[AndDee]

Originally Posted by e93

You've choosen a great car - hope it fits your driveway.

It's gonna be hard waiting till March though.

156 Days to go I am overseas for most of February basically, so that's 4 weeks that my mind will be elsewhere. So it's really only 128 Days...

I could have gotton one in January if I wanted, but I preferred to wait for an Jan 08 build!

The driveway test is Wednesday, on examining the car in detail this week it appears that the lowest point on the BMW is actually about 50mm higher than the lowest point on the Suby. The Subaru has a tow point which is quite a bit lower than the exhaust!

I am fairly confident it will be fine!

[astra]

Originally Posted by AndDee

... it appears that the lowest point on the BMW is actually about 50mm higher than the lowest point on the Suby. The Subaru has a tow point which is quite a bit lower than the exhaust!

proves that it rides like a truck on stock suspension... needs slammage

[VGR00]

My driveway is a killer as it has an incline of 1.25m for every 4m in length (yes ... I has lots of problems getting it approved by council). My previous car was an Alfa which would scrape its exhaust pipe or the front bumper if I wasn't on the right angle. I thought I was going to have problems with the M-Sport but it clears OK (just). Hope the same with you.

BTW ... I have 2 driveways. The one in my aviator is to the left of the house. The problem one leads to the garages. Cant think of everything when you build !!!

[AndDee]

Originally Posted by vgr02

My driveway is a killer as it has an incline of 1.25m for every 4m in length (yes ... I has lots of problems getting it approved by council). My previous car was an Alfa which would scrape its exhaust pipe or the front bumper if I wasn't on the right angle. I thought I was going to have problems with the M-Sport but it clears OK (just). Hope the same with you.

Hmmm

I will get the tape measure out when I get home

Home and measured now:
Driveway length is around 8metres, total incline is around 1.7metres

Fingers crossed argghhhh, will be very :sad0147: if the car scrapes for two reasons:
Damage to the loan car....
I can't get my new car....

Wednseday.....

[astra]

Sounds like it will be fine AndDee

[VGR00]

The chassis is very stiff on this model and depending on the angle you approach the driveway, you might cock up one rear wheel. As this will spin freely, it will reduce power to the other wheel and you will go nowhere fast. Sometimes you might feel a little thump as the wheels catch up. This is perfectly normal. I've had 3 m-sport models to try and they all did the same thing. I don't get this happening on my driveway but on a couple of others not as agressive as mine.

[AndDee]

Well the verdict:

Got to the dealership around 1pm the car was all ready and waiting and I had the choice of the 2 door couple or the convertible. Being 20 degrees and full sun I took the convertible. WOW I loved it, but back to my problem, the driveway:

The 335i with the standard lower M sports suspension JUST makes it up my driveway. There was around 20mm to spare which isn't quite enough for my liking, so I have opted for the No Cost Option to have the car at the standard height which is 15mm higher. Also went for the 19inch wheels instead of the standard 18inch

All signed for and waiting for Mid March.

[VGR00]

Well congratulations on your choice. To me, if you had 20mm to spare, well thats 15mm more than I'd need. I know what you mean though. Sometimes you come in a bit hot and bang.

[astra]

15mm is all i have clearance wise getting into my garage, but it doesn't bother me, driveways of shopping centers and places like this are the issue...

but congrats on the new car, you will love it and great to see you went for the 19s!!

[AndDee]

Originally Posted by vgr02

Well congratulations on your choice. To me, if you had 20mm to spare, well thats 15mm more than I'd need. I know what you mean though. Sometimes you come in a bit hot and bang.

Yes I know, but no doubt I will come in with something in the boot or someone else in the car, we tested it only with my girlfriend in the car so if there was two of us, that could make a difference as well, and if I had people in the back seat, well SCRAPE

This way I have around 35mm to spare which is good

[AndDee]

Originally Posted by astra

15mm is all i have clearance wise getting into my garage, but it doesn't bother me, driveways of shopping centers and places like this are the issue...

but congrats on the new car, you will love it and great to see you went for the 19s!!

Thanks Yep the 19s HAD to be put on ! Makes up for having the car raised slightly!

[manyways]

Nice choice AnDee, and good to see the dealer came through on organising everything for you, even the vert to boot

[AndDee]

Originally Posted by manyways

Nice choice AnDee, and good to see the dealer came through on organising everything for you, even the vert to boot

Yep, no stuffing around here, very professional! I managed to have the General Manager's car for the afternoon as the demo car was still out when I got there.

