BMW 7 Series Test Drive

[Rodge]

Simple question, if a Euro manufacturer made you an offer of an extended test drive of one of their top of the line vehicles with no obligation to purchase would you take them up on the offer ?

What about the moral dilema of you test driving something without any intention to buy the vehicle ?

If they're that desperate to see people try their vehicle should one only take them up if there's at least a chance they would buy the vehicle or is this fair game, they want to spend the money tempting the said person so why not ?

What about if they include a flash dinner for you and the Mrs to thank you for your time, does this change / increase the moral dilema ?

[Chopped]

If you can tolerate the hard sell attempt after you return the vehicle then go for it.

[VICFPV]

Happened to me 8 years ago.
Got given a X5 for the long weekend with a driver training course and picnic table set
They tried to sell it to me when I returned it.
Put 1500 kms on it that weekend. Only had 19 when I picked it up.
Was very tempting to buy though.

[Rodge]

^^ Good effort, doubt I'll be able to match that
One day we might update our Euro vehicle, and its obviously as a result of ownership of same we were targeted as part of this campaign but we're not in the market at present but could be sometime in the next few years, so i guess this begs the question of why not seeing as they're shouting the Mrs and I dinner at a very posh establishment to thank us for our time...

[Trump]

What moral dilemna...

[Rodge]

Funny you say that. I ran it past the Mrs and that's exactly what she said !!
I'm worried I might like it too much and might make our 6 year old Euro feel outdated and slow.

Nothing is for nothing, they must realise that a certain modest percentage of people taste the bait and then swallow it hook line and sinker, and another small percentage go away and re-engineer their situation so they can buy one later...

Playing with fire ???

[Bluehoon]

Maybe they don't care you won't buy it..

1) You tell people what a nice car it is - free advertising...

2) You put kms on a registered demo. They sell it as a ex-demo after claiming factory cashbacks / incentives.

Really, seriously, who's playing who here...?

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Bluehoon

Maybe they don't care you won't buy it..

1) You tell people what a nice car it is - free advertising...

2) You put kms on a registered demo. They sell it as a ex-demo after claiming factory cashbacks / incentives.

Really, seriously, who's playing who here...?

Very good point. Their only real cost is a bit of fuel and a fancy dinner which is probably less per person than the cost of the Track day FPV put on for enthusiasts when they launched the SC FPV range.

Originally Posted by jimmyxr6t04

My biggest problem with being given ANY car to test drive is that once i get keen on it, i buy it... I'm hopeless like that!

I think that's the nub of the issue. If I get the fancy new twin turbo V8 750i for the weekend will i ever look at our 6 year old euro diesel the same and how will I feel about that car after testing the $240,000 7 series ??
Could it even impact on the state of contentment I'm feeling for my SC FPV ?

Am I letting the devil in though a crack in the door, so too speak ?
As Bluehoon said, who's playing who ???

This is starting to do my head in and might really do so if I go near it.
My gut says "don't go there"

and lead me not into temptation

[jimmyxr6t04]

My biggest problem with being given ANY car to test drive is that once i get keen on it, i buy it... I'm hopeless like that!

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by jimmyxr6t04

My biggest problem with being given ANY car to test drive is that once i get keen on it, i buy it... I'm hopeless like that!

That's me exactly...

[Rodge]

Hmmmm, one further thought I just had. I don't have a good track record with this sort of thing.
6 Years ago, loaned the diesel Euro vehicle I have for the weekend, bought it.
2 1/2 years ago. FPV put on track day for FPV enthusiasts showing off their new SC range, bought one.

I'm obviously no good with this sort of thing ...I reckon its better to be honest with yourself and know your weaknesses and stay well away.
Edit... Damm, I just realised this will cost me a fancy dinner at a posh Restaraunt...the Mrs will still want that, now that i've mentioned this to her...bugger, I've just shot myself in the foot

[smoo]

6 year old S Class turbo diesel and (I assume) out of warranty... you're a brave man. Could be a good excuse to sway the missus.

[jimmyxr6t04]

Well, if i was offered a 7 series BMW for an extended drive, i'd take it, and the dinner... Realistically, i can't afford the car anyway, so might as well have some fun haha

On the other hand, if it was an FPV/HSV or other brand within my price range, then i'd be cautious in taking it for a drive, as i'm impulsive and likely to buy it if it's in my price range!!

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by smoo

6 year old S Class turbo diesel and (I assume) out of warranty... you're a brave man. Could be a good excuse to sway the missus.

Yeah, its sort-of still under warranty. We had major problems with the DPF filter and significant amounts of diesel feul ingress into the engine oil so under a negotiated settlement with Merc any issue with the car for a considerable period of time still to come that's directly attributable to the engine oil dilution issue is covered. Its highly likely there would be another huge fight with M Benz if there was another major issue as how do you know if XYZ problem is directly attributable to the original problem of not....
Reality is any remaining agreed cover is probably worth very little although I did get a new diesel turbo seal replacement out of them last year under warranty when it was 5 1/2 years old, mainly becuase there was enough evidence to suggest those seals can fail early with diesel fuel exposure.

Originally Posted by jimmyxr6t04

Well, if i was offered a 7 series BMW for an extended drive, i'd take it, and the dinner... Realistically, i can't afford the car anyway, so might as well have some fun haha

On the other hand, if it was an FPV/HSV or other brand within my price range, then i'd be cautious in taking it for a drive, as i'm impulsive and likely to buy it if it's in my price range!!

If you can afford it its a risk, I agree.

Originally Posted by NX74205

Abso-bloody-lutely. I wouldn't even think twice. Whether I'd buy it is a different story.

Personally, if I were you, I'd probably wait until the new S-Class is out before making the decision - if you are in fact looking for a replacement.

