Dealing with Dealers

[bluestreak56]

All dealer prices are negotiable. Be prepared to fight hard and each are different. I got £1500 off the list price of my AUC car but took 3 months negotiating.
Miniumum profit margin should be £1000 on top of the PX value which you can check here: https://www.capconnect.co.uk/ConsumerValues/Ford.aspx?DB=CAR&CH=PWRTZ&New=1
Just stick to your bottom line and dont budge.
You'd be doing very well to get something on top of a price reduction but if you can get Tax or 2years warranty thrown in you will be doing fantastically well.
I walked in and looked and made the right noises and was offered £500 off my car before it was even advertised properly but they wernt willing to do a penny more. In the end they spent £1k getting it up to scratch and £1.5k reduction making me a happy bunny.. good luck

Thanks for the link, that’s a good tip and at least provides a ballpark figure of what the dealer is making. (Obviously varying depending on what they have had to lay out to get the PX to AUC status).
It seems like you get more out of them in the way of cosmetics than actual cash discount, which still works in a roundabout way as you say.
I’ve also read on another thread that it can be beneficial to buy at the end of sales quarters... Just depends if I can contain myself til the end of March! :driving:

Yes my car had a new glovebox, new tyres, new fog lights, paintwork touched up, drivers seat touched up, pads done.. Thats worth quite a bit to me in terms of hassle free driving.
Agreed end of quarter but also this time of year is the best to buy because these types of vehicles arnt shifting now.
Dont forget, its all about clearing floor space as well. We got a great deal on my dads Audi A7 because they needed the space to show off brand new models... so everyday they have the car its costing them money.

Lastly GAP insurance. Dont buy BMWs as the others have stated, I found these were the best value for money and one of the few to offer 5 years return to invoice +

Here's my write up on it:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34430&hilit=+gap

 

[Angie4m]

As you already realise different dealers can offer more than others. Buying at the start of the month isn't always the best but given that the new reg is out in 25 days time they will be looking to shift stock in preparation for incoming stock on the 1st as people trade in for a new car.

I saw my car on the Saturday, made an enquiry on the Sunday. They gave me figures, I told them where I wanted to be on it and we were miles apart and when I say miles I mean just over £6.5k apart. I thanked the dealer for his time although persistent and advised I have a family full of BMWs I'm in no rush to change. If they have the car in a couple of weeks I may review the offer and get back to them.

Next day I get a email mid morning, then a phone call in the afternoon, they've made a better offer. I let them know I was going to see a cheaper one nearer to home the following day and I would let them know where I stood after seeing that. Next day I've not even been to see the other car and they've been on the phone, offer has been bettered. I go see the other car at Eastern BMW and it's a dog! How it's even on the forecourt is beyond me. On the way back another phone call, this time an even better offer and the offer to come see the car, they put us up in the Hilton and if I like the car, do the deal and have it within 30 mins. Tempting.

Then 40 mins later I get a call again, I'm thinking this is far too much to take then I get the offer.....8 months tax.....2 years servicing oh and how about we better that figure of where you wanted to be? Said I'd think about it and half an hour later I've done the deal.

Sometimes just playing it cool, have a figure in mind, stick to it and you might just find your patience pays off.

 

[jampudding]

I think the key to this is to make sure the seller knows you are serious. I bought a car from a dealer in Manchester (Williams) I live in south London. I phoned them up and told them I wanted to negotiate a price on the phone prior to seeing the car as when I came to see it chances were I would buy it and would be driving it home. So they knocked off 2.5k - had a few extra bit like new tyres etc. Anyway saw it paid for it and was on my way home within 30 mins I think - they said it was the fastest deal they had done.
Act like you mean business.

 

[Z4midable]

Hi all,
Some really great points and tips here so thank you all so much for taking the time to share! They say that knowledge is power and so I’ll definitely now feel more powerful when Mr Suited Salesman comes swaggering over! :wink:
Bluestreak56 – thank you for the link to your Gap Insurance write up, very interesting, helpful and informative! And good point about the floor space, which kind of ties in to the great point that Angie4m rose about the imminent release of the new reg.. hopefully resulting in a surge of AUCs appearing on the market!
This is exactly the info I was looking for so thanks again all!

 

[Napastar]

Hey Guys and Girls,
I’m hoping to join the Zed club in the next few weeks, probably with an AUC (as opposed to private) as I have been reading various threads regarding Approved Warranties and need for them. I have around 20k to play with and definitely want some peace of mind from any costly hidden surprises!
My questions to you guys are more aimed at the ‘dos and don’ts’ of purchasing AUC from a dealer, as I’m far from an experienced car buyer!
Are all dealer prices negotiable like it would be buying privately? What are their profit margins and room for movement? Ie if a car is up for 19k... what would be a realistic bid to start negotiations? Does it favour ‘for or against’ when paying for an AUC outright?
Also, what can I push for in the way of ‘deal sweeteners’ (if any)? (Discounted 2nd year warranty maybe? Years Tax?.... Tank of fuel..... CD single of Born to be wild by Steppenwolf??? )
I realise that these questions really depend on the dealer on the day, but just some (any) advise would be very much appreciated!

It really does depend on the car and how desperate the dealer is to shift it. If you fall lucky, dealers are sometimes prepared to take a loss on a vehicle if it means hitting a manufacturers target to earn a large bonus etc. so negotiating in the second part of the month is often best, particularly second half of Feb just before the new registrations come out.

To give you an idea, I bought my 20i s drive ( with no options granted ) 3 months old with 33 miles on the clock in Feb 2013 from Halliwell Jones in Chester (service was excellent) . It was up at £21995, but negotiated the price down to £20995 and got £1000 above Glasses Book as a trade in on my e92 330d and the balance in cash. This was around £8500 off list. Clearly the dealer wanted rid before the 13 plate came out. The dealer even fitted after market parking sensors at a 50% discount as I said it would be a deal breaker

Dont be afraid to ask and dont be afraid to walk away. Providing you are within a £1000 - £1500 of the asking price its likely the dealer will not let you walk away or will at least call you back if they do initially let you go. If they do let you go you have pushed too hard and can then move on to another car - their are plenty out there if you want a 20i, the 28i is more rare and harder to get such big discounts

Good luck