[gIzzE]

As some of you know, I bought a cheap E46 330i touring as we got a new dog and needed something he could get in without me having kittens.
So I decided on Saturday to swap the E91 touring for something else, had a look round and found a nice 335i E92, the idea was to change the suspension, put on a limited slip diff and remap it as far as it would go.

This is the car, year old with 10k miles on it.......

Black on black with....

Adaptive Headlights
Armrest. front with sliding adjustment
Automatic transmission and paddles
Black trim. high-gloss
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
CD changer
Comfort Access
DAB digital radio
Elec Fold Exterior Mirrors
Extended storage
Hi-Fi Sys Prof DSP
Xenon Headlamps
High-beam Assistant
Leather interior
Navigation-system Professional
Park Distance Control front and rear
Auto-Dim Interior Mirror
Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
Rain Sensor
Dynamic Cruise Control
Extended Interior Light Package


All the options bar USB port, but as it has a cd changer I could have put the Dension 500 in nice and easily.

So called the dealer on Saturday, offered £2k under the advertised price and agreed on a grand under and £23k for my car, which was pretty damed good.

Said I would call Lombard about the finance on Monday and try and get it sorted out and collected the following Monday.
Sorted the finance Monday but the girl who draws up the agreements had to leave at 3pm but said someone would call my first thing Tuesday to get the details needed, like VIN and date of first registration etc.

So I called the dealer to tell him Lombard would call back in the morning and to confirm the figures, as I was shocked that the price to change was so cheap, and ask if he wanted any thing from me??
No, needed nothing would speak tomorrow.


10am tuesday morning got a message left on my phone telling me the car had been sold to someone else subject to finance, not surprised at the price, we had a agreed on £26k by the way, and an extra grand over trade on mine so £25k really!

To say I was annoyed about this is an understatement!!

He called me again today to ask if there was anything else I was interested in, when I told him I thought he was taking the piss he sounded really shocked.
I explained how annoyed I was and he then was genuinely apologetic, he didn't think I was serious, he said he was so used to people messing around for hours or days that when I said I would have it after 3 minutes he sort of ignored it.
Turns out they sold it to another dealer as well!


So all in all I am pretty gutted. But I did swing buy the Porsche dealer on the way home and had a look at a rather nice 996 C4S, so maybe it was meant to be!!??

Going to crunch some figures on one of these bad boys!!

[Irnbrukid]

No way what a shitter, that car had a fantastic spec + price (deal) you must be really bummed about that but maybe in hindsight you should have just put a deposit on it if it was such a good price to save someone else "stealing" it.

As for the pic you know you want to and have went on about it for while, you need to get it out your system, you only live once n all that.

[rogerxp]

I didn't realise you could get 'doggy' trailers on the C4S!!!

[Irnbrukid]

No it can ride shotgun.

[Yahoo]

Get yourself back into a 335i Gizze. Remember the fun you had with the AA Xede on your e91.

It was on your recommendation that I ended up with an e92 335i - and loving every minute of it!

[gIzzE]

I don't know what I am going to do. The thing was I rang him twice asking if there was anything more he needed, I would have paid him the £3k difference there and then, but he was so laid back about it and just kept saying no problem, speak tomorrow.


I just fell for the spec. of that car, it had everything I would have specced if buying new.

[Porscha!]

If you go Porsche I would be opting for a C2S everyday day of the week rather than a C4S.

Round my way we see so many 911 (996) and 911 (997) yet don't see many older ones 911 (993) and older, you'd get a lovely 993 for 996C4S money!

Once you have owned a Porsche NOTHING can compare (well I don't know about Italian supercars but we are talking about realistic budgets here!!)

I can't wait to go back to Porsche but am going to wait a few years I think and really do it properly, I would like a 911 (930) turbo or a 911 (996) GT3 Mk. 1 Clubsport, as I've done the 911 thing, I've done the Boxster S thing and I've done the front engined Porsche thing!!

Enjoy whatever you decide to do and I guarantee 100% your local OPC will treat you million times better than your local BMW dealer.

I love BMWs the only complaint I have about them are the dealers!

[kend]

Originally Posted by Porscha!

If you go Porsche I would be opting for a C2S everyday day of the week rather than a C4S.

Round my way we see so many 911 (996) and 911 (997) yet don't see many older ones 911 (993) and older, you'd get a lovely 993 for 996C4S money!

Once you have owned a Porsche NOTHING can compare (well I don't know about Italian supercars but we are talking about realistic budgets here!!)

