[luke.harrigan]

I was surposed to pick up my 318 M Sport this week and had heard nothing from the dealer in weeks.

Phoned them and got told that there had been an issue

I ordered a 318 M Sport in SG with some extras, the car that had been delivered was a 325 M Sport in SG with some extras... same order numbers same spec etc except the engine

The dealer now wants me to pay the difference in list price between the 2 cars!

I am thinking about what to do next.

[kushtrimp]

get the 325 M Sport - it's much better ) (just a thought)

[coodem]

If you want the car, try negotiate and meet half way. Might be an idea to find out where the error was caused, If it was at the factory, you have a better chance of getting a greater discount, as they work on greater margins

[rogerxp]

Can't beleive the dealers are trying to get you to pay the difference when it's their (or collectively, BMW's) fault. I'd be trying to get it for free or, depending how you feel, negotiate and meet them half way or something. Don't forget your insurance & fuel bills are going to go up if you take it - explain that to the dealer.

My sister-in-law ordered a 1.8GTi a few years back. VW upgraded the range to a 2.0 between the order being placed and being delivered - she got a 2.0 for the same price she paid for a 1.8. Slightly different as it was a corporate decision as opposed to a cock-up but you also aren't being offered the car you've ordered.

Good luck with the negotiation and look forward to hearing the results.

Edit - took too long typing obviously - I've repeated 'coodem'

[networkguy]

Time to play hard ball.

It is not what you ordered so you can refuse the car and demand they give you the car you ordered and possibly even push for extra discount to compensate for the delay.

Now you could offer to do THEM and favour by taking the 325 off their hands for the same money and save them the hassle of getting a new car ordered! If they refuse this kind and generous offer then just tell them to go and get you the right car in double quick time and don't forget the extra discount.

If you stand your ground I am sure there is a deal to be had here (if you want it) but you will need your best poker face.

[booforty]

Originally Posted by networkguy

Time to play hard ball.

It is not what you ordered so you can refuse the car and demand they give you the car you ordered and possibly even push for extra discount to compensate for the delay.

Now you could offer to do THEM and favour by taking the 325 off their hands for the same money and save them the hassle of getting a new car ordered! If they refuse this kind and generous offer then just tell them to go and get you the right car in double quick time and don't forget the extra discount.

If you stand your ground I am sure there is a deal to be had here (if you want it) but you will need your best poker face.

I agree entirely.

You are in a very strong negotiating position and should not be paying anything for their mistake. At best, you pay the same but walk away with a 325

[xenon]

I agree too that you meet half way at worst. Unfortunately I don't think the dealer will give you a 325 for 318 money - it's not that much hassle for them to re-order the 318 and keep the 325 as dealer stock. I'm sure there's a deal to be done though.

[threethirty]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

My sister-in-law ordered a 1.8GTi a few years back. VW upgraded the range to a 2.0 between the order being placed and being delivered - she got a 2.0 for the same price she paid for a 1.8. Slightly different as it was a corporate decision as opposed to a cock-up but you also aren't being offered the car you've ordered.

Not wishing to stray off topic, but if you're talking about a MK4 Golf GTI, the 1.8 was a 20v turbo, whereas the 2.0 was an 8v non-turbo dog. The 1.8T was faster (and more expensive) than the 8v 2.0. It was an absolute disgrace that they branded the 2.0 a GTI.

[hmi1750]

off topic, but the first MK4 Golfs had a 1.8 20V non-turbo, which was then replaced by the older 2.0 8V non-turbo. As the former was peakier and had less low down torque.

The GTI 1.8T also was there, but higher up the price and performance bracket.

ON TOPIC>>

Haggle hard and get a good discount on a 318 or take the 325 for free or a little on top.

[chrisbin]

well at least theres more chance of those performance brakes being used now.........

As has been said, worst possible scenario is meet half way, but that means starting from offer of zero contribution...

I'm also inclined to think that dealers won't be that desparate....but you never know.....

[luke.harrigan]

Update:

Been to the dealer (car is still not there!)

They have given me 2 options

1. Wait and they will give me £1000 back (which i will use to retrofit stuff at their labour cost)
2. Give them £1500 and take the 325i

Having read this tread i am going to give it an hour or two (pretend thinking time) and i am going to give them another option.

