Dealerships: my experience as an 18 year old going car shopping

"Bandit" (2bandit)
08/05/2014 at 14:40 • Filed to: car shopping

Today my boss asked me to go take the company car to get an oil change at the dealership. Got to the dealership signed the car in and then I had an hour and a half of free time. What better to do than to car shop? My grandparents want a new car and they like my opinion, so why not explore some options?

First dealership I was at was the Chevy dealership. First thing that happened when I walked in The door was I was greeted by a nice salesman in his 20s and given the basic "if you have any questions, just ask." So I looked around for a bit. I was examining the yellow C7 they had in stock when another sales lady walked up. She said "looks like you just want to drive away in it!" We talked for a bit, I mentioned my T/A and she offered that I could drive any car in the place that wasn't a corvette and that I should bring the T/A around one day the next time I go shopping. She was a really great salesperson, answered all my questions without hesitation, listened to my story, and really didn't mention sales at all. I was really surprised that she took the time to have a lengthy conversation with an 18 year old. I mean, I was well dressed and looked confident, but still, I wasn't expecting even any recognition by the staff because I was so young. I would buy a car from her. I wanted to drive a manual Sonic RS but they didn't have one in stock.

The second dealership I went to was the Mopar dealership. The sales people greeted me but were really giving off the "you're young so I don't want to offer you any help and don't waste my time" vibe. I even got an angry glare when I asked if they could unlock a newer charger. I would not buy from them or recommend my grandparents to buy from them at all.

The third dealership I went to was the local BMW dealership. None of the staff bugged me while I was walking around the lot (no staff were outside either), but also none of them greeted me when I went inside either. At that point I figured a dealership selling cars at a higher price point wouldn't even bother with a kid like me. Luckily I was wrong because as soon as I asked for help a delightful man who knew a ton about the current BMW product line came to my aid. My grandparents want to upgrade from their 3 series to a 5 series so I asked a ton of questions regarding that. The man was not afraid to mention the cars faults or BMWs stupid naming scheme and even suggested I look at the 4 series as it was a cheaper alternative.

So really what I learned today was many dealerships are starting to realize the younger generation has purchasing power. Even though we may not buy today or in a few months, a good impression made on a young shopper by a dealership is very valuable in the long run. The other lesson? $35 oil changes at the dealership are way overpriced! Stick to doing the work in your driveway ladies and gentlemen.

What's your "going to the dealership as a young person" story?

DISCUSSION (69)

William Byrd > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 14:43

Good write-up. I used to car shop a lot when I was in college or just out of college. I was test driving a new Integra GSR once and asked the guy afterwards why he gave me so much time since I was so young (was probably 21-22) and he said he saw a guy come in around 19 and pay cash for a new NSX once and since then he's never made assumptions about age!

n54 & s38 > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 14:49

I've found that higher end dealerships often treat you better than some of the more mainstream brands. Of course, I'm 33 and I'm sure that pulling up in my 335 doesn't hurt either. Not that that should make any difference.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 14:53

My grandparents recently bought an Equinox, that white one you saw like 10 minute ago, but we went to the Chevy dealer yesterday because my grandfather forgot to sign something and they had a really beautiful Camaro convertible that I was all over. They didn't say anything but they didn't seem to mind my touching it and being amazed by its beauty and 6spd.

Nerd-Vol > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 14:55

Nice write up. I am a sales person and it can be a difficult proposition when working with a younger customer. You never want to be rude or start pre-qualifying, but you also don't want to waste time on someone who isn't going to be buying. There is no right way to do it. This applies with any customer though, it is wrong to pre-qualify, but you need to try and figure out if you have a real buyer. That's not dependent on their race, age, color, gender, what they are wearing, or driving. The most important thing to find out is what vehicle is right for them, then you have to go from there.

Whatever you do, politeness is crucial, also asking the right questions are important:

When are you looking to make a purchase?

- I've found that to be a nice way to separate serious customers from tire kickers.

Either way is a risk though. Luckily Mazda doesn't have flashy cars that people just want to joy ride in. I can't imagine what Subaru has to deal with between the Imprezza and the BRZ.

