Thoughts on this car ad

[Shaun @ Tru6]

and why interest has been lower than expected. I am helping a friend sell his car, we both expected a decent response but so far very little.

Any thoughts on maybe why and then how to improve it?

Carguru apparently doesn't let you do returns for new paragraphs so you get this big text block.

2018 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive Sedan AWD - $41,499

[Steve Carlton]

Seems fine. I don't think those scrapes in the front bumper will buff out at all- plastic doesn't respond much. Try running it through Carvana, Shift, Vroom, Driveway, and Carmax. You might be surprised.

[Rot 911]

Possibly because it’s a six speed manual. A lot of people that can afford that BMW can’t drive a manual shift car.

[maxnine11]

The exterior photos aren't flattering by any means.
Way too many reflections.
It is hard to photograph a black car outdoors without some reflections. But there are so many in the ad snap shots that it is distracting and doesn't show the lines of the car.
Try an overcast day with the car far from anything, or in the shade of a wall / building.
Random black 3 series pic on an overcast day from interweb:

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Well, (since this is a car forum where everything sucks ), you've come to the right place. All meant as constructive feedback.

I have no idea about 3 series M values, so I will speak to what I see, in particular, photography opinions and damage writeup.
First- On a black car, I'd prefer the windows up. In the pics it looks like they are busted out all being down.
Two- This car is black on black, so it will take some real photography skill to bring out the quality of the interior.
Three- Although I like the brick driveway, the car is semi hidden under the shadows of the tree. I would study other pics of stellar black cars and how they are photographed to see if there is a better way to present it.
Four- It is an M series, but, to me, the camera angles make the wheels look small (plain jane). As much as I disdain spinners and such, the rims (to my untrained eye) look like base model wheels. Nothing stands out. To me, an M person would like to see a more aggresive stance. I would play with camera angles to bring out that stance best as possible.
Five- The writeup about the scratch needs some work, not "it might buff out". BS- That ain't going to buff out. If it would buff out, the seller would have buffed it out. At this point, I am reminded of a real estate agent who had some good advice for me- buyers don't like uncertainty, they like to know. Have the seller either fix it, or get an estimate to fix it, be upfront about that expense, and deduct that from the asking price. The pics are a bit of an esthetic whiney thing, the "scratch that might buff out" needs to be addressed.
(edit- I don't personally mind the scratch if it was a bargain, but the add states the car is $800 ABOVE value. as a buyer, I see the scratch and want a deal, not 800 above...)
I can't think anything more (that sucks ) to "complain" about. Best of luck!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Maxnine's pic (who beat me to the punch on the response) is spot on!
What a better angle. Even with the background (and to me even the garage doors are somewhat distracting) *must complain about everything*- When I look at the car from a lower angle, the wheels aren't so small, (hey look low profile performance M tires) AND, you can see the lines of the car in the reflections on the body panels. Just look at that white shimmering light reflecting over the rear wheel *flared* arches, and the indente tracing under the door handles as it flows foward. THIS is more what inspires an M buyer.
another edit- Also windows are up- on a black car it's all about reflections.

Subtle. But muy importante!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Possibly because it’s a six speed manual. A lot of people that can afford that BMW can’t drive a manual shift car.

That's the only thing that I can imagine. It's crazy how many of the newer Porsches (911s and coxsters) have auto trannies.

[rattlsnak]

I'm assuming people want X drive in the north, but other than that, how many other BMWs are for sale in that area? I'm guessing a LOT.. Are they the same exact optioned car, probably not, but that model is a niche edition. Someone will see a base 340 for a few grand cheaper and gravitate towards that one.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

The 6 speed manual could limit the field, but appeals to a person who needs to see M prowess. The add needs to appeal to that. I personally love seeing Volvo R's and BMW M's in the wild. Some of the M's really push the stance. That's what appeals to me as a manual diehard. Make it stand out. M's are special. Come see what you've been missing over the other base models.

