Car dealer backs out of deal after I paid deposit

Car_54

mollycat wrote: »

The evidence in this thread is that you are not a "petrolhead" **

A true "petrolhead" would probably laugh at someone that wanted to buy a car that's been in a duck pond just because it has a certain badge.

Done a favour by the dealership, responds by claiming their "rights" have been breached. Wow.

I'm beginning to think these threads are made up.

**Controversial opinion time, no offence intended.....several mates, my dad, both my brothers are (were) time served mechanics; not a single one of them ever described themselves as a "petrolhead", their work and knowledge spoke for itself. I believe people who think they know a lot about motors (and follow this up by buying a !!!!!! cockmobile), like to attach they label to themselves to "impress" others.

Apologies to the knowedgeable and competent who do like the term and refer to themselves thus.

Indeed. But “petrol” head is probably half right.

Scrapit

Brand0 wrote: »

To the uninitiated, sure.

The car being replaced was very similar but 12 years old. I'd taken it on track days both hers, in France and Germany. Probably go through 3 sets of tyres each year.

I'd use ANY excuse for the sensation of driving it, to hear it, to feel it. Never had this with any of the other cars (though funnily enough my 1999 Mk1 Ford Focus was ridiculously fun to drive).

I looked at it/her and smiled every night before bed just like I used to with my kids. I'm still heartbroken someone ploughed into it whilst parked.

Drive a Beemer with big engine and lots of power - there's no turning back. A wet roundabout on a clear night is like the holy grail.

I could buy an equivalent sized 1.4 litre Skoda almost brand new and have Apple carplay, electric everything etc. (I have one now as a hire and it's very competent) but I'd rather spend my hard earned on a toy. After 4 heart attacks it's my only available vice so I don't really care what anyone else thinks - nor do I judge.

Each to their own.

11k isn't gonna loads of fun. I'll stick to my Ford.

Marvel1

Brand0 wrote: »

It's not Nobby's cars we're talking about here. And it's not a Ford. A BMW brought up to tip top condition by the manufacturer and given a warrantee for a year? This would be bad because?

I have had Ford cars for 15 years, never had any issues (apart from the usual tyres and wiper replacement).

AdrianC

Brand0 wrote: »

Drive a Beemer with big engine and lots of power - there's no turning back. A wet roundabout on a clear night is like the holy grail.

Would you care to give us some perspective...? I mean, we aren't talking about an M6 here, are we...?

alembicbassman

I claimed back my out of pocket expenses from the dealer when this happened to me.

The dealer had exactly the same story about the car.

Initially they refused to pay, but I sent them a letter with receipts. Got £35 back on top of the deposit.

You can check to see if the car is taxed and insured after they told you it was terminally ill. Mine was.

It's no proof that you were fobbed off, but lends weight to the argument.

Holiday firms used to pull a similar trick a few years back, they'd knowingly sell rooms at full hotels knowing when a customer had left a deposit they'd be more inclined to change to a more expensive hotel.

BoGoF

alembicbassman wrote: »

I claimed back my out of pocket expenses from the dealer when this happened to me.

The dealer had exactly the same story about the car.

Initially they refused to pay, but I sent them a letter with receipts. Got £35 back on top of the deposit.

You can check to see if the car is taxed and insured after they told you it was terminally ill. Mine was.

It's no proof that you were fobbed off, but lends weight to the argument.

Holiday firms used to pull a similar trick a few years back, they'd knowingly sell rooms at full hotels knowing when a customer had left a deposit they'd be more inclined to change to a more expensive hotel.

The paid to get rid of you not because you were entitled to it. For £35 it was money well spent to them.

Brand0

mollycat wrote: »

Controversial opinion time, no offence intended.....several mates, my dad, both my brothers are (were) time served mechanics; not a single one of them ever described themselves as a "petrolhead", their work and knowledge spoke for itself. I believe people who think they know a lot about motors (and follow this up by buying a !!!!!! cockmobile), like to attach they label to themselves to "impress" others.

Apologies to the knowedgeable and competent who do like the term and refer to themselves thus.

Mechanics aren't automatically petrolheads any more than a person flipping burgers is not automatically a foody. Your job doesn't determine your hobby or your love. Driving is my hobby and I love motoring and the smells and noises associated with it, so I'm a petrolhead. I don't claim to be able to rebuild an engine.

I also love food, so I'm a foody. Similarly, I don't think I know more about food that the next guy. I am a damned fine chef to be fair. BTW, I flipped burgers a long time ago myself. To many, food is just fuel - just like cars are just transport.

AdrainC - M6? I wish. I'm impressed - M6 Gran Coupe is my dream car. I plan to have one in around 4 years. mind you I had planned to have a newer 340i by now...

I did have a 330i touring. Now I'm getting a 335i touring (2012ish). Can't afford a 2nd car so must have one that can do everything - including putting a big cheesy grin on my face. I've got one on now just thinking about it. Just the grin, mind. Let's keep it clean.

waamo

For real power and excitement you want a Wankel

AdrianC

Brand0 wrote: »

Now I'm getting a 335i touring (2012ish).

For £11k from a dealer?

Mmmm...

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202001065838583
is the closest 335i in price available currently - considerably higher mileage, and three years older, yet a grand more expensive.

If you're restricting your search just to 335i estates, then no wonder you've been looking for a while - there's only about 200 on the roads of the country. They simply couldn't shift the big-engined petrol saloons or estates for love nor money a decade ago - coupes and convs, yes, but even they're massively outnumbered by the oilburners. There's a couple of non-approved 325i estates on Autotrader for £11k, but again they're older.

Doesn't that all make you wonder about this "bargain"? I suspect they knew it was shonkier than it seemed on the surface, but were happy to punt it out cheap until they realised just how shonky it was. You never did say whether it actually did come under BMW UK Approved Used, just that it was at a dealer...

AdrianC

waamo wrote: »

For real power and excitement you want a Wankel

GinaShamz, is that you?