Tanzanite/Cognac F32 - hard combo to sell?
Discussion
edthefed said:
MarkJS said:
This car can’t qualify to be a BMW Approved Used Car, so needs to stay with another/different franchised dealer within the group.
There are absolutely no unusual warning lights/messages showing on that car in the photo’s.
My only concern with the photos are that they over a year old, so I’d want to see the car as it stands today by going to the dealer after calling to ensure they have invoices to back up the non-BMW service history.
It’s a pity you can’t get the previous owner details these days. I’ve contacted them a few times over the years to corroborate things/vouch for the car.
Photos 19,20 and 34 show a small yellow car symbol in the dashboard which is a warning symbol of some sort There are absolutely no unusual warning lights/messages showing on that car in the photo’s.
My only concern with the photos are that they over a year old, so I’d want to see the car as it stands today by going to the dealer after calling to ensure they have invoices to back up the non-BMW service history.
It’s a pity you can’t get the previous owner details these days. I’ve contacted them a few times over the years to corroborate things/vouch for the car.
JNW1 said:
MarkJS said:
This car can’t qualify to be a BMW Approved Used Car, so needs to stay with another/different franchised dealer within the group.
Out of interest why do you say that? It looks like it doesn't have a full BMW service history but, unless something's changed, I don't think that in itself precludes a car being offered as a BMW Approved Used Car? Going back a few years we bought an E91 335d from a BMW main dealer and, even though one of the services on that had been carried out by an independent specialist, it was still sold as an Approved Used Car. 
I’ve had a few BMW AUC’s and they’ve always had FBMWSH
MarkJS said:
JNW1 said:
MarkJS said:
This car can’t qualify to be a BMW Approved Used Car, so needs to stay with another/different franchised dealer within the group.
Out of interest why do you say that? It looks like it doesn't have a full BMW service history but, unless something's changed, I don't think that in itself precludes a car being offered as a BMW Approved Used Car? Going back a few years we bought an E91 335d from a BMW main dealer and, even though one of the services on that had been carried out by an independent specialist, it was still sold as an Approved Used Car. I’ve had a few BMW AUC’s and they’ve always had FBMWSH
And to be honest, if servicing had been done by a reputable independent specialist that wouldn't put me off - they're often more conscientious and thorough (because they rely much more on their reputation for customers) whereas main dealers know they'll have a steady stream of work purely because they're main dealers. However, in my experience their standard of work is variable and their service often falls short of what you'd get from an enthusiastic BMW specialist. I imagine the same probably applies to other brands as well....
Couple of issues
The front on pictures showing the reg plate clearly has a dealership logo at the bottom of the plate
Pic 5 rear of the car - there appears to be no dealership logo at the bottom of the plate - possible accident damage.
Whilst the I drive may have been updated that it has had a service of some description without paperwork to back it up there is nothing to indicate that its been serviced according to the BMW AUC requirements.
Leeds Stratstone must have 50 - 70 used BMWs for sale - must be a reason they dont want this one.
VCAR / Car Vertical anybody
The front on pictures showing the reg plate clearly has a dealership logo at the bottom of the plate
Pic 5 rear of the car - there appears to be no dealership logo at the bottom of the plate - possible accident damage.
Whilst the I drive may have been updated that it has had a service of some description without paperwork to back it up there is nothing to indicate that its been serviced according to the BMW AUC requirements.
Leeds Stratstone must have 50 - 70 used BMWs for sale - must be a reason they dont want this one.
VCAR / Car Vertical anybody
JNW1 said:
MarkJS said:
JNW1 said:
MarkJS said:
This car can’t qualify to be a BMW Approved Used Car, so needs to stay with another/different franchised dealer within the group.
Out of interest why do you say that? It looks like it doesn't have a full BMW service history but, unless something's changed, I don't think that in itself precludes a car being offered as a BMW Approved Used Car? Going back a few years we bought an E91 335d from a BMW main dealer and, even though one of the services on that had been carried out by an independent specialist, it was still sold as an Approved Used Car. I’ve had a few BMW AUC’s and they’ve always had FBMWSH
And to be honest, if servicing had been done by a reputable independent specialist that wouldn't put me off - they're often more conscientious and thorough (because they rely much more on their reputation for customers) whereas main dealers know they'll have a steady stream of work purely because they're main dealers. However, in my experience their standard of work is variable and their service often falls short of what you'd get from an enthusiastic BMW specialist. I imagine the same probably applies to other brands as well....
As I’ve also previously said, I’d buy that car on the proviso that the history checks out, there’s a sensible story to explain why the car has been standing for a year and I negotiated a price I was happy with.
That colour combination was my second choice when I was on the hunt (the only ones that came along at that time for me were 435d’s and I didn’t want a Diesel).