[Scott Douglas]

Phone pics, right Shaun?
When I owned a black car, I made sure to never photograph it half in shade, half in sun.
Polarizing filter is your friend when it comes to reflections, especially in windows.
That bump in the front bumper is not going away cheaply. The paint has fractured, don't ask how I know.
Get the car out of the driveway and into a big parking lot, away from any distracting background. The car's the star type setting.
My son drive's a similar car, or rather his wife did, until the twins happened. Now she drives the Q7 and he gets the Bimmer most days, when he needs to go somewhere as three car seats don't fit in it.

edit: Bring the driver's seat bolster in tight to the seat. It looks broken sticking out that far. Mention that it's adjustable in the ad copy. It's hard to tell from the pics if the paint needs work or if the reflections are making it look like it needs work.

[Bill Douglas]

Nice looking car.

I'd drop the $41,499. The 99 makes it look like some marketing **** is trying to make some money. $41,000 or $42,000.

I'd drop the "will buff out". I'd either buff it out, or mention it's got scratches.

[WPOZZZ]

I would buff it out, or better yet, get a good exterior detail on the car. The detail would make the car pop. Take pictures at an empty parking lot, with lots of sunlight.

[gregpark]

I'd hire a professional photographer then put it on BAT. A more appropriate venue for a very cool car

[Norm K]

Agree on the photos and agree on paying someone to take them if you don't have the equipment/skills to get it right. If you insist on shooting it yourself, do so early, before the sun is above the horizon, or late, after it sets, or find some good shade with interesting lighting. Overcast days are also good. What's bad, as you're probably surmised by now, is direct sunlight.

If you watch BaT you'll see cars sell for thousands less than ones that are similarly equipped, similar miles, similar maintenance history, same color, etc. almost certainly due to the presentation. One guy cheaps out and takes the photos with his camera. The other guy forks over a few-to-several hundred dollars for a some well-composed HDR images with interesting lighting and backgrounds, and using depth of field appropriately. Second guy comes out way ahead.

Of course YMMV, but I've seen this a number of times on BaT and P-Car market.

_

[Rodney Nelson]

Not sure about car gurus? I've never been on that site and it makes me wonder how many other people are on that site?

Where else do you have it listed?

And since no one else said it I will. Armorall the tires! That ***** should be dripping wet to make the car pop, and what everyone else said about the reflections in the paint, terrible.

[porsche4life]

It’s a niche car. You’ve only had it listed for a week or so right? It took two weeks before I had much play on my truck, then I had like 4 serious buyers in a few days and it sold. My only advice would be to find a local BMW forum and group on FB and get it listed there. Find an enthusiast that wants a clean 6 speed and might not have found your ad yet.

[red 928]

post car ads here and in the car for sale forum
good plan

[Heel n Toe]

Couldn't hurt to have a shot of the engine bay.

If you relist it or post an ad on some other sites, use photos taken on an overcast day.

[drcoastline]

For me a BMW is a boring car that I wouldn't look at twice so it will take a lot to make it stand out to me and keep my attention.

The pics are horrible, I lost attention on the third photo, two and three are basically the same, photo four the car starts getting cut up, in several pics the car is chopped in half, A front door and fender, a rear door and fender, you can't see the flow of the lines,

the setting looks like every other FSBO car ad where the guy woke up one Sunday morning and said I'm going to try sell my car on the internet today picked up his cell phone walked out in the driveway in his boxers with coffee in one hand and phone in the other and took a few half arsed pics. The interior looks like someone just jumped out, the floor mat is dirty, seat is wrinkled, the front of the seat is extended. Not much you can do but the rims are boring. There is nothing flattering at all about those pics. Nothing makes me want to own that car.

As others have said the scuffing comment needs to be reworked. The actual scuff doesn't appear to be into the paint or at least not far. It's visibility maybe able to be lessened with a little work? The car is black it needs to be clean, spotless.

Pick a nice location take photos that accent the car. Two or three flattering shots are better then a dozen chopped up door and fender pics. A front and side in one pic, a rear and opposite side in another, up high, down low in a nice setting with flattering light. You have an infinite number of great locations around you for settings. Make the person want to be in the car.

That's my .02

[drcoastline]

For reference, here is a black on black 20014 Cadillac for sale. Photos are in a dealer lot so location is nothing special. First the car is spotless which I think is critical for a black car and the angles of the photos highlight the car.