Problem with BMW Approved Used and run flat tyres
Discussion
Hey all
Quick question.
I bought a 335i M Sport from BMW and after leaving a deposit, went to see it. Numerous issues aside, I noticed the car fitted with non run flat tyres (Falken FK453).
I questioned the dealer why a car developed on run flat tyres was now being sold Approved Used with conventional tyres? Even more, conventional tyres that are not on the BMW Approved tyre list.
The dealer wasn't having any of it, suggesting that as the tyres are legal (around 4mm rear and 5mm front) they would not be changed.
Now, I've bought this car on the basis that it's approved and hence comes with various preparation benefits. In reality I know this isn't true and that the Approved scheme is really rubbish, but I'm quick to notice things and want them resolved. Like the fact that the internal heater/fan fails to release any air whatsoever regardless of fan speed (which doesn't make a difference) and somehow this passed their 'stringent 140 point check'.
I sent the dealer a hit-list of things I wanted resolved before collection (simple things like giving it a CLEAN, removing the dog hair/sweet wrappers/coins/crisps/parking machine tabs/cleaning the leather and carpets/cleaning dog hair from the headlining/removing scratches from the body/refurbishing the kerbed alloys/fixing the heater which doesn't work etc) and I received an email from the sales manager suggesting they would do their best but are concerned that they won't be able to get the car to my standards!
A load of rubbish! I've asked them to fix bits they would have to do anyhow for AUC!
Now where do I stand with the tyres? Should they be changed to RFT tyres? I know this will cost them near £800 and clearly the young saleman missed this when he took the car in trade.
I have sent an email to BMW customer services asking their opinion. I won't be fobbed off by dealers failing to prep cars correctly in order to maximise profit!
Admittedly they did say the car was just in and unprepped, but come on, throw a bucket over it and get the hoover out!
Urgent advice appreciated.
Cheers
Quick question.
I bought a 335i M Sport from BMW and after leaving a deposit, went to see it. Numerous issues aside, I noticed the car fitted with non run flat tyres (Falken FK453).
I questioned the dealer why a car developed on run flat tyres was now being sold Approved Used with conventional tyres? Even more, conventional tyres that are not on the BMW Approved tyre list.
The dealer wasn't having any of it, suggesting that as the tyres are legal (around 4mm rear and 5mm front) they would not be changed.
Now, I've bought this car on the basis that it's approved and hence comes with various preparation benefits. In reality I know this isn't true and that the Approved scheme is really rubbish, but I'm quick to notice things and want them resolved. Like the fact that the internal heater/fan fails to release any air whatsoever regardless of fan speed (which doesn't make a difference) and somehow this passed their 'stringent 140 point check'.
I sent the dealer a hit-list of things I wanted resolved before collection (simple things like giving it a CLEAN, removing the dog hair/sweet wrappers/coins/crisps/parking machine tabs/cleaning the leather and carpets/cleaning dog hair from the headlining/removing scratches from the body/refurbishing the kerbed alloys/fixing the heater which doesn't work etc) and I received an email from the sales manager suggesting they would do their best but are concerned that they won't be able to get the car to my standards!
A load of rubbish! I've asked them to fix bits they would have to do anyhow for AUC!
Now where do I stand with the tyres? Should they be changed to RFT tyres? I know this will cost them near £800 and clearly the young saleman missed this when he took the car in trade.
I have sent an email to BMW customer services asking their opinion. I won't be fobbed off by dealers failing to prep cars correctly in order to maximise profit!
Admittedly they did say the car was just in and unprepped, but come on, throw a bucket over it and get the hoover out!
Urgent advice appreciated.
Cheers
I've had over 80 cars and am not the usual customer. I am the 1% of customer these places don't like to and can't deal with.
I do not think they were expecting such a critique of the car! And I genuinely think the young saleman missed the tyres when he took it in.
I still want the car and have left the obligatory £1000 securing the deposit. I just won't take it with all of these things (mainly just valeting stuff) sorted. And the tyres are a worry for me; admittedly I'd probably get the horrid runflats off anyhow but would replace them with something like a Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (it's got 306HP and 400Nm and I want it to grip!).
