Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

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churchie386
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Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

Post by churchie386 » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:57 pm

I know one can buy a new Alpina at any Sytner dealer, but does anyone actually buy/order from a dealer other than Nottingham (with Gary - who was an affable chap and very helpful when I enquired last year)?
It also seems that nearly all used Alpinas are via either Nottingham or Sheffield; is there a reason for Sheffield being number two (I'd have thought a dealership in the south woudl be second to the UK mothership)?
My local dealer is Harold Wood, anyone had a car from them?
Last edited by churchie386 on Sat Aug 01, 2020 1:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1

Jonnywishbone
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Re: Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

Post by Jonnywishbone » Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:48 am

I’ve placed an order with Sytner Harold Wood in the last couple of weeks for a B3 Touring. I gather I’m the third of four to place an order for a B3 down here since the order book was opened earlier in the year so shunning Nottingham isn’t unheard of.

I’m only part way into my first Alpina experience with them (though I’ve bought BMWs from them in the past) but what I can say at this stage is that Robbie Buckle, the Alpina guy at HW is very enthusiastic about the brand, seems pretty knowledgable and has thus far been a pleasure to deal with. It probably helps that I mostly knew exactly what I wanted from the start and the only point at which a query was directed North occurred when I was speccing the car and there was one question I had regarding the lights that Robbie couldn’t answer so he was straight on the phone to Gary Lott in front of me, who as it happened also didn’t know the answer so the query was sent to Buchloe. I also had a specific request for an interior trim combination not on the configurator and that query was sent to Germany and answered the same day, so it seems like the lines of communication between the dealership and both Notts and Buchloe are very much open.

I did briefly consider ordering via Nottingham but I realised that it would be inconvenient without obvious benefit, especially as the Harold Wood showroom is 10 minutes away from me. Having said that perhaps I simply don’t know what I’ve missed by not dealing directly with Nottingham and somebody may be along to set me straight?
Sal

2021 G21 B3 #115

churchie386
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Re: Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

Post by churchie386 » Sat Aug 01, 2020 1:09 am

So I guess you didn't test drive a demo .. as I doubt there's a B3 yet.

Gary seems very keen to help ... "I'll drive the D3 S down to you when we have a demo car", and I've not even previously bought from him .. though I did have a used E90 D3BT from Sheffield years ago.

Perhaps I'll give Harold Wood a call. Though I be keen to drive one ahead of ordering.
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1

Jonnywishbone
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Re: Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

Post by Jonnywishbone » Sat Aug 01, 2020 1:14 am

Indeed no test drive, which will be a first for me. You’re right, there isn’t a car in the U.K. to test currently. I did though drive an F30 B3 demo at HW a few years back and they also currently have a G30 B5 on site, so I would assume that once a car arrives in the U.K. they would be able to get you in to one.
Sal

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bobbly
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Re: Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

Post by bobbly » Sat Aug 01, 2020 11:37 am

churchie386 wrote:
Sat Aug 01, 2020 1:09 am
So I guess you didn't test drive a demo .. as I doubt there's a B3 yet.

Gary seems very keen to help ... "I'll drive the D3 S down to you when we have a demo car", and I've not even previously bought from him .. though I did have a used E90 D3BT from Sheffield years ago.

Perhaps I'll give Harold Wood a call. Though I be keen to drive one ahead of ordering.

They've long been keen to get demonstrators to potential customers so this isn't a 'Gary Lott' thing', but standard ongoing practise as otherwise they'd sell even fewer.

Personally, and historically, my dealing with Nottingham have been far from out of the ordinary, and I'd deal with the dealership I most trusted, and if my dealer was 10mins from me I'd jump at the chance to buy there as any issues are far more easily resolved and there is far more potential to 'build a rapport' with the team, there

Cheers
Bobbly

churchie386
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Re: Where to buy new - Nottingham or Elsewhere?

Post by churchie386 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:43 am

Jonnywishbone wrote:
Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:48 am
Robbie Buckle, the Alpina guy at Harold Wood is very enthusiastic about the brand, seems pretty knowledgable and has thus far been a pleasure to deal with.
He called me today and I can confirm he is indeed very enthusiastic and pretty knowledgable.
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1

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