New to the process
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
New to the process
So apparently, no test drives are allowed until you are a serious buyer?!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5,363
Likes: 4,108
From: New England
Not letting you drive a new one makes sense. Buyers don't want to buy a car that has miles on it, and dealers sometimes get stuck keeping a car longer even with 75-100 miles on the odometer.
Not letting you drive a pre-owned one is just silly. Keep looking, clearly you are serious.
Not letting you drive a pre-owned one is just silly. Keep looking, clearly you are serious.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I will say, i am impressed with the online community, similar to BMW forums. Thanks for the feedback. One day soon I will find the right place in houston!
I am coming out of a 2014 F10 535i with 19" wheels, I am expecting ride quality to not equal that, but does anyone have any thoughts about the ride over bad roads as that is my daily work commute.
I am coming out of a 2014 F10 535i with 19" wheels, I am expecting ride quality to not equal that, but does anyone have any thoughts about the ride over bad roads as that is my daily work commute.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
^^^ Yeah, I'll probably try one more dealer in the area and see. who knows maybe one will be nice enough to let me try it!
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Feb 19, 2017 at 12:47 AM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 519
Likes: 60
From: Roswell GA
So apparently, no test drives are allowed until you are a serious buyer?!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
At the end of the day, when I lived in Texas I found the roads to be very good in many areas of the state. There are a lot of people up North driving C7s and I have not really seen them complain about the ride (and those roads really suck).
I would also compare a C7 with and without MSRC. It seems like many people with MSRC in areas with bad roads seems to be happy with how it handles the conditions.
Just a thought.
Last edited by richelu; Feb 18, 2017 at 07:27 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,263
From: Jacksonville FL
Either rent one for the day/weekend or check with a used car salesman and see if they have a used C-7 you can test drive. Usually if the salesman thinks you might purchase the car, he will be glad to let you test drive it. Don't ask a new car salesman if they have a used C-7 that you could test drive. If you keep checking you will find a dealer that will let you test drive a C-7. 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 187
Likes: 43
From: Northern VA
Test drive a used one, and then after you know what you want, I'd buy one or order one from one of the forum dealers. They can either have it shipped to you or arrange a courtesy deliver through a local dealer.
And I would recommend you get the MSRC whatever you decide to get!
Good luck!
And I would recommend you get the MSRC whatever you decide to get!
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 305
From: Carmel Indiana
Houston just must be **** about their cars. Here in Indy my wife and I have done 4-5 test drives in new C7's. Just walking in off the street. Granted we roll up in a 650 BMW or our C5, so maybe we don't come off as just tire kickers
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
My dealer initially refused to let me test drive one (potentially my 2nd vette from them), but then relented.
However, the salesman went with, set the drive mode in eco, and kept his hand over the mode dial. They also only let me drive it around the block, and told me if I chirped a wheel, even on accident, I would never test drive another vehicle there.
They also knew I wanted a 2LT, and this was a 1LT; but I wanted to drive one before I ordered one (much for the same reason as OP - evaluate suspension, seat comfort, and clutch).
That said, when I went back a few months later and started talking $, they knew I was serious, they let me take a 2LT overnight. I signed the papers the next day.
However, the salesman went with, set the drive mode in eco, and kept his hand over the mode dial. They also only let me drive it around the block, and told me if I chirped a wheel, even on accident, I would never test drive another vehicle there.
They also knew I wanted a 2LT, and this was a 1LT; but I wanted to drive one before I ordered one (much for the same reason as OP - evaluate suspension, seat comfort, and clutch).
That said, when I went back a few months later and started talking $, they knew I was serious, they let me take a 2LT overnight. I signed the papers the next day.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 686
Likes: 239
From: Houston TX
I'm in Houston but ended up buying in Dallas. You might want to try a dealership out in the burbs like Classic or Parkway. Or test drive a used one at a Carmax. The mag ride suspension is really nice but the thing sits really low so I'd be concerned about potholes and steep entrances into gas stations. Personally I'm careful where I go and have yet to venture inside the 610 loop.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 10
Test Drive
So apparently, no test drives are allowed until you are a serious buyer?!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 253
From: Blountville Tn.
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 253
From: Blountville Tn.
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
My dealer initially refused to let me test drive one (potentially my 2nd vette from them), but then relented.
However, the salesman went with, set the drive mode in eco, and kept his hand over the mode dial. They also only let me drive it around the block, and told me if I chirped a wheel, even on accident, I would never test drive another vehicle there.
They also knew I wanted a 2LT, and this was a 1LT; but I wanted to drive one before I ordered one (much for the same reason as OP - evaluate suspension, seat comfort, and clutch).
That said, when I went back a few months later and started talking $, they knew I was serious, they let me take a 2LT overnight. I signed the papers the next day.
However, the salesman went with, set the drive mode in eco, and kept his hand over the mode dial. They also only let me drive it around the block, and told me if I chirped a wheel, even on accident, I would never test drive another vehicle there.
They also knew I wanted a 2LT, and this was a 1LT; but I wanted to drive one before I ordered one (much for the same reason as OP - evaluate suspension, seat comfort, and clutch).
That said, when I went back a few months later and started talking $, they knew I was serious, they let me take a 2LT overnight. I signed the papers the next day.