Looking for early M4 - not many private
Discussion
Evening,
I'm starting my search for a daily drive, normally I like to buy private to avoid the dealer spread with the hope that the seller gets slightly more than WBAC / trade and I get a reasonable deal so I don't lose my shirt when I come to change.
Just looking on AT and there's 576 trade v 77 private cars, to compound this the private cars seem to be priced the same (or in cases higher) than trade sales.
I'm confused, is this just me getting old and been stuck in the past or do people just not sell private any more.
So looking at the people who've purchased recently, are private sales dead and trade nearly the only option?
I'm starting my search for a daily drive, normally I like to buy private to avoid the dealer spread with the hope that the seller gets slightly more than WBAC / trade and I get a reasonable deal so I don't lose my shirt when I come to change.
Just looking on AT and there's 576 trade v 77 private cars, to compound this the private cars seem to be priced the same (or in cases higher) than trade sales.
I'm confused, is this just me getting old and been stuck in the past or do people just not sell private any more.
So looking at the people who've purchased recently, are private sales dead and trade nearly the only option?
A lot of private sellers are dreaming with what they are asking and the reason they are pitching so high is generally because they owe that much on the finance.
Add in the fact that people won’t generally buy a car for more than £20-25k privately (finance, warranty etc) and that’s why there aren’t many for sale from non traders.
I wouldn’t touch an M4 from outside an approved dealer as there are too many now that have been messed with and when spending £25k plus I want a warranty that I can extend.
Just my two Penneth! I pick up my F83 M4 on Wednesday from a BMW dealer. It’s my second one I love them. Good luck with your search and look out for the crank hub issue on remapped cars if you buy privately.
Add in the fact that people won’t generally buy a car for more than £20-25k privately (finance, warranty etc) and that’s why there aren’t many for sale from non traders.
I wouldn’t touch an M4 from outside an approved dealer as there are too many now that have been messed with and when spending £25k plus I want a warranty that I can extend.
Just my two Penneth! I pick up my F83 M4 on Wednesday from a BMW dealer. It’s my second one I love them. Good luck with your search and look out for the crank hub issue on remapped cars if you buy privately.
@9k thanks for the reply, really valid point ref the crank. Is it possible to for a main dealer to check the ECU for history of a remap? Would be money well spent for the piece of mind. Its shocking how many are cat n or s, it does look to be a potential mind field with a lot of unloved cars out there.
That said the above is a broad generalisation. Hopefully I can find a motivated realistic seller. If not as you say, dealer could be the only way.
That said the above is a broad generalisation. Hopefully I can find a motivated realistic seller. If not as you say, dealer could be the only way.
I’ve seen some decent private sales on M3 cutters , but generally agree with the points made.
I spoke to at length to a technically minded guy at BMW on behalf of a friend buying.
BMW dealers are very good at detecting maps though not infallible. But you’re covered if you buy through them. They are more concerned with “mileage blockers “ , which they disassemble instrument panel to detect. That’s what bothers me about a private sale if the owner bought say on PCP.
I think if you can find a private sale with good provenance as my mate did , you’re onto a winner ; certainly better than a non franchised dealer (with a few exceptions) as there are so many M4s bring punted through auction that comprise their stock.
Sign up to BCA if you want to create an “avoid list”
I spoke to at length to a technically minded guy at BMW on behalf of a friend buying.
BMW dealers are very good at detecting maps though not infallible. But you’re covered if you buy through them. They are more concerned with “mileage blockers “ , which they disassemble instrument panel to detect. That’s what bothers me about a private sale if the owner bought say on PCP.
I think if you can find a private sale with good provenance as my mate did , you’re onto a winner ; certainly better than a non franchised dealer (with a few exceptions) as there are so many M4s bring punted through auction that comprise their stock.
Sign up to BCA if you want to create an “avoid list”
CRA1G said:
BMW franchised dealers buy from BCA.?
Non-franchised do. I've traced a few from auction list (online) to forecourt. I know there are specific auctions where stock is supplied by BMW dealers, from what I know these are the cars they couldn't sell as AUC. But I've no idea if another BMW dealer would bid.
I only know there are internal auctions where BMW dealers buy from BMW group stock as I've test-driven cars from that pool and they were mint and did sell as AUC.
Smuler said:
Non-franchised do. I've traced a few from auction list (online) to forecourt.
I know there are specific auctions where stock is supplied by BMW dealers, from what I know these are the cars they couldn't sell as AUC. But I've no idea if another BMW dealer would bid.
I only know there are internal auctions where BMW dealers buy from BMW group stock as I've test-driven cars from that pool and they were mint and did sell as AUC.
BMW Francihsed dealers buy bmw leasing,contract hire,group and management vehicles sold through BCA regularly week on week some of which are sold on as AUC stock,they are not a internal auction and are open to the public needing to place a £1000 deposit to register.I know there are specific auctions where stock is supplied by BMW dealers, from what I know these are the cars they couldn't sell as AUC. But I've no idea if another BMW dealer would bid.