Shame she had already damaged the wheels with a nice big scrape on one of them! Female drivers...................

[e93]

Maybe we should rename this thread -

AndDee's Fabulous Adventures !

[Chris.G]

^ yeah lets get this thread back on topic. For those internet socialisers there is an OFF TOPIC thread in this section.

[astra]

except no one seems to know how to post in it lol

[1q2w3e4r]

Meh, like it really matters there is only half a dozen active posters anyway!

[AndDee]

Originally Posted by Chris.G

^ yeah lets get this thread back on topic. For those internet socialisers there is an OFF TOPIC thread in this section.

I was waiting for someone to say that, being new here I wasn't sure how out OFF TOPIC I could go, but sorry to rant on in your thread, but I did add two points which I will raise again

BMW Doncaster - Arrogant, rude, lies and not interested in a sale both from the individual saleperson and the sales manager.

Bib Stillwell BMW - Phrahan - Outstanding service, they deliver what they promise, worked hard to get the sale and came down to a reasonable price. I liked their customer service so much I think I will be getting a 118 or 120 for the girlfriend very soon

If needed I will start another thread called "AndDee's New Baby" hmmmm

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by Costa

Guys, remember that you are dealing with people who sell cars every day. BMW is a premium brand so the sales people you are talking to are usually tried and tested seasoned professionals. They are trained in negotiation, and there are tactics to deal with every type of customer. Being a younger buyer, they will assume:

1. Someone has given you the money (ie: that you haven't earnt it)
2. You don't know how to negotiate
3. You are desperate to buy.

You need a plan to overcome these obstacles if you care about getting a reasonable discount.

Here's some tips:
1. Don't go into a dealership expecting to buy the car on the same day. The last car I bought, I started looking around and test driving 6 months before I bought. By the time we sat down to talk price, the guy was literally begging me ...
2. Be elusive as possible - don't tell them how much money you have - if they ask, say something like "about the range of a 320d" (or whatever one you are looking for)
3. Do your homework - knowledge == negotiating power. Figure out what you want, how much it will cost and how much you are prepared to pay for it before you walk into the dealership. There are a lot of hidden exras and options and you don't want to be deciding about these while negotiating the price.
4. When you start negotiating, ask for at least 15% of the list price. Sounds stupid, but they make at least this much profit on the list price, and if you think about it, it's stupic to throw away money needlessly.
5. Be cool, don't be desperate. Let them start the negotiation. Go in for a test drive and wait for them to call you. If you don't think you can negotiate, get someone you trust (family) to do it for you.
6. Remember that the list price is just a starting point for negotiation - it is not what you are required to pay. Buying cars is all about negotiation. Car salesmen negotiate every day. Unless you have a plan, they will take you for as much as they can - it's their job.
7. Don't get emotional about the way they treat you - they do this to unsettle you and that is the first stage of negotiation. If you get angry or intimidated they'll win. Be wary of the fact that some dealerships are owned by the same companies and one tactic is for one of them to "piss you off" so that you "gladly go to the one down the road" and buy one just because they treat you better.

Be cool and good luck.

Great advice Costa. In Adelaide where there is only one dealership it is a real art, but it is possible to negotiate a good price. I used the "happy to buy interstate" method and told them they had one shot so make it good, and they did...

I do have to say, Adelaide Motors have treated me very well.

[Backlash]

I am pretty sure everyone will have good or bad experiences @ every dealership.
When i bought my car 5 years back the guys at alto Pennant Hills where a joke, i went in there to buy (if they had what i wanted) walked in said im after a 323ci or 328ci Individual. The guy looked at me and said "Whats wrong with what we've got" i looked at him and said "ok mate" and walked out. Flew down to Doncaster BMW the next day and picked up an individual 323ci, went back to Alto Pennant hills tow days later saw the same same sales guy and said hi mate just bought this car from another dealership was wondering if you had a lock nut for the wheels it was missing from the boot. haha

Subsuquently, alto Pennant hills opend there new showroom and the service guys there where always very good, since it was under warranty and it was close i went back several times never had another issue with them

[astra]

Originally Posted by Backlash

I am pretty sure everyone will have good or bad experiences @ every dealership...

welcome to the forum

[BBQWER]

After long time of waiting, today 11am i pick up my car at alto artarmon.
My sales guy doing good job to satisfy me, and provide very good communication. very happy with him.

E93 is excellent, i love it so much.