Got an M135i for the day
Discussion
After reducing my next car down to a Golf R or M135i, I wondered down to my local dealers to see the cars, have a drive in them and see what deals are to be had.
Went to my local VW dealer, got told they don't run an R as a demonstrator, Oh, i said, how do you sell them if you can't test drive or even sit in one, salesmans reply was 'most people just buy them without seeing them'. He then goes on to tell me they've only sold 2 and both came not as the correct spec! I quickly decided he was an ass and went to try another VW dealers.
Found a better salesman but was told that they don't have a demo car either, they sold it before it arrived. They have another one on order but is 9 weeks away and then build times are 6 months on new cars. Lost patience with VW.
Went to BMW and the salesman was brilliant, showed me round the car in the showroom, asked a few questions and arranged a test drive. He asked me what time i want to pick the car up? I was a bit puzzled but said i'd get to the dealers at about 9-10am, he said just make sure the car is back by 4pm as it's being run by a manager and he needs it to get home. So looking forward to tomorrow, will be able to have a good play with the car.
Not that i pay too much attention to Clarkson's reviews, but it's just started raining..... hope it's dry tomorrow! lol.
Went to my local VW dealer, got told they don't run an R as a demonstrator, Oh, i said, how do you sell them if you can't test drive or even sit in one, salesmans reply was 'most people just buy them without seeing them'. He then goes on to tell me they've only sold 2 and both came not as the correct spec! I quickly decided he was an ass and went to try another VW dealers.
Found a better salesman but was told that they don't have a demo car either, they sold it before it arrived. They have another one on order but is 9 weeks away and then build times are 6 months on new cars. Lost patience with VW.
Went to BMW and the salesman was brilliant, showed me round the car in the showroom, asked a few questions and arranged a test drive. He asked me what time i want to pick the car up? I was a bit puzzled but said i'd get to the dealers at about 9-10am, he said just make sure the car is back by 4pm as it's being run by a manager and he needs it to get home. So looking forward to tomorrow, will be able to have a good play with the car.
Not that i pay too much attention to Clarkson's reviews, but it's just started raining..... hope it's dry tomorrow! lol.
I do love salesmen who shoot themselves in the foot.
I remember when the Merc CLS was brand new, my mother's A170 Diesel was in for service and she took a shine to the CLS in the showroom.
Salesman sneerily commented "Oh well you shouldn't really consider that if you have an A-Class".... somehow forgot we'd had an ML from them previously, and both a Ferrari and Porsche on the drive at the time...
Not the only time that M-B dealer were very rude to us.
I remember when the Merc CLS was brand new, my mother's A170 Diesel was in for service and she took a shine to the CLS in the showroom.
Salesman sneerily commented "Oh well you shouldn't really consider that if you have an A-Class".... somehow forgot we'd had an ML from them previously, and both a Ferrari and Porsche on the drive at the time...
Not the only time that M-B dealer were very rude to us.
I popped into a Jag dealer last week and asked for a test drive in a sportbrake. Yes sir. Me and the Mrs in the front salesman in back. Took it up the dual carriageway and round a few lanes.
Said afterwards I would get back to him. Three days later asked if I could drive a car for the day. Yes Sir again. Took the car from Bristol to home that night did the test pack for Le Mans, Check it is big enough for the main items. In the morning drove it to Birmingham for work and used Bluetooth, SatNAV, DAB Radio, Cruise Control etc. Later that day got back to the dealer and bought one!
Phoned the Mazda dealer that cancelled two test drives because they didn't have an auto and told them their loss!
Rule of thumb LET US TEST DRIVE.
Said afterwards I would get back to him. Three days later asked if I could drive a car for the day. Yes Sir again. Took the car from Bristol to home that night did the test pack for Le Mans, Check it is big enough for the main items. In the morning drove it to Birmingham for work and used Bluetooth, SatNAV, DAB Radio, Cruise Control etc. Later that day got back to the dealer and bought one!
Phoned the Mazda dealer that cancelled two test drives because they didn't have an auto and told them their loss!
Rule of thumb LET US TEST DRIVE.
I've been trying to get a shot of a Golf R and like you, I'm finding it tough.
One garage had a demo, but the manager was off on paternity leave and had it.
