Dealer won't give out warranty information?

[Schermerhorn]

Sytner BMW Nottingham won't divulge previous warranty work to me

reason given "we don't disclose warranty information until the customer is in purchase of the car"

What the heck? Is this common policy? Sandal BMW Wakefield (big shout out to Ashley for his excellent customer service by the way) were more than happy to disclose whereas Sytner play a different game?

The car in question is a 2005 BMW M6 coupe I'm looking at so unless I lay a firm deposit down I'm not privvy to previous M differential, SMG gearbox, clutch, flywheel or hydraulic release warranty work being done! I won't know if I've got a lemon or a car that is faultless. Ludicrous!

I wonder if said units go pop that they'll be equally recalcitrant at doing the warranty work.

Very disappointed I had to admit.

[Smuler]

could you get a friend to make the same enquiry, but about a more "ordinary," car.

if s/he gets same response, then it's their policy. if s/he gets answers, then maybe there;s reason to think they've something to hide with the M.

[contractor]

Maybe approach a different Sytner branch. They are authorised to sell vehicles nationwide, across different locations. Failing that either put a deposit down that is subject to warranty info, or walk and explain why.

VIN CG99402. Maybe someone on here can help?

[shadow1964]

I would say they are being very unhelpful, I have never had such an issue.

I cannot understand why this is a problem for them, they either want to sell the car or they don't! You are asking nothing out of the ordinary and this data takes seconds to check. I would be quite unhappy with this approach and would walk away due to their obstructiveness, all very disappointing.

I know it is all down to personal choice but the one at Hailsham looks, on the surface, a better value for money offering?

Cheers

[Schermerhorn]

Shadow do you have a link to the Hailsham car?

I agree with you, it does look like they have something to hide. I just hope no one buys it and it turns out to be a complete lemon.

[shadow1964]

Hi

It is on the bmw.co.uk site, then click on approved used cars and filter the search for M6 coupes. I have it cheapest first and I think it is the third one down but definitely the first page.

Looks quite nice, appears a better spec than the one at Sytners as well, have a look and see what you think.

Cheers

[Schermerhorn]

It looks very very nice but unfortunately is too far away to go for a browse. You are correct though, it is much better specced than the Nottingham one though in my opinion quite over-priced.

I think I may have to down-grade my search and look at M3 coupe models instead. It seems good, decent M5 or M6 V10 models are few and far between on AUC forecourts

[shadow1964]

Fair enough re the distance and you are correct they are a rare sight on an AUC forecourt, especially the M6 whose numbers are quite small in terms of overall general production compared to the M5 but especially the M3 whose numbers are plentiful.

I have spent many a pound note travelling the length and breadth of the country over the years, it never seemed to happen, until recently, the car I liked was just around the corner, always somewhere like Exeter or Huddersfield and on one occasion Belfast!

To be honest I am not sure that particular model is over priced compared to the Sytner model, it is £3k more but with 30k less miles and from what I see a slightly better spec?

I would say in general both appear a little pricey, even allowing for the fact they are AUC, but think a decent discount could be negotiated on either.

Cheers

[161BMW]

As said by others they should give this information out

[Schermerhorn]

I was reasonably polite and said "I'm not really interested in the car if you won't give out warranty information. Everyone else gives it out, I just don't want to fork out a load of money if you guys play funny buggers with me like you are now"

To which sales chap said "I understand sir, but shall we look at finance options anyway?"

Errrrr........nope!

Focus less on your sales targets and bonuses and more on customer care and efficacy. It'll work a treat!

Edited by Schermerhorn on Monday 29th July 17:35

[0836whimper]

Not remotely surprised, Sytner Nottingham are like that, I avoid them completely now even though I live about a mile away.

[forest172]

Went to sytner nottm to enquire about m5 to be told we will beat any price.

Once I emailed the quotes I had, I was then told my quotes are to good to be true or even a mistake and to go for them. So I went somewhere else and they bettered my quotes.

[Schermerhorn]

Finally got the warranty information I was looking for.....though not from Nottingham.

Interestingly no gearbox related or differential work has ever been done on this 70,000 mile, 2 previous owners car.

Given that this is the worrysome problem window on these cars, should I be concerned?

PS I have not driven the car yet, and to move it from Sytner location to different Sytner location requires a £1000 deposit (presumably hard to refund given the tone of the conversation). A real Catch 22 it seems.

[mmm-five]

Sorry, but I'm confused about what you're looking for!