I can't wait to go back to Porsche but am going to wait a few years I think and really do it properly, I would like a 911 (930) turbo or a 911 (996) GT3 Mk. 1 Clubsport, as I've done the 911 thing, I've done the Boxster S thing and I've done the front engined Porsche thing!!

Enjoy whatever you decide to do and I guarantee 100% your local OPC will treat you million times better than your local BMW dealer.

I love BMWs the only complaint I have about them are the dealers!

In my experience my local OPC has provided a very poor customer experience, I get much better service from BMW, always have done and I expect always will. OPC's exist purely to empty as much money out of your wallet as possible and they do not even do it with a smile.

[creepy coupe]

Sounds to me as if they had it up for the wrong price and someone was in for a bollocking, I've yet to see a 335i for under £28k and that's with no leather

[BC4J]

Originally Posted by kend

In my experience my local OPC has provided a very poor customer experience, I get much better service from BMW, always have done and I expect always will. OPC's exist purely to empty as much money out of your wallet as possible and they do not even do it with a smile.

Agreed, just check out Honest John's letters in the Torygraph to find out how many people are pissed off with OPCs. To be fair though, their job is to max the margin and they do that very well.

[willhollin]

You get good dealers and bad dealers in all marques of cars. My recent experience with BMW dealers has included one telling me I was dreaming that I would get the car I wanted for what I told him I wanted and then tried pricing up other cars! In contrast the dealer we eventually bought from couldn't have been more helpful!

Gizze, there seems to be loads of high spec 335is on the BMW AUC site, don't give up yet! I think there are better deals to be had, and I would say you are the man to get them!

[red355]

As my mate always says before he goes into a dealer...threat them with the respect that a convicted drug dealer or pedophile commands.

I must admit I thought that was a bit harsh until I went to the Audi dealer in Northampton in mid 06. That experience was a large part of the reason that I bought my 335D off t'interweb (broadspeed AKA coopers)

anyway get the 996 and keep the E46 touring

[gIzzE]

Well the new OPC in Norwich is owned by the guy who owned the BMW dealership until last year, so not sure what the service would be like, but to be honest I went and had a look last night and their prices are too expensive, the cheapest 996 C4S was £16k more than I have seen then from at indys!!

I would also take a 997 C2S over a 996, but the 996 prices have settled where as 997 prices are about to tumble. I nealry bought a 997 C2S for £51k that was 18 months old 22 months ago, that car would still be fetching £45k now. The prices will tummble soon and I don't want to be there for that.


Regarding the 335i coupes, there are loads out there for between £22-28k now, mostly late 06 or early 07 cars, but there are loads to choose from, just the spec on this one was perfect. Been offered a couple more this morning but said I would think about it, may be going down the 911 route instead, or just keeping what I have for another 6 months and see what happens as more and more people get hit when trying to remortgage, swap credit cards, get gas bills at twice the amount they are paying now etc. I reckon it could be a good time to buy!

[booforty]

Get a 911, you know you want too!!

[chrisbin]

If it went to a dealer, can you not find out which one?

Don't think now is a good time to be getting a Porker.....but then I don't really like them so maybe not fair...!

I know how you feel mate - remember when I was looking for the Lotus, after months of searching I found one I liked at a dealer in Bristol. Went over, had a test drive, liked it. Asked the chap to find out what he could do on the price/fix a couple of niggles....

Didnt hear and couldnt get hold of him all afternoon, next day had message to say it had been sold to someone else!!

However, the Elise I then bought a month later was a much better spec for the same price! So hang in there!!!

Have you tried the finance people Boo went with ? Maybe worth at least getting them to quote??

[rogerxp]

Possibly the best advice I've ever read on this forum from 'booforty' there!!!

I'm desperate to scratch the itch but have to wait a little while longer (or at least until my wife caves into the Mum-Bus idea!!!).

[dxb335d]

You planning on a current 997 or a 996 like in the pic? Get the Porsche mate you will love it.

I hate wanker Dealers who piss you about, it aint only you they do it to mate.

Good luck with the new purchases. Must seem like Christmas lol

[booforty]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Have you tried the finance people Boo went with ? Maybe worth at least getting them to quote??

My finance was arranged by Kamran at MHC Finance: kam@mhasnain.co.uk

Kam is absolutely first class and their finance package was a mile better than anyone else and even BMW admitted they could not come close!

Just mention Paul with the M3 and he will work his wonders for you!