Did you make an appointment to test drive your M3/M4?

White340 · 03-15-2018, 06:03 PM

I have some time to kill on Saturday while my wife is at a bridal shower and want to test drive an M3 or M4 (preferably the former). Since dealers don't have a ton laying around (most have 1-2 of each), I am curious what the test drive process is like. For a car like this, do you have to schedule a drive in advanced or do they just pull it off the lot like other cars (even if it still has all the plastic on it). Also, do the sales reps usually join you? My lease is up in Dec, so i'm not looking to get it immediately, but def want to shop around to figure out if this is really the car I want (or if I just stick to another 340).

Thanks!

RickFLM4 · 03-15-2018, 06:46 PM

I always schedule appointments for test drives for any car I test drive.

nicknaz · 03-15-2018, 07:34 PM

I didn't test drive. Ordered sight unseen after heavy track users confirmed the cooling system was boss.

But I do schedule all test drives as well

G-AZ-M4 · 03-15-2018, 09:31 PM

Called, made an appt, drove it, bought it.

tropicalypso · 03-15-2018, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-AZ-M4

Called, made an appt, drove it, bought it.

Well played. Well played indeed.

KevinM · 03-15-2018, 09:42 PM

The need for appointments varies by dealership, but definitely cuts down the possibility the sales person will think you are just killing some time driving a few nice cars. Some dealers have test drive Ms (rare) or used Ms; in this case, there should be no problem with a test drive, impromptu or not. However, in my experience if you want to test drive a new M, the sales person may be reluctant unless s/he believes you might actually buy the car.

Kxux · 03-15-2018, 09:44 PM

Came in to test drive bunch of cars since I didn't know what I want (4, 5, X3, X5, ...). Last one I drove was F80 and I fell in love. I guess it depends - I got lucky since it was slow Saturday and the sales person had open schedule to spend time with me.

Its better to book ahead to make sure they have time for you and car is available.

boss2k · 03-16-2018, 09:35 AM

Better to make an apt and show interest in the M so that dealership would know u are seriously interested in buying and for heaven's sake respect the break in period of the brand new car, u will immediately know the power when you push it past 5K rpm once or few times and no need to red line it, my salesperson was in the car with me and he was particular about that and also told me to keep under 10 miles.

NPuter · 03-16-2018, 10:25 AM

Obviously depends on the dealer. When I first started looking, I stopped by a local dealer just to see Silverstone in person. Sales guy asked me within 5 minutes if I wanted to drive it. And I'm young (24). Definitely surprised me.

MicaCeli · 03-16-2018, 10:36 AM

Didn't make an appointment, went in with my wife dressed in weekend wear. Asked to test drive the loaded new m3. Young sales guy was the only one to help me us out, wife drove the car loved it and we ordered a full individual one with every single incentive that he could possible tac on. It was 40 minutes of our time and his time and he got a sale.

It helps if its a good dealer.

wdskukm3 · 03-16-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicaCeli

Didn't make an appointment, went in with my wife dressed in weekend wear. Asked to test drive the loaded new m3. Young sales guy was the only one to help me us out, wife drove the car loved it and we ordered a full individual one with every single incentive that he could possible tac on. It was 40 minutes of our time and his time and he got a sale.

It helps if its a good dealer.

Another future F80 Owner. Congrats!!!!

JibSTir13 · 03-16-2018, 10:57 AM

I didn't make an appointment. Prior to visiting my local dealer, I did my diligence so I was prepared to discuss a potential sale with the salesman.

The local dealer had a good number of F8Xs on the lot and I test drove a new loaded one. Ended up ordering one from the dealer because they didn't have any 6-speed ones in stock.

Gibson6594 · 03-16-2018, 11:11 AM

Nope. Didn't even test drive it. It's an M3. If I didn't like it, the problem is likely more with me than the car.

captainaudio · 03-16-2018, 11:18 AM

Did not test drive a 2018.

When I wanted to order my 2015 we were at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. I called Braman Motorcars in West Palm, who we had previously purchased cars from, and the sent a salesman to the hotel with a car for us to test drive.

jmg · 03-16-2018, 11:30 AM

Nope. Went into the dealership during my lunch break on a whim. Saw it. Bought it. Came back to work in an M3. They didn't let me drive it though. I don't think they thought I was serious.

Manbearpigbear · 03-16-2018, 01:12 PM

they said M3 are dream cars and no one wants to buy one with miles on the odometer and wouldn't let me test drive lol. And then I went and bought a 911 down the block.

mrmoua2u · 03-16-2018, 01:25 PM

Didn't even open the doors, only look from outside. Say I do, and came home with it.

theox05 · 03-16-2018, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmoua2u

Didn't even open the doors, only look from outside. Say I do, and came home with it.

