Recommended Dealers

[jamezlec]

Firstly, Hi to everyone as this is my first post on Piston Heads; I have found the site to be full of useful information and has a good Classfieds section.

I am hoping that fellow PH's maybe be able to provide some advice.
I live in Jersey in the Channel Islands and I am coming over to the England later this week to look for a car. More specifically an Audi A4 or a BMW 5 Series. After searching on the internet I have found many garages/ dealers to try, however I have no idea about their reputations. Can anyone recommend any dealers in the central south coast area that have provided decent service and choice, or just as importantly any places to avoid?

Any hints and tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

James

[Loopyleesa]

Depends on your price range, but one I would highly recommend is Merv Hannam.

http://www.mervhannam.co.uk/

[Paul.B]

Try mentioning a few where they have cars you are interested in and maybe someone will let you know if the dealer is to be avoided. Be aware there are Nam & Shame rules on here though.

[ecain63]

Im not so fond of Merv Hannam myself but Norman Motors are always very helpfull.

What spec of cars are you looking for? Diesel / petrol, saloon / estate?

Eddie

[Loopyleesa]

ecain63 said:

Im not so fond of Merv Hannam myself but Norman Motors are always very helpfull.

What spec of cars are you looking for? Diesel / petrol, saloon / estate?

Eddie

Why? Have you had a bad experience with them?

I have known Merv and Ashley for 30 years and their turn around record is amazing!

They have been going since 1966 and have an incredible reputation.

[ecain63]

Not personally but I have friends and customers that have had bad dealings. I will not give specifics but I believe what I hear. Anyway, if they have been good to you and others that's all that matters.

[jamezlec]

Thanks everyone for the replies, really nice to get some feedback.

I realised after I posted that I possibly didn't give enough detail, so here's some more.

Firstly I am looking to buy a used car rather than new; there is very little choice on an island 9 miles by 5!

Currently it's a toss up between an Audi A4 2.0 TFSI or 3.0 TDI S line and a BMW 530 M Sport petrol or diesel.
Realistically I am looking for an 2008 car onwards as both were facelifted that year, for about £15-16k.

So far all the looking I have done has been on the approved used websites for both companies, as I am weary of going elsewhere but should I be? This was what lead to my query of trying to find dealers with a reasonable quantity of cars with good service and reputation.

All thoughts would be gratefully received,

Cheers,

James

[Loopyleesa]

Probably be best to find one that you like, and ask one of us to have the first look and then you could come over.

[jamezlec]

I would love to be able to get the cars checked over before i came over, but it would be rather strange asking someone i have never meet to take a look at a car for me! Probably quite difficult as well because i am only over for four days from Wednesday.

I have seen a few Audi's fitting my criteria in several of the approved dealerships in Crawley, Portsmouth, Southampton and Basingstoke, not sure if anyone has had any dealings with any of these?

Cheers,

James

[Mark.]

Just ordered my new Audi and had dealing with both Portsmouth and Southampton branches. Refreshing that they actually take care to talk to you, call you back when they say they will and generally keep in touch.
Only did it all via phone, but everything from queries to arranging test drive was faultless.

[rje]

I have bought a few Audis from Southampton Audi. They are part of Harwoods group and seem interested in their customers. Paul Hare is the sales manager, usually deals to be done. I have also purchased from Poole Audi. Again good customer service.

I had an a4 3.0 tdi and and a6 with same engine. Loads of torque and 49 mpg no matter how much you enjoy the wave of torque.

R

[Mark.]

rje said:

I had an a4 3.0 tdi and and a6 with same engine. Loads of torque and 49 mpg no matter how much you enjoy the wave of torque.

R

[Off Topic]. I test drove the A6 3.0 - amazing engine, and economy. But read the reviews/specs and being a company car, slightly scared how much the tax man could hate me if he chose so ordered the 2.0 [/Off Topic]

[Jonboy_t]

Speak to a chap called Pete Long at Audi Southampton. He's a mate of mine, so this may be considered favouritism, but he is a very genuine bloke and will definitely look after you.

One thing to bear in mind about Audi garages in particular is that they can't sell trade-ins (apparently), they all have to go off to traders. So if someone has the exact car that you want and has just chopped it in for a brand new one, you'll have to wait until Audi have sold it on and then pay the marked up price from the trader - even if the car is in their car park there and then! Bit of a ball ache from the sounds of it, but all their 2nd hand ones are sourced for them rather than taking whatever comes in as trade-ins.