My car won't sell!

justback83

Hi all, I'm having serious trouble selling my car on. I've priced it a good bit lower than others around the Dublin area who have the same mileage and year...had around 1000 views and no serious offers yet. I'm moving overseas next week so just want to get rid of it!! I've advertised it on donedeal https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318i-e90-new-nct-reduced-to-sell/12512643 - I'm just looking for a bit of advice....I'm genuinely not trying to plug it on boards!

xabi

Link not working.

Edit: remove the close bracket at the end of your link.

justback83

xabi wrote: »

Link not working.

Edit: remove the close bracket at the end of your link.

Thanks! Done!

coylemj

The close bracket at the end of your URL is causing the link to fail, here's the correct link....

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318i-e90-new-nct-reduced-to-sell/12512643

The high mileage (almost 200,000 kms) is probably putting people off.

xabi

I think lots of people will be put off by the 'high' tax. Does it have any service history? Wouldn't bother with the moving oversees part as it makes you look like you're desperate to sell. If I was in the market for an e90 id be looking for leather and auto.

Henry Ford III

Car looks ok. Ad looks decent enough.

How competitively priced is it?

justback83

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Car looks ok. Ad looks decent enough.

How competitively priced is it?

Very! My ad is the cheapest in Dublin by about €1000! Same mileage and year...

joujoujou

Too cheap. Smells fishy.

justback83

joujoujou wrote: »

Too cheap. Smells fishy.

Seriously?! I had it listed at €4000 initially but didn't get a bite.

xabi

joujoujou wrote: »

Too cheap. Smells fishy.

Its not too cheap though, all the others are overpriced. Its only been up 9 days, you'll need to give it time until the right buyer is in the market.

joujoujou

If I was you, I'd go 10% off average, not 25% and no mention quick sale needed, no moving myself abroad etc. Just typical ad with slightly lowered price.

punisher5112

I would take out email or text. Looks as dodgy to be honest.

justback83

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would take out email or text. Looks as dodgy to be honest.

LOL, ok done!

Tom1991

PM sent in the market for a car at the minute.

punisher5112

justback83 wrote: »

LOL, ok done!

1 key remove also did it just jump up to 3500?
Put at 3250 and go from there.

I don't like ads with first see buy or priced to sell etc...

It Looks clean take 10 pictures and add one with service history if stamped.

justback83

punisher5112 wrote: »

1 key remove also did it just jump up to 3500?
Put at 3250 and go from there.

I don't like ads with first see buy or priced to sell etc...

It Looks clean take 10 pictures and add one with service history if stamped.

Thanks - also done. I'll take a pic of the service book later.

millington

The ads fine, the milage is fine, the car is fine.

But it's a 2.0 petrol car with big tax and basic spec (for a BMW, although it does have more than most other brand cars), it's just a hard sell no matter what.

coylemj

OP, three negatives that jump out ......

1. Ten year old petrol car with >120,000 miles on the clock
2. Annual car tax €710
3. Two litre BMW so a second mortgage required to insure it if you're under 30

There are very few people for whom that would be a sensible buy at any price.

justback83

coylemj wrote: »

OP, three negatives that jump out ......

1. Ten year old petrol car with >120,000 miles on the clock
2. Annual car tax €710
3. Two litre BMW so a second mortgage required to insure it if you're under 30

There are very few people for whom that would be a sensible buy at any price.

I'm starting to think I'm never gonna get it sold!!

Car99

justback83 wrote: »

coylemj wrote: »

OP, three negatives that jump out ......

1. Ten year old petrol car with >120,000 miles on the clock
2. Annual car tax 710
3. Two litre BMW so a second mortgage required to insure it if you're under 30

There are very few people for whom that would be a sensible buy at any price.

I'm starting to think I'm never gonna get it sold!!

And that's why people in ireland only by post 08 diesels at the moment even if they don't want a diesel.
The two tier tax system is very badly thought out penalising people who can't afford a post 08 car.

Duke O Smiley

You need more exterior photos - off side front / side / rear & near side front / side / rear. Also interior front and back seats and service book if boastable.

On the ad text - take out the "genuine reason for sale" and the cut and paste "features" bit. Say if the body is in good condition, interior, tyres etc. You want to make the ad sound as genuine as possible. Mention a few of the features but just make it sound a bit more natural. Central locking, ABS etc all not worth mentioning.

Henry Ford III

Car99 wrote: »

And that's why people in ireland only by post 08 diesels at the moment even if they don't want a diesel.
The two tier tax system is very badly thought out penalising people who can't afford a post 08 car.

