Is my dealer trying to force 56 plate?

[Dainewb]

I ordered my cooper S from Rydale Cardiff and it was due week 2 Jan. It is now expected for delivery 26th Jan, with pick on 31st at earliest. If there are any more delays I may as well wait and get an 07 plate. My dealer gave me my new number plate the the other day (a 56 plate).

Am I being paranoid or does it seem strange to do this before the car has been built?

Can't help thinking they are trying to leave me with no option but to take 56 plate car

Not been very impressed with Rydale Cardiff so far as they have misinformed me several times about details on the car (like it comes with slip diff and alloy dash is part of chilli pack! - neither of which are true)

[Dainewb]

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

[wo53 rks]

Dont tell me his name is Nick???

[Scrogg]

There are a couple of things you don't mention in your post that affect the deal you have agreed with your dealer.

1) Have you got a part-exchange that has been valued for January? It is a misconception that dealers are obliged to take part-exchanges, so they are well within their rights to reduce their offer for March delivery. If the new car is delayed through no fault of yours then most will honour previously agreed values, but if you just decide not to have the car when it arrives they under no obligation to do so.

2) Are you financing using the current special offer rate? BMW Financial Services will not extend the current offer just because you decide to change your delivery date.

If the answer is 'yes' to either or both of these then you will have to re-negotiate the deal to take delivery in March. If the answer is 'no' to both then you are in the driving seat and can just tell your dealer that you will be taking delivery in March.

As to whether they are trying to 'force' you to take a 56 Plate, that is the age-old conflict of dealer targets versus customer satisfaction. All the dealer is interested in is registering as many new cars as possible this month, but why should you care about that?

[ALD0]

Sounds like a Rubbish Dealer!
Go somewhere else, they have mis informed you about the dash-get your deposit back...

[Dainewb]

Quote: Originally Posted by wo53 rks (original)

Dont tell me his name is Nick???

no it isn't actually! (feel a bit bad about saying who it is though!)

[Dainewb]

Thanks for your comments Scrogg. The answer is no to both questions as have sold my old car privately and am using a personal loan.

So even though the dealer has told me the reg number (and it is an 56 reg) I could in theory still say that i want to wait until March and get an 07 reg?

Due to having sold my old car will take delivery if there are no further delays, but will wait to March if more delays

[Dainewb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Interceptor (original)

Sounds like a Rubbish Dealer!
Go somewhere else, they have mis informed you about the dash-get your deposit back...

Yes I think Rydale Cardiff are rubbish! (either incompetent or dishonest) (sorted out correct spec myself anyway and a bit far down the line to cancel as i want the car!). Only use them as they are about 2 miles from my house.

Thinking back I don't know why i went there again as they when buying a cooper in Feb 04 they told me no major changes were due, only small modifications (then came the facelift model!)

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dainewb (original)

So even though the dealer has told me the reg number (and it is an 56 reg) I could in theory still say that i want to wait until March and get an 07 reg?

They haven't told you the registration number, they've told you a registration number, one picked at random from their current allocation.

Until a car is actually registered there is nothing preventing a different number from being allocated, so do not accept being told that there is.

As you are not beholden to them for anything you are now in control of when you choose to take delivery of your new car; so my advice would be wait a few weeks anyway and get an '07'.

[Dainewb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

As you are not beholden to them for anything you are now in control of when you choose to take delivery of your new car; so my advice would be wait a few weeks anyway and get an '07'.

Thanks Scrogg, so can it only be registered when it has been physically delivered? Do you have any idea of the likely resale difference between 2007 56 plate and a 2007 07 plate?

[Scrogg]

It can be registered as soon as it is consigned (released to the dealer) which is usually a day or two before it arrives, but they can't do anything without your insurance

The difference in future value across the plate change will probably be as much as £500-£600.

[Dainewb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

The difference in future value across the plate change will probably be as much as £500-£600.

crikey thats a lot! I'll have to give it some serious thought as to whether i can live without a car for over a month

Cheers for all your advice Scrogg

[Dainewb]

Is there a risk that if the car arrives at the start of feb and i don't register it until start of march that it will be sat in the dealer showroom with people sitting in it and playing with the controls for a month? would be concerned about that. Or would the dealer store it somewhere safe?

[Scrogg]

You really are a worrier, aren't you?

There is no reason at all why any dealer should put a sold car in a showroom. Some do when it actually gets to the handover day, which can be quite a nice gesture, but apart from that they will all have a compound somewhere for storing stock and sold vehicles.

If you're that worried about it just ask them what they intend to do.

[Dainewb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

You really are a worrier, aren't you?

There is no reason at all why any dealer should put a sold car in a showroom. Some do when it actually gets to the handover day, which can be quite a nice gesture, but apart from that they will all have a compound somewhere for storing stock and sold vehicles.

If you're that worried about it just ask them what they intend to do.

Just have a lack of trust where my dealer is concerned and as there is quite a lot of money involved I think that is a good idea to consider the options!

Thanks again for advice