Already paying but car will be delayed by a month or two

For those who aren't familiar with my ED fiasco, my dealer made a huge error with the interior color of my car. I got gray when I picked it up in Munich, but ordered saddle brown.

So now they've re-ordered a car with the correct specs and the finance contract will be kept the same. The only problem is that I have already started paying for it (1st payment 3/31), and the new car still has no confirmed production date. I know I should be entitled to some type of loaner car, but would it be fair for me to ask to drive the original car, which is in the VPC according to the website?

Thanks,

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No, I don't think they should be obligated to loan you the car you do not want.

However, if it was their mistake, they should provide a loaner car until your ordered car arrives. I would caveat my comment by saying from the time your car would have been in your possession.

I'm no finance expert, but since financing is assigned to the specific car (and VIN) purchased, wouldn't your financing be null and void since you did NOT take the car they made for you?

It doesn't make sense that you pay on the car for the next two months while they make and ship it.

Originally Posted by AggieKnight

I'm no finance expert, but since financing is assigned to the specific car (and VIN) purchased, wouldn't your financing be null and void since you did NOT take the car they made for you?

It doesn't make sense that you pay on the car for the next two months while they make and ship it.

According to the BMW finance guys that the dealer and I have talked to, they can keep the same contract and swap out to the new VIN and keep my payment history.

I'm expecting the first car to arrive at the dealership this week or next week, so I'll be pushing for that loaner car.

That's correct. You'll just initial where the chages were made. They don't want to start all over and risk losing the deal and handling all the paper work again.

I really believe if you present you case, they'll work with you.

The dealership is going to be long the car that they misordered... and I think its completely reasonable that you ask to use that car- or another similar car-- as soon as that car gets to their lot.

Assuming you drove the car in europe, they will NOT be able to sell that car as brand new. If you are making payments today, on a car that wont arrive for 3 months (I bet at the soonest... my car is in week 10 of transit after ED dropoff) I would say that you should be entitled to drive the gray interior car while you are waiting for the brown one. Dont you have a key to it, anyways?

Is this a lease or a purchase? If a lease... do they expect you to return the car at the original return date for car #1? If so... thats crazy. You should either be getting 3 free months at the end... or they should allocate your past payments towards a new lease term, beginning a week before they ship the car.

I ask; why would a dealer absorb the depreciation on a brand new car that they can sell as is? I know what you're thinking--because there was an error. Now put on your business hat and think through this from their perspective. Offerring you another car, albeit a dealer car (the ones you get when you drop off your car for service), is pretty fair. Offerring you a brand new car to drive around for a spell and leaving the with the depreciation is a little harsh.

I'm not suggesting you don't ask for it, but having a contingency plan and multiple options will ony help you negotiate a deal while your car is in process.

If I were the dealer, that's what I would offer (the loaner, not the newbie). I wish you luck and look forward to hearing the outcome.

The car only had 9 miles when I dropped it off in Munich. That technically qualifies as new, but would it still qualify as new if it was already registered in my name and then taken off?

I still have the key fob for the first car. I will trade it in for an iPod cable when I get my car.

I knew that driving the first car wasn't plausible. I initially suggested it out of frustration on how they were handling the situation. I got the impression that they didn't want to work with me because they were "paid for it two months ago" (direct quote). On their end, they don't have to do squat since I am paying BMWFS, not the dealer. This would be a gesture to try to right their wrong, keep my future business, and add to their CSI ratings. I only care for one of those.

I signed the finance papers two days ago. New VIN#, same deal. I am happy about that. After having a heart to heart with my CA (haven't spoken to any of the managers), he said he would try to get me in a loaner car next week, but he would be taking some heat for letting me keep it past two weeks. I guess they think these are normal circumstances. Customer service probably only kicks in from 5-series and above.

Technically when they handed you the keys in Munich and you rolled out of the Welt you were driving a used car. It cannot legally be sold as new anywhere in the world. Don't forget, it was registered in your name in Germany.
"New" means new. There is no grey area here. The next person to buy that car will be the second owner.