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There may be things you can do to an advert to make it look more appealing, but unless there's some real blooper in the ad, it generally comes down to price. I always do a WBAC check on any potential private purchase and aim to pay a bit above the trade bid. I think your margin over WBAC is too high. That said, it could be the PERFECT spec for a future buyer that will pay the premium, you'll just have to wait for him to turn up!
A quick search gives this. Complete with dealer facilities, security etc.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Edit, or this; newer, less miles.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
You need to price against the bottom of the market, not top.
Also just seen that you bought on PCP with a minimal deposit (I was curious to see if I could spot what you paid for it). The new buyer is going to have the perceived hassle of dealing with that side of it too, ie clearing the finance with the finance house rather than paying you. I think you've got two choices; Stick it out to get some equity in the car, or, accept a hit and refinance your new car PXing your current car with the dealer.
A quick search gives this. Complete with dealer facilities, security etc.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Edit, or this; newer, less miles.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
You need to price against the bottom of the market, not top.
Also just seen that you bought on PCP with a minimal deposit (I was curious to see if I could spot what you paid for it). The new buyer is going to have the perceived hassle of dealing with that side of it too, ie clearing the finance with the finance house rather than paying you. I think you've got two choices; Stick it out to get some equity in the car, or, accept a hit and refinance your new car PXing your current car with the dealer.
Edited by rix on Thursday 24th April 23:22
MG CHRIS said:
They can offer finance deals you cant I don't know any people that could go out and pay 17k out right for a car. Why risk it to go private when you can get a car for a trader with 6 month statuary warranty of sorts via soga.
Ad has to much waffle, I couldn't give a f
k why you where selling it so don't put it on there not many people care to there are only a few reason to sell a car
1 fancy something else
2 downgrading due to loss of job etc
3 its fked and you want rid of
4 partner told you to sell it
5 kids
If you were buying a car around that price range would you go private sale I wouldn't.
For a car like that I might actively seek a private sale because you can meet the owner and get an understanding of how he's looked after/value it.Ad has to much waffle, I couldn't give a f
k why you where selling it so don't put it on there not many people care to there are only a few reason to sell a car 1 fancy something else
2 downgrading due to loss of job etc
3 its f
ked and you want rid of4 partner told you to sell it
5 kids
If you were buying a car around that price range would you go private sale I wouldn't.
That said not that many people have 17k cash to spend all at once and would prefer the finance route.
Like others have said, £17k on a private sale is a lot of cash. For that sort of money, most people will want the nice surroundings of a dealer with everything they offer - finance, P/Ex, warranty, coffee machine, fit receptionist etc.
It's also a 3 litre twin-turbocharged petrol engined BMW saloon. If it was a 1.6 litre diesel hatch / estate / mini MPV it would have sold by now.
It's also a 3 litre twin-turbocharged petrol engined BMW saloon. If it was a 1.6 litre diesel hatch / estate / mini MPV it would have sold by now.
Apologies OP, but I'll be a bit blunt. As a serial car buyer, your advert does nothing for me. There are a few reasons:
1. The car's too expensive. As a private sale I would expect a low price. While, as a petrolhead, I can appreciate your car has been well looked after, imagine if a punter came across it in a sea of Autotrader and Gumtree adverts. Straight away, it's an overpriced private sale. Unless the boot is filled with PS4s it'll be difficult to regain any interest in it.
2. Continuing with the private sale issue - I can buy an approved used (from BMW) 335i SE for a thousand pounds cheaper. Yes, it's lower spec and two years older, but it's done half the mileage. The main thing for me is the AUC warranty - I'd be happy to tool around in a slightly older car (mileage notwithstanding) for peace of mind thanks to the warranty.
3. Your car is a saloon. Quite a few chaps at work have 3ers and unfortunately it seems to be one of those cars where it'll either be bought by a family man - who will want an estate - or by someone who hasn't got kids, and will go for the coupé instead. The saloon is a bit of a niché market and, truth be told, even though I haven't got kids and would prefer a coupé, I'd rather get an estate over a saloon thanks to the practicality.
4. The pictures don't help much. Seeing a car parked diagonally across car park spaces doesn't inspire confidence. I've always met a private buyer at their house, having seen pictures of the car at home (the odd fancy pic or two on a hillside or a tunnel is fine). My first opinion looking at the pics is to assume you're a "trader" working from home - and such sellers don't hold high regard.
I've been blunt to just draw negatives of your sale. I completely understand your viewpoint, but please appreciate that a seller will always over-value their own car. If I was to sell my Nissan I'd want £16k, and not a penny less. Realistically, a £15k sale would be a good result, but to me I'd not be inclined to let my pride and joy go for that sum. The sad reality is that PHers cars really aren't worth much more than regular punters (on the whole) - so I'm afraid you may have to stomach a low selling price.
That said I wish you the very best of luck and, on the surface, whoever ends up with your car is getting a lot of love and care for free.
1. The car's too expensive. As a private sale I would expect a low price. While, as a petrolhead, I can appreciate your car has been well looked after, imagine if a punter came across it in a sea of Autotrader and Gumtree adverts. Straight away, it's an overpriced private sale. Unless the boot is filled with PS4s it'll be difficult to regain any interest in it.
