Bluffing the sales man? How to get a ride in a new BMW?

[kylebes1]

I work around car sales men everyday. The way to get what you want, the price you want and the weekend test drive...

Ask for the sales manager, like teh guy that is third in line. Don't worrhy about looking rich, just be cool. Walk the lot with the guy and in your own special way, let him know you smoke (and have the best of) a three letter word (not a pan, but a ___). You will have a friend for life.

[clavinZERO]

I rolled up to a BMW dealership in Arkansas (vacation) in my buddy's Jag XJ-R (SC'ed 4.0 V8 baby!) and drove an e46 around for a while. We just acted all classy and shit cause he is the nephew of one of the richest doods in the state. Then I stuck it to the salesman cause he couldn't talk engine or chassis codes on the very cars he was selling. What a chump, test ride was fun though.

[Jordan]

Then I stuck it to the salesman cause he couldn't talk engine or chassis codes on the very cars he was selling. What a chump, test ride was fun though.

When I was shopping for a nice used e36 M3 for my mother I had a similar experience.

Went to Rasmussen in Portland. Found a salesman out on the lot and asked him "Hi, I'm looking for a e36 M3, do you have any here on the lot?"

"Uh..I don't know what that is, but I have this fine 325i you might be interested in" (points to a base model e46)

"idiot"

[e30sd]

you guys are fucking idiots. car salesman are good at selling the product. they're not by default car buffs. wanna shoot the shit about how cool you are by how many engine and chassis codes you know, go play magic with the losers at starbucks. weasels.

[Ryan Stewart]

Word son!

I try to be nice and answer any questions of the salesmen I have met because I know they are there to sell benefits instead of chassis codes and engine numbers. They have caught on that I know what I am talking about but I live to far away to work in parts or in the shop.

That is at a BMW dealership. At used car lots I wouldnt be shocked by them not knowing the cars, they would have to know so many makes/models. My knowledge is limited to US market BMWs from 1984-current, Toyota Tacomas, Audi sedans, and some classic domestics. That is only because of what I have experienced.

[Pedro]

I am able to drive any car I want, whenever I want because I work there. They know I am not going to buy it or anything, but it is based on principle that they give me the keys.
All you have to do is go in there with me and we can get you a road test without issue.
Hell, I have driven 2 E60 ///M5's already and nobody blinked twice at letting me do it either. (granted I was on my PDI road test, but nobody cared that I was driving it)

Thats pretty much the same for me and i did get to drive the new M5 too but it wasnt for a PDI.

[george graves]

you lie to drive a Saab 900? - YEP...And the sales chick had the best tits I've ever seen..Oh and it was a 900 turbo...(but not a SPG = saab's e30m3)

You guys are funny...Love the "internet pic"

If you really want to hear a true stort...read on...

So I mentioned a 16v GTI...Yea, I was driving a e21(U.S. model 1.8L m10) nice, but looking for something more. At that time e30's were out of my price range.

But a mx-6 came up that was a loss for the dealer(pre-approved credit, bank turned it down, client already put miles on it, late in the year, and wanted to get rid of it)

I had been looking at this masda mx-6 sports edition (with 4-wheel stearing) and I was thinking of getting it)

So late one night after hanging out with friends, I pull up my e21 on the lot to look at it again. Seeing that no one is there, I drive right up to the car(this time a VW GTI). as I apporach it. It's unlocked. I again notice the sports seats. I open the door and take a seat....so so nice!!!!

5 mins go by, and all of the sudden I get flashed in the eyes from a flash light. It's a security guard. "Sorry, you have to leave." I tell him I'm sorry, but in my leaving I mention the sales men I've been speaking to. no prolbem...i"m gone...

He wishes me a good night. I get in my BMW(parked 5 feet away) and head home.

Being 18 years old, I stop off at the local arcade, and play a game or two.

I finally make my way home.

