Who do I feel sorry for?

[GazHyde]

@Mnbrennan shared some pics of a Z3 which is for sale at Silverstone Classic. I'm not going to repost them here, as it's the concept I want to discuss.

The owner clearly doesn't have any clue what his Z3 actually is. The advert is about as inaccurate as it could be, claiming this, that and the other. It's also horrendously over priced, for what is a pretty much the lowest spec Z3 I've seen (having just decoded the VIN number). It has average mileage at around 95k. It has at least 5 x eBay ///M badges on the outside that we counted - probably why he thinks it's an MSport

So, my questions is... who do I feel sorry for? The current owner that thinks he has the highest spec Z3 BMW made, and likely paid over the odds for it... or the person who unwittingly buys it without realising it's overpriced and nothing like it's advertised.

Or maybe the seller is just very cynical and hoping for an uneducated buyer? Sorry, it was a really dull drive home this evening and I had a lot of thinking time.

 

[Redline]

Got to be buyer beware Gary.
A fool and his money are soon parted.....

 

[andyglym]

If the current owner is a tad naive then him as he may think he has something he hasn't and probably paid over the odds for it. If on the other hand he's not naive and some poor punter buys it, then them.

 

[Antm72]

Sorry for ?? I suppose the seller maybe he thinks it's something it really isn't , there are that many zeds for sale most buyers I would imagine would look closely.
Some people have blinkered vision the seller obviously seems to think it's something it's not and a special car.
Easy to say I suppose when your in the know but no amount of badges would be substitute for build options !

 

[Grumps]

Now a slightly different perspective. When I bought Reggie all I knew was I wanted a Montreal Blue 2.8, full stop. I knew nothing of different specs and extras although I'd worked in the motor trade for a fair few years. I'd never had anything to do with a Z3 prior to Jue spotting one on an open AutoTrader search.
After looking at a few I bought mine and have loved it ever since. It's only whilst I've been on this forum I have discovered my car is "poverty spec"! It had nothing. It isnt a sport, it doesn't have sports seats, it doesnt have heated seats, it doesn't have aircon, it didn't have roll hoops until recently. It doesnt matter to me. I love my car, the only thing I would like is sports seats and in time I shall hopefully get some.
I've seen the car in question and it is poverty spec with average miles and is worth half of what he or she is asking, would it make much difference if it was full of the extra bits and bobs, I doubt it very much, more desirable to someone that knows, yes.

 

[Mnbrennan]

Yes it's a bit of a shocker this one. Misdescribed and horrifically over priced.

I hope someone doesn't fall for it

 

[gookah]

I think if the buyer wants something particular and this describes it has it, then they have a reason to complain.
If they know nothing about one then they are unlikely to be bothered that it wasn't as described, and they should have researched better.
However deliberately suggesting it is something it isn't is not morally fair, if not illegal.

 

[Brian4]

And the M/// badge on the number plate belongs on the wheel.

 

[BMBabe]

£7,000 for a standard 2..2

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Did someone say 5 ///M badges? Niall, this is right up your alley mate. @Nodzed

 

[t-tony]

Did someone say 5 ///M badges? Niall, this is right up your alley mate. @Nodzed

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhh. Naughty. . Keep the badges, sell the car .............?

Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

Did someone say 5 ///M badges? Niall, this is right up your alley mate. @Nodzed

Though I'm not a member of the ///M police 5 is a little too much I think, BUT Nothing wrong with an ///M badge if you drive an ///M

 

[Nodzed]

And the M/// badge on the number plate belongs on the wheel.

That one did tickle me even I haven't stooped that low

 

[Nodzed]

Here's the thing though, the seller may not know any different, or he may be a chancer, who knows, but we can all say what we like in a sales advert, but it is always a case of buyer beware, as a buyer (its your money) get some advice first, know what you're buying and what its worth, make sure as far as possible that the car is as described, there's been many sensible people joining this forum that hadn't yet purchased a Zed but came on and asked the question, fair play to them, they are sensible. Some very limited research would show that this car is not worth the money and is not as described. BUT it is down to the buyer to protect himself is it not (and I am not saying I agree with misrepresentation but many second hand car sales garages do it to some degree or another as we all know.) Buyer Beware!

 

[Brian4]

Just seems a bit naive to post the advert on the BMW Club stand.