They're pretty cunning arn't they tempting Merc owners before the new S Class comes out, trying to extract a change-over well before people have the opportunity to evaluate the replacement S Class. Don't worry the timing of this thing isn't lost on me and I'm on to their cunning plan.

Originally Posted by BadMax

I reckon if the deal is sweet enough you fold. Seven years in the auto industry let alone European is a long time.
But a seven series? Do you have a driver? If not why bother with such a large barge?

Good point and yeap, I'm thinking along the same lines to be honest, there's some great deals on one and two year old 5 series and I'm talking $80-90,000 not $240,000 for a new 7 series, that'll be lucky to be worth $100,000 in 3 years time

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Dinner with the missus is a lot cheaper than a new 7 series...

Yeah that's Gold.

If I drive it effectivly I give them a conduit to mess with my head..which it probably will. It'll make both my cars seem like yesterday's news...the smart move is too stay away...sometimes there's things its better you don't know.

That said, because of this invite I had a look on Trade Me and found this
and as mentioned above there's lots of near new good 5 Series for 80-90K
OKay it was always a dream of mine when I was growing up to one day buy a brand new M Benz but I've ticked that off my bucket list 6 years ago and now can't for the life of me see any logic in buying a brand new Luxury high end Euro for circa $250,000 when there's deals like this one around.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-629293501.htm

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Rodge

. Damm, I just realised this will cost me a fancy dinner at a posh Restaraunt...the Mrs will still want that, now that i've mentioned this to her...bugger, I've just shot myself in the foot

Dinner with the missus is a lot cheaper than a new 7 series...

[superfly]

I'll test drive anything if they offer it to me. It certainly opens my mind when it comes time for me to replace my car (which isn't that often). I recently test drive a Kuga for a week. I miss the auto opening and closing boot!

Years ago I drove a Satria around Darlington Park. That was cool. They did try the hard sell though.

[NX74205]

Abso-bloody-lutely. I wouldn't even think twice. Whether I'd buy it is a different story.

Personally, if I were you, I'd probably wait until the new S-Class is out before making the decision - if you are in fact looking for a replacement.

[BadMax]

I reckon if the deal is sweet enough you fold. Seven years in the auto industry let alone European is a long time.
But a seven series? Do you have a driver? If not why bother with such a large barge?

[rst2000]

Ford did the same/similar when the Territory was introduced to the Aussie market when it offered overnight test drives...

[Rodge]

Listed Yesterday, very low Km's almost new, very low mileage 2011 Jaguar XJ 5.0 naturally aspirated Portfolio, (top spec) incl the world class Bowers & Wilkens sound system...bet they'd take $100K for it
http://archibaldandshorter.aps.autop...source=TradeMe
Why bother with a new conservative looking 7 series for $240,000 ??

[Ben73]

I personally hate test driving a car I will probably not buy.
Recently went to a dealership for a look around to see what was available. I was quickly approached buy a salesman and I told him straight up I wasn't buying today, just looking what was available locally.
He didn't leave me alone kept following me around talking about how great every car was.
He was throwing the keys at me for a particular car. I said I didn't want to drive it, but he wasn't going to be happy until I did, so I took him up on the offer. On returning from the drive he tried his hardest to sell it to me. I was very tempted and even did they maths multiple times to confirm I could afford it.
A few days it was sold which was luckily for me.

I told myself I will not go to another car yard until next year, since that it when I really want to buy.

[GQ_Smooth]

Test driving cars can you afford when your not really interested, is dangerous. Test drove a 2012 GT-E last week. Was better than I thought it would be (I'm extremely jealous of all you SC V8 owners now). I have no intention of buying one and want to wait after the FH is released to make up my mind. My wife has to beat the idea of getting the FPV now out of me to wait and see. You don't want to buy something now when you know something just around the corner can be better. Personally I don't like the idea of wasting everyones time when you know nothing will come of it. Or worse, you end up buying something on a whim that you know you shouldn't have.

[Rodge]

^^Sage advice there mate.

[pottery beige]

Drop skids.. post pics on AFF..

[GT0132]

In a place I worked as CFO around 8 years ago several Sydney dealerships would loan cars to the firm to use for 2 weeks to try and arouse interest. When the 2 weeks was over they'd just pick up the car from our premises no questions asked.

Typically we'd share the car between the managers 2-3 days each, suffice it to say we'd toss a coin over who got it to take home for the weekends.

Not 7 series BM's or anything that flash but 3 series BM's, small Mercs, a SAAB a Lexus . I think the best was an XJS Jag.

[FPV+fteT3]

Read the fine print..... "you damage it you buy it"........

Personally I would not risk driving a car worth that much coin if I had no intention of buying it.

[duaned]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Drop skids.. post pics on AFF..

[Rodge]

GTO132 Which way did you vote mate ?
Do it or run for cover and avoid temptation ?
^^ I am sure there will be the usual waivers and excess to pay if anything goes wrong.
It could be a useful benchmarking excercise and we might end up really liking it, (actually that's what I scared of).

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Rodge

GTO132 Which way did you vote mate ?
Do it or run for cover and avoid temptation ?
^^ I am sure there will be the usual waivers and excess to pay if anything goes wrong.
It could be a useful benchmarking excercise and we might end up really liking it, (actually that's what I scared of).

I got the Jag for the weekend..Same weekend as my sons soccer presentation picnic was on...1998 I think....Felt like royalty opening the boot to pull out the picnic rug and hamper in front of a group of our friends. Just loved that car and was 10 x better than the EB Fairmont I had at the time.

[Maka]

Nice way to feel like a (claytons) big shot lol! Interesting & fun dilemma, upfront i would say nay only because its not the right vehicle, give me a Audi v10 coupe & i might think about it lol!

cheers, Maka