Urgent help for a new buyer

[jason559]

After several days of the run-around from my local dealer I found out my brand new 325i that was special ordered had a scratch on the roof.

They are completely repainting the roof and I'm wondering if this is an acceptable option. Anyone had experience with this type of practice or if it is a big mistake to even take the car now?

I don't want to be sorry I accepted the vehicle after a few months or years if it shows the signs from this work...

I'm wondering if it is a acceptable dealer practice to guarantee paint work they "farm" out and if fading and other problems will occur. They've offered to take a minimal amount off the selling price (probably $100 or something). This is my first BMW purchase and I want to have it for many years...

 

[jnx]

I personally would not buy any new car that I knew had any paint work done to it. I don't care how good the paint person is, it's just not going to be the same finish as the factory.

 

[Abdoman]

Usually the new paint job will have no problems and last the life of the car, if taken care of. The big thing here is that if you were to trade that car in in few years, the dealer would ream you because it has been repainted, and they will know. Unless they take a significant amount of money off the car, I would not accept it.

 

[codex57]

most cars have some paint or bodywork done on them. They don't tell you about it. It occurs during shipping, and then during inspections, they'll fix up all the cars that got damaged before sending them to the dealers. How bad was teh scratch? I wouldn't worry too much about it tho.

 

[jason559]

I didn't get to see the scratch, by the time I got there to pickup the vehicle they were already working on repainting the entire roof. They took me to where the work was being done. The paint tech promises it's BMW approved work, etc. They looked to have put some type of filler or material over the original paint, and then were going to paint over that. I was never told how long the scratch was. But, they said to come pick it up today... That's why it's urgent.

 

[jszar]

dido with abdomen. MAKE them take money off, or reorder.

 

[codex57]

hmm, that sucks. It makes a big difference if it's just a little scratch or a huge one. Why do they have ot repaint the whole roof? That makes it sound like it's a REALLY bad scratch. Did they say how it happened?

When you go check it out, make sure it's done in bright light. Outside if possible. Go bring a stool and what not with you so you can get a better view of it.

 

[jason559]

Any ideas on an acceptable amount to take off? I was thinking $500, but they've already told me that they won't take much off because I bargained on the price to begin with...

 

[codex57]

your main leverage is to just walk away from the deal. What was your deposit situation like? Should have been refundable right? You should get some money off, or at least tons of accessories on top of that $100.

 

[jason559]

The deposit was non-refundable. But since this happened it is now refundable. When I made the deal originally I couldn't even get them to throw in free car mats
Did you mean $500 instead of $100?

 

[codex57]

well, $500 is a good amount off. I'd try and get that if possible. How much over invoice was the car? 325i's sell pretty well so you won't have to feel guilty if you walk away from it. If they have to repaint the whole roof, that sounds bad. That they won't tell you what happened sounds kinda shady on the dealer's part.

 

[jszar]

yeah. start to walk away if they refuse to give you any info...go get your refund and go somewhere else. it isnt worth the risk...especailly since its brand new, and you're investing lots of money here.

 

[tmoody]

i wouldn't take it for that little of a discount. $100, come on?! you've got other options. at least get free SIRIUS satellite radio or some other options. that's ridiculous.

 

[jason559]

I was able to pickup my vehicle today, I was able to receive an additional $400 off of the agreed upon price. I'm not exactly sure where dealers get paid from when a dealer sells a car for $80 over "invoice" because that is what ended up happening. It took quite alot of talking, but that is how we finished the deal. I was very pleased with the paint work they had done, and the $400 off was acceptable, even though I felt more would have been appropriate...

 

[jonnyz16]

Hey jason , sounds like you got alot of patients when it comes to dealers..and haggling prices. Good work . What seems odd id why the the dealer and/or salesman took you down to the paint shop or even told you about the shipping damage.I think they would keep us in the dark about these things to prevent deal brakers..

Anyway I wish you the best with your new ride..

 

[Kirby]

The body shop repaint should be close to factory quality, especially on a BMW, assuming they followed "standards" and clear coated it after the color coat. In the past, I have seen some repaints fade or weather (dull) faster than the factory paint. You can help prevent that by regular hand polish/waxing. IMHO since you said you want to keep it for a long time, you should do this anyway. Check out Vlad's washing and detailing tips in that forum.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I hope the paint work was guaranteed by the dealer to last as if it were never repainted... Otherwise I wouldn't take the car; not even for a thousand off.

 

[jrt67ss350]

I was able to pickup my vehicle today, I was able to receive an additional $400 off of the agreed upon price. I'm not exactly sure where dealers get paid from when a dealer sells a car for $80 over "invoice" because that is what ended up happening. It took quite alot of talking, but that is how we finished the deal. I was very pleased with the paint work they had done, and the $400 off was acceptable, even though I felt more would have been appropriate...

Invoice is not what the dealer pays for the car. Invoice means pretty much nothing anymore. Dealers still make plenty of money on a car even if they sell it at "invoice."

Glad to hear that they did a good job and you seem to be pretty happy with it. Now, just try to put this behind you and enjoy the fact that you have a brand new 325i!!