2. Continuing with the private sale issue - I can buy an approved used (from BMW) 335i SE for a thousand pounds cheaper. Yes, it's lower spec and two years older, but it's done half the mileage. The main thing for me is the AUC warranty - I'd be happy to tool around in a slightly older car (mileage notwithstanding) for peace of mind thanks to the warranty.
3. Your car is a saloon. Quite a few chaps at work have 3ers and unfortunately it seems to be one of those cars where it'll either be bought by a family man - who will want an estate - or by someone who hasn't got kids, and will go for the coupé instead. The saloon is a bit of a niché market and, truth be told, even though I haven't got kids and would prefer a coupé, I'd rather get an estate over a saloon thanks to the practicality.
4. The pictures don't help much. Seeing a car parked diagonally across car park spaces doesn't inspire confidence. I've always met a private buyer at their house, having seen pictures of the car at home (the odd fancy pic or two on a hillside or a tunnel is fine). My first opinion looking at the pics is to assume you're a "trader" working from home - and such sellers don't hold high regard.
I've been blunt to just draw negatives of your sale. I completely understand your viewpoint, but please appreciate that a seller will always over-value their own car. If I was to sell my Nissan I'd want £16k, and not a penny less. Realistically, a £15k sale would be a good result, but to me I'd not be inclined to let my pride and joy go for that sum. The sad reality is that PHers cars really aren't worth much more than regular punters (on the whole) - so I'm afraid you may have to stomach a low selling price.
That said I wish you the very best of luck and, on the surface, whoever ends up with your car is getting a lot of love and care for free.
sebhaque said:
Apologies OP, but I'll be a bit blunt. As a serial car buyer, your advert does nothing for me. There are a few reasons:
1. The car's too expensive. As a private sale I would expect a low price. While, as a petrolhead, I can appreciate your car has been well looked after, imagine if a punter came across it in a sea of Autotrader and Gumtree adverts. Straight away, it's an overpriced private sale. Unless the boot is filled with PS4s it'll be difficult to regain any interest in it.
2. Continuing with the private sale issue - I can buy an approved used (from BMW) 335i SE for a thousand pounds cheaper. Yes, it's lower spec and two years older, but it's done half the mileage. The main thing for me is the AUC warranty - I'd be happy to tool around in a slightly older car (mileage notwithstanding) for peace of mind thanks to the warranty.
3. Your car is a saloon. Quite a few chaps at work have 3ers and unfortunately it seems to be one of those cars where it'll either be bought by a family man - who will want an estate - or by someone who hasn't got kids, and will go for the coupé instead. The saloon is a bit of a niché market and, truth be told, even though I haven't got kids and would prefer a coupé, I'd rather get an estate over a saloon thanks to the practicality.
4. The pictures don't help much. Seeing a car parked diagonally across car park spaces doesn't inspire confidence. I've always met a private buyer at their house, having seen pictures of the car at home (the odd fancy pic or two on a hillside or a tunnel is fine). My first opinion looking at the pics is to assume you're a "trader" working from home - and such sellers don't hold high regard.
I've been blunt to just draw negatives of your sale. I completely understand your viewpoint, but please appreciate that a seller will always over-value their own car. If I was to sell my Nissan I'd want £16k, and not a penny less. Realistically, a £15k sale would be a good result, but to me I'd not be inclined to let my pride and joy go for that sum. The sad reality is that PHers cars really aren't worth much more than regular punters (on the whole) - so I'm afraid you may have to stomach a low selling price.
That said I wish you the very best of luck and, on the surface, whoever ends up with your car is getting a lot of love and care for free.
This is all spot on. Drop the price sharpish if you really want out, or sit and wait for months, but it is depreciating every day...1. The car's too expensive. As a private sale I would expect a low price. While, as a petrolhead, I can appreciate your car has been well looked after, imagine if a punter came across it in a sea of Autotrader and Gumtree adverts. Straight away, it's an overpriced private sale. Unless the boot is filled with PS4s it'll be difficult to regain any interest in it.
2. Continuing with the private sale issue - I can buy an approved used (from BMW) 335i SE for a thousand pounds cheaper. Yes, it's lower spec and two years older, but it's done half the mileage. The main thing for me is the AUC warranty - I'd be happy to tool around in a slightly older car (mileage notwithstanding) for peace of mind thanks to the warranty.
3. Your car is a saloon. Quite a few chaps at work have 3ers and unfortunately it seems to be one of those cars where it'll either be bought by a family man - who will want an estate - or by someone who hasn't got kids, and will go for the coupé instead. The saloon is a bit of a niché market and, truth be told, even though I haven't got kids and would prefer a coupé, I'd rather get an estate over a saloon thanks to the practicality.
4. The pictures don't help much. Seeing a car parked diagonally across car park spaces doesn't inspire confidence. I've always met a private buyer at their house, having seen pictures of the car at home (the odd fancy pic or two on a hillside or a tunnel is fine). My first opinion looking at the pics is to assume you're a "trader" working from home - and such sellers don't hold high regard.
