what would you think to this?

[sheldo]

Drove two hours from home yesterday to look at a E92 M3 alpine at a main dealer yesterday. Took the car for a drive which was in lovley conditon. Wheels were black and in great condition, interior was like new and the car had some lovley details such as the alacantra steering wheel. Overal we were quite impressed with how nice an example it was. After the drive negotiations took place as per usual. It was fairly intenese with lots of two and throwing as the dealer finally managed to get us into a place we felt happy to shake hands on. Paid a cash deposit and left.

The car had only been at the dealer three days and had not been inspected, valeted or anything else despite being advertised on the website. However today i received a call from the dealer telling me they had booked the car in with the workshop but however they have to remove the steering wheel as it belongs to the customer that used to own the car. None of this was mentioned at the time and we all comented and chatted about how nice it was to feel and use, and generally add something to the feel of the car.

The dealer did bend backwards to get us into the car as they were not able to adjust interest rates unlike the other dealer we had looked at a good deal with, but then again thats there job. Now im getting it in the neck from the other half demanding that they leave it in. I asked how much one would cost but im not paying what they quoted, i also asked if the customer it belonged to would consider selling it but apparantly this wasn't an option.

[whp1983]

Ridiculous.... If they hadn't had time to prep it they should have made it clear which options weren't staying on the car. If you still like it renegotiate. If they won't budge get deposit back and cancel deal (assuming you're not happy with deal and standard wheel)

[sheldo]

i felt it was a little strange. I have brought plenty of cars from main dealers but this is the first time anything like this has happend. They heavily discounted the car and i mean heavily but now it feels like bits are coming out to pay for it

[longfellow]

I would firstly get your deposit back so it puts you back in the driving seat (no pun intended) and then I would start renegotiating.

Does it say anything in the advert about the Alcantara steering wheel, as they may use that as a get out clause.

Good luck either way.

[E30M3SE]

They should have told you from the get go that the alcantara wheel wasn't included in the sale, same as they would if it was wearing the po's cherished plate.

But if the car is what you want and you don't want to lose it you may have to let them remove it.

[sonnyb]

Alcantara wears quickly and looks bad when it does...stick with the original.
I have an Alpine white E92 M3 by the way...


2013-05-05 16.52.35 by sonny.bobal2, on Flickr

[taters]

Try to get a free service or something.

Just buy some suede gloves and wear them whilst driving - same thing

[Gruber]

sonnyb said:

Alcantara wears quickly and looks bad when it does...stick with the original.

Very much this.

[stevesingo]

The conversation should go like this...

You:"Did you mention that the steering wheel would not be part of the deal before taking my deposit?"

Dealer: No

You: Either give me the deposit back or give me the steering wheel which was part of the car I placed the deposit upon!"

Simples!

[Birdster]

If the price is cheaper then other cars without then perhaps the price reflects this. I know the moral of the situation is that the car should come as it was agreed, but is it worth letting go if everything else is tip top?

[Carlton Banks]

Dealer in non disclosure, oversight issue- not exactly uncommon.

[Schermerhorn]

If they've already bent over backward and are now taking something away, tell them it is unacceptable as the terms have changed. Ask for a free service in writing.

[quavey]

I would say someone has walked in and offered them cash for the steering wheel, or perhaps a member of staff. Or they have damaged it whilst preparing the car and don't want to replace it with anything but standard.

Why on earth would a dealer keep someone elses steering wheel on a car they have traded in, more to the point surely the original owner would have taken it with them there and then rather than leaving it on the car.

If you want the alcantara wheel, then ask them to source and fit you one as the car was sold with one. If not let them loose the sale, and see if it suddenly becomes available again!

[Carlton Banks]

Shoe on the other foot - perhaps there was an agreement with the previous owner when he traded it that he would retain the steering wheel.
:lol:

[JRBM5]

Talk to the dealer.

Be open and honest about the chain of events and what the steering wheel means to you as part of the deal. Ask them what they can do for you to make up for this important item being removed and if what they offer is not good enough then ask for your deposit back.

I walked away from a perfectly good car due to an unsatisfactory chain of events at a Main Dealer only to find a better car shortly after. There are lots of good cars out there and many dealers will be willing to offer great deals so don't panic about how good the current offer is.

[TrickyTrevM5]

^^^^^^^^what he said ^^^^^^^^

They should have mentioned it to you in advance and didn't. So they are in a pinch as much as you are. Be honest with them and explain how this is an important part of the car for you. At the end of the day you gave them a deposit which if it doesn't work out, they have no claim over in my view as they struck a deal with you on a vehicle that is not roadworthy - ie it has no steering wheel! Or is not the car on which the deposit was given.

If you have no joy, tell that you will consider your options including seeking advice from bmw uk.

I am sure you will reach a happy medium.

Good luck

Trev

[skeeterm5]

You have a car which you like, at a price that you haggled hard to get and you are going to throw it away over a steering wheel?

IMHO, some perspective is needed.

S

[sheldo]

i agree with all the above comments and do like the car enough for the deal to carry on. I just wasn't sure if it was just myself and mrs that felt this was a little out of the ordinary. We have discussed it and as mentioned above aren't prepared to just throw it away over a steering wheel. We have looked at quite a few cars before agreeing this was the one for us. It's conditon has sold it to me not just the wheel. I dont think for one second they'll throw in a service due to the massive discount we got but perhaps they'll put the mrs a jacket or a handbag or something in to sweeten her up.