Are you looking for a car where:
a) nothing has gone wrong yet, but it will all break when you buy it
b) nothing has gone wrong yet, and it will be perfect for the duration of your ownership
c) major bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will continue to be a lemon
d) major bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will now be a peach
e) minor bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will continue to be a lemon
f) minor bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will now be a peach

Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 30th July 14:21

[shadow1964]

Hi

My take on this car is I consider it top money at circa £20k even allowing for the fact it is AUC where you would expect to pay a premium for peace of mind and a warrantied car.

Now, it appears it has proved a reliable model in that none of the weak points have materialised. It could be they never do but in reality chances are they will given they are known and frequent.

If this car had a warranty/repair history similar to the M5 at Sandal it would make the current price tag more justifiable. It hasn't so the chances of you footing a large (or several large) bill going forward are greatly increased and it is not guaranteed the warranty cover, although comprehensive, will cover you.

On the surface nothing major has failed in its life so you could argue a stable model but truth is it just means failure is probably (not definitely) round the corner.

When I look at an M5/M6 with above 45k miles I normally like it to have had at least the clutch & flywheel done. If there were two identical cars in every respect with regard age, mileage, spec etc and one was £2500 more expensive than the other because it had the clutch & flywheel done then they are an equal offering in my mind.

This model at this price I would expect something major to have been replaced by now akin to the M5, at this money with no major replacements during its life I would say it is too expensive.

I think there is better out there for you is my honest opinion or a substantial discount from current price.

Edited by shadow1964 on Tuesday 30th July 14:46

[Schermerhorn]

mmm-five said:

Sorry, but I'm confused about what you're looking for!

Are you looking for a car where:
a) nothing has gone wrong yet, but it will all break when you buy it
b) nothing has gone wrong yet, and it will be perfect for the duration of your ownership
c) major bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will continue to be a lemon
d) major bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will now be a peach
e) minor bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will continue to be a lemon
f) minor bits have gone wrong and has all been fixed under warranty and it will now be a peach

Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 30th July 14:21

I am looking for the best deal and car I can find in terms of price, condition, warranty and a good dealer who would not give me trouble if and when it came to warranty work. We all have to cover as many bases as possibly whilst trying to eliminate as much risk as possible too.

[Schermerhorn]

shadow1964 said:

Hi

My take on this car is I consider it top money at circa £20k even allowing for the fact it is AUC where you would expect to pay a premium for peace of mind and a warrantied car.

Now, it appears it has proved a reliable model in that none of the weak points have materialised. It could be they never do but in reality chances are they will given they are known and frequent.

If this car had a warranty/repair history similar to the M5 at Sandal it would make the current price tag more justifiable. It hasn't so the chances of you footing a large (or several large) bill going forward are greatly increased and it is not guaranteed the warranty cover, although comprehensive, will cover you.

On the surface nothing major has failed in its life so you could argue a stable model but truth is it just means failure is probably (not definitely) round the corner.

When I look at an M5/M6 with above 45k miles I normally like it to have had at least the clutch & flywheel done. If there were two identical cars in every respect with regard age, mileage, spec etc and one was £2500 more expensive than the other because it had the clutch & flywheel done then they are an equal offering in my mind.

This model at this price I would expect something major to have been replaced by now akin to the M5, at this money with no major replacements during its life I would say it is too expensive.

I think there is better out there for you is my honest opinion or a substantial discount from current price.

Edited by shadow1964 on Tuesday 30th July 14:46

This is my exactly feeling too, Shadow.

It seems this M6 is a real catch 22.....faultless so far but could literally go pop on me at any given moment given their highly strung nature.

The M3's in comparison seem alot sturdier and robust but far far more money.

[jon-]

Isn't the whole point of going AUC so if the gearbox etc does go pop, it's covered?

[Schermerhorn]

jon- said:

Isn't the whole point of going AUC so if the gearbox etc does go pop, it's covered?

Depends on the dealer, the management and if they decide to play funny buggers.

If I recall correctly, someone on here purchased an AUC M6 V10, 500 miles later the gear box went pop. The dealer accused driver of too many launch controls (1 time it was used if I recall) and they played hard ball with the warranty

Another poster on here has an F10 M5 which suddenly goes into limp mode, it has been like that since new and the dealer has been as useful as a chocolate fireman.

[shadow1964]

jon- said:

Isn't the whole point of going AUC so if the gearbox etc does go pop, it's covered?

At this mileage this will be regarded as 'wear and tear' and so unlikely it will be covered, same applies to clutch & flywheel and many other things.

As good as the warranty is it does not cover every mortal thing for every mortal reason.

If you bought the car and a week later the gear box went pop or something similar I am sure you will have some legitimate come back siting the pre-sale preparation and checks of the car.

If, however, after 3 months and you have done say 5000 miles try getting that done under warranty?. So yes an AUC warranty does give peace of mind but foolish to think you can just get everything done.