Nonsense.

They can buy a 08 or earlier petrol, and relatively cheaply too.

Caliden

Get rid of the photo showing average mpg.

justback83

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

You need more exterior photos - off side front / side / rear & near side front / side / rear. Also interior front and back seats and service book if boastable.

On the ad text - take out the "genuine reason for sale" and the cut and paste "features" bit. Say if the body is in good condition, interior, tyres etc. You want to make the ad sound as genuine as possible. Mention a few of the features but just make it sound a bit more natural. Central locking, ABS etc all not worth mentioning.

Done - will add more pics this evening too, thanks.

bazz26

The advert is only up 9 days, it can take time to sell a car especially a less desirable 2.0 litre petrol with above average motor tax. Also with the way insurance companies are penalizing 10+ year old cars some people are either sticking with what they have at present or moving up to much newer cars. Also at this time of year people are either focused on their summer holidays or if they are buying a car they are most likely buying new 162 cars.

All Americans Sound Camp

I bet you felt so smug when you first got this beamer; not feeling so smug now, I'll wager.

justback83

All Americans Sound Camp wrote: »

I bet you felt so smug when you first got this beamer; not feeling so smug now, I'll wager.

Jeez..steady on!

punisher5112

Took me a month to sell a very good priced yaris with very low mileage.

It could sell in few hours or months.

Had 4x4 took nearly 4 months.

Just have to wait for right buyer.

For Forks Sake

All Americans Sound Camp wrote: »

I bet you felt so smug when you first got this beamer; not feeling so smug now, I'll wager.

dafuq?

coylemj

All Americans Sound Camp wrote: »

I bet you felt so smug when you first got this beamer; not feeling so smug now, I'll wager.

About as smug as you felt typing that utterly useless post?

All Americans Sound Camp

For Forks Sake wrote: »

dafuq?

It's something to do with the way BMW and Merc drivers behave on the roads. Of course not such drivers are smug pricks, just he majority.

mikeym

The car tax is ridiculous.

I presume it guzzles the Petrol aswell.

Best of luck selling the car OP.

Atlantic Dawn

I think it's well priced, your issue is getting someone to bite and to go see it.

As mentioned take more photos. I think that engine has a timing belt, if it has was it ever changed, mention this in the ad, are the tyres good?

justback83

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I think it's well priced, your issue is getting someone to bite and to go see it.

As mentioned take more photos. I think that engine has a timing belt, if it has was it ever changed, mention this in the ad, are the tyres good?

Doesn't have a timing belt. Tyres are perfect, I'll try and get a decent pic or two of them this evening.

mahoganygas

I sold a similar car last year.
I got loads of ad views but no bites. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Other than the odd time waster text nobody seemed interested.

I was just about to drop the price by 15% when I got a call and sold it that day. It's a funny old business.

Best of luck with sale.

millington

mikeym wrote: »

The car tax is ridiculous.

I presume it guzzles the Petrol aswell.

This is EVERYTHING that is wrong with the motoring scene & industry in Ireland

Beta Ray Bill

Hey OP

The Mileage is killing you
Although 12k miles per annum could be considered fairly average, it's just that it stands right out on a petrol car (as the other posters have said)

That coupled with the Tax and Insurance on a car like that are going to make it difficult to sell.
Also, bare in mind that the market is awash with 3 Series BMW's. They (BMW's) were the most popular car in Ireland for a while.
Price is good though in fairness, It's only up 9 days. Give it a chance.

If you had a service history I'd take a "neat and tidy" pic of all the reciepts etc.

You mentioned your leaving the country, would it not be possible to get someone to sell it for you?

G.

younggalway

I sold my 318i around this time last year, pretty much the exact same as this except I had a sunroof and M-sport wheels on mine. It took me almost 2 months to sell mine OP IIRC, I had a good few viewings but people were ultimately let down by the spec on these ES models and more importantly the timing chain issue which you haven't mentioned in your ad, has it been done?

I think anyone that's after one of these will be aware of the issue and might hold out for a car that has the chain and tensioners replaced. I know this isn't your fault but just thought i'd mention it as it came up a lot for me with anyone that was looking.

I do think yours will sell eventually, looks to be a clean car and you've improved the ad a lot, but it might just take that bit longer.

BorneTobyWilde

Hire a model to lay across it in a bikini.
Should move it fast .

Jesus.

millington wrote: »

This is EVERYTHING that is wrong with the motoring scene & industry in Ireland

You can't deny it though. 700-odd quid for a little 4 pot is madness no matter what way you slice it. It makes people view such engines as "big" and unnecessary.

