Advice on selling X5 in Zurich

[Ginos]

Hi all, looking for some advice as we prepare to depart Switzerland (March/April) to return to Australia. We have a high spec BMW X3 3.0 Diesel with 90k, 2009 and FSH. We live in Zurich.

I want to avoid what seems to be a common issue here of advertising for several months and not selling.

So, some questions if I may: What would the price need to be to sell privately, which sites work best, any recommendations about selling to a dealer, any other advice?

Cheers.

[jamiebae]

Autoscout24.CH seems to be the main site everyone uses but nothing seems to sell quickly here, unless you pull your pants down and give it away to a dealer. Roughly how much are you expecting to get for it?

[Schnellmann]

I've used Autoscout24. Very easy but think competence in local language probably important.

Suggest the OP uses Autoscout to establish a value. Prices in Autoscout often optimistic/high so if you want to sell quickly you would have to be at the bottom of the range for similar cars.

You could approach a dealer and get them to sell on commission (I have done that three times), although that can be a very long process so depends whether you need the cash before you leave Switzerland.

[Ginos]

thanks guys. it seems most advertised with the same KMs and spec are 35 to 40, so I think i'll lob in at 33 or 34.

We need to drive the car for a few weeks still so I think going down the commission route with the dealer won't work for us.

Do you have any dealers you'd recommend or is the BMW main dealer the nest bet?

thanks again.

[WelshBoyo]

I sold my Golf R32 via the ex-pat forums. Sold it to a British chap in a couple of weeks.

[MogulBoy]

X5 or X3?

The last time I had a car to sell out here, I didn't fancy asking a dealer for a cash offer so had the bumpers painted (as they were scruffy) and put it up on autoscout24.ch.

When you go through the listing process, you will be presented with a chart showing where your car would sit in terms of the age/kms/asking price versus the competition which can be interesting.

I was happy to price mine at the lower end and with some decent photos and found that I had a few local private buyers interested. I sold to the first viewer who paid a deposit and was happy to wait a month to collect. I then rented a wreck for CHF20/day for a couple of weeks to tide me over until my new wheels were ready. On reflection, it was so easy that I rather wished that I had held out for the stellar offer that subseqently came in from Nigeria!

If your cantonal inspection test is due within the year, you might get it done early/now as that will be a further selling point.

Good luck and hope you sell it quickly and enjoy your remaining time in the country! It's only money!

[Ginos]

Thanks all.

Sold the car today (X5) to a local family via one of the expat forums - Yahoo I think. It ended up being quite painless.

Now I need to get thinking what to buy in Aus...