Build date vs. Registration Date

[James_G]

Why it pays to check all the paperwork thoroughly. I've had an interesting viewing on a car this afternoon at a BMW dealer (no names being mentioned at this time) and I wondered what my fellow forum members think.

Carbon Black Z4MC built in October 2006. Arrives at dealer in May 2007 and has a PDI check.(Note - not the dealer I am viewing the car at.) Isn't actually registered until June 2008, so wears an 08 registration. Gets sold to customer (presumably at knock down price) and gets its running in service in November 2008 at 1204 miles.

So from point of manufacture to arrival at dealer takes 7 months. It then takes a further 13 months to get finally registered. Presumably at that point it must be wearing some miles, say a hundred. Then it takes 5 months to do 1000 miles, which isn't unheard of I guess. Then does 15k miles in the next 11 months, presumably with the first proper owner, until this evening when I saw it.

So my question is why is a well specced car (Black leather, Sat Nav, PDC, Bluetooth) like this had such a curious route to finally ending up in the AUC.

Shame really, it drove better than others I have seen/test driven but it's not the perfect spec for me, and it all sounds like a nightmare to sell on. Your thoughts on both points welcome however .

Cheers

James

 

[mmm-five]

Could be a cancelled order that was sold on to whoever wanted it, then sat as a display/demonstrator (doesn't need to be registered for that), and then finally sold and registered in 2008.

Mine's a Sept '06 car registered Dec '06.

 

[mikedav]

Wood BMW had a loaded, unregistered Imola Red Roadster in their showroom for eons over the Christmas slump, must have been 8 months. The warranty starts from the date of registration, and as long as the car hasn't had specification changes in that time (don't think the M had any mid life changes of major note) it's probably fine

 

[James_G]

I agree, it's probably fine, and I am happy with it, although it has piqued my interest somewhat. But I know that when I come to sell on it'll be an issue and given the trouble I'm having finding a buyer for my 330i because of its colour scheme (silver with red leather) I am going safe with this Z4MC purchase.

 

[jamiez]

I agree, it's probably fine, and I am happy with it, although it has piqued my interest somewhat. But I know that when I come to sell on it'll be an issue and given the trouble I'm having finding a buyer for my 330i because of its colour scheme (silver with red leather) I am going safe with this Z4MC purchase.

that's a killer colour combo (in a good way!)
surpised THAT is the reason for not shifting

 

[mikedav]

I agree, it's probably fine, and I am happy with it, although it has piqued my interest somewhat. But I know that when I come to sell on it'll be an issue and given the trouble I'm having finding a buyer for my 330i because of its colour scheme (silver with red leather) I am going safe with this Z4MC purchase.

Been there! A while back I had a 330 Sport in Silver Grey with the anthracite Alcantara interior. I actually preferred it. Dealers didn't. No leather = genuine fear in their eyes...Got a good price in the end but I can identify with you

 

[James_G]

Well, here's some photos then:

Currently on Autotrader, and goes on Pistonheads tomorrow. I suspect the issue is that it's a saloon and not the (more desirable?) coupé. Ironically I think I am going to miss being able to easily throwing the laptop into the rear footwell and will instead have to transport it in the boot.

 

[mikedav]

I think I am going to miss being able to easily throwing the laptop into the rear footwell and will instead have to transport it in the boot.

It slips nicely behind the passenger seat, then you can slide the seat back a bit so it's completely hidden from view

 

[chetalien]

Ah i dont think it should be a huge problem because the worst that will happen is getting a bit less than normal but since someone would have already bought it at a knockdown price it doesnt matter. Considering you get 3 yrs warranty from the time of registration it really doesnt matter as someone here said there has been no changes to the M since it came out apart from later models had the audiojack fitted in.
I did the same with my bike. 07 manufacture, 08 registered. got 10% discount and also o% finance. So all in all a good deal for me. If it sells a bit less now(around10%) i'm not worried.

 

[a11y]

My Z4's an October 04 registration but build date in May/June 04, didn't think that was too bad. I wouldn't be put off buying the Z4M in the original post due to the dates involved.

I quite like that 330i colour combo, silver paintwork is the most desirable but I agree the red interior is an acquired taste, but IMO sets the car off and makes it unique.

 

[srhutch]

Not to dissimilar from mine built Aug06 Dealer registered 29 Dec06 to meet their targets, and I didnt but it until May 07 with 50 miles on clock so that's 9 months and £7k off list (20%).

 

[Andrew D]

given the trouble I'm having finding a buyer for my 330i because of its colour scheme (silver with red leather)

Sounds like a dealer's line. "Sorry Sir, black on black isn't very popular, people only want Evergreen with grey leather."

In my experience you can't go wrong with Titanium Silver (unless maybe you get an interior that doesn't match it, like beige). And I say that as an owner of a blue car with beige interior and wood trim! Silver/Black, Grey/Black or Black/Black are the easy combos to shift, but Silver/Red is entry level for "something a bit different" and it's pretty popular. Haven't seen many E46 saloons in it, but plenty of Z4's.

And whilst arguably less "desirable" than a coupe, and therefore possible less likely to command a premium, a saloon has a lot bigger market of buyers than a coupe. Nobody needs two doors, so all coupe buyers could accept a saloon; the opposite isn't true.

 

[Andy]

i have a feeling my build date is way off my reg date too, as it was a press car and i think it was "fettled" in germany for a bit first.

 

[milu]

i dont see the problem.
im pretty fussy with cars but unless the spec was wrong for a given 'year/plate' then who would check the build date.

its a good car,good spec,warranty and later plate than if registered straight away...wheres the issue?

 

[James_G]

My issue is that there is at best 13 months of the car's life totally unaccounted for. I could understand it if it were a cancelled order, in an unpopular colour without any choice options. But this is a well specced, sensible coloured car and I can't see why a dealership spent 13 months to get it shifted, bearing in mind this was mid 2007, before the recession kicked in proper. And I absolutely can't believe it was sat inside the dealership for that long. I've been going to BMW dealerships for years now and their showroom stock moves monthly if not sometimes weekly. So, where's it been stored for 13 months?

I know some of you guys have cars built in one month and registered a few months, even six months later which is absolutely fine, but this car spent 15 months of its life stored somewhere before being driven on the road. That's a long time.

 

[Top pup]

Well, here's some photos then:

Currently on Autotrader, and goes on Pistonheads tomorrow. I suspect the issue is that it's a saloon and not the (more desirable?) coupé. Ironically I think I am going to miss being able to easily throwing the laptop into the rear footwell and will instead have to transport it in the boot.

I've got a 330i in the same colour combo (I'm sure the reds the same colour just captured in a different light) and think it works very well, i think a black interiour would be a bit dull and the red livens it up a little. Mind you what do I know, no one wants to buy mine either.
Here's mine

 

[James_G]

Nice, and interesting to see another car in silver with red.

I'm pleased to say though that after 28 hours on Pistonheads, I had sold it to the first person to see it. He collectes next Saturday.

And then three days later I pick up a Z4MC!!!!!!!!

More details and pictures once I have it back home

 

[daz05]

I guess that colour combo is more suited to the Coupe but nice nonetheless. Good luck with the Z4M.

 

[RustyZ4]

Didnt BMW have a cargo boat sink in the north sea a few years back? seem to recall a big news story at the time,, with everything going to the bottom.

Obviously the salvage people managed to get them back, reckon that took a few months

 

[a11y]

Didnt BMW have a cargo boat sink in the north sea a few years back? seem to recall a big news story at the time,, with everything going to the bottom.

Obviously the salvage people managed to get them back, reckon that took a few months

That would explain the condensation in the headlamps