T.Sparkie

Might I suggest bumping the ad and spotlighting it (€20 I know but it worked for me!). Its a 2006 3-Series so not exactly the rarest of cars meaning there's hundreds to trawl through so you want it on page 1 at all times. Secondly a high ad count isn't always a good thing as it may cause people to ask themselves why its still there or presume its sold and move on. Also elaborate on the description a bit more, if you've had it for a few years state that! people are so afraid of dodgy dealers and it may be of comfort to some.
You are allowed 10 pictures so use them, the more the better. I generally find that an angled picture of all 4 corners works great with wheels turned facing camera. Pics of the dashboard are great and while running too.
If its getting no bites then my suggestion would be to re-picture it in a different place as people searching may overlook it if its been up a while so a fresh set of pics may get fresh attention.
Also add a video, its easy to do. Just a slow walk around the vehicle whilst its running, quick view of interior (front and back), dashboard and engine bay whilst ticking over will give you an edge over the others for sale.
I'm in car sales myself and I am finding it difficult to shift anything either (also cheapest on DD on some) so I feel your pain.

mahoganygas

BorneTobyWilde wrote:

Hire a model to lay across it in a bikini. Should move it fast .

Do you come with the car?

chicorytip

The photos should ideally be taken in a driveway,if possible,with home in the background but not displaying door number or street name. Include a couple showing tyre tread and engine bay.

MarkAnthony

There's no water in any of the pictures. I think that's the issue! Park it in a puddle and take another picture.

Beta Ray Bill

mahoganygas wrote: »

Do you come with the car?

Oh You!!!

xabi

younggalway wrote: »

I sold my 318i around this time last year, pretty much the exact same as this except I had a sunroof and M-sport wheels on mine. It took me almost 2 months to sell mine OP IIRC, I had a good few viewings but people were ultimately let down by the spec on these ES models and more importantly the timing chain issue which you haven't mentioned in your ad, has it been done?

I think anyone that's after one of these will be aware of the issue and might hold out for a car that has the chain and tensioners replaced. I know this isn't your fault but just thought i'd mention it as it came up a lot for me with anyone that was looking.

I do think yours will sell eventually, looks to be a clean car and you've improved the ad a lot, but it might just take that bit longer.

I don't think those engines suffered the timing chain issue.

justback83

grahambo wrote: »

Hey OP

The Mileage is killing you
Although 12k miles per annum could be considered fairly average, it's just that it stands right out on a petrol car (as the other posters have said)

That coupled with the Tax and Insurance on a car like that are going to make it difficult to sell.
Also, bare in mind that the market is awash with 3 Series BMW's. They (BMW's) were the most popular car in Ireland for a while.
Price is good though in fairness, It's only up 9 days. Give it a chance.

If you had a service history I'd take a "neat and tidy" pic of all the reciepts etc.

You mentioned your leaving the country, would it not be possible to get someone to sell it for you?

G.

Thanks G - are you offering?!!!

justback83

xabi wrote: »

I don't think those engines suffered the timing chain issue.

I don't think so either - I think that was on the previous model, E45 IIRC??

justback83

T.Sparkie wrote: »

Might I suggest bumping the ad and spotlighting it (€20 I know but it worked for me!). Its a 2006 3-Series so not exactly the rarest of cars meaning there's hundreds to trawl through so you want it on page 1 at all times. Secondly a high ad count isn't always a good thing as it may cause people to ask themselves why its still there or presume its sold and move on. Also elaborate on the description a bit more, if you've had it for a few years state that! people are so afraid of dodgy dealers and it may be of comfort to some.
You are allowed 10 pictures so use them, the more the better. I generally find that an angled picture of all 4 corners works great with wheels turned facing camera. Pics of the dashboard are great and while running too.
If its getting no bites then my suggestion would be to re-picture it in a different place as people searching may overlook it if its been up a while so a fresh set of pics may get fresh attention.
Also add a video, its easy to do. Just a slow walk around the vehicle whilst its running, quick view of interior (front and back), dashboard and engine bay whilst ticking over will give you an edge over the others for sale.
I'm in car sales myself and I am finding it difficult to shift anything either (also cheapest on DD on some) so I feel your pain.

Will spotlight it again...! Cheers

Beta Ray Bill

justback83 wrote: »

Thanks G - are you offering?!!!

Hahaha

Not getting caught in "That" trap again lol!

xabi

justback83 wrote: »

I don't think so either - I think that was on the previous model, E45 IIRC??

It was the Diesel N47 engine, yours is an N46 I think.