3. I give them nothing and they keep the business or i can walk to another dealer

Will let you know.

[xenon]

Good luck. TBH, that doesn't sound too bad an offer. I would say that due to increased insurance, tax, petrol, blah blah, the most you can do is a grand - otherwise you'll have to cancel and go elsewhere.

If you can get a 325 with the options you wanted, at a grand more than a 318, I would be very happy.... (I'd go 1500 myself....)

[booforty]

I reckon you could get the 325 without paying anything, the dealers are struggling for business at the moment

It was their mistake, you have waited patiently and the wrong car has arrived - you have been extremely inconvenienced... Push them for your option

[rogerxp]

Yeah, you've got the ball in your court. If they're offering you the upgrade for £1,500 (their first offer) then surely they can be negotiated with. If you can get them somewhere near £1,000 then snap their hands off - presuming a) you can afford it and b) you are happy with the higher running costs, etc.

I'd certainly threaten that you're in talks with another dealer and have a scout for some barely used ones on the BMW website -threaten them with a strategic side-step to a used one - they hate that!!!

As for the Golf references - God knows quite what happened, I just know is was a 1.8 that turned into a 2.0 - it was in bright green so the engine was fairly inconsequential!!!

[mgarvey]

Totally agree with the concept of haggling for the 325i at a knock-down price. Running costs will be higher but you will love that engine note every time you drive it!

At base spec, the 325i M is £29.5k RRP and the 318i M is £24.5k, so if the 325 options are the same as those on the 318 you ordered, only having to pay £1500 is quite a bargain. I certainly wouldn't take their starting offer though, you should be able to get more off.

On the off-topic Golf issue, hmi1970 is spot on. The original Mk4 GTI had a 1.8 20v non-turbo engine developing 125bhp but with virtually no low-down torque. In 1999 or thereabouts they re-introduced the 115bhp 8v 2.0 engine which was not quite as quick but much more gutsy low down. Shouldn't have been badged GTI really, and in fact many were actually badged 2.0 and the GTI badge was retrofitted by dealers.

I know all this because it happened to me. I ordered a 1.8, got a 2.0 instead which arrived with a 2.0 badge on it. Before handing it to me the dealer had a GTI badge on the back. Really nice car that - not quick but enjoyable to drive with nice rorty engine note.

[scooba0010]

I think id rip there hand off it does seam strange but a car that cost 5k more and they only want you to pay 1500 ,Ok its there cock up so why shouldnt they go the extra mile id think they must be losing money on the deal and must be getting some support from bmw uk

I had a Mercedes ml arrive with a tow bar i never ordered and was asked for £650 extra .F--- ---.Anyway they took the hit but that was the biggest pile of c--- i ever bought .

I have the 325d and its awesome imho .My father has 325I and after a cople of faults its fine cam shaft position sensor and fuel pump pressure map or something the car is now sweet and he loves it get the best deal and think hard because despite what you here 27-29 mpg its way of the 318d figure

[luke.harrigan]

Hi

Update

£500 extra 325i when it arrives (week late anyway)

Groovy!

[xenon]

Excellent result I'd say. You can change your profile "Drives: " now to something much nicer.

[booforty]

Congrats!! What a car and what a deal! You will love the straight six engine, its superb.

I also ordered a 318i but a M3 turned up

[xenon]

Originally Posted by booforty

You will love the straight six engine, its superb.

Indeed it is. I thought long and hard about a six cylinder having had a e46 325i just previously but in the end I struggled to justify the cost and went for a 320i. Had I been able to get a 325i for just a monkey more I would have been well chuffed.

[networkguy]

Originally Posted by luke.harrigan

Hi

Update

£500 extra 325i when it arrives (week late anyway)

Groovy!

Fantastic

One wonders if they only got charged for a 318 themselves (not sure how it works) but in any case, this sounds like a very good deal.

Now did you get them to throw in a full tank of fuel and a set of floor mats?

[luke.harrigan]

So a really daft question as i haven't looked into it

Any differences other than a kick ass engine?

Oh and a silver Grill