I have no beef with mid range tyres. My old E30 M3 used to live on Falken FK452's and my Integra DC2 still runs Kumho KU39's, BUT I do not expect to see Falken tyres on a car at a very prestigious BMW showroom!
I'll keep you all posted.
I do not think they were expecting such a critique of the car! And I genuinely think the young saleman missed the tyres when he took it in.
I still want the car and have left the obligatory £1000 securing the deposit. I just won't take it with all of these things (mainly just valeting stuff) sorted. And the tyres are a worry for me; admittedly I'd probably get the horrid runflats off anyhow but would replace them with something like a Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (it's got 306HP and 400Nm and I want it to grip!).
I have no beef with mid range tyres. My old E30 M3 used to live on Falken FK452's and my Integra DC2 still runs Kumho KU39's, BUT I do not expect to see Falken tyres on a car at a very prestigious BMW showroom!
I'll keep you all posted.
If you aren't happy with the car, don't buy it.
There is plenty of others out there to buy.
BMW knock you down a lot if you try to trade in a car without run flats.
It would surprise me if they were missed on trade in. Loads of people change them and the dealers do look. Nothing wrong with normal tyres on the car, although I wouldn't go with Falken.
If you are in the 1% who is really picky about their cars, I doubt a dealer will repair the scratches to a high enough standard. It will be bare minimum.
The fact the dealer has told you they are unlikely to meet your standards tells a story.
AUC means absolutely nothing. It doesn't mean you are getting a better, problem free car.
There is plenty of others out there to buy.
BMW knock you down a lot if you try to trade in a car without run flats.
It would surprise me if they were missed on trade in. Loads of people change them and the dealers do look. Nothing wrong with normal tyres on the car, although I wouldn't go with Falken.
If you are in the 1% who is really picky about their cars, I doubt a dealer will repair the scratches to a high enough standard. It will be bare minimum.
The fact the dealer has told you they are unlikely to meet your standards tells a story.
AUC means absolutely nothing. It doesn't mean you are getting a better, problem free car.
Edited by Driver101 on Saturday 11th October 22:09
Driver101 said:
If you aren't happy with the car, don't buy it.
There is plenty of others out there to buy.
Exactly this IMHO... When I looked for mine, all AUC seemed to mean was the car was good enough for them to warranty based on 'mechanical condition' - something that mattered to me, but paint and interior still varied massively. If you think you've got high standards, look for a good one rather than expect them to go the extra mile on a car they can probably shift 'as-is' to someone less fickle!There is plenty of others out there to buy.
rezaq said:
Guys you can't find another in the network!
And under all the minor details I think is a good car on low mileage!
Just confused on the tyres and awaiting a response from BMW
What model and spec of 335i are you looking for?And under all the minor details I think is a good car on low mileage!
Just confused on the tyres and awaiting a response from BMW
Does it really have to be AUC?
I would advise against AUC. To me you are paying over the odds and not getting much benefit at all. As you see they are arguing over tyres.
If you did have a suspension issue, those tyres do suddenly matter.
It's a 335i M Sport touring with the most ridiculous high spec I've ever seen!
Plus I got 2 year warranty so peace of mind for 2 years; these engines are quite fragile.
You are right above the suspension/tyres - I will email them about this.
My feeling is if BMW UK email me back to say it needs to be on runflats and I go back to the BMW dealer with this info, they'll just fob me off and cause me to back out.
I cannot believe they would have paid more than £7500 for this car as it stands in trade in. Yes its got 52K on it but a 3.0 petrol twin turbo with £500 a year tax cannot be flavour of the day at the moment.
I won't find another in the network. The don't crop up now.
Funny thing is I'm selling my rare and beloved E36 328i Sport touring for it; I actually looked forward to jumping in it after the 335i for the drive back to London!
Plus I got 2 year warranty so peace of mind for 2 years; these engines are quite fragile.
You are right above the suspension/tyres - I will email them about this.
My feeling is if BMW UK email me back to say it needs to be on runflats and I go back to the BMW dealer with this info, they'll just fob me off and cause me to back out.
