Let me explain... I have been searching for an e46 m3 for months now, and have made countless phone calls and inquiries trying to find a clean, well maintained car. Considering the car is now almost 20 years old, they're becoming harder to find with no major repairs, decent condition and or a clean history. I've called at least 20 sellers across the country and checked out at least 5 in person, driving hours each time only to have to drive back disappointed and discouraged I would ever find my car.
On the brink of giving up and by dumb luck, I was browsing for what seemed to be my last search, and just so happened to see a clean silver m3, with low miles, single owner, in great condition. I thought it might have been too good to be true. I called and was greeted with a warm friendly voice, that I found out to be Wayne, owner of Auto Gruppe. I of course asked every single question from my endless list. Wayne patiently answered each and every single question with perfectly reasonable explanations and answers. I wondered how he knew so much about cars as most salesmen don't even know the different between a nut and a bolt. Turns out, Wayne has decades experience of working at bmw on German cars, and from his background started Auto Gruppe. What a relief. I called for an appointment the earliest I was able to make it. Throughout the week, I texted Wayne any questions about the car that might've popped up that I had overlooked during our initial call. Im really glad that Wayne still took the time to answer and didn't give me the typical "you have to come check it out in person" that most dealerships like to play.
Come appointment day, I showed up at auto Gruppe and walked into their clean showroom. Sitting parked was the glorious car I had been looking at all week in pictures. Wayne popped out introduced himself and I immediately felt at ease. He showed me around the shop, let me check out his other cars and we chatted about our mutual love for bmws. Going back to the car, I threw more questions at wayne on the history etc. he pulls out an inch stack of service records on the car that he seemed to have somehow gotten a hold of from a magical time capsule.. on a 16 year old car. Great. I ask to drive the car, he tosses me the keys, and I drive off by myself. I pictured living my life as a fugitive on the run as I took took the m3 down the street though turns, sprints, and the car just performed flawless every step of the way. Something about driving a 20 year old M Bmw that just makes you feel like a badass mother f.. but Wayne had been far too great and already too trusting of me to take this car alone. I wasn't going to let him down, and I was not ready to be a fugitive from the law. It was a funny not so serious thought, but I drove back before getting any other bright ideas and told Wayne I'd like a PPI from Bmw. No problem. I immediately took it to the dealer. Maria, Wayne's wonderful sales assistant dropped by the dealership to ask me if I needed a ride back. Nope, I spent time with the techs and advisors underneath the car ensuring everything was up to spec. Everything was great for a 16 year old car.
After a few hours, I dropped back with the car and told Wayne I'd think about it over night, no pushy cringey sales pitch from them, no sour attitudes. The next morning, I immediately called back and let Wayne know I made my decision. I drove there, saw the car parked right up front, freshly detailed and ready to go. I give Wayne his check, sign a few papers and easy as that the car was mine. We laughed at the end and I thanked Wayne for his patience to deal with me.
From all this, I have made a great friend and worked with an amazing dealership. I'd like to thank Wayne again, for his awesome service, great business ethic, and for sharing his love and knowledge for bmws with me. Would also like to thank maria, and the rest of the team for being so kind, welcoming and genuinely nice. Auto Gruppe is one of those few and rare honest, dependable dealerships, and I will definitely be back. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE! read more