Roanoke, VA and Columbia, SC dealers? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

natalia · 10-19-2005, 10:33 PM

Anyone deal with these dealers before? :

zimbofk · 10-21-2005, 04:23 PM

I did visit the dealer in Columbia, SC (I think it's Hancock BMW) once for a test drive. I must say that I was very disappointed. The salesman was rude and obnoxious - basically he told me that I was stupid for wanting to buy a manual car when the Steptronic is so good. I know they had no manuals on site or on order and I was willing to test drive the Step but he didn't have to be so demeaning. Oh well, that's the first and last time I ever went there. I ended up buying at one of my local dealers (Flow BMW Greensboro, NC) and they have been very pleasant.

natalia · 10-21-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimbofk

I did visit the dealer in Columbia, SC (I think it's Hancock BMW) once for a test drive. I must say that I was very disappointed. The salesman was rude and obnoxious - basically he told me that I was stupid for wanting to buy a manual car when the Steptronic is so good. I know they had no manuals on site or on order and I was willing to test drive the Step but he didn't have to be so demeaning. Oh well, that's the first and last time I ever went there. I ended up buying at one of my local dealers (Flow BMW Greensboro, NC) and they have been very pleasant.

Do you remember the dealers name? Also, did he let you test drive by yourself at least? I went to the Charlotte dealer today and was out there for about 20 minutes looking at all the e90s. Not one person came out to see if I need anything. WTF is that!?!?! So I just left.

natalia · 10-22-2005, 01:08 PM

I went the hancock in columbia, sc today. The sales opens at 9:00 according to their site. Anyways...I got there about 9:15...was out there for like 20 min looking at the all the e90s before anyone came out to talk to me. Again WTF!?!?! I know I look younger than I really am, but what else do they have to do, no other customers were there. So anyways...some young guy finally came out and he didn't really know what he was talking about. I asked a few feeler questions to see guage how well he knew the car. He tried to tell me that there was no sports suspension on the ZSP...only difference were the wheels and seats. I had to call him out on that. Then he couldn't tell what car had ZSP or not by looking at them. And he had to look at the sticker to see that a 330i with ZSP did have a sports suspension...then tried to tell me that the 325i w/ZSP didn't though. I let him slide on that. Then asked him about idrive and asked if he could show it to me...he went in and took him forever to get keys. Thank God they sent someone else out to show me idrive...someone who was a bit more knowledgeable and less sketchy. The new guy seemed nice enough. Unfortunately, he did not let me test drive alone...and couldn't just come out and ask him to get out! So he came along for the ride, but he did encourage me to push it a bit. Hopefully, I can get him to budge on price when I'm ready to order.

wolke9 · 10-24-2005, 12:13 PM

You might want to try BMW of Richmond. I've had good experiences there with knowledgable sales people and good customer service. They rode w/ me on my test drives but I believe you can ask to drive alone and they will allow it as long as you give them proof of your current auto insurance and sign a waiver releasing them from liability. I believe this is the case for VA, but anybody feel free to correct me.

I was able to take a 325i w/ zsp,step out for a testdrive alone at Casey BMW in Newport News. I didn't even have to ask. The only salesperson available was delivering a 6 series and threw me the keys!. . .Wish all dealers were like that.

YuBimmer · 10-27-2005, 06:14 PM

Do not go to Lynchburg's dealership. The guy that was trying to sell me my car was a total ass. That is also why I didn't go to Roanoke, because it is owned by the same person. I called up other dealerships and Richmond gave me the best deal. My guy was/is a little slow, but he wasn't an ass like the guy from Lynchburg.

10-19-2005, 10:33 PM	#1
natalia Second Lieutenant Drives: Not a BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 260 iTrader: (0)	Roanoke, VA and Columbia, SC dealers? Anyone deal with these dealers before? :

10-21-2005, 04:23 PM	#2
zimbofk Undisputed World Leader Drives: Arctic 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dirty South - Durham, NC Posts: 70 iTrader: (0) View zimbofk's Garage	I did visit the dealer in Columbia, SC (I think it's Hancock BMW) once for a test drive. I must say that I was very disappointed. The salesman was rude and obnoxious - basically he told me that I was stupid for wanting to buy a manual car when the Steptronic is so good. I know they had no manuals on site or on order and I was willing to test drive the Step but he didn't have to be so demeaning. Oh well, that's the first and last time I ever went there. I ended up buying at one of my local dealers (Flow BMW Greensboro, NC) and they have been very pleasant.

10-22-2005, 01:08 PM	#4
natalia Second Lieutenant Drives: Not a BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 260 iTrader: (0)	I went the hancock in columbia, sc today. The sales opens at 9:00 according to their site. Anyways...I got there about 9:15...was out there for like 20 min looking at the all the e90s before anyone came out to talk to me. Again WTF!?!?! I know I look younger than I really am, but what else do they have to do, no other customers were there. So anyways...some young guy finally came out and he didn't really know what he was talking about. I asked a few feeler questions to see guage how well he knew the car. He tried to tell me that there was no sports suspension on the ZSP...only difference were the wheels and seats. I had to call him out on that. Then he couldn't tell what car had ZSP or not by looking at them. And he had to look at the sticker to see that a 330i with ZSP did have a sports suspension...then tried to tell me that the 325i w/ZSP didn't though. I let him slide on that. Then asked him about idrive and asked if he could show it to me...he went in and took him forever to get keys. Thank God they sent someone else out to show me idrive...someone who was a bit more knowledgeable and less sketchy. The new guy seemed nice enough. Unfortunately, he did not let me test drive alone...and couldn't just come out and ask him to get out! So he came along for the ride, but he did encourage me to push it a bit. Hopefully, I can get him to budge on price when I'm ready to order.

10-24-2005, 12:13 PM	#5
wolke9 apexlvr Drives: Notta BMW Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toano, VA Posts: 42 iTrader: (0)	You might want to try BMW of Richmond. I've had good experiences there with knowledgable sales people and good customer service. They rode w/ me on my test drives but I believe you can ask to drive alone and they will allow it as long as you give them proof of your current auto insurance and sign a waiver releasing them from liability. I believe this is the case for VA, but anybody feel free to correct me. I was able to take a 325i w/ zsp,step out for a testdrive alone at Casey BMW in Newport News. I didn't even have to ask. The only salesperson available was delivering a 6 series and threw me the keys!. . .Wish all dealers were like that.

10-27-2005, 06:14 PM	#6
YuBimmer Yo Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Centreville, VA Posts: 696 iTrader: (3)	Do not go to Lynchburg's dealership. The guy that was trying to sell me my car was a total ass. That is also why I didn't go to Roanoke, because it is owned by the same person. I called up other dealerships and Richmond gave me the best deal. My guy was/is a little slow, but he wasn't an ass like the guy from Lynchburg.