 V8 Rustler > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 14:55

I'm 21 and one time I went with a friend to a BMW dealer they offered us a test drive of the M235i, even when I mentioned them I was not interested in purchasing any car.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 14:56

I remember the feeling the first time I got addressed as a customer. It was a little over a year ago, and I was looking at an 8 y/o X-Type (I think). All 5 or 6 cars we had looked at prior to that, the sales people had addressed my dad mostly, sometimes even after he told them the car would be for me. This guy immediately brought me the keys, asked me if I wanted to drive it, and told me about all the things I would like about the car, while still occasionally addressing my dad in the back seat. I felt so important. Pretty much every dealer since then (including the BMW salesman, who was surprisingly great when I went in to look at a trade-in E39 528i,) has addressed me as a buyer, and not as a tag-along or a kid out to look at shiny cars & joyride.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:01

I remember trying this at the Ferrari dealer down the street. unless you have money falling out of your pockets...good luck even getting them out of their hiding places.

As Du Volant > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:01

Coming from nearly 7 years in the car business (6 sales, the rest upper management):

-A good salesperson is enthusiastic about their product and helping their customers and will treat every customer with respect, whether it looks like they've got $1 to their name or $1 billion. In this business you absolutely cannot judge a book by its cover.

-A good manager knows a good salesperson when he/she sees one and will give the salesperson the coaching and tools he/she needs to succeed while weeding out the salespeople who have no desire to be successful.

-A good dealership owner does not tolerate anything less than the best when hiring/promoting/maintaining managers.

It's a shame that there's so many crappy dealerships in the country, and the crappiness goes right to the top. It makes a bad name for the good ones.

Looks like you experienced both the good and the bad. Kudos to the salespeople that treated you right. Make sure your grandparents ask for them by name if they go there.

Bandit > Nerd-Vol
08/05/2014 at 15:02

Poor Subaru :'( I was doing a mix of actual shopping for the grandparents and just looking for the hell of it for me.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:03

$35 for an oil change? I don't think that is all that bad, the oil itself, in my car (6 quarts, semi-synthetic), costs more than that. I've compared notes with people at my work and I'm not spending a whole heck of a lot more to have it done.

Would I like to do it myself? Sure. But I live downtown and am happily avoiding doing this in the street.

Bandit > As Du Volant
08/05/2014 at 15:03

I got their cards. If they decide they want their next car to be domestic, I know where I am sending them to.

Bandit > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
08/05/2014 at 15:12

I'm just use to $25 changes on my Trans Am.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:14

My key to look at cars at a dealership is to always wear my nice casual clothes, have the S2000 newly washed, and then I usually get treated pretty well. Same with looking at watches.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:16

I know that I live some place that is a special case but dealers love the 18-25 group up here in Alberta. Many of us work in the oil patch and no real idea of worth. They can sell us $50000 trucks for about $800 a month and get the deal done in an hour. My age group doesn't look long term or think about the bottom ever falling out of the oil boom. I go to car lots (I'm 24 now) and its not long until someone is there showing me the lifted Denali, Cummins on 35's, or loaded Ecoboost as they run right past the new family looking at a mini-van. Its really very weird.

Bandit > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
08/05/2014 at 15:18

I was wearing some nice khakis, a polo, and my ray bans. If I showed up in my beater blazer and my usual t-shirt/gym shorts combo I'm sure I'd be taken a lot less seriously.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:25

Atta boy. Hugo Boss jeans, nice shirt, and my watch are usually good enough for me

Tom McParland > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:27

Great post Bandit!

Jagvar > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:27

The first time I ever test-drove a Phaeton was in 2006, three years before I actually bought one. I was 22 at the time. It was late summer, just when the very last U.S.-bound models were arriving in dealerships.

The sales manager was very accommodating and personable, but when it came time to take a test-drive, I was handed off to a sales consultant who wanted nothing to do with me. He rode shotgun and said barely a word to me. I asked him, "Are the computer-based systems difficult to use?" He just snorted and said, "Yeah." No elaboration whatsoever. After driving less than two miles, he wanted me to turn around and head back to the dealership. What an ass. Completely unhelpful and disrespectful.

I was also berated by a salesperson at a Mazda dealership a few years back, but I think that had more to with the fact that I didn't have shoes on (what am I, a Rockefeller?). At least in that instance, a manager stepped in and apologized profusely to me.

AM3R > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:27

The BMW dealerships are great with young people.

Around me most of the rich foreign students drive BMW's, Audi's, or a Benz. Whenever they see a well dressed young person they know they'll be getting them into something, whether it's a base M3 or a fully loaded 320i.

I pulled up in my 328i once as I had some spare time on my way to a wedding and they tossed me the keys to the M6 Gran Coupe I was looking at. They guy was polite and knew a lot about the car. I didn't end up driving it but it was still a nice experience.