I only know there are internal auctions where BMW dealers buy from BMW group stock as I've test-driven cars from that pool and they were mint and did sell as AUC.
I tried to sell my M4 a year or so ago, BMW were offering interest free on Ms at the time and there was a glut of them for sale at the time, nothing moving at all, might have driven a lot of part-ex deals and webuyanycar sales ending up with plenty with dealers.
What sort of spec are you looking for?
What sort of spec are you looking for?
CRA1G said:
BMW Francihsed dealers buy bmw leasing,contract hire,group and management vehicles sold through BCA regularly week on week some of which are sold on as AUC stock,they are not a internal auction and are open to the public needing to place a £1000 deposit to register.
Thanks , really interesting. Can you post some of the links please.
Smuler said:
Thanks , really interesting.
Can you post some of the links please.
You have to be a registered cardholder for the online catalogues,but they have BMW group sales at different sites throughout the country on different days every month all open to the public but remember their buyers fees can wipeout potential savings along with no warranty...Can you post some of the links please.
Afternoon all, thanks for some great advice.
It's a real dilemma, for me the risk runs AUC - Private - small dealer. My logic been there's little recourse with smaller dealer without major headaches so at least if your dealing direct with the owner of a private sale you can gauge the person a little and how they've looked after the car..
AUC probably carry a ~20% premium over private. That's a reasonable slush fund should it be needed and can be mitigated slightly to reduce risk further if you find a decent enthusiast to buy from. Ultimately there's no right or wrong, its just about an individuals appetite for risk.
@ Timbergiant - really flexible on spec. Main factors are auto, not black or Austin Yellow. Condition is key, I'm picky about my cars and how they're looked after.
It's a real dilemma, for me the risk runs AUC - Private - small dealer. My logic been there's little recourse with smaller dealer without major headaches so at least if your dealing direct with the owner of a private sale you can gauge the person a little and how they've looked after the car..
AUC probably carry a ~20% premium over private. That's a reasonable slush fund should it be needed and can be mitigated slightly to reduce risk further if you find a decent enthusiast to buy from. Ultimately there's no right or wrong, its just about an individuals appetite for risk.
@ Timbergiant - really flexible on spec. Main factors are auto, not black or Austin Yellow. Condition is key, I'm picky about my cars and how they're looked after.
One other thing I'd add is that I get where you're coming from with offering a bit more than WBAC etc so the seller gets a few quid more and you get a car a few quid cheaper, but it depends how bothered the seller is.
I've just sold my M4 to Arnold Clark because it's very easy and I got a good price.
I wouldn't have been interested in the hassle of advertising and selling privately for an offer of £500-£1,000 more unless I had lots of time on my hands and was lucky with the type of person who made the offer. I just wouldn't want the risk and hassle of the private sale for a pittance extra.
I've just sold my M4 to Arnold Clark because it's very easy and I got a good price.
I wouldn't have been interested in the hassle of advertising and selling privately for an offer of £500-£1,000 more unless I had lots of time on my hands and was lucky with the type of person who made the offer. I just wouldn't want the risk and hassle of the private sale for a pittance extra.
You're right about most sellers just don't want the hassle of dealing with the public so I can see that side.
I've had a wanted add on a FB group and the interesting theme is people who've contacted me and are genuinely asking more than independent dealer retail for a like for like car.
Guessing there's a lot with outstanding finance and think their cars value is related to their financial position
I've had a wanted add on a FB group and the interesting theme is people who've contacted me and are genuinely asking more than independent dealer retail for a like for like car.
Guessing there's a lot with outstanding finance and think their cars value is related to their financial position
PorkInsider said:
One other thing I'd add is that I get where you're coming from with offering a bit more than WBAC etc so the seller gets a few quid more and you get a car a few quid cheaper, but it depends how bothered the seller is.
I've just sold my M4 to Arnold Clark because it's very easy and I got a good price.
I wouldn't have been interested in the hassle of advertising and selling privately for an offer of £500-£1,000 more unless I had lots of time on my hands and was lucky with the type of person who made the offer. I just wouldn't want the risk and hassle of the private sale for a pittance extra.
This is valuable advice and spot on IMHO. I am the same and would want a material uplift on trade to take on the hassle and risks of a private sale. That said, I would suggest WBAC isn’t always accurate given that it doesn’t take into account specification. I've just sold my M4 to Arnold Clark because it's very easy and I got a good price.
I wouldn't have been interested in the hassle of advertising and selling privately for an offer of £500-£1,000 more unless I had lots of time on my hands and was lucky with the type of person who made the offer. I just wouldn't want the risk and hassle of the private sale for a pittance extra.
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