It is/might be a lovely car.
MarkJS said:
This car can’t qualify to be a BMW Approved Used Car, so needs to stay with another/different franchised dealer within the group.
I guess Stratstone don't have a thing like Sytner Select for cars that can't be sold as "approved used".GTEYE said:
Something strange. The steering wheel looks VERY shiny for 16,000 miles.
Probably warrants a visual inspection. I've seen some very variable steering wheel conditions. One car with just over 8k miles looked like a sweaty pervert had been all over it, another with 22k miles looked brand new. There's no rhyme or reason to it!GTEYE said:
The idrive service history anomaly with the 0000’s would suggest all might not be as it seems…
That's basically just the default for a service done outside the BMW main deler network. Not a concern in itself as long as the service has been done correctly.edthefed said:
The front on pictures showing the reg plate clearly has a dealership logo at the bottom of the plate
Pic 5 rear of the car - there appears to be no dealership logo at the bottom of the plate - possible accident damage.
I think that's down the the lighting in pic 5. In pic 7 the dealer name is clearly visible on the rear plate.Pic 5 rear of the car - there appears to be no dealership logo at the bottom of the plate - possible accident damage.
MarkJS said:
Completely agree. My info posted above isn’t conclusive.
As I’ve also previously said, I’d buy that car on the proviso that the history checks out, there’s a sensible story to explain why the car has been standing for a year and I negotiated a price I was happy with.
That colour combination was my second choice when I was on the hunt (the only ones that came along at that time for me were 435d’s and I didn’t want a Diesel).
It is/might be a lovely car.
Trouble is you will not get anything about the service history other than the I drive and cannot identify what dealer did the work and paper invoices will have been shredded.As I’ve also previously said, I’d buy that car on the proviso that the history checks out, there’s a sensible story to explain why the car has been standing for a year and I negotiated a price I was happy with.
That colour combination was my second choice when I was on the hunt (the only ones that came along at that time for me were 435d’s and I didn’t want a Diesel).
It is/might be a lovely car.
Its been punted round Stratstone / Evans Halshaw dealerships, no salesman will know the genuine history and will come up with a story that nobody can verify but which makes it sound like an ideal car as the sales manager wants shut of it before it costs them more money
GTEYE said:
Something strange. The steering wheel looks VERY shiny for 16,000 miles.
The idrive service history anomaly with the 0000’s would suggest all might not be as it seems…
The leather used on wheels of this era BMW is awful; it goes very shiny very quickly. My M140i was new and the wheel looked crap within months to be honest. The idrive service history anomaly with the 0000’s would suggest all might not be as it seems…
MitchT said:
Tricky one because, if I were to buy it, I'd put the BMW warranty on it, however, I don't want them to turn round, in the event of a claim, and tell me they're not paying up because the car isn't actually eligible due to a shady service history.
If you're interested in the car - but there are still doubts about the service history - tell Evans Halshaw you'll only buy it on the condition they have the car serviced by a BMW main dealer who are then prepared to confirm it's eligible for a BMW extended warranty. Given the car's been stood for over a year an oil service together with the associated BMW health check wouldn't be an unreasonable request IMO....edthefed said:
MarkJS said:
Completely agree. My info posted above isn’t conclusive.
As I’ve also previously said, I’d buy that car on the proviso that the history checks out, there’s a sensible story to explain why the car has been standing for a year and I negotiated a price I was happy with.
That colour combination was my second choice when I was on the hunt (the only ones that came along at that time for me were 435d’s and I didn’t want a Diesel).
It is/might be a lovely car.
Trouble is you will not get anything about the service history other than the I drive and cannot identify what dealer did the work and paper invoices will have been shredded.As I’ve also previously said, I’d buy that car on the proviso that the history checks out, there’s a sensible story to explain why the car has been standing for a year and I negotiated a price I was happy with.
That colour combination was my second choice when I was on the hunt (the only ones that came along at that time for me were 435d’s and I didn’t want a Diesel).
It is/might be a lovely car.
Its been punted round Stratstone / Evans Halshaw dealerships, no salesman will know the genuine history and will come up with a story that nobody can verify but which makes it sound like an ideal car as the sales manager wants shut of it before it costs them more money
Surprised that none of the sleuths have picked up on the fact that photo’s 23 & 28 were taken whilst the car was sitting in reverse gear with the engine running… 
Anyway, the ONLY way of putting this thing to bed is a combination of a physical call/visit to the dealer.
If I was in Yorkshire and wanted to buy an F32 440i in a gorgeous colour combination with low miles, I’d be doing just that.
Anyway, the ONLY way of putting this thing to bed is a combination of a physical call/visit to the dealer.