Bandit > Tom McParland
08/05/2014 at 15:32

Thanks Tom! It's the first actual post with an actual story to it that I've written in months. I had you in mind while I was shopping.

Jagvar > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
08/05/2014 at 15:34

I have a $150 oil change. :(

Bandit > Jagvar
08/05/2014 at 15:35

I would have said "it's so I can accurately check the pedal feel!" :D

Scary__goongala! > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:37

In high school I had to pick a business to do a senior project class at. My first interest were dealerships. So I went to the nearest Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes group. At each one I explained what it was that this program consisted of. The Porsche/Audi guy was nice but never called back like he said he would. The dude at BMW just didn't have the time of day for me. After explaining it all he told me I needed to come back with it all written up so that he could present it to his higher ups(he was the manager). So I took that as a go away message. I decided to not even bother with Mercedes. I was well dressed and did a swell job presenting my case in my opinion. But none seemed to care for the enthusiasm I had. I ended up doing the project at a Ford dealership that was extremely happy to have such a young person interested in the field. Everyone there was very willing to talk to me and show/explain there role in the business.

Tom McParland > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:43

I shared over to Car Buying...maybe it will make the FP.

Bandit > Tom McParland
08/05/2014 at 15:46

Haha, thanks! Sorry about my poor grammar and paragraph structuring. I ramble too much. Also the photo was pulled from Google, my pictures didn't turn out.

Bandit > Scary__goongala!
08/05/2014 at 15:49

I'm glad it worked out in the end.

Tom McParland > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:55

It's cool man...it is a nice story

Local Miata Bro > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 15:59

Well I can tell you if you come into the Honda dealer I work at they would let you test drive anything but the Si

area man > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 16:01

Mercedes Benz used to have a showroom on Park Avenue in Manhattan (you can imagine the clientèle) and one day I wandered in as a broke college student determined to make some rich people feel uncomfortable. I spent about 45 minutes wandering around the gilded space while several salesmen eyed me suspiciously from a distance. Finally one came up to me and asked, and I quote, "Do you need something?"

It wasn't a total loss, though. This was 2007 so I got to sit in an S65 AMG. I also saw a very rich man buy 4 S-Classes in a handshake deal with the manager.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 16:24

The only time I've ever really gone to a dealership was with my girlfriend to get her dad a mug from the local BMW dealer. Mind you, I'm only 16 and was dressed very casual. The sales staff didn't really do anything until we started looking at the cars in the showroom. They talked us through the 535i and M6, and knew the entire time we were both only 16. It was pretty cool.

When I buy a BMW, I'm definitely going there.

treesmakewater > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 16:24

im 18 as well, and I've noticed my European dealerships do not descriminate (helping my mother find a new car). If I asked about any of the higher up modelsat Chevy they would quickly change the subject to their shittiest of the shit. My local Audi dealership is similar to your BMW dealership, they even act like that during weekend sales. The Japanese dealerships helped, but let off a vibe that they think I'm lying (especially Subaru)

Crocket Bernet > n54 & s38
08/05/2014 at 16:26

Ya being 18 and rolling up in the uncles M5 basically gets me into any car I want to test drive, pretty sweet.

Crocket Bernet > Local Miata Bro
08/05/2014 at 16:28

Dude, they're super stingy about the Si's all over the place, I can get into an M3 at the local BMW dealer but I can't drive a friggin Civic! And this is why I'll never buy a new Honda.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 16:31

oh, I got one!
about 2 months before my 16th birthday, I was allowed to test drive a car at my local Nissan dealer (quick, guess what model :P)
Sales guy was knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely up to snuff as a salesperson. he even let me sit in a GTR and a traded-in R8, jokingly saying "you'll be driving these off the lot in a few years, won't ya?"

so yeah, awesome guy, and awesome time on the test drive as well!

Yourcommentisincrediblydumb > Jagvar
08/05/2014 at 16:33

Me too... I do it myself now. Still $90..... Fracking BMW's

handyjoe > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 16:38

Oh man...I've had similar experiences.

The Pontiac dealer in college that completely ignored me for half an hour both inside and out...until someone told me to have a good day on my way out.

The Honda dealer that also ignored me for a half hour outside as I looked over the S2k, only to have two salesmen trip over themselves as the 5-year-older couple in the busted minivan pulled up. Also in college, and making good money at my co-op at the time.

The M-B dealer that actually took the time to talk with a friend and I for quite some time, actually. That was cool.

