Selling a used car in SA

[rick540]

This is a bit of a rant but I need to post because I honestly dont understand the logic of buyers of really old used cars.

It started when I had my 540 for sale, then I saw it with Jandre trying to sell his car and now I'm getting it with the M5 up for sale.

My point is we are BMW (Fanatics) that is people who are nuts about these cars, we buy an old one and expend utterly monstrous amounts of money and effort on them more than any "normal" person would by far even though old cars have issues and will be expensive to maintain. This is the illogical enthusiasm of a fanatic.

Now at some point especially Jandre and I and many others have this buy/sell sickness or something with our cars and we put them up for sale, I have been through 40 BM's and jandre probably 20 cars, we are just those types of people that own lots of cars and sell lots of cars for whatever innocent reason.

The problem starts here where everybody who enquires, and I mean everybodyhistory, full gaurantees, all kinds of parts replaced, a economical fuel consumption, low running costs and peace of mind. on a 20 fsking year old car ??????

I buy a slightly abused but cosmetically very clean car and....

I spend 90 yes ninety thousand bloody Rand on parts and fixing her up, I have the invoices to prove it, I then get fedup and put the car up for sale for a cool R30000 off (my loss).

Now this should be the bargain of the century and it flippin is, I made my choices and I lost some cash, but NO

Everybody wants a gaurantee that this 20 year old M car that's had the shit driven out of it all it's life because that is just what people do to M cars is going to be as reliable as a Toyota................

.................. I don't get it.

You know what... I'll just keep the fscking car FOREVER because I personally know it's really good because I personally did all the work and I dont have to sell it at a loss to people who dont trust me.

Aaaargh.....

I'm done

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

I LOVE THIS RANT! raise:

 

[rick540]

I LOVE THIS RANT! raise:

LOL, it was not at you by the way.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

I know. Who the HELL worries about fuel consumption when buying an M anyways? I mean really now:flyfun:

I expect around 20l per 100 when I drive! :thumbs:

 

[rick540]

I know. Who the HELL worries about fuel consumption when buying an M anyways? I mean really now:flyfun:

I expect around 20l per 100 when I drive! :thumbs:

Actually, even being very very enthusiastic with it - 14.5L/100

 

[hiltonfa]

A good rant and very true.

 

[moranor@axis]

lol rick :rollsmile:

 

[james]

@Rick540 I can really relate to the situation given the frustration with your M. I decided recently I needed to change my car. 2 Valid reasons: the yearning for a petrol car again, although I enjoyed the diesel immensley. And I wanted a little bit more modern. So trying to sell my car has been frikkin' soul draining. Everybody expect a new car. Mine is not new, but it's the best contender for reliability and refinement you are gonna get for sub 40k. Notwithstanding the state of replacements available. Why should I sell my peace of mind and replace it with a later model with cracked seats and oil dripping from the sump cover? (Ghastly E46 328i I viewed) So I am keeping my old faithfull with soft plush cared for seats, 13 year old oiler that doesn't leak a drop. So for the moment, she stays. So, chin up and screw them.

 

[Sankekur]

This just goes to show again: People are idiots :facepalm:

If someone comes to look at the car and goes off wanting that kinda guarantees, just tell them to screw off.

 

[ajm]

Couldn't agree more, Rick.

A prospective buyer is certainly entitled to know whether you are aware of any lurking problems and, if so, to get details in that regard. However, beyond that, he's got to know that he's buying a really old M5 that's seen the red line more often than All Blacks have won rugby matches and that he assumes all of the risks that go along with the purchase. Asking for guarantees on a car like that is simply absurd.

 

[Karthik]

Haha so true , worst part is when someone buys a car from you just after it goes out of motorplan and gives u the same nonsense like this . Drives my dad sick . Too bad on the old car's its pointless trading too .

 

[herr bmw]

good point rick,if they want a warranty,tell them to go buy a new m5 at bmw.


so does this mean your keeping the m?

 

[BillyBob]

Heya Rick

I hope I'm not being included in that - I just asked a lot of questions as to what was done... I know M ownership is expensive.
And the way folks here are vouching for your work, I have very little doubt that your car is worth every cent - and a whole lot more.

I'm still waiting for the bloody Honda to sell.. by the time it's gone and you still have the M5, DIBZ.

Bawb

 

[rick540]

No BB not targeted at anyone here on fanatics, had two local prospective buyers come and look at the car here at home and both were full of s&$$t.

The car is still up for sale to somebody I hope will take it the last 15% to perfection and basically the history means nothing, it wasnt very well mechanically maintained till I got it even though the looks were perfect.

I had to just dump a lot of stuff and replace replace replace, you would be buying 50% new parts on an accident free body with a RWC to boot. Oh yes dont forget it's one of the last hand built M's

 

[BillyBob]

Damnit, sell Honda, sell... that M5 of yours is haunting my dreams.

Oh, and rick - have a gander at my M3 thread and tell me what you think?

 

[herr bmw]

now if only some one would buy our town house,then i would buy it with a smile

 

[Henry330i]

Well said and so true if it were me I would have told the idiots to go fck off and leave my property.And If you want a guarantee go buy a washing machine.

 

[netercol]

aint this the bloody truth..

 

[calypso]

Normally you can tell in 2 min if the guys are serious or not. After which you can tell them you think this isnt the car for them.

Serious buyer normally end up finding you. Not the other way around.

 

[Bemused]

Normally you can tell in 2 min if the guys are serious or not. After which you can tell them you think this isnt the car for them.

Serious buyer normally end up finding you. Not the other way around.

I think most of us have been there and put up with that crap often enough. What gets to me is that there are people out there that want to buy a 15 year old car for bugger all and have a new car warranty to go with it. My patience doesn't last long enough. I get down to basics and tell them, firmly and politely, that the car is xxx years old with xxx kilo's on the clock. No warranties expressed or implied. I'll give them all the info I have on the car, honestly, and without trying to indicate that it is less than it's real age or that it has less than it's indicated number of kilo's. For the rest, they must test drive and decide. And pay cash. And no amount of anything until the money is safely and confirmed in my bank account. If they don't trust buying privately then they shouldn't be looking in the private sector. Go to a dealer.
So, you have my sympathies and understandings.