I cannot believe they would have paid more than £7500 for this car as it stands in trade in. Yes its got 52K on it but a 3.0 petrol twin turbo with £500 a year tax cannot be flavour of the day at the moment.
I won't find another in the network. The don't crop up now.
Funny thing is I'm selling my rare and beloved E36 328i Sport touring for it; I actually looked forward to jumping in it after the 335i for the drive back to London!
rezaq said:
It's a 335i M Sport touring with the most ridiculous high spec I've ever seen!
Plus I got 2 year warranty so peace of mind for 2 years; these engines are quite fragile.
You are right above the suspension/tyres - I will email them about this.
My feeling is if BMW UK email me back to say it needs to be on runflats and I go back to the BMW dealer with this info, they'll just fob me off and cause me to back out.
I cannot believe they would have paid more than £7500 for this car as it stands in trade in. Yes its got 52K on it but a 3.0 petrol twin turbo with £500 a year tax cannot be flavour of the day at the moment.
I won't find another in the network. The don't crop up now.
Funny thing is I'm selling my rare and beloved E36 328i Sport touring for it; I actually looked forward to jumping in it after the 335i for the drive back to London!
Such an old car on AUC? The £500 road tax for the N54 engine went in 2008. Plus I got 2 year warranty so peace of mind for 2 years; these engines are quite fragile.
You are right above the suspension/tyres - I will email them about this.
My feeling is if BMW UK email me back to say it needs to be on runflats and I go back to the BMW dealer with this info, they'll just fob me off and cause me to back out.
I cannot believe they would have paid more than £7500 for this car as it stands in trade in. Yes its got 52K on it but a 3.0 petrol twin turbo with £500 a year tax cannot be flavour of the day at the moment.
I won't find another in the network. The don't crop up now.
Funny thing is I'm selling my rare and beloved E36 328i Sport touring for it; I actually looked forward to jumping in it after the 335i for the drive back to London!
The tourings are pretty rare. They come up few and far between on the forum especially if they have a manual box.
Even at trade in price, I don't see many 335i at £7500 unless they are dogs or got rocketship mileage.
The engines aren't fragile. They are actually very strong.
Like all cars they do have some issues, but they are blown out of proportion.
As I said earlier, I'd buy one outside the AUC network and pay for a BMW insured warranty.
For the insured warranty the 335i is one of the cheapest cars to insure on the warranty scheme. As we know insurance costs are based on risk, so maybe they are nowhere near as problematic as many like you to believe.
On the BMW forums, it always seems to be people who don't own 335is that want to tell other people about their issues. Usually people driving lesser models justifying why they never bought a 335i.
Had mine for years now and I'm nearing 80,000 miles, so I feel I'm able to offer a valid opinion.
Edited by Driver101 on Saturday 11th October 23:24
rezaq said:
It's a 335i M Sport touring with the most ridiculous high spec I've ever seen!
Plus I got 2 year warranty so peace of mind for 2 years; these engines are quite fragile.
You are right above the suspension/tyres - I will email them about this.
My feeling is if BMW UK email me back to say it needs to be on runflats and I go back to the BMW dealer with this info, they'll just fob me off and cause me to back out.
I cannot believe they would have paid more than £7500 for this car as it stands in trade in. Yes its got 52K on it but a 3.0 petrol twin turbo with £500 a year tax cannot be flavour of the day at the moment.
I won't find another in the network. The don't crop up now.
Funny thing is I'm selling my rare and beloved E36 328i Sport touring for it; I actually looked forward to jumping in it after the 335i for the drive back to London!
Why not just keep the 328 then and get your deposit back? Might save everyone a lot of trouble?Plus I got 2 year warranty so peace of mind for 2 years; these engines are quite fragile.
You are right above the suspension/tyres - I will email them about this.
My feeling is if BMW UK email me back to say it needs to be on runflats and I go back to the BMW dealer with this info, they'll just fob me off and cause me to back out.
I cannot believe they would have paid more than £7500 for this car as it stands in trade in. Yes its got 52K on it but a 3.0 petrol twin turbo with £500 a year tax cannot be flavour of the day at the moment.
I won't find another in the network. The don't crop up now.