Mail order bride?

Gibson6594 · 03-16-2018, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manbearpigbear

they said M3 are dream cars and no one wants to buy one with miles on the odometer and wouldn't let me test drive lol. And then I went and bought a 911 down the block.

Did they let you test drive the 911?

E92 M Sport · 03-16-2018, 05:00 PM

My service advisor told to me leave word for a particular sales guy, but he never called me back. I wanted to see if the manual's pedals had enough spacing room. I stopped in there about 2 weeks later since they still had the car and another sales guy accompanied me on a drive. He didn't care how hard I drove it, but I was respectful of the future owner nonetheless. I told him I was doing the M car control clinic in a few weeks and would get back to him. Went back to him and ordered my car on Black Friday 2016.

doug_999 · 03-16-2018, 07:06 PM

I try to be polite and make an appt. the problem is, 50% of the time they are not ready for me (car, person, etc). That really pisses me off. Ps some dealers do not like test drives/browsing on Sat since it is the busiest day. So I tend to go later in the afternoon. As I write this, I think I might be doing this wrong

drgmt · 03-16-2018, 08:00 PM

Appointment - to drive a mass produced sports
Sedan ? Come on. The demos are always laying around the lot. The M3 is a great car but it's no bloody Ferrari.

I never make an appointment. I'm happy to wait for the salesman. If they want a sale, they have that window to arrange something or I'll walk to the next dealer. It's that simple.

