Why would they do that?

[Lee Jones Jnr]

If a large chain with numerous marques and dealerships has a McLaren dealership in the group, why would they sell a McLaren at another showroom?

[kev b]

To encourage extra footfall in that branch?

[MitchT]

Because you weren't thinking of going in the showroom, but they've got a shiny supercar in there, so you go in for a look, your juices start flowing, and then they sell you something you can actually afford while your guard is down.

[MrC986]

I think you might be referring to Sy*ners. They’ve been doing such things for a while though why you’d buy say a McLaren with their own warranty when you can buy one from a group outlet with a proper one is indeed something I don’t get. You also won’t get the same level of product detail from the sales staff either.

[Pioneer]

Not a SC but the wife went to look at a R8+ at BMW Sytner a few years ago. 5 owners in 2 years with high mileage. Sales guy said that's why they were selling it rather than their Audi outlet. Sure it makes a difference somehow but I can't be bothered to think too hard this morning

[cgt2]

The Select cars of all brands are not of franchise standard, hence why they are not being sold through main agents. The Select guys answered that question immediately when I asked.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

There’s a 570 at a BMW dealership.
I assumed that it just wasn’t up to scratch but then it occurred to me that it would be better to just not accept the car in the first place if that was the case?

[Cheib]

I've seen it the other way round too. McLaren Manchester had a GT2 RS that was supplied by a Sytner OPC...owner flipped it for a 720S I think. I guess McLaren Manchester thought there was good money in it

[Lee Jones Jnr]

A higher end car at a higher end car dealer makes more sense, though probably just whilst waiting for a transporter going in the right direction if the have an OPC in the group

[Cheib]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

A higher end car at a higher end car dealer makes more sense, though probably just whilst waiting for a transporter going in the right direction if the have an OPC in the group

It does but I believe they OPC who supplied the car weren’t very happy. Normal Sytner policy is that if they buy a used car into the Group the supplying dealer gets to sell it...at least that it was I was told by the OPC

[revrange]

Often happens, if they think they can turn a profit from it. Take Mclaren Manchesters next door neighbour Ferrari wilmslow, they have sold Porsches even though the Porsche dealer owned by the same group!

[cgt2]

In the present circumstances I suspect the opposite will be the case and they will be trying to palm off stock rather than hold the debt.

[jayemm89]

Car dealers can get a bit tribal - even within the same building you'd probably find only certain people "qualified" to sell certain cars.

Many, many reasons for a car to be at a certain garage when there might be a more obvious fit for it elsewhere in group. Often not a negative reason.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Okay well let’s not be coy, both cars in question were at Sytner dealerships. One at BMW (still there) and I THINK the other one was at Audi (dunno if it’s still there and I’m on a phone and too lazy to check).
Surely the only real answers are that the Dealer Principal and/or area manager or equivalent is incompetent or the car isn’t up to scratch?

[650spider]

To sell the McLaren through a McLaren dealership, after 3 yrs old it, the McLaren extended warranty is a third party warranty and the car has to have all pre existing faults rectified that were identified in the very stringent inspection prior to the warranty being approved.

So at a guess, if they are not selling it through their McLaren dealership, maybe it would cost too much to get the car to the standard required for the McLaren warranty, whereas the warranty that shall now come with the car via another of their dealerships shall require no inspection checks, shall most likely be far cheaper to put on, be nowhere near as comprehensive, and shall have severe claim limits.

Personally, i would not consider buying a Mclaren that did not have a McLaren warranty in place, and likewise shall extend every year i own it.

Last year, it was found that i had a trace engine oil leak and a very faint sign of weeping on a damper...warranty claim was around £9000. Both of these in no way affected the car and i knew nothing about them; i don't even know if they would if been picked up by an independent inspection.

The McLaren warranty can be passed onto a new owner from the previous owner of a car that is currently under warranty.

My warranty last year cost £3600.

Hopefully this is an answer to the question.