Funny thing is I'm selling my rare and beloved E36 328i Sport touring for it; I actually looked forward to jumping in it after the 335i for the drive back to London!
REALIST123 said:
Why not just keep the 328 then and get your deposit back? Might save everyone a lot of trouble?
Did you really just type that? Anyhoo, there's no insurmountable obstacles here as far as I can see. When I got mine from an indy I was also a difficult customer and massively demanding. I had a new clutch, oil cooler, interior trim, exterior fettle oh and pan roof overhaul. The way I see it is you are giving them massive amounts of money and you are well within your rights to have things just so on delivery.
I've been trying to buy a car recently and I think I'm too damn fussy. The salesmen talk to me for a few minutes and then scurry away and hide. I am a bit particular about my cars but I'm not a complete Funt. These guys need to start earning their money instead of hoping for and easy life. The BMW sales staff were the worst
Providing it is legally roadworthy (and you've said nothing which suggests it isn't), and providing that they did not advertise it as being on runflats, then you are stuck.
Your only leverage is that you either want to buy it, in the form they want to sell it, at the price they want to sell it at, or you don't. And they either NEED to sell it to you today, or can afford to wait for someone else.
Time to make your mind up. It's a simple buyer / seller negotiation issue.
Of course they will put it on whatever tyres you want if they price is right. But if they have to put an extra several hundred quid into it then they will reflect that in the price they require you to pay.
You are hoping that there are no other buyers out there for the car, and that therefore they have no way of shifting it other than to deal with you on your terms at the price you want to pay.
They are assuming that here's someone who wants to buy an AUC 335i M-sport and this is (if I've understood you correctly) the only one available, so you have no choice but to accept their terms
Only one of you can be correct.
Your only leverage is that you either want to buy it, in the form they want to sell it, at the price they want to sell it at, or you don't. And they either NEED to sell it to you today, or can afford to wait for someone else.
Time to make your mind up. It's a simple buyer / seller negotiation issue.
Of course they will put it on whatever tyres you want if they price is right. But if they have to put an extra several hundred quid into it then they will reflect that in the price they require you to pay.
You are hoping that there are no other buyers out there for the car, and that therefore they have no way of shifting it other than to deal with you on your terms at the price you want to pay.
They are assuming that here's someone who wants to buy an AUC 335i M-sport and this is (if I've understood you correctly) the only one available, so you have no choice but to accept their terms
Only one of you can be correct.
rezaq said:
I am the 1% of customer these places don't like to and can't deal with.
My guess is that you are right and they will prefer not to do the deal with you that you want. Edited by Lowtimer on Sunday 12th October 09:15
Been there and done it on the tyre point - BMW AUC rules are......
Star marked (BMW specific) on anything younger than 4yrs, anything over, just the correct size and load rating and min 4mm tread. You will NOT make progress on this unless you end up going at least halves on a new set of tyres but even then, best you may get is that you pay trade price for new tyres that they supply.
AUC is very dealer dependent and in general you buy the cars for the recourse / warranty / service deals IMO.
Star marked (BMW specific) on anything younger than 4yrs, anything over, just the correct size and load rating and min 4mm tread. You will NOT make progress on this unless you end up going at least halves on a new set of tyres but even then, best you may get is that you pay trade price for new tyres that they supply.
AUC is very dealer dependent and in general you buy the cars for the recourse / warranty / service deals IMO.
This car will ride, handle and generally be a better car on it's non runflat tyres. For me the only issue here is that it's fitted with Falken FK453's which despite being a darling on some internet forums are, IMHO, crap tyres ( http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-Auto-Bil... - here they are doing what they do best and putting in a pittiful result on a braking test).
I definitely wouldn't put runflat tyres back on it, though if it doesn't have a BMW mobility kit or something I'd be pushing the dealer to supply one because currently the car has neither a spare wheel nor the means to get you home with a puncture because of the tyres it was sold with.
I definitely wouldn't put runflat tyres back on it, though if it doesn't have a BMW mobility kit or something I'd be pushing the dealer to supply one because currently the car has neither a spare wheel nor the means to get you home with a puncture because of the tyres it was sold with.
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