Negotiating a good price for a BMW AUC
Discussion
OK, off to look at an e60 tonight and I have high hopes it'll be the one for me. Thinking of negotiating a price as follows:
- on my used valuation, stressing it's spotless, full Porsche SH, lots of toys
- on their car, stating it was facelifted a year later, doesn't have xenons etc.
- it's almost xmas
- it's dire in the city with low bonus expectations
- I have cash and am ready to deal right now
Then after a bit of haggling on price, move to extra things he can add in (that don't cost him much);
- extended warranty?
- free future servicing / service package?
Anything else I should do to avoid being bent over?
I'd focus mainly on what you deem to be a reasonable figure to change cars. That way there's more leverage on both sides (p/ex and screen price).
I had a figure in mind when I bought my wife a car (BMW AUC) in September and to obtain that they gave me £2000 over book on the part ex. It did take a 3 day 'stand off' after I'd said that I'm not budging, but I did get the call eventually.
Good luck
I had a figure in mind when I bought my wife a car (BMW AUC) in September and to obtain that they gave me £2000 over book on the part ex. It did take a 3 day 'stand off' after I'd said that I'm not budging, but I did get the call eventually.
Good luck
£2k over book? Wow. Though depends on how well priced their car was of course.
To be honest, if they give me the Glass's trade in value for my car against their screen price, we'll be very close to a deal as their price is already surprisingly good.
Will be viewing the car at night. Should I hold off on a deal until I've seen it in the day? I.e. what are the chances of a main dealer trying to pass on a dog/car that's had lots of paint? I assume it won't happen as they'd just throw anything less than perfect to auction?
noumenon said:
£2k over book? Wow. Though depends on how well priced their car was of course.
To be honest, if they give me the Glass's trade in value for my car against their screen price, we'll be very close to a deal as their price is already surprisingly good.
Will be viewing the car at night. Should I hold off on a deal until I've seen it in the day? I.e. what are the chances of a main dealer trying to pass on a dog/car that's had lots of paint? I assume it won't happen as they'd just throw anything less than perfect to auction?
You'd be surprised how ropey the paintwork on some AUCs can be. You must see it in daylight and in the dry. (voice of bitter experience...)To be honest, if they give me the Glass's trade in value for my car against their screen price, we'll be very close to a deal as their price is already surprisingly good.
Will be viewing the car at night. Should I hold off on a deal until I've seen it in the day? I.e. what are the chances of a main dealer trying to pass on a dog/car that's had lots of paint? I assume it won't happen as they'd just throw anything less than perfect to auction?
Time is on your side. It's not been a good year so all the numbers will be counting in the lead up to the end of Dec which puts you in a strong position.
If it were me, I'd view the car and haggle hard, go in so low that it feels comfatable but make it very clear I'll sign up for the right deal, be prepared to walk out, have a stand off over Christmas and then free up time in my dairy to turn up on New Year's Eve for one final push, be left sitting there whilst various sales managers are consulted and then sign some paperwork at about 4pm.
If it were me, I'd view the car and haggle hard, go in so low that it feels comfatable but make it very clear I'll sign up for the right deal, be prepared to walk out, have a stand off over Christmas and then free up time in my dairy to turn up on New Year's Eve for one final push, be left sitting there whilst various sales managers are consulted and then sign some paperwork at about 4pm.
Shame about losing that one. Hopefully there's another that fits the bill.
As Matt said earlier - timing has alot to do with the deal. I went in towards the end of the month, the car I wanted had been on the forecourt for a time and the sales guy (nice bloke actually) said that Inchape had bought in new directives that certain cars/milages/ages had an alloted time on any forecourt before being sent to auction to be sold at whatever price. Just so happens that this cars time was almost up and they'd already reduced the screen price by £1000.
Sales guys' view was that they'll make a loss anyway if it goes to auction so why not sell it now for a loss and hopefully gain a future customer. I still got the full 12 month warranty and they even serviced it even though it still had 4000 miles to go before one was due.
I even saw my p/ex on AT a few weeks later up at £1500 less than they gave me.
Oh, and he did almost laugh when we first broached the subject of what I was willing to pay.... strange how some things turn out.
As Matt said earlier - timing has alot to do with the deal. I went in towards the end of the month, the car I wanted had been on the forecourt for a time and the sales guy (nice bloke actually) said that Inchape had bought in new directives that certain cars/milages/ages had an alloted time on any forecourt before being sent to auction to be sold at whatever price. Just so happens that this cars time was almost up and they'd already reduced the screen price by £1000.
Sales guys' view was that they'll make a loss anyway if it goes to auction so why not sell it now for a loss and hopefully gain a future customer. I still got the full 12 month warranty and they even serviced it even though it still had 4000 miles to go before one was due.
I even saw my p/ex on AT a few weeks later up at £1500 less than they gave me.