The Saab dealer that told us to come back the next day, so that he could get the only manual 9-3 convertible (that we obviously had no desire to actually buy) off the display rack for us to drive. We did, and it was.

The Mazda dealer who very grudgingly gave me a test drive in an RX-8, was a complete jerk the whole time, forgot to give me back my driver's license after he copied it, and then sent me to the copier to go get it while calling after me to put the car on my credit card. I was in a hurry, otherwise I would have demanded to talk to a manager because it was downright awful.

Another Pontiac dealer where I had dropped my sister's car off for service and was waiting for my mom to pick me up, having the salesman who apparently drew the short straw tell me how I didn't need a manual GTO because he had a Corvette, and it was an auto and it was great. He was pretty much just trying to run me out of the showroom, until I mentioned that we had bought three cars in two years from that dealership, right before I walked out because I couldn't stand him anymore.

Same Pontiac dealer threw as many keys at me as possible a year later as I was looking at a G6 coupe. They probably would have let me take it home overnight if I wanted. Different salesman, different day, I guess.

...I guess I've done this a bunch. Granted, the only times I wasn't in the new car market were the M-B experience and the Saab experience, so I wasn't just wasting people's time. These were all before I turned 21.

Decay buys too many beaters > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 16:46

The Tesla guys don't give a damn about how old you are... They treat everyone with the same respect and show genuine enthusiasm about their product.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 17:21

I'm sure you've heard by now, but...

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/ignored-at-a-d…

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Nerd-Vol
08/05/2014 at 17:48

Wait til the ND comes out! lol

shop-teacher > Decay buys too many beaters
08/05/2014 at 21:51

High end places are often like that, not just car dealerships. I couldn't manage to buy a $125 watch at Macy's dressed like the middle school shop teacher I am (my money must not have been green enough). But when I went to buy an engagement ring at Tiffany's while covered with sawdust, I was treated like a million bucks.

spammo15 > Yourcommentisincrediblydumb
08/05/2014 at 22:18

I do it myself, and the oil + filter is $60 from the dealer. And that's in Canada, with our crazy pricing. Sounds like you need a better dealer.

Nibby > Bandit
08/05/2014 at 23:38

Looked at a Jetta for my sister in 2009. I was 18 at the time too. The guy was really rude and didn't even let me look at one. I asked for a test drive, he flat out said no. I started to walk out, but then noticed he was talking to his manager and so I went back and asked him "Could you at least give me a brochure?" "Nope, we don't have any." Not even a bye or anything.

This might be why I loathe VWs...

bariki > Decay buys too many beaters
08/05/2014 at 23:40

One of the wonders of having the company sell direct. The sales staff are (presumably) hired and trained by the company instead of some franchised dealer where they'll get fired in weeks if they don't make quotas.

Jimmy Tango > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 01:48

The first time I buy a car (I was 27, significantly older than you, but naive nonetheless), I didn't know this was an issue. I was accompanied by a friend that could be my father, although a white-dad-asian-son theory wouldn't really fly.

I was primarily looking for e46, but did some homework on W203 and B6. The first dealer I hit, it was a local used car lot.

The guy comes up: "We are wheeling and dealing today, what are you looking for?" While we are the only customer of the whole lot.

Me: "I am looking for an e46." (looking at an e46 'vert behind him)

Car salesman: "uh....what's that again? what do you drive right now?"

Me: "Me? I don't have a car."

Then the awkward silence ate us alive. Plus he didn't really know why B6 has a bad reputation, I walked out within 5 mins.

Later on during the car buying process, I just lied that I drove an Acura CL (which's my friend's car).

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
08/06/2014 at 09:37

Thats my reasoning for having it done. When I add up the cost of the oil and filter, and then the time it takes to change the oil, its pretty comparable to paying for someone else to do it. Plus, I don't have the tools nor the space to change my own oil.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Nerd-Vol
08/06/2014 at 09:44

Its always interesting to read articles about how dealerships tend to ignore younger customers. I'm only 23 and even when I was still in my teens, I liked to wander around dealer lots and just look at cars because that's what I like to do. Sales people would always come up to me and I'd let them know that I was not in the market and was just browsing because I saw something interesting and didn't want to waste their time knowing I was not going to buy anything. It was very rare that I ever got ignored at a dealership and even had sales people follow me through the lot as I was driving around.

BKRM3 > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 10:18

$35 oil changes are overpriced? Lol this is my oil ($14.50/liter), and the engine takes 9 liters, plus you need to keep an extra for top-offs. http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1034-bmw-cas…

The filter is another $18. Total DIY cost $163. Ouch.

