[bmwak]

I made an offer on a new (to me but approved used) 330d from a dealership, as it was perfect (spec, engine and under 20k miles). I know quite a bit about bodywork and all looked true and original paintwork with no damage to the wheels. Apart from some drivers leather seat piping wear (usual on E9X seats) it was mint. The dealer didn’t get back to me with an offer, until 5 days later, when the dealer called to say that the car had been sold, the salesmen left the company and is there anything else they can do for me.

Two weeks later, the car is now back for sale (nearly a grand less) and apparently its back up for sale because the buyer changed his mind and decided to go for a convertible instead. This is what the salesmen said!

Luckily I know someone that works in a dealership and they’ve checked the history on the car (including any warranty work). It’s all good, has manufacterers warranty and has a service pack on it for a good few years. No work has been done on it (apart from a plastic trim cover under warranty).

What do you guys think? Should I walk away and not let the temptation get me?

[Business edition]

It seems good to me, after reading what you said about the history of the car and spec etc.

Take it for a test drive, if you like it and the price is right go for it

[P 5UML]

if your mate has checked the car out, the services check out with BMW themselves and its HPI clear, MOT dates check out with mileage on the car etc then i dont see why not!

yes it is a little odd the situation but if everything checks out...you saved yourself £1k,

you could also get someone like RAC etc to do a full check over on the car if you wanted, but the car has BMW warranty as well right??

[bmwak]

Originally Posted by P 5UML

if your mate has checked the car out, the services check out with BMW themselves and its HPI clear, MOT dates check out with mileage on the car etc then i dont see why not!

yes it is a little odd the situation but if everything checks out...you saved yourself £1k,

you could also get someone like RAC etc to do a full check over on the car if you wanted, but the car has BMW warranty as well right??

Thanks - yes he has checked the history of the car - but not the car itself. I've seen the car before and its sound, so I don't doubt that. Its just the odd situation - I bet the other guy didn't get his deposit back (unless maybe the dealer was nice) and no one wants to lose money for nothing - so I just found it odd. The only gripe is its had two owners, but it was a ex BMW management car so that counts as one. I don't see much wrong in that though.

[MrPogle]

When I bought mine, it took months and this kind of thing happened a couple of times. They told me that the really nice cars get snapped up as soon as they go on sale because the punter knows they will lose it otherwise. However, in the current climate, the punter fails the BMW credit check so the dealer gives him a week to raise the money elsewhere. Invariably he can't, so the car is back on sale. I don't know how the grand reduction works, though.

[Mrsammyp]

Originally Posted by MrPogle

When I bought mine, it took months and this kind of thing happened a couple of times. They told me that the really nice cars get snapped up as soon as they go on sale because the punter knows they will lose it otherwise. However, in the current climate, the punter fails the BMW credit check so the dealer gives him a week to raise the money elsewhere. Invariably he can't, so the car is back on sale. I don't know how the grand reduction works, though.

That happened to me too, I called up and was told the car was sold and then a day later the dealership called to say the guy had failed the credit check and the car was available. Funnily enough the car I was originally looking at, the dealership refused to budge on price so I stuck to my guns and found my now car. lower mileage, coupe etc...the 1st car is still on the market and has had £2k knocked off the original asking price (smug face)

[Boxtyp3]

It could be that the dealer is just playing mind games to you. Offer them something reasonable on the low end then see what happens.