Another garage had no idea about the R and directed me to look at the GTD.
Another garage asked if "If I really needed a test drive?". "You know what you're getting with a Golf".
I've been around quite a few VW garages and the laziness/arrogance shown is awful.
My local garage had sold 20 of them by mid February, not a single viewing nevermind a test drive. All buyers were Golf owners.
Certainly seems to be a huge case of brand loyalty from the customer and contempt shown from the dealers towards customers.
One garage had a demo, but the manager was off on paternity leave and had it.
Another garage had no idea about the R and directed me to look at the GTD.
Another garage asked if "If I really needed a test drive?". "You know what you're getting with a Golf".
I've been around quite a few VW garages and the laziness/arrogance shown is awful.
My local garage had sold 20 of them by mid February, not a single viewing nevermind a test drive. All buyers were Golf owners.
Certainly seems to be a huge case of brand loyalty from the customer and contempt shown from the dealers towards customers.
I guess part of the issue is that the 'R' is brand new, where as the M135i has been out for around a year now (rough guess). Therefore it's a lot easier for BMW to get their hands on a 135i than for VW to find you an 'R' to play with for a day.
Still, it doesn't excuse almost trying to discourage you from getting access to a car. They're probably more interested in selling 1.6 diesels as that's where the money is. Arranging you access to an 'R' would need time and effort.
Still, it doesn't excuse almost trying to discourage you from getting access to a car. They're probably more interested in selling 1.6 diesels as that's where the money is. Arranging you access to an 'R' would need time and effort.
I guess its down to dealerships, I have been trying to get a drive in the Golf R, my local dealership has a DSG on demo, they canceled my original test drive last weekend and have struggled to get the salesman to return my calls since.
Luckily another dealer a bit further from me has a manual on demo, Ideal! So finally booked in for this coming weekend.
Luckily another dealer a bit further from me has a manual on demo, Ideal! So finally booked in for this coming weekend.
Same thing last week in vw went in intending to buy either a gtd or gti. Spoke to the salesman, told him I would be prepared to buy immediately .. New unreg car sitting outside .. Took my number and email .. Watched him diary the call for 1130 next day with figures .. Have I had a call ? Or an email ?
Unreal
Unreal
I'd buy without driving, it's one of those cars that if you read the reviews for and drive a normal Golf you'd probably already have a good idea of what to expect.
CO2000 said:
Imagine Apple sales folk saying "no we are not taking them out of the box for you to handle, they sell themselves"
Tons of people pre-order online without seeing the product It doesn't matter which way you present it, not having a model to try or finding a solution is w
k customer service. Even more wk is to intimate you're nuts for asking.
You don't expect a dealer to have every trim and engine spec to test, but with something specific like the Golf R, they should have one.
k customer service. Even more wk is to intimate you're nuts for asking.You don't expect a dealer to have every trim and engine spec to test, but with something specific like the Golf R, they should have one.
I bought a just launched brand new car once without a test drive biggest mistake ever it was terrible punted it after 7 months I've never bought anything since without a test drive.
On the subject of VW...when the diesel version of the new Scirocco was launched I wanted to drive one and my local dealer took one out of the showroom put trade plates on it and out we went...ordered one when we returned, brilliant.
That's the way to do it.
On the subject of VW...when the diesel version of the new Scirocco was launched I wanted to drive one and my local dealer took one out of the showroom put trade plates on it and out we went...ordered one when we returned, brilliant.
That's the way to do it.
It was a bit odd for such a large company not to have their flagship model available to try, still, from everything i've read so far on the Mk7 Golf R, it does seem to be having it's unfair share of problems, from seats made from school trousers to paintwork polished with sandpaper and complete guesswork with factory fitted options. I'm sure some may buy without trying, but most will want to try first so if they want to sell the R in any meaningful numbers they need to get them on the forecourt. They may be new, but they've been out long enough to make a few demo cars.
From what i've read, the M135i looks the better choice and without being able to drive the Golf to make my own mind up, i'll likely be ordering the BMW and VW have missed out on a potential sale because they can't be arsed.
From what i've read, the M135i looks the better choice and without being able to drive the Golf to make my own mind up, i'll likely be ordering the BMW and VW have missed out on a potential sale because they can't be arsed.
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