Bandit > BKRM3
08/06/2014 at 10:28

Well, you drive a BMW. I was driving the company car Chevy Traverse.

BKRM3 > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 10:35

Truth. Traverse ain't care! 5W-30 conventional. Cheap as chips.

Yourcommentisincrediblydumb > spammo15
08/06/2014 at 10:56

I use Royal Purple. I'm over 100k miles and like the added protection. The oil filters, from the dealer here, are $16 alone.

MikeofLA > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 14:13

My Story: I was 24 (and looked 15) and had brought my 2001 BMW 330ci into the dealership for one of it's many warranty issues (it was a CPO) and while waiting on it I strolled over to the Porsche Dealership across the service bay. I walked in just to take a look at the new (2006) White 911S they had in their showroom, and was greeted by an older Spanish gentleman.

We talked for a moment and he said these words that will forever be etched into my memory; "Hey, this car matches your hat... want to drive it?"

It took me less than a second to say as confidently and smoothly as possible "SURE!"

Remember, this is in the SHOWROOM. He went in the back, grabbed a few sets of keys and started moving a few Boxsters out of the way. Came back in, told me to get in the passengers seat and we set off. He said he was going to show me a few things first and then proceeded to drive the everloving shit out of the car; rev matching, diving into corners and basically driving the car like it was meant to be driven. He then turns to me and says in a Spanish accent, "Ah yes, I have won several European Rally driving events in my younger years."

After that, he let me drive it, but for the most part, that was the highlight of the story. Car was awesome... I'd totally buy it from him... if I had the money.

Kinja'd!!!

titsinmymitts > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 14:14

A $35 dollar oil change is pretty par for the course, tbh.

Not surprised at the experience at BMW. Heard that from a couple owners. The sales reps are certified douchebags a lot of times.

That being said, I'm not certain I can fault some of the sales reps for ignoring you a bit. It would be rude of them to not at least acknowledge your presence, but sounds like they did read you correctly in that YOU were not purchasing a vehicle or in the market for a vehicle at the time. Sure, your grandparents are, but they aren't with you and aren't going to make a purchase today.

I would like to have seen what happened if you went to a Porsche dealership:

Bandit > MikeofLA
08/06/2014 at 14:16

Awesome! So awesome.

SoYouThinkYouCanDrive > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 14:16

$35 oil changes at the dealership are way overpriced!

If that's your idea of overpriced, then don't come to the Washington, D.C. area. I paid $125 for my last oil change.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 15:10

I've gotten good and bad being in my 20s. I had to replace my Mercedes after I totalled it. Here's what I remember...

Good: The Mini dealer (I eventually did buy a car from them). I got to do a long test drive to start with, and when I came back and said "I've driven Focus ST, a Fiat 500 Abarth, Fiesta ST, and a GTI, and I really seem to come back to the Clubman S", I got the keys, a full tank of gas, and was told "Go have fun, and bring it back in one piece with no scratches." My friend and I then proceeded to enjoy a front drive BMW. That one thing from them sold me the car. It did help that the car is good, too.

Good: Ford dealer. Immediately pulled a Focus ST around upon request and proceeded to do a test drive. Mediocre: Wouldn't stop talking when I turned all the gadgets off to see how quiet the interior is.

Bad: Subaru dealer. Wouldn't even look at me, even though I drove up in my BMW, and decently dressed. The sales guy assumed I wanted an STi, but I really wanted to drive a BRZ.

Sales guy: "We don't do test drives on the new BRZs"

I walked out on the spot. I had the GM trying to apologize to me as I was getting in my car, but I told him that I would not do business with a dealer who did not allow interested customers to test drive a car.

Chris > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 15:59

Complaining about oil changes costing $35?

Dude, own a V.A.G. TDI car in Australia and get it serviced at the dealer. Say good bye to $400, minimum.

Jumbojeepman > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 16:33

When I was younger (some 25 years ago) I found that I just had to mention your parents were going to buy you a car, but told you to go look at them and see which one(s) you liked. The only dealer in town that wouldn't let me drive pretty much any car I wanted to was the local Chrysler dealer, who claimed they didn't want to rack up miles on the cars giving test drives. At the end of the test drive, I would always ask what they wanted for the car, and told them I might be back with my parents. Quick easy test drive, no time wasted with them trying to get you to buy that day.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 17:27

$35.... YOU PAID FULL PRICE LOLOLOLOL

No one comes to the dealer anymore unless they A. Got a free oil change with the car purchase or B. Have a coupon.

