Why I will never buy demo vehicles - Test Drive experience with BMW X5

The X5 had only 2,000 kilometers on it, but given the aggressive driving it had endured, it felt as though those kilometers were equivalent to 6,000.

BHPian Sohail_91 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I'd like to share an experience that completely changed my perspective on purchasing test drive vehicles.

I've been in the market for a luxury SUV for a while now, doing my research and negotiating with various dealerships.

Recently, while I was in Andhra Pradesh, I decided to visit the BMW dealership to check out their best offer on the X5. I hadn't had the chance to drive the X530d yet, I asked the SA if it was available for a TD and he mentioned it was there. However, when the TD vehicle arrived, it was actually X540i . I decided to proceed with the test drive to experience the car's driving dynamics.

I'm typically a sedate driver and prefer not to push a car's limits unless the roads are clear. The route we took was a city road with moderate traffic, and I wasn't comfortable pushing the car hard in such conditions. The SA kept insisting I floor the car to experience its full potential.

After a brief drive, the SA said "Sir, let me show you the Power of this car" and took over the wheel, what followed was quite alarming. He drove very aggressively, accelerating rapidly even when cars were close ahead and performing extreme braking maneuvers. The car went from triple digit speeds to almost a standstill within seconds, which felt more like a roller coaster ride than a test drive. I was so uncomfortable with the experience that I asked him to return to the showroom immediately.

The incident made me question the condition of test drive vehicles. The X5 had only 2,000 kilometers on it, but given the aggressive driving it had endured, it felt as though those kilometers were equivalent to 6,000. The wear and tear on the engine and brakes from such driving were concerning.

It makes me wonder if buying a test drive vehicle is worth it. With so many people driving these cars in various styles, and the potential for abuse by dealership staff, it's hard to trust the condition of these vehicles. I’m not suggesting that all SA engage in this kind of driving, but it certainly makes me think twice now.

On a lighter note, when I shared the deal I was getting from a Bangalore dealer, the SA offered to match it if I purchased the test drive vehicle

Sharing my experience here because there are occasional discussions about discounts on test drive vehicles in this thread.

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