Is it just me - cheapskate used car dealers
Discussion
Been to look at a lovely Merc CLK 430 today - a real credit to its last owner and I'm giving serious consideration to buying it.
I did notice that the rear tyres were brand new Runway's - told the sales exec that I would want them replaced with half decent tyres as a condition of purchase - he looked at me as if I was stupid before exclaiming "They are brand new"
Would omeone seriously drive a reasonably powerful car on such poor rubber?
I did notice that the rear tyres were brand new Runway's - told the sales exec that I would want them replaced with half decent tyres as a condition of purchase - he looked at me as if I was stupid before exclaiming "They are brand new"
Would omeone seriously drive a reasonably powerful car on such poor rubber?
Andy665 said:
Been to look at a lovely Merc CLK 430 today - a real credit to its last owner and I'm giving serious consideration to buying it.
I did notice that the rear tyres were brand new Runway's - told the sales exec that I would want them replaced with half decent tyres as a condition of purchase - he looked at me as if I was stupid before exclaiming "They are brand new"
Would omeone seriously drive a reasonably powerful car on such poor rubber?
Most people who are not members of a motoring enthusiast forum would.I did notice that the rear tyres were brand new Runway's - told the sales exec that I would want them replaced with half decent tyres as a condition of purchase - he looked at me as if I was stupid before exclaiming "They are brand new"
Would omeone seriously drive a reasonably powerful car on such poor rubber?
mobile chicane22 said:
If theyve bee cheap with the tyres what else has been done on a budget ?
This is an argument that is often trotted out. I don't think it is really that relevant - if referring to an individual. Or even really for a dealership. The work under the bonnet is either done or not done. They could have avoided that and put expensive tyres on, and you would be in a worse position, and you wouldn't know about it.Most people would take an expensive car to the main dealers to get work done on it. But they do not for tyres, they just take it to the closes tyre place and ask them to replace with the same, or the cheapest available.
Edited by sinizter on Tuesday 15th November 18:57
Edited by sinizter on Tuesday 15th November 18:58
Its such a shame when you find a nice example of a car you particularly sought after and standing between you and said car is a stereotypical used car dealer. I far prefer to find these cars for sale privately but sometimes needs must and the only example is with the trade. Just need to try and get to it before they set about adding value.
The worst is when they do a service themselves. I remember once viewing a 530i Sport - years ago this was when I bought mine - and this particular example had full BMW history from new and a stack of invoices showing that the owner had only ever fitted the standard OEM fit tyres and had it into BMW for everything.
A week prior the seller - a generic used car place - had serviced it, stamped the book themselves and replaced both rear tyres with Chinese ditchfinders. I guess it's a good thing we couldnt agree a price... what a crying shame.
The worst is when they do a service themselves. I remember once viewing a 530i Sport - years ago this was when I bought mine - and this particular example had full BMW history from new and a stack of invoices showing that the owner had only ever fitted the standard OEM fit tyres and had it into BMW for everything.
A week prior the seller - a generic used car place - had serviced it, stamped the book themselves and replaced both rear tyres with Chinese ditchfinders. I guess it's a good thing we couldnt agree a price... what a crying shame.
Fortunately car has full MB service history and dealer said that they had fitted the tyres so that new owner could "enjoy" the benefit of new rubber - not put me off the car but definitely something that I need to factor into the decision as to whether to buy or not - in my opinion the used car dealer has just wasted money - why not spend another £60 and have a positive negotiating point rather than a negative
Frankly I've never been bothered by cheap tyres. I buy mid budget, but seldom test the limits, so just drive to the ability of what's on there.
The one exception was on an Espace, which ate front tyres. I decided to save some money and bought cheap. Most of the time they were fine, but when pressing on in bends you could feel the sidewall flex and squish.
The one exception was on an Espace, which ate front tyres. I decided to save some money and bought cheap. Most of the time they were fine, but when pressing on in bends you could feel the sidewall flex and squish.
Fox- said:
Its such a shame when you find a nice example of a car you particularly sought after and standing between you and said car is a stereotypical used car dealer. I far prefer to find these cars for sale privately but sometimes needs must and the only example is with the trade. Just need to try and get to it before they set about adding value.
The worst is when they do a service themselves. I remember once viewing a 530i Sport - years ago this was when I bought mine - and this particular example had full BMW history from new and a stack of invoices showing that the owner had only ever fitted the standard OEM fit tyres and had it into BMW for everything.
A week prior the seller - a generic used car place - had serviced it, stamped the book themselves and replaced both rear tyres with Chinese ditchfinders. I guess it's a good thing we couldnt agree a price... what a crying shame.
So? If the rest of the car was desirable barring those things, ignore them and factor in the price of a set of rubber of your own choosing and take it to BMW for a proper service yourself. Tell the dealer they can keep the cheap rubber afterwards for the next one they get in. The worst is when they do a service themselves. I remember once viewing a 530i Sport - years ago this was when I bought mine - and this particular example had full BMW history from new and a stack of invoices showing that the owner had only ever fitted the standard OEM fit tyres and had it into BMW for everything.
A week prior the seller - a generic used car place - had serviced it, stamped the book themselves and replaced both rear tyres with Chinese ditchfinders. I guess it's a good thing we couldnt agree a price... what a crying shame.
After all, a few hundred £ is nothing in the context of these sorts of cars is it, so why quibble about the purchase price?
Many years ago local car dealer put a remould (rated to 70 at the time) onto a Jenson Interceptor he was selling on his pitch.
The local plod lived opposite the forecourt and said he'd take action if a suitable tyre wasn't fitted instead.
Car dealer said "Its rated to 70 which is the speed limit"
Cop said "But we all know this car will be driven in excess of that, hence it's dangerous"
Dealer changed the tyre.
But as has been said most punters wouldn't check, know or care - until / unless they have an accident.
The local plod lived opposite the forecourt and said he'd take action if a suitable tyre wasn't fitted instead.
Car dealer said "Its rated to 70 which is the speed limit"
Cop said "But we all know this car will be driven in excess of that, hence it's dangerous"
Dealer changed the tyre.
But as has been said most punters wouldn't check, know or care - until / unless they have an accident.
Earlier this year, when viewing a particular car at a large car supermarket group, i mentioned to the salesman accompanying me that there were four different tyre make/treads on the car i was interested in and asked why this was.
He informed me that any tyres that were suspect were replaced, but they were unable to match them as the supply of tyre type/make was dictated by company policy of replacing with the cheapest around, and they were unable to guarantee that they would be supplied with matching type/tread.
Needless to say i did not purchase that particular vehicle from that particular group.
He informed me that any tyres that were suspect were replaced, but they were unable to match them as the supply of tyre type/make was dictated by company policy of replacing with the cheapest around, and they were unable to guarantee that they would be supplied with matching type/tread.
Needless to say i did not purchase that particular vehicle from that particular group.
Dealer runs a business, they will want to keep overheads to a minimum, 90% of people won't look at the brand of the tyre and most people will be impressed it has new tyres, regardless of the fact they are crap.
I imagine the car is a high risk too, (big engine , not the best era of mercs) hence keeping costs low. Just be thankful that they did the axle, most would just do one tyre!!
I imagine the car is a high risk too, (big engine , not the best era of mercs) hence keeping costs low. Just be thankful that they did the axle, most would just do one tyre!!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff