BoringFamilySedan

There is one BMW dealer in greater Toronto area named BMW Autohaus. My friends and I have some pretty bad experience about this dealer. The following incidents just happened recently.
Three weeks ago, two of my friends went there (drove a '90 Saab there), and asked for a test drive because one of them was highly interested in getting a 330. One of the sales refused to give them a test drive because there was no 330 available for test drive. But, my friends saw there was one demo 330xi (licience plate haus 11) sitting right in front of the dealer. The sales asked my friend what car he drove, my friend replied he drove a Saab; but, his C32 was going to arrive in September. Then, the sales said C32 just a C320 with sports package (gosh.....two totally different cars), and there was no way my friend could get a C32 in September (how did he know???).
Then, one week ago I went to the dealer again (getting some accessories). I saw one used '00 black M5 in the dealer, so I asked for the price and if it was possible for me to test drive it because one of my friend might want it. Then, the sales told me that I had to pay $1000 CDN deposit if I wanted to test drive the car. When I mentioned about if the deposit was refundable, he said they did not want anyone to test drive the car other than serious buyers. How do you know I am not a serious buyer?!
Damn.......they are definitely one screwed up dealership.

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Dinan: Stg 3 Software, CAI with all updates, Flow meters, exhaust, 3.45 diff, Stg 3 Suspension, Front Strut Brace, Rear Shock Brace, Wheels (Tires: Front 265/Rear 275), Floor mats
Others: AC Schnitzer Front Spoiler, AC Schnitzer Foot Pedals, 6000K, Brake Ducts, M Audio woofers, UUC Flywheel+Clutch, UUC EVO3 SSK

RAREM5

My local dealership let me test drive '01 M3 Coupe without asking any questions....

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RARE ///M5

2001 LMB DINAN ///M5 Gone but never forgotten!
2005 Honda S2000 (Silverstone/Black)
2005 Ducati 749S (Red)

dwasifar

BorFamSed: Your profile says you're 23. He decided you were not a serious buyer because very few 23-year-olds have the means to buy an M5. For customers your age, tire-kickers probably outnumber serious buyers by at least 50 to 1. So he ran the odds, as many dealers will. He lost the toss in this case, but taken overall (you plus the 49 tirekickers he has presumably also turned away) it is probably the right decision from a business standpoint. Otherwise he'd be out there putting mileage on the car all day long with people who just want to joyride and have no intention of buying. And he didn't believe you when you told him otherwise, because, as the saying goes, "buyers are liars." The majority of tirekickers who want a test drive on a car they can't afford will say whatever they need to say in order to get it. It's hard for you to distinguish yourself from them. (You didn't help yourself by saying the test drive was "for a friend," either.)

I know that's not what you want to hear, but comfort yourself with the fact that it has nothing to do with right or wrong, what's fair or unfair, or what's proper or improper; it's just what works and what doesn't when your objective is to sell cars.

To rub a little salt in the wound, I have never had a problem getting a test drive anywhere - in fact, I have had to turn them down - even though I mostly showed up at the dealers wearing t-shirt, jeans, and Timex. The reason for that, in my opinion is that a) I'm 39 and look my age; b) although I was dressed down, I can't leave the corporate-standard haircut etc at home, and c) I talked the talk and walked the walk, which works fine if you're 39 but usually looks like swagger if you're 23. Again, not saying it's fair, just describing how the dealer sees it.

adegiulio

Dwas...
When I was shopping for my first BMW back in 1998, I was shunned by every dealer but one. I was 26 and looked it. I didn't pretend to be anything more than what I was, a young guy with a good job. Well, one guy gave me the repspect I deserved. He got the sale, obviously. When I explained to him my problems with most dealers (one dealer made me wait 15-20 minutes before anyone talked to me), he told me that you would have to be nuts not to cater to younger people. Most of them are quite successful, and since a lot , of them are very "Sport car" oriented, BMW is the obvious choice. Well, that Z3, a 328, and my 2001 M5 later, Dave is still getting the sale because he realizes that young people aren't like they used to be. They are successful, bright, and overwhelmingly make a good living.

A real customer, young or old, should be catered to. I agree with you that mentioning the test drive was "for a friend" was a stupid idea, as even I wouldn't grant a test drive to ANYONE who offered me that line, young or old. But a person taking the time to go to a dealership should be given the benefit of the doubt...

Anthony in NJ

BoringFamilySedan

First of all, I did not mention I wanted to test drive the M5 because my friend wanted it (my friend was with me at the dealer). And, regarding my two friends, one of them was about 30 years old.
Every time I went to other BMW dealers, or Mercedes dealer, I am happy with their help. I still remember one time I tested one brand new S500 for ONE HOUR.....no question asked.
Service is not about age, gender, race; but, helping people.

Mojo 1

BoringFamilySedan,

Which Toronto-area dealer did you end up using? Is it the same one you use for servicing the beast?

dwasifar

BoringFamilySedan said:

My apologies then. You said this:

Some of us read that as: I asked, "Is it possible for me to test drive it? Because my friend might want it."

But it seems you meant: I asked, "Is it possible for me to test drive it?" because my friend might want it.

You can see where the confusion came from, I'm sure.

Service, at a car dealer, is about making money. I don't expect that a car salesman is being nice to me because I'm a great guy or because it satisfies his sense of charity or moral self-worth; he's doing it in the hope of a mutually beneficial business transaction. Each dealership will make whatever policy decisions they feel will be the most effectively profitable for them. I'm glad you found some dealers who treat you well. Reward them with your business. But don't expect every dealer to make the same choices merely to satisfy your sense of fairness. They have a right to choose their business philosophy and practices; you have a right to shop elsewhere if they don't please you. Recognize, though, that if they continue to stay in business in spite of this, it means they haven't alienated very many real customers with those policies, which more or less proves them correct.

VanCooper

A similar thing has happenned to me.

I showed up at one of our local dealership wanting to test drive the M3 demo they had and they looked at me and asked me so many questions before they let me out the door without even leting me sit into the car! I'm maybe 19 but if I can drive the M5 has done so for a year now without any accident, I certainly can drive the M3.

They told me to come back with my father and to call before I came in. Needless to say, I never called back and they've lost a future customer!

P.S. It was at Auto West in Richmond, BC

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2006 Interlagos Blue M5 - My father's
2007 VW Golf GTI - My little rocket!

EBMCS03

Did you show up driving an M5?? If you did; they still didnt let you??

jackmac

I called Sterling BMW today (located in Newport Beach, CA) and they told me they have to 2001 M5 aviable. So I went there with my friend and "someone (I don't want to mention his name)" came to greet us in a friendly manner. I was surprised because this dealer have like a 3-story complex filled with BMWs!

The salesman took us to the third floor to check out the new M5 and guess what? The car was driving around on the 3rd floor by some service guy. He seems to have a lot of fun, taking corners and stuff! So later, I asked the salesperson if we could go for a spin and he said that the car is not certified and only "serious buyers" allowed to test the car. This is total bull.
Later I went to NEW century BMW in Alhambra and they took out a silver 2001 M5 and asked me for a spin. What a big difference
JAC