Adventures in car shopping... BMW dealer doesn't know what a C32 is?
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3
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From: Westchester NY
C32 AMG
Adventures in car shopping... BMW dealer doesn't know what a C32 is?
I've been considering trading in my C32 for a while and stopped by my local BMW dealer to see what kind of deals and what M3's they had available. I was going over the #'s and options and mentioned to the salesman that I had a C32 that i'd be looking to trade in. He acted like he knew what the car was but i could tell he didn't have much of a clue. So just before I left I was sitting in the M3 they had on the floor and he said that's 333hp, alot more than your little mercedes. I looked at him and said actually.... NOPE. My AMG has 349hp, 0-60 in 4.9. His jaw dropped.
How can a BMW salesman know nothing about a competitive car??? I think that's totally crazy. I'm in sales and I have to know what my competition has.
As for other cars I looked at: There was a black '01 996 C2 with 20k miles I saw that was pretty interesting and seemed like a good deal. Also stopped by another Porsche dealership that had a 01 996 with aero kit. That one wasn't so interesting but the salesmen brought me into the back garage and showed me their first Carrera GT they got in. I asked why the owner hadn't picked it up already he said it was being sent to California to be delivered to Nicholas Cage. thought that was pretty sweet.
Still kinda considering the Boxster 550 edition. Will go and look at the new S4 thursday. Decisions, decisions.
How can a BMW salesman know nothing about a competitive car??? I think that's totally crazy. I'm in sales and I have to know what my competition has.
As for other cars I looked at: There was a black '01 996 C2 with 20k miles I saw that was pretty interesting and seemed like a good deal. Also stopped by another Porsche dealership that had a 01 996 with aero kit. That one wasn't so interesting but the salesmen brought me into the back garage and showed me their first Carrera GT they got in. I asked why the owner hadn't picked it up already he said it was being sent to California to be delivered to Nicholas Cage. thought that was pretty sweet.
Still kinda considering the Boxster 550 edition. Will go and look at the new S4 thursday. Decisions, decisions.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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Most car salespeople are not "car guys" in any way. They do well to know the features of thier own inventory, let alone knowing the models on other dealers lots.
I give him points for recognizing the three pointed star.
I give him points for recognizing the three pointed star.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
It's entirely possible that the guy you talked to was selling GM cars the week before.
Has anyone ever gone to a Toyota dealership? You are met by a seedy character out of a flock of vultures that stand around outside the front door. They are told not to let you out of their sight.
They block off the lot so that you can't sneak in and look at cars on your own.
I once had to leave my wife as ransom so that a Toyota salesman wouldn't follow me into the bathroom.
Needless to say, I've been so PO'd by the way Toyota does business that I've never really taken them seriously.
Has anyone ever gone to a Toyota dealership? You are met by a seedy character out of a flock of vultures that stand around outside the front door. They are told not to let you out of their sight.
They block off the lot so that you can't sneak in and look at cars on your own.
I once had to leave my wife as ransom so that a Toyota salesman wouldn't follow me into the bathroom.
Needless to say, I've been so PO'd by the way Toyota does business that I've never really taken them seriously.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
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G
yeah i agree with you guys ..some of these guys don't know **** about competitors cars or even the one they are selling. i went with a buddy that wanted to look at is300's and the sales guy said it would shift faster than my c32 which was outside
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Great White North (the one with the crappy dollar)
2002 c32
new c32er
IMHO seriously consider a 2k2 vs 2k1 996 as they changed quite a few things (exterior & underneath) that may influence your decision if you chose that route.
I also was considering the S4 (damn 10 winter months up here
) but I just think the styling is a little bland when compared to our dressed up "C"...
I also was considering the S4 (damn 10 winter months up here
) but I just think the styling is a little bland when compared to our dressed up "C"...
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SOUTH AFRICA
Nothing
When the new Ford Mondeo came out, I had a look at it. The salesman told that this car was the fastest car he has ever driven. He said that the new M3 would not have a chance against this 220HP Ford. He then asked me what car I am driving. I told him it's a C32. He didn't had a clue what it was. I then told him it makes 350HP and that the M3 makes well over 300HP. I also told him that the Ford had no chance at all of beating either a C32 or a M3. He then just shut up and didn't said much after that. Of all the times I have been in a dealership, there have been 2 guys that knew anything about cars. The rest are all idiots.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Dallas, Texas
too many to list
I cant tell you how many times I've experience that the car salesman doesnt know anything about the cars he's selling let alone cars in general. They are taught the price of the car and the options.
New C32er,
My brother has an 02 turbo and before my G500 I had an 03 Carrera and there are quite a few differences from 01 to 02. The Carrera headlights in 02 look like the turbos headlights whereas the 01's look like the boxsters. In 02 all Carreras have gloveboxes and instead of 300 hp in 01 they get 320 hp in 02...a significant increase IMO. And if your going for navigation then the PCM II came out in MY 02 models vs. PCM I in 01. There are also a few trim differences like painted bumperettes and such. Just my .02
New C32er,
My brother has an 02 turbo and before my G500 I had an 03 Carrera and there are quite a few differences from 01 to 02. The Carrera headlights in 02 look like the turbos headlights whereas the 01's look like the boxsters. In 02 all Carreras have gloveboxes and instead of 300 hp in 01 they get 320 hp in 02...a significant increase IMO. And if your going for navigation then the PCM II came out in MY 02 models vs. PCM I in 01. There are also a few trim differences like painted bumperettes and such. Just my .02
