Car Valeting: The Image

We’re not talking about your personal image here, although there’s no denying that a beautifully valeted car is a real asset. We’re talking about the image of your dealership.

Every dealership owner knows that it stands or falls on its reputation for quality and customer service. From the showroom to the inspection bays, customers expect good service for their money and are quick to tell others if they don’t get it.

For this reason, customer care comes at the top of most dealerships’ list of promises, and as valeting is a key part of that customer care, it’s important that it reflects your service standards. This will encourage customers to visit you for Toyota servicing, Ford repairs and all kinds of automotive assistance.

If you are employing a third-party valeting company, you will probably be saving money; no workforce costs, no equipment costs, no worries about losing staff, or training staff, or finding new valeters when then old ones leave. Whilst enjoying your cost-savings, you want to be sure that the valeting company can offer your customers the quality of work and service that you would expect to offer them if you were handling the valeting yourself.

You’ll know that it’s not just new cars or used cars that come through the valeters at your dealership. It’s existing customers’ cars that are being valeted as part of a service or warranty agreement, or who have asked for a valet while their car is in the service department for an MOT or for a specific repair. These customers may leave their own items in the car, and will certainly be looking for a quality valet - anything less than they expect may result in you losing their business.

A reputable valeting company will ensure that its valeting services are the best. They will be careful to avoid damage to the vehicle, and carry out a thorough cleaning process, as discussed with or specified by the client. In addition, they will add to your service; making sure that the client is aware of the processes being undertaken, treating the client with respect at all times, finishing the job on time, and respecting the client’s vehicle and property.

Used BMW M cars – from an approved BMW dealer

For over 20 years, BMWs M range has fascinated car buffs. Not everyone loves the styling or even the performance and comfort of these cars, but they still leave a lot of the competition for dead and serve up an exceptional driving experience for the price.

The M range is still incredibly popular with drivers and, with the “M” treatment being given to the whole range of BMW’s mainstream vehicles, with the exception of the 1 Series, it’s a great way to get fantastic looks and adrenalin-pumping performance for a lot less than the cost of some of the top-end sports cars.

At Scotthall BMW, you can buy an approved used BMW M vehicle, safe in the knowledge that it has passed at least 120 separate vehicle checks and has been fully road tested. The danger with buying a used car like an M range, is that it has been badly treated or over-driven by previous owners and that its performance or safety has been compromised.

Choose approved used BMWs for quality and service

Only M range BMWs that already have a full BMW service history qualify for our approved programme. This means that we have complete details of the car from the time it was registered, giving you the peace of mind you need when you’re spending a significant amount of money on your next car. Other benefits include:

• 12 month extensive warranty
• 12 month emergency service cover for UK and continental Europe
• Flexible financing to suit your circumstances
• BMW commitment to exchange within 30 days or 1000 miles if a verified defect is found

http://www.cooperbmw.co.uk/M-series/?gclid=CJPHku2f9a4CFYe8KgodF1JfLA

Buy a used BMW 530d Touring

Buying a used BMW 530d touring is a pretty safe bet. Beautifully built, great to drive and well equipped - and it can be more affordable than you might first imagine.

Launched in April 1997, the BMW 5-series Touring produced a wide range of engines offering buyers a car and engine combination to suit just about every requirement. Prior to the BMW 5-series, estate cars had poor refinement, and devoured fuel, but this model changed all that.

Cost

You can buy a used BMW 5-series Touring for around £4,500 for a 1997 P-plate.

You’ll need to spend more on a larger engine, such as the 528i model, and think about up to £10,000 for V8 power.

Diesel Touring models start a little higher, but they do have one of the greatest engines with over 40 mpg available. The 530d is another reason to buy a used BMW, it propels a manual gearbox vehicle to 62mph in just 8.1 seconds.

Space

Buying a used BMW 5-series Touring is practical for space. With a flat loading area of 690 litres, folding the seats in the back boosts that space to 1,525 litres.

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Tips for buying a used BMW 5-series Touring

All used BMW Touring models come with alloy wheels, remote central locking, airbags and electric windows as standard. But be careful when it comes to extras like satellite navigation or leather trims. These can add thousands to the original cost of the car, but should cost 25% less than the original invoice.

Also, you should always buy from an authorised BMW dealer. The vehicle has clear, simple dials and even gives a reading that informs you when the next service is due but this can be reset by untrustworthy sellers. If you aren’t going through an approved and authorised used BMW dealer, than make sure you check all the service history before you buy.

With a top speed of 141mph and 193 bhp and a six-cylinder engine, this vehicle is high quality.

Servicing costs

BMW spares have a reputation for quality and value with an air filter costing around £15 and spark plugs at £17.

Buying a used BMW 5 series Touring means a high quality car with added practicality and a reasonable price tag.

http://www.bmw.co.uk

Why Buy a Used BMW M6 Series?

It’s the most expensive BMW model out there, so if you’re going to buy a used BMW, this is the baby to get.

Prepare for blast off

If you are buying a used BMW the M6 offers sleek style, oozes class, and can deliver daunting speed. Its engine leaves others in the dust.

The latest M6 model shifts the goalposts – powered by an engine with two banks of five cylinders it shoots to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds. Although if you’re buying a used BMW, the chances are you aren’t on a Bond-like mission, but without the electronic limiter which keeps the maximum speed down to 155mph, the car could reach 205mph.

With a carbon fibre roof, the gearbox has seven speeds and the brakes can take you to a standstill at 62 mph in just 36 metres making this car safer, more economical and cleaner than its predecessors.

Although the average M6 customer will be a highly paid senior executive – it isn’t cheap, and even if you do find a used BMW M6, you can bet it will cost a fair whack.

Launch control

One of the features of the M6 is launch control – software in the car lets you push a few buttons than floor the accelerator to catapult you down the road in a billow of smoke. Perhaps James Bond used BMWs so dramatically but it might be a bit hardcore for the average senior exec. And admittedly, few drivers will ever detonate ‘launch control’ but the idea of execs all over the country catapulting out of their work car parks is pretty priceless.

Extraordinary Engine

The V10 engine has been described as ‘extraordinary’ (The Times) delivering a ‘colossal performance’ making it ‘one of the most inspirational engines of all time’. If you are going to buy a used BMW than this isn’t the most practical out there, but then the M6 was never meant to be practical.

And don’t worry - in case there are any mortals out there who fancy themselves as a fictional James Bond or superhero, there are safety settings to stop any inappropriate potential Bat Mobile moments.

At a glance:

• Brand new £81,760 – if you want a used BMW M6, you’ll have to shop around.
• Maximum speed 155mph/ 0-60mph 4.2 seconds.
• Twin front and side airbags, DTC traction control, DSC stability control.

You can pick up an M6 now on car finance or outright, so take a look at the stylish motors on sale.