Oh, and he did almost laugh when we first broached the subject of what I was willing to pay.... strange how some things turn out.
pgilc1 said:
noumenon said:
It was well priced, just got a call to say they've sold it!
Still, will have another look at their stock list...
Be aware that they wont have any interest in retailing your trade in, so they will be 'off loading' it into the trade. Still, will have another look at their stock list...
On the plus side, Sir can read very quickly and the online stock list shows average days in stock and average margin.
Sir also determined that several more sales were required this month and the salesman's calendar is empty tomorrow.
Given the square kick in the nads on trade in price, not sure if we'll be able to close the gap though.
I've just bought an M6 and got that discounted from 36k to 32k (and bits done included) as an AUC car... my advice would be...
1. Don't mention a trade in, look at the cars, talk to the guy about them and let him know you've seen others so they know you're serious
2. After the test drive go round the car and list everything wrong with it/extra bits that will close the deal for you (mats, re-paint nose,etc.,)
2. When enquiring on past ask to see all the infrmation including spec sheet, they will either pull up on computer or bring the forms in.. handy as you may well see the BMW finance/Inchape form that tells you when it appeared on the forecourt.
3. If you don't see above ask how long they've had it then ask for proof :-)
4. Chance are the longer it has sat there the longer they have had to pay out/it owes them so you've you're best chance of a "cheeky" ask
5. Once you've got them down to a figure that counts ensure they will be including all the bits you want... this is where the haggling gets tough... I even ended up going back out to the car, looking again and walking away once... then coming back in and having a final go! Eventually got the deal I wanted. It's only at the financials point that I'd mention the trade in as you're at the most intense haggling point by then.
It's not easy but with a nod at the back of your head that the guy still needs to make money then a good deal can be had. I would expect that they probably got my car in for somewhere around 28/29k through trade but they need to make money and I need to get a good deal so in my mind it's a good compromise when they know an M6 in December is NOT going to be out the door in five minutes.
Good luck
1. Don't mention a trade in, look at the cars, talk to the guy about them and let him know you've seen others so they know you're serious
2. After the test drive go round the car and list everything wrong with it/extra bits that will close the deal for you (mats, re-paint nose,etc.,)
2. When enquiring on past ask to see all the infrmation including spec sheet, they will either pull up on computer or bring the forms in.. handy as you may well see the BMW finance/Inchape form that tells you when it appeared on the forecourt.
3. If you don't see above ask how long they've had it then ask for proof :-)
4. Chance are the longer it has sat there the longer they have had to pay out/it owes them so you've you're best chance of a "cheeky" ask
5. Once you've got them down to a figure that counts ensure they will be including all the bits you want... this is where the haggling gets tough... I even ended up going back out to the car, looking again and walking away once... then coming back in and having a final go! Eventually got the deal I wanted. It's only at the financials point that I'd mention the trade in as you're at the most intense haggling point by then.
It's not easy but with a nod at the back of your head that the guy still needs to make money then a good deal can be had. I would expect that they probably got my car in for somewhere around 28/29k through trade but they need to make money and I need to get a good deal so in my mind it's a good compromise when they know an M6 in December is NOT going to be out the door in five minutes.
Good luck
outnumbered said:
Obviously you'll have more chance of getting a reduction on anything that's particularly unpopular in the current climate (e.g. an M6!). So you'd probably have less luck with negotiating on an "Efficient Dynamics" 520D than you would on a 550i.
Yes, very few v8s in stock and tend to be nearly new demonstrators so too much money. Sadly all the 545i cars went to auction some months back.matt uk said:
noumenon said:
Got one. Managed to get the guide price for my trade in and almost 2k under the guide price for theirs. Picking up in Jan. Very happy.
Nice one, sounds like you've done well there. Spec, colour, wheels?
Edited by matt uk on Monday 22 December 10:39
noumenon said:
matt uk said:
noumenon said:
Got one. Managed to get the guide price for my trade in and almost 2k under the guide price for theirs. Picking up in Jan. Very happy.
Nice one, sounds like you've done well there. Spec, colour, wheels?
Edited by matt uk on Monday 22 December 10:39
HarryW said:
Did you get 2k off their sticker price or 2k lower than a book price
It's all a bit relative. The car was on, just over 1k above book, but it didn't sell, so the slashed 3k off the price, putting it well under book. I got a little more off than that and some items thrown in (new mats, years tax, minor retrim ...). So to be fair, a lot of the hard work was already done when the dealer decided to take a hit on the car. I was pleased however to get a good trade in price for my car, as it's obvious they'll trade it on, so there's nothing in that for them. In terms of what to expect them to discount any car, that's going to depend on the dealer, the car and perhaps the phase of the moon. I think monthly and quarterly targets helped as they said they were making a loss on this particular car.In other words, I got 2k off the glass' book price but that was just a smidgin under their already discounted screen price.
Edited by noumenon on Monday 22 December 16:05
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