03-15-2018, 06:03 PM	#1
White340 Lieutenant Colonel 1392 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp / 2022 X5 45e Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	Did you make an appointment to test drive your M3/M4? I have some time to kill on Saturday while my wife is at a bridal shower and want to test drive an M3 or M4 (preferably the former). Since dealers don't have a ton laying around (most have 1-2 of each), I am curious what the test drive process is like. For a car like this, do you have to schedule a drive in advanced or do they just pull it off the lot like other cars (even if it still has all the plastic on it). Also, do the sales reps usually join you? My lease is up in Dec, so i'm not looking to get it immediately, but def want to shop around to figure out if this is really the car I want (or if I just stick to another 340). Thanks!
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03-15-2018, 06:46 PM	#2
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10955 Rep 4,819 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	I always schedule appointments for test drives for any car I test drive. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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03-15-2018, 07:34 PM	#3
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	I didn't test drive. Ordered sight unseen after heavy track users confirmed the cooling system was boss. But I do schedule all test drives as well
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03-15-2018, 09:31 PM	#4
G-AZ-M4 Enlisted Member 38 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M4 Comp Pkg Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	Called, made an appt, drove it, bought it. __________________ 2018 F82/M4 Comp Pkg/HUD/DCT Big grin on idiot in driver's seat Uniden R3 beeping / 70s rock competing with perfect exhaust note Wheels & Moonroof I like and you don't have to
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03-15-2018, 09:42 PM	#6
KevinM Brigadier General 2936 Rep 3,285 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.38] 2002 E39 M5 [9.00]	The need for appointments varies by dealership, but definitely cuts down the possibility the sales person will think you are just killing some time driving a few nice cars. Some dealers have test drive Ms (rare) or used Ms; in this case, there should be no problem with a test drive, impromptu or not. However, in my experience if you want to test drive a new M, the sales person may be reluctant unless s/he believes you might actually buy the car. __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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03-15-2018, 09:44 PM	#7
Kxux Enlisted Member 20 Rep 31 Posts Drives: BMW M6 F13 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Came in to test drive bunch of cars since I didn't know what I want (4, 5, X3, X5, ...). Last one I drove was F80 and I fell in love. I guess it depends - I got lucky since it was slow Saturday and the sales person had open schedule to spend time with me. Its better to book ahead to make sure they have time for you and car is available.
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03-16-2018, 09:35 AM	#8
boss2k Colonel 1065 Rep 2,780 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	Better to make an apt and show interest in the M so that dealership would know u are seriously interested in buying and for heaven's sake respect the break in period of the brand new car, u will immediately know the power when you push it past 5K rpm once or few times and no need to red line it, my salesperson was in the car with me and he was particular about that and also told me to keep under 10 miles. __________________ 2021 M2C HS/6MT/Exec/Moonroof
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03-16-2018, 10:25 AM	#9
NPuter Private First Class 158 Rep 139 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Miami, FL \| Boone, NC iTrader: (0)	Obviously depends on the dealer. When I first started looking, I stopped by a local dealer just to see Silverstone in person. Sales guy asked me within 5 minutes if I wanted to drive it. And I'm young (24). Definitely surprised me. __________________ 2018 F80 M3 • Silverstone/Silverstone • DCT/ZCP/Exec/Assist/Blind Spot 2016 B8 S5
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03-16-2018, 10:36 AM	#10
MicaCeli First Lieutenant 186 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 07 e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 996 C4 [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00] 2001 B5 S4 Avant [0.00]	Didn't make an appointment, went in with my wife dressed in weekend wear. Asked to test drive the loaded new m3. Young sales guy was the only one to help me us out, wife drove the car loved it and we ordered a full individual one with every single incentive that he could possible tac on. It was 40 minutes of our time and his time and he got a sale. It helps if its a good dealer.
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03-16-2018, 10:57 AM	#12
JibSTir13 Major 603 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: F80 / FJ Cruiser Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I didn't make an appointment. Prior to visiting my local dealer, I did my diligence so I was prepared to discuss a potential sale with the salesman. The local dealer had a good number of F8Xs on the lot and I test drove a new loaded one. Ended up ordering one from the dealer because they didn't have any 6-speed ones in stock.
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03-16-2018, 11:11 AM	#13
Gibson6594 Major 1094 Rep 1,269 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Nope. Didn't even test drive it. It's an M3. If I didn't like it, the problem is likely more with me than the car.
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03-16-2018, 11:18 AM	#14
captainaudio World's Foremost Authority 1181 Rep 4,535 Posts Drives: M4 Cab - Cayenne GTS - Jag XK Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upper East Side Manhattan - Boca Raton FL - Lime Rock CT iTrader: (0)	Did not test drive a 2018. When I wanted to order my 2015 we were at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. I called Braman Motorcars in West Palm, who we had previously purchased cars from, and the sent a salesman to the hotel with a car for us to test drive. __________________ Drivers Club at Lime Rock - International Motorsports Research Center - Society of Automotive Historians - Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society (0nly a VP) - BMWCCA - Porsche Club of America - M Gruppe - Polish Race Drivers of America (PDRA) - Glen Club (Watkins Glen International) - Jaguar Club of Southern New England
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03-16-2018, 11:30 AM	#15
jmg Lieutenant General 18659 Rep 14,107 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	Nope. Went into the dealership during my lunch break on a whim. Saw it. Bought it. Came back to work in an M3. They didn't let me drive it though. I don't think they thought I was serious. __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
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03-16-2018, 01:12 PM	#16
Manbearpigbear Banned 17 Rep 14 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: DCT iTrader: (0)	they said M3 are dream cars and no one wants to buy one with miles on the odometer and wouldn't let me test drive lol. And then I went and bought a 911 down the block.
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03-16-2018, 01:25 PM	#17
mrmoua2u Captain 655 Rep 877 Posts Drives: 2018 MW F80 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Didn't even open the doors, only look from outside. Say I do, and came home with it.
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03-16-2018, 05:00 PM	#20
E92 M Sport Lieutenant 287 Rep 398 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	My service advisor told to me leave word for a particular sales guy, but he never called me back. I wanted to see if the manual's pedals had enough spacing room. I stopped in there about 2 weeks later since they still had the car and another sales guy accompanied me on a drive. He didn't care how hard I drove it, but I was respectful of the future owner nonetheless. I told him I was doing the M car control clinic in a few weeks and would get back to him. Went back to him and ordered my car on Black Friday 2016. __________________ 2016 M4 MW/SS 6mt
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03-16-2018, 07:06 PM	#21
doug_999 Brigadier General 2542 Rep 3,968 Posts Drives: 2011 1M/2021 992/2023 X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I try to be polite and make an appt. the problem is, 50% of the time they are not ready for me (car, person, etc). That really pisses me off. Ps some dealers do not like test drives/browsing on Sat since it is the busiest day. So I tend to go later in the afternoon. As I write this, I think I might be doing this wrong __________________ 2011 1M, Black loaded sans sat radio 2021 911 C4S Gentian Blue, manual 2023 X3 M40i - loaded sans Park Assist
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03-16-2018, 08:00 PM	#22
drgmt Lieutenant Colonel 985 Rep 1,885 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Australia iTrader: (1)	Appointment - to drive a mass produced sports Sedan ? Come on. The demos are always laying around the lot. The M3 is a great car but it's no bloody Ferrari. I never make an appointment. I'm happy to wait for the salesman. If they want a sale, they have that window to arrange something or I'll walk to the next dealer. It's that simple.
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