Hi All

After being inspired by Rob E, Oobster and a few others I thought it would be a piece of cake to get the local dealers to agree to quote a new VRS with black (or anthracite wheels), extra tints and additional lowered suspension. After contacting four local dealers, two would not entertain any of the three requirements, one could do the tints and wheels, and one said they could do all three (yet to quote though).

It has been a pretty unsatisfying experience so far and my impression (aside from the perhaps unachievable extra's) is that the dealerships are used to traditional senior clientel. I am by no means young (early 40's) but just expected a little more enthusiasm.

Perhaps they are selling so well that they don't need to try....

BTW latest offer of 15% VAT payment is incredible...

I wouldn't have a dealer do any of those things. Do your research and find the best specialists for each in your area (or in as far as you're prepared to travel). It will be cheaper and you'll invariably get a better outcome.

For lowered suspension the only option the dealer can provide is the Eibach Pro Springs but personally I would also spend the extra £500 and uprate the dampers too to either Koni FSDs or Bilsteins.

Edited 16 May, 201115 yr by Guest

I'd let my dealer carry out any mechanical work. In fact I've had better service from them than other "experts".

If you're paying to have eibachs fitted then you might as well buy some bilstein b8's and have them fitted at the same time.

They will just get a contractor in and sub it out, add on a mark up and wash your car for you!

Agreed with above. Dealers don't always know much about modifications, wheels and tints Yeh but normally they get done else were and dealers add there cut to it.

My dealer just sent the car out to their friendly local bodyshop for the wheels prior to PDI, but i'd agreed in advance with them that i'd pay the bodyshop direct, so i got the work done for "dealer" rates without any markup.

I ordered my (estate) with sunshine glass / tints from the factory so that wasn't an issue for me.

I ordered mine with the OE eibachs but the dealer's quote for fitting was laughable, so i got them to just "supply" and i them fitted elsewhere for less. As the springs were on the original vehicle invoice they were covered by the full 3 yr manufacturer's warranty just like any other part of the car.

As has been said by others, just get the best deal you can on buying the car, then shop around and take it to a specialist for the other bits is the best way.. the dealers are generally lazy and don't want to touch anything out of the ordinary, but to be fair also to them they dont want to get "your" car all sorted specifically for you then have you cancel leaving them with something that will be harder to shift than a standard car.

HTH.

The only problem Jonno is that it will be a company car and therefore need the dealer fit piece of mind and warranty. Just waiting on a dealer to see if he can still get the authorised (Eibach) parts so it can all go through on one invoice.