Help with selling BMW

[Spy]

Hi all,

My sister-in-law and her boyfriend have been trying to sell their E90 320 coupe but haven't had any luck over the last 6 weeks. The car seems to be competitively priced (the cheapest on Auto Trader !) but no one seems to be interested.

Can any experts on here provide any advice as to what she may be doing wrong ? Is the advert crap etc ?

The AT ad is here: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

The relisted PH ad is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2564023.htm

All advice appreciated - Thanks

[Slurms]

Advert is ok, it's just a small capacity petrol engine with a low spec... Not much demand for those.

[mrmr96]

Put a new MOT on it.

Get a quote from BMW for the warranty extension and put that in the advert. (First check with BMW if there's any reason why they wouldn't extend the warranty, as you don't want any comeback from a buyer if BMW knocks them back for something you could/should have been aware of.)

[Gunk]

Before suggesting the obvious like dropping the price I would suggest that you get the car properly cleaned and re-take the photos in much nicer, more leafy setting. The car park you used looks too down market. Also take the scruffy footwell mats out.

I always use a local village cricket ground car park when I sell my cars, never fails to work!

[Spy]

Thanks guys, some good suggestion there re MOT and photos. I will let her know.

[V8mate]

I may be in the minority, but I'd have to really want a car to respond to the PH ad.

Reason? No proper telephone number.

[Gunk]

V8mate said:

I may be in the minority, but I'd have to really want a car to respond to the PH ad.

Reason? No proper telephone number.

Good point, I would also always put a land line first, it looks less like a dealer.

[V8mate]

Gunk said:

V8mate said:

I may be in the minority, but I'd have to really want a car to respond to the PH ad.

Reason? No proper telephone number.

Good point, I would also always put a land line first, it looks less like a dealer.

Even a mobile would be ok. Just something which demonstrates that the seller isn't trying to conceal anything.

(And I fully appreciate that it could be a PAYG SIM which goes straight in the bin after the sale is concluded, and I'd be none the wiser)

[Spy]

Thanks, unfortunately a land line is no good as they are both out at work all day. Used the PH safe number but have changed the phone number as advised.

Edited by Spy on Thursday 5th May 13:36

[Spy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

They got the car valued by a dealer and the CAP trade price a couple of weeks ago was £10k.

They may reduce the price but I advised them that if it is too cheap compared to other, similar cars on the market, people might think there is something wrong with it. What do you guys think ?

Edited by Spy on Thursday 5th May 13:40

[Spy]

I have updated the PH ad for them (as they have no idea where to start with selling cars so I am helping them, although I don't seem to be much better!). What do you guys think ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2564023.htm

I have also asked them to get new photos which they said they will do at the weekend.

Edited by Spy on Thursday 5th May 13:45

[V8mate]

Have you got a quote from WBAC.com?

It's the kind of thing they'd be glad to buy and would be a good 'reserve bet' in case your sis wants rid quickly. Else, price it at WBAC+£500.

[Gunk]

Spy said:

I advised them that if it is too cheap compared to other, similar cars on the market, people might think there is something wrong with it. What do you guys think ?

In my experience if you are serious about selling, your need to the be the most competitively priced car available

[Spy]

Gunk said:

In my experience if you are serious about selling, your need to the be the most competitively priced car available

It should already be competitively price at about £750 less than the next nearest car of same model, spec and year

[Audicab]

To me there is no personality to the advert, It could be being sold by a dealer who knows nothing about it. There is also no mention of tax, MOT, tyre wear, brakes being replaced or any of the other costs that may be considered when buying a car. When was it last serviced? all these things are important to buyers.

You have also listed a load of things that are standard and come with every car
- Airbags
- ABS
- ESP
- remote Central Locking
- power steering

Personally i'd put some detail behind the spec.

Edited by Audicab on Thursday 5th May 14:05

[Audicab]

Gunk said:

In my experience if you are serious about selling, your need to the be the most competitively priced car available

Whenever I have bought cars just being the cheapest wasn't what I was looking for, especially on something that is still a £10k + car. Condition, how it's been looked after, potential future costs, what the owners like, the area the car is in, service intervals etc are all more important.

[Herbs]

Spy said:

It should already be competitively price at about £750 less than the next nearest car of same model, spec and year

I would be tempted to reword the advert and increase the price a little bit.


"Mad!" I hear you say?


On the face of it yes but people tend to always dismiss the cheapest car available as they want/can do better. Be prepared to drop more when negotiating but I would bet my right nutsack you will get more enquiries about it - it's all in the mind. Don't increase the price massively but enough to sit in 4th or 5th in the list of adverts.

good luck

[Spy]

Audicab said:

To me there is no personality to the advert, It could be being sold by a dealer who knows nothing about it. There is also no mention of tax, MOT, tyre wear, brakes being replaced or any of the other costs that may be considered when buying a car. When was it last serviced? all these things are important to buyers.

You have also listed a load of things that are standard and come with every car
- Airbags
- ABS
- ESP
- remote Central Locking
- power steering

Personally i'd put some detail behind the spec.

OK, I have updated the ad to add a bit more personality and info.

I am waiting to hear back on when it was last serviced and when the next service is due.

Updated ad: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2564023.htm

[E30M3SE]

Ad said:

Due the car being economical and having low emissions,............

Should read, "Due to the ..........."

Minor point but thought I would point it out.

Definately agree about the pictures, they are not very good, it does not look like someones P&J, just a car in a car park.

I would upgrade to a premium ad and add more pictures and get a better listing. A friend of mine sold his E90 about 6 weeks ago as a standard advert but took 4 weeks and the buyer only came across it because I posted a link up on a dedicated BMW to the PH ad.

Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 5th May 14:54

[V8mate]

E30M3SE said:

Ad said:

Due the car being economical and having low emissions,............

Should read, "Due to the ..........."

Minor point but thought I would point it out.

Starting with 'due to...' sounds like an excuse. Be upbeat! Make positive statements.

'The car is very economical and has low emissions. This has the added benefit of being cheaper for road tax....'