Test Drives

Martin
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Posts: 7,396
My Motor: Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Platinum Edition & Model 3 LR

Test Drives Apr 19, 2018 17:26:46 GMT

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Post by Martin on Apr 19, 2018 17:26:46 GMT

I’ve started to book some test drives and it’s interesting to see how the different dealers approach it.

BMW are the best so far, decent questions on the phone, good follow up and the offer of an extended (unaccompanied) test drive in 2 cars.

Porsche are excellent when it comes to customer service and are super keen to help, but they’ve got a 2 week wait on test drives! Going in to see them on Saturday anyway, as we want to look at a couple of options first.

I’m not sure I’ve got enough of a want for an Audi to go through the pain of dealing with them..... If I want to take it further I’m going to have to go in and presumably prove that I’m a genuine potential customer.

Not spoken to Mercedes yet, but I was completely ignored when we went in a couple of weeks ago so not a great start.

The process of searching for a new car should be fun/exciting, but it’s more of a hassle really, which is a shame.

Martin VIP Posts: 7,396 My Motor: Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Platinum Edition & Model 3 LR	Test Drives Apr 19, 2018 17:27:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Martin on Apr 19, 2018 17:27:53 GMT Confirmation email from BMW

johnc
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Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

Posts: 6,268
My Motor: BMW M5

Test Drives Apr 20, 2018 9:45:09 GMT

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Post by johnc on Apr 20, 2018 9:45:09 GMT

Good luck with the test drives.

I agree that Audi are a complete waste of time - they showed no interest in me at all when I enquired about driving an RS5. They told me they didn't have an RS5 at the moment which I find seriously unlikely: I think they like to get you on the premises and then pressure you into a purchase on the day instead of having some time to think about whether you want to spend large amounts of money on their product in particular.

BMW have always been the best for me too in their willingness to let you try the car and come to the right conclusion. Mercedes Glasgow are pretty good at test drives on the new cars but they take a while to get booked but the used car department has a manager who must be a refugee from Audi because he makes you feel as though you have to say you are buying the car before he will even let you drive it - these people are only looking at their bonuses and targets and have lost sight of the fact that their cars are a lot of money and require careful consideration.

alf
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Posts: 1,376

My Motor: Alfa Giulia QF / Porsche 987 Boxster S manual

Test Drives Apr 20, 2018 11:22:36 GMT

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Post by alf on Apr 20, 2018 11:22:36 GMT

I see BMW are promoting 24 hour test drives on TV. A good idea - if they follow it through. I have rarely felt treated like a serious buyer in car dealerships when just walking in, but if contacting them in advance about a particular car they can see the £signs and get more interested.

I'm typical of car buyers these days - through a combination of speaking to friends/colleagues etc and reading the press, as well as blagging some drives or passenger seat runs, I usually have a very short list or know exactly what I want before engaging a dealer. I recruited a guy in my sales team from a position where he was a BMW Mini dealership manager, and before that a car salesman, and he says buyers did 6-7 dealer visits per purchase in the old days, it's now 1.5 or so. If I bought cars new I would do more dealer test drives, but SH it's more difficult. I'm semi-tempted to try a 340i or 440i 24hr test drive as they are affordable new, though Mrs ALF dislikes credit even more than I do and you still end up paying way more than I do the way I buy cars now - especially with the new tax.

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2018 11:24:39 GMT by alf

Post by Martin on Apr 19, 2018 17:26:46 GMT

Post by Martin on Apr 19, 2018 17:27:53 GMT

Post by johnc on Apr 20, 2018 9:45:09 GMT

Post by alf on Apr 20, 2018 11:22:36 GMT