trade-in dilemma and dent removal

H

helix

Member
two questions:

1. Can anyone recommend a dent removal / smart repair firm that operates in the south east london area?

Would like to get some dents fixed as the lease is up in December. I'm not sure whether to pay the final payment, then sell privately, or return the car. Either way before hand I'd like to get them fixed.

2. Used prices seem quite good for the Z4 right now. The settlement figure is £8.5k - my car is a 2003 Z4 3.0 manual, no real optional extras to shout about, silver, with 44k miles and 12k till next service internal.

Reason I'm thinking of selling prvately is that I don't have run flats (which apparently BMW would require on lease end) having swapped out for Falcon 452s, and also I don't really trust them to not sting me for every single little thing that's not quite right, even the fact the windscreen is not BMW OEM would be an issue!

So would be happy to get enough to just cover the settlement price if I can.

Anyone had any bad experiences with returning a BMW at lease end?


Cheers,
Alex
 
With a settlement figure of £8.5k I'd be taking it. When do you need to let them know?

Why not clean it up, get some pics sorted (esp showing the dents) and post a speculative ad in the buy and sell section... explain the situation and invite offers over £9K? Even with a very mean spec that's got to be a good deal... no offence hear... unless it's in a bit of a state! Getting at least £500 and not having to sort the tyres or dents has to be a good deal for you too. :wink:

I've seen people do a similar thing on other forums, be upfront and offer someone the chance of a bargain! Just be very sure of your deadline.

Taking mine into Chips Away on Wednesday, but that's in Reading. If you let me know where you are I can try and see if I can get a recommendation - if he knows anyone out your way personally. Franchises can be a little hit and miss IMO!

So, what's next?
 
Thanks for the advice :)

Lease end is December 13th. I have to let them know a week or two before if I want to return it.

Good idea re getting some pics of the dents / car and testing the market. I guess it may suit someone who would be prepared to pick up something for a little less initial outlay, with the view to fixing up some minor dents at a later date.

The car is in very good condition and well looked after other than the dents and a scratch (none my own fault :x ). The mileage is low, only put 10k on it in the last 3 years, tyres like new, just had the front brake pads done. Had to get the last service done early because of time elapsed rather than service indicator.

Would be very interested to hear how you get on with Chips Away... I'm in Lewisham in London so any local recommendations would be appreciated. There is also a guy called Dent Man who seems to be quite experienced and covers the Lewisham area.

PawnSacrifice said:
With a settlement figure of £8.5k I'd be taking it. When do you need to let them know?

Why not clean it up, get some pics sorted (esp showing the dents) and post a speculative ad in the buy and sell section... explain the situation and invite offers over £9K? Even with a very mean spec that's got to be a good deal... no offence hear... unless it's in a bit of a state! Getting at least £500 and not having to sort the tyres or dents has to be a good deal for you too. :wink:

I've seen people do a similar thing on other forums, be upfront and offer someone the chance of a bargain! Just be very sure of your deadline.

Taking mine into Chips Away on Wednesday, but that's in Reading. If you let me know where you are I can try and see if I can get a recommendation - if he knows anyone out your way personally. Franchises can be a little hit and miss IMO!

So, what's next?
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

Would be very interested to know the outcome of this - I'm in the same position about returning my leased car and want to avoid being stung by BMW. They just quoted my £3500 to return it a year early, or £15000 to buy the car outright now

Cheers!

B
 
B, have they given you the sums behind their calculations? Just curious... is the £3,500 the monthly payments x 12 or the difference between the baloon payment and book value? Have you had a look to see what you think the car is worth privately?

Helix, one thing I didn't think of previously, my thought was that you could sell the car, pay BMW and pocket the difference! Or even sell for the BMW price and save on the tyres etc...
That's probably not a bright idea... the previous owner had BMW finance on my car but I made sure that I recieved a letter from BMW to confirm it was clear before I handed over my hard earned! Suspect he may have been covering his costs too - the car did seem a couple £k cheaper than others in the Thames Valley.
 
My advice is try and sell it privately, dont be too ambitious, See if it can get u 500-1000 in your pocket. also try some private dealers.

also another thing if you looking to buy another car then worth p/x to see what u get for it because some dealers might pay more and if its a vw/audi or any other might be better sometimes coz i've noted vw to give a better px price than anyone else. that way they can settle the finance, u can have another car- this works if you are looking to buy another car. Good luck.
 
helix said:
1. Can anyone recommend a dent removal / smart repair firm that operates in the south east london area?
Click to expand...

if they're small... http://www.videojug.com/film/dent-removal-technique
 
Helix

You still looking to sell youir car,as i will be buying a roadster or TT this weekend....assuming yrs is a roadster
 
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