(I know there's the C. Company car, company is paying, whogivesafuckabouthtecost but I just had to mention it)

Andrew T. Maness > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 17:38

Even though we may not buy today or in a few months, a good impression made on a young shopper by a dealership is very valuable in the long run.

This right here shows that you've got a good head on your shoulders. I really think if the corporate marketing teams knew how poorly us young un's are treated at most dealerships, they'd freak out. All they want is to create brand loyal customers who will one day sink a kid's college fund into a midlife crisis mobile, rude sales people can easily blow the chance of that happening. I mean I struggle with "the evil eye" at age 28, maybe it's the beard. However it is really fun to put some jerk sales people through the wringer by dropping knowledge on them when they come at your thinking you're just some poor schmuck.

This is too funny! What kind of corporate kool-aid were they drinking at this dealership where they think a Charger is a premium automobile not to be touched by the youth?!

potentialthreat > handyjoe
08/06/2014 at 17:56

and it was? (the saab story)

spammo15 > Yourcommentisincrediblydumb
08/06/2014 at 18:00

Meh. My old E46 was sold at 250K miles, with 15k mile oil changes its entire life using OE BMW oil. Absolutely no sludge, and compression was strong and even across all cylinders. On top of that, Royal Purple isn't even LL-01, meaning you can't follow the extended change interval. So you're paying more for your oil, and changing it more often. Seems like you're voluntarily inflating your maintenance costs, so blaming it on BMW is silly.

handyjoe > potentialthreat
08/06/2014 at 18:33

The dealer actually took the time to have the car ready for us. Really nice ride, actually.

potentialthreat > handyjoe
08/06/2014 at 19:02

ah I realized that at first but my brain skipped over it. Wasn't sure if it was a typo.

Z4M > Bandit
08/06/2014 at 19:41

And 10$ isn't worth the hassle of buying the oil and filter, jacking up the car, draining the oil, filling it and then disposing of the used oil?!!!? 35$ is free.

Bandit > Takuro Spirit
08/06/2014 at 22:02

Option C for the win!

SchwarzeEwigkt > Bandit
08/07/2014 at 15:45

I once spent more than two hours wandering around my local BMW dealership while my car was getting some recall work done. I had enough time to poke around at every car in the show room, hang out in their lounge, drink two bottles of water, read a whole magazine and fall asleep on the nice leather couch (I was tired!). The only person to even look at me the whole time was the service manager, and only because he had to interact with me. There were three sales people there, all at their desks. One didn't even hide the fact that he wasn't working; he was reading the paper. Maybe he was on lunch (for two hours...), but you'd think they'd at least ask why I was still sitting in the Z4. Nope. I guess they expect cars to sell themselves.

Keith Moon > Bandit
08/07/2014 at 16:18

When I first went to a BMW dealer to buy a used E46, I was about to turn 23. They didn't treat me any different from the older customers there, and I liked that. Then an year later when I traded in my BMW for an FR-S, the Scion guys didn't treat me any different. I don't look my age either, and I am not American, so I thought this might lead to some issues, but both dealerships handled it well. The Scion dealership went out of its way to get me a good rate on the loan too. Even though I had agreed for a rate and signed the paperwork, they called me up a week later and told me that they had managed to lower the rate and asked me to come in and sign the new paperwork whenever I could find the time. Considering that I am here on a work visa, and earlier on a student visa, with not much credit history, I didn't expect them to do that for me. I have recommended them to my friends, and they have had similar experiences too. Some dealerships know how to create a good impression.

Meatcoma > Bandit
08/12/2014 at 11:20

I test drove like 10 cars last Thurs. Only dealership/salesmen I had a problem with was a Chevy dealership and a younger salesman. He led me into their showroom to show me a yellow conv. stingray and was hyping it up. I told him to grab me the keys and he laughed, so I said right to his face, "that's ok... If I wanted to test drive one or buy one I'd just buy it from X dealer because they have like 30 of these and no doubt would let me test drive any one of them." His smile turned to a frown which made me smile as I walked out. That Chevy dealership just lost any chance of a future sale from me or anyone that I could convince to buy elsewhere.

Disintergator > Bandit
08/16/2014 at 08:25

I don't agree on the whole service your car in a driveway, as someone in the driveway doesn't know what to look for in general and you pay for a warranty cover on labour also.