that policy and he laughed, said "probably fewer than we lost in crashed demo bikes last year..."! He was actually kidding about no testrides, but still took me to the back and showed me three bikes that had been crashed in the previous month. He said if I could hold off for about a week that he could source from another dealer which I did. Didn't buy it, was a bit 'boring' to be honest (and a bit expensive for my budget to be even more honest) but if and when I decide to buy a bmw (he runs both car and bike sections) I'll definitely be going there. edit: incidentally, I got a test drive in a 135i, picked it up just before 10, manager said just bring it back before 12-1pm. A week later the subaru d'ship refused me a go in their wrx sti. Go figure.
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01-24-2011, 04:20 AM	#61
emthreeboy Captain 37 Rep 917 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (2)	I got another story for you which I remember since since it happened! Back in germany like around -03 when the E60 5-series came out, there was an artical in dayly newspaper about a man wearing jeans, vintage german folk jacket and clogs who walked in to local BMW dealer to buy a brand new E60 5-series. Long story short, they did not take him seriously and he recieved very poor service, so this man went to the BMW dealer in next town whom he bought his brand new car from. Few days after there he was next to his car in the local newspaper! And there were interviews with the dealer who turned him down....it was just a mess! But yeah, pretty cool I think! __________________ -09 e92 SPACE GRAY/// m3 w/ m-dct! -06 E46 JET BLACK/// m3 6MT!
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01-24-2011, 04:57 AM	#62
sameh Lieutenant Colonel 171 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2015 Porsche 911S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	BNW Nazi: NO TEST DRIVE FOR YOU __________________ 2011 E92 JB/BL/DCT--->80K Miles 2015 F80 SS/SO/DCT?->28K Miles 2015 Porsche 911S
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01-24-2011, 12:03 PM	#64
Leozap Captain 58 Rep 954 Posts Drives: AW E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (5)	I negotiated the price online first and then stop by for a test drive and bought it. __________________ 11 335is, KW1, M3 bits and what not 08 M3 Sedan 6mt, loaded, modded to the bone Old: 04 M3 SMG
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01-24-2011, 12:05 PM	#65
Leozap Captain 58 Rep 954 Posts Drives: AW E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (5)	If they think that you are not serious and just there for a test drive then they will come up with excuses to deny you. __________________ 11 335is, KW1, M3 bits and what not 08 M3 Sedan 6mt, loaded, modded to the bone Old: 04 M3 SMG
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