Rounding the corner to my house I get this car glued to on my ass!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't tell anything but that it's american car. I gun it. e21 is now in full force. I'm flying. Hit the garage door opener from around the block. skid to a stop.

Who is this crazzy on my ass? WTF???

I slam my e21 into the garage, jump out, ready to bolt inside and find my base ball bat....

When I hear "Modesto PD! FREEZZZZZZ asshole!!!!!" I had a gun to my back....

Next I was thrown onto a undercover cop car hood. Hand cuffed. And told that "Do you know what you did tonight son?" Next I was in padded room..Getting fingerprinted....blah....

Turned out the cops fuckd up. The "cd decK" was under the seat the whole time. (they though i stole it) the dealership (masda) didn't want to press charges. the Judge order the DA, The dealership, and the PD to write a letter of appoligy to me(that they never did)....

It cost me 1200 of my own money to hire a lawer...

PS- yes, I'll flog a dealer's car anyday of the week.....waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles...


...

[YAN-3]

When I was shopping for a nice used e36 M3 for my mother I had a similar experience.

Went to Rasmussen in Portland. Found a salesman out on the lot and asked him "Hi, I'm looking for a e36 M3, do you have any here on the lot?"

"Uh..I don't know what that is, but I have this fine 325i you might be interested in" (points to a base model e46)

"idiot"

:rofl:

[rwh11385]

I wouldn't lie and mislead the salespeople. . . they might not like that. They works on t3h commissions and jerking them off would be annoying.

Plus, i work there. . . they probably don't care to let me, unless it's a salesperson who is one of my friends and its a demo.



Hopefully since I'm like the GM's second son he'll trust me to let me drive the Alpina V8 I was so jealous of my friend getting to drive.



But seriously, don't bluff 'em.

[m20e34]

"I'd like to test drive the new <insert fun high performance car here>"

"I don't think I can do that right now, but I can tell you it <blah blah blah...performance specs...blah blah blah>"

"I already know what it's capable of, I just want to know if it's something I could live with every day."

"Well, let me see if I can find the keys to that red one"

Works every time.

[Axxe]

I get test drives without a problem, even when I'm driving a "car as old as me." I'm just polite and curtious, and flat out tell the salesman that I am looking around for a nice car to use as a daily driver and take it to track days/DE's. I've driven a Cooper S, 330Ci ZHP, and S2000. Just be nice.

[Jordan325iC]

In my trips to Dallas this weekend I passed a Ferrari/Masserati dealership. You think if I waxed up my e30 and wore a tie I could get a test ride? I'll use the old "I live in Plano" line.

[herragge]

and I don't think a (nice) E30 is going to make them go "OMG cheap R3v kiddies!" All they will see is a BMW badge (at least that's been my experience).

I have the same experience, they don't see a 15yr old car, but the nice white blue and black bmw badge on the hood.

Thats a good point about not pissing off the salesman. If your seriously interested in purchasing a car, pissing him off ain't going to help your chances of getting the hookups. Never really thought about that.

Mike

[ddongbap]

1) Dress nice.
2) Show up with notebook and pen in and, taking down notes.
3) Try to ignore sales people. The ones that pester you the most'll get you want you want.
4) Let THEM offer the drive.

[ping65810]

Having been a car salesman for a while, just tell him that you were at Jaguar, Mercedes, etc, but you wanted something sportier....... just be nice, and be serious-acting.

I actually walked into Tulley BMW about 6 months ago, and was ignored. Keep in mind that I was wearing a Calvin Klein suit, Bostonian shoes, etc. I got a salesman and asked him what he had for used 3 series in stock. I got " I don't think we have anything here in your price range...most of our cars are over $20k" At that point I went a little ballistic. All I said was " Do you know what my price range is?" "See my Ram out there- thats a $35k truck, and you are telliing me what my price range is!?"

After talking to the GSM for a few minutes, I was offered any 3 series for 24 hours.