I've been blunt to just draw negatives of your sale. I completely understand your viewpoint, but please appreciate that a seller will always over-value their own car. If I was to sell my Nissan I'd want £16k, and not a penny less. Realistically, a £15k sale would be a good result, but to me I'd not be inclined to let my pride and joy go for that sum. The sad reality is that PHers cars really aren't worth much more than regular punters (on the whole) - so I'm afraid you may have to stomach a low selling price.
That said I wish you the very best of luck and, on the surface, whoever ends up with your car is getting a lot of love and care for free.
Condi said:
Small market for it, and the people who can afford it are the people who are likely to afford another 4 or 5k and go to a dealer as first point of call. Its a lot of money to find for a private sale.
Someone will have it, but how long are you prepared to wait?
But that's the problem - he's not selling it for 4 or 5k less than main dealers.Someone will have it, but how long are you prepared to wait?
Selling privately you've got to assume you're on the back foot from the get go nowadays competing with dealers. If you're not markedly cheaper from the outset, disregarding all other factors, you won't get a look in.
However as a counterpoint to what has been said before, I personally actually quite like the "waffle" (missteps about saying he "knew he bought the wrong car and should've got an M3 instead" notwithstanding). It tends to make me more comfortable believing someone who says their car was maintained fastidiously if their advert is similarly lavished with attention. Certainly private vs trade it can be a difference maker given that any buyer has to be more reassured by the owner and their honesty when buying private.
sebhaque said:
OP, but I'll be a bit blunt. As a serial car buyer, your advert does nothing for me. There are a few reasons:
1. The car's too expensive. As a private sale I would expect a low price. While, as a petrolhead, I can appreciate your car has been well looked after, imagine if a punter came across it in a sea of Autotrader and Gumtree adverts. Straight away, it's an overpriced private sale. Unless the boot is filled with PS4s it'll be difficult to regain any interest in it.
Unfortunately to drop the price a couple of thousand as people have suggested wouldn't repay the bank and what I owe so sticking it out is all I've got really. 1. The car's too expensive. As a private sale I would expect a low price. While, as a petrolhead, I can appreciate your car has been well looked after, imagine if a punter came across it in a sea of Autotrader and Gumtree adverts. Straight away, it's an overpriced private sale. Unless the boot is filled with PS4s it'll be difficult to regain any interest in it.
sebhaque said:
2. Continuing with the private sale issue - I can buy an approved used (from BMW) 335i SE for a thousand pounds cheaper. Yes, it's lower spec and two years older, but it's done half the mileage. The main thing for me is the AUC warranty - I'd be happy to tool around in a slightly older car (mileage notwithstanding) for peace of mind thanks to the warranty.
It has the auc warranty all be it that it's not a year but 6 months. I guess people will either think like you and be happy with just that engine or the others like me had a specific spec they want which mine has and deserves a premium??? I have spent a bit of my time on the BMW forums and every what car post on the e90 suggests most will pay more for an lci and a six cylinder lci is rare in saloon form.sebhaque said:
3. Your car is a saloon. Quite a few chaps at work have 3ers and unfortunately it seems to be one of those cars where it'll either be bought by a family man - who will want an estate - or by someone who hasn't got kids, and will go for the coupé instead. The saloon is a bit of a niché market and, truth be told, even though I haven't got kids and would prefer a coupé, I'd rather get an estate over a saloon thanks to the practicality.
4. The pictures don't help much. Seeing a car parked diagonally across car park spaces doesn't inspire confidence. I've always met a private buyer at their house, having seen pictures of the car at home (the odd fancy pic or two on a hillside or a tunnel is fine). My first opinion looking at the pics is to assume you're a "trader" working from home - and such sellers don't hold high regard.
Saloon vs estate or coupe I see your point, I guess I needed just the four doors as I have a vrs estate for the family so just need easy access for getting the kids in... Maybe this is a small market? parking comment on the picture is a bit harsh?!?! but they are not terrible as ones taken as those I have seen on adverts at night or too close you can't even see the whole car in one shot. But I'll get some better ones if I continue the sale as I don't hold much hope to sell it now... Maybe I need to wait a year or so and just enjoy it as it's not terrible by any means in fact it's an amazing engine but with the new m3 coming out I'm sure e90 prices will drop a bit more and might be able to get an lci.4. The pictures don't help much. Seeing a car parked diagonally across car park spaces doesn't inspire confidence. I've always met a private buyer at their house, having seen pictures of the car at home (the odd fancy pic or two on a hillside or a tunnel is fine). My first opinion looking at the pics is to assume you're a "trader" working from home - and such sellers don't hold high regard.
Cheers for being blunt though no harm done
Edited by SBN on Friday 25th April 08:02
Edited by SBN on Friday 25th April 08:03
SBN said:
Unfortunately to drop the price a couple of thousand as people have suggested wouldn't repay the bank and what I owe so sticking it out is all I've got really.
Well, the alternative is that you cough up the difference between the sale price and the settlement figure. It sounds as if unfortunately, it's in negative equity.I have known people who can't afford to sell a car for this reason...
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