If I was in Yorkshire and wanted to buy an F32 440i in a gorgeous colour combination with low miles, I’d be doing just that.
MarkJS said:
Surprised that none of the sleuths have picked up on the fact that photo’s 23 & 28 were taken whilst the car was sitting in reverse gear with the engine running…
Anyway, the ONLY way of putting this thing to bed is a combination of a physical call/visit to the dealer.
If I was in Yorkshire and wanted to buy an F32 440i in a gorgeous colour combination with low miles, I’d be doing just that.
+1Anyway, the ONLY way of putting this thing to bed is a combination of a physical call/visit to the dealer.
If I was in Yorkshire and wanted to buy an F32 440i in a gorgeous colour combination with low miles, I’d be doing just that.
GTEYE said:
The idrive service history anomaly with the 0000’s would suggest all might not be as it seems…
That's basically just the default for a service done outside the BMW main deler network. Not a concern in itself as long as the service has been done correctly.In case it is of any interest, my BMW is serviced outside of the network, by an independent. They told me they are proud to put their dealer number in the service history, so not sure why anyone would log it as 00000 until that is their number.My understanding is that this is centrally logged as well, but that I am not 100% about.
MarkJS said:
How do you know this?
Dealerships routinely bin paper records on used cars so any chance of a service invoice showing exactly what work has been done is long gone.Sales reps do not know the history of every car especially one that has moved between two dealerships. Best you will get is a non committal "BMW car" "Management car" "Took it in part ex" cant tell you anymore owing to GPDR.
The sales rep is hardly going to tell you anything negative and put you off buying it
Its been paid for by the dealership over a year ago, possibly a stocking finance loan on it. Cars stuck on forecourts for 12 months rarely make money - dealerships make money selling cars - this one has not sold.
Would you trust a second hand car salesperson from a dealership not specialising in that make to know much about it ?
In addition to the service history issues, what condition will things like the battery, tyres, air con, brake discs etc be in after 12 months stood outside barely used on forecourts.
There is obviously a reason Stratsone cant get it to meet AUC standards .- not that they will ever tell you. Sratstone have numerous BMW dealerships if it didnt sell at Leeds they could have moved it to another BMW location in the group
edthefed said:
MarkJS said:
How do you know this?
Dealerships routinely bin paper records on used cars so any chance of a service invoice showing exactly what work has been done is long gone.Sales reps do not know the history of every car especially one that has moved between two dealerships. Best you will get is a non committal "BMW car" "Management car" "Took it in part ex" cant tell you anymore owing to GPDR.
The sales rep is hardly going to tell you anything negative and put you off buying it
Its been paid for by the dealership over a year ago, possibly a stocking finance loan on it. Cars stuck on forecourts for 12 months rarely make money - dealerships make money selling cars - this one has not sold.
Would you trust a second hand car salesperson from a dealership not specialising in that make to know much about it ?
In addition to the service history issues, what condition will things like the battery, tyres, air con, brake discs etc be in after 12 months stood outside barely used on forecourts.
There is obviously a reason Stratsone cant get it to meet AUC standards .- not that they will ever tell you. Sratstone have numerous BMW dealerships if it didnt sell at Leeds they could have moved it to another BMW location in the group
edthefed said:
Couple of issues
Leeds Stratstone must have 50 - 70 used BMWs for sale - must be a reason they dont want this one.
I worked for a Stratstone many years ago. 2010 ish.Leeds Stratstone must have 50 - 70 used BMWs for sale - must be a reason they dont want this one.
They need volume - 320d, 118d, 520d, the usual bread and butter.
There were cars that were not bought in for stock unless considerably under book because they were a pig to resell.
The 1st generation 120d was one such car. They were a much better car than the 118d but nobody wanted to know, especially the 2008 onwards Efficient Dynamics era stuff.
Petrol 5 Series.
ANYTHING Alpina. Referred to Sytner Notts.
E90 320Si.
Z4 3.0Si Coupe unless fully loaded with everything.
Stratstone BMW dealerships just auction off p/x's they don't want. They don't go to other non BMW Stratstone dealerships.
This car is at a Vauxhall dealership that paid way too much in p/x. They will have tried various BMW outlets, all of whom have said it's too much money. So they have to either auction it, or just front it out.
Go and have a look at it. There is a deal to be had there.
The Conflated Outlier said:
Go and have a look at it. There is a deal to be had there.
That's how I see it as well. There's obviously a question mark around the service history - and indeed why the car has been sat around for so long - but I actually think those things could used as potentially quite powerful bargaining chips in any negotiation. But as has been said earlier, the only way to find out is to talk to the dealer and ideally have a look at the car to establish exactly what state it's in after a year sitting on a forecourt....
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