BMW M3 and M5

The BMW M3 and M5 are true sports cars in the guise on something slightly more practical than a coupe or convertible thus their popularity. A day to day car that is sporty, fast and makes it’s mark but can carry more than two people and some luggage, We’ve seen a rush in people looking to buy a BMW M3 or BMW M5.

With less and less used stock in the market than ever, these cars are going thick and fast and once they hit a forecourt they aren’t around that long. Unless you know where to look!

The toughest to find our sub 24 month old cars with low mileage, typically these cars are kept for longer either by outright buyers or on 3 or 4 leases from contract hire companies.

Filed under: BMW, General Buyers Advice

Left Hand Drive Savings

Ever thought about driving a left hand drive car? Well you probably have driven one on holiday, what about owning one and driving it in the UK? Many people would turn their nose up at doing this but stop and think…. why?

Ok the steering wheel and gear stick are on the other side but it’s the same technology, engineering and quality built by the same people, warranty’s remain the same and parts are the same parts but you just sit on the other site of the car.

So interested in buying a left hand drive car? Well you should be, you can save thousands and thousands if you buy a left hand drive car. At Insignis we have developed a great new left hand drive import service, so if you’re looking for a left hand drive vehicle give us a call.

Filed under: General Buyers Advice, Land Rover

Audi S5 Cabriolet available for order

Audi have released the new S5 Cabriolet just in time for a hopeful Indian summer, the flagship of the A5 range is powered by the S4’s V8 engine as well as the S-tronic twin clutch sports transmission which helps provide 224g/km of CO2 and 29.1 miles per galloon. 0-62 in just 5,6 seconds with a limited top speed of 115 miles per hour.

Every bit A5 and every bit S Quattro range too the Audi A5 Cabriolet range  will of course also feature the most sophisticated version of the lightweight soft-top – the acoustic hood – which with additional insulating layers reduces external noise intrusion into the cabin to virtually the same level as the fixed head Coupe. The soft-top retracts in 15 seconds and raises again in only 17 seconds, and can complete both operations at speeds of up to 31mph.

The Audi S5 Cabriolet makes light work of transports easily four adults in comfort, and when the soft top is in place, a best-in-class luggage capacity of 380 litres also enables accommodation of luggage for four. In topless mode the roof stowage compartment only marginally reduces this impressive total to 320 litres.

Filed under: Audi

Buying from Auction

The buzz of the auction is unparalleled, the busy hustle and bustle, the anticipation, auction fever and a mecca to cars and car buying but it’s also a hazard for those that are unsure what they’re doing or what they’re looking for.

We regularly talk to customers who ask whether or not they should look to buy a car from an auction. They have seen the cars in a catalogue and believe it could be a route to a very cheap car and yes in principle you would enjoy a saving on a forecourt price or private sale however there are certain things you should be aware of.

You have to be careful what you bid on and buy you can’t test drive the car more often than not you can’t turn the engine on until you hear it pull into the auction area. You can’t get in the car either. All you can do is walk round it prior to the sale.

The trade accept this and are also experts in buying cars and looking for faults, spotting bad paint work and just hearing a mechanical problem.

You should consider using a car sourcing company just to cover this liability, there is no comebacks, no consumer credit act and most of all that few thousand pound saving can soon become a loss when you add replacement parts or panels on a luxury car.

Filed under: General Buyers Advice

The Low Emissions Mercedes SLS AMG

Looking for a sports car that is low on emissions? Well Mercedes have the answer!
The manufacturer has designed the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG electric drive, it runs off of four electric motors and generates zero emissions. The liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery  and is charged through braking.
0 – 62 miles per hour in about 4.0 seconds, which puts it in the same bracket as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with a 6.3-litre V8 engine.
The handling of the vehicle is also boosted by a number of design features, such as four motors and two transmissions being positioned low in the vehicle near the wheels. This helps to give the vehicle a low centre of gravity and an equal weight distribution.

Filed under: Mercedes

Find a Luxury Car?

When it come to buying a luxury car there the most important thing to do is do your homework. This is critical, you are about to buy one of the most expensive items you own after your house and it is also your dream car and you don’t want any bitter realities to hit home.

Buying a prestige car needs time and plenty of questions, it’s got to be right or it could disappointing and costly. Our top tips would be:

1. Inspect the car or have the car inspected thoroughly, mechanically and cosmetically. Take nothing to chance.
2. Ensure the car has been MOT’d within 6 months and serviced by specialist dealers. Check the service agents out.
3. Track ownership where you can, find out who had it and what it was used for as best you can.
4. Contact the registering dealer to make sure they did register it.
5. Carry out HPI clearance checks for finance interests, write off details and police alerts.

Apply these rules along with the normal rules of buying a car and you will be well on your way to having a great car prestige car on your drive way.

Filed under: General Buyers Advice

Find a BMW

Finding a used BMW can be a bit tricky to say the least. A mark of a reliable brand and a loved brand at that. We often meet people who are trying to find that all so special beloved BMW but it does have to be right.

From the obvious all important exterior and interior colours right through to the options, mileage and age and why not this is a luxury car brand and for the money you are likely to spend it has to be spot on.

With used cars at an all time low in terms of availability as well it makes the job even harder so it’s important to take the time to find a car that suits you and that does mean some legwork, hitting the phones and banging that keyboard but rest assured you will find that car either in stock or as many specialists have learnt to do by keeping an eye on forthcoming defleeting BMW stock or with current owners who may sell. It’s somewhat of a skill but it does work.

At Insignis Cars we have recently developed our BMW specialists network even further following UK and Europe wide requests for BMW. We now have access to over 40 dealers UK wide as well as a number of the major leasing and rental companies. We haven’t been beaten yet!!

Filed under: BMW

Time to buy a luxury car?

The credit crunch has done no favours for anyone and the automotive sector has suffered more so than any other industry. High value goods are the last thing on any person or businesses list. However, the surge in used car purchases coupled with reductions in late plate cars has seen the used car valuation crash of the end of 2008 has been replaced with rising used car values as we see a growing drought of second hand cars.

However, this has still not been felt at the prestige and luxury ends of the market. People still find it difficult to spend £60000 plus on a specialist car given the current climate and as such there is a growing number of used prestige luxury cars in the market as people try to liquidate the assets.

Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati and Ferrari have seen a growing used market and consumers can grab a bargain. This is the best time to buy a car like this, they’re cheaper than ever for example a £75000 Bentley can now be bought for £10000 less! A stunning saving.

And it won’t be long before prices return again. As new sales continue to reduce and used sales grow and the recession subsides people will want their luxury prestige sports cars. We predict it’s only 6 to 9 months away!!

Filed under: General Buyers Advice, Motoring Issues

MercedesLeases.co.uk Upgrades

One of the top Mercedes Benz dedicated Car Leasing websites has made some major updates to it’s web offering. Currently supplying some of the best deals available Mercedes Leases.co.uk has upped it’s game to further support customer experience.

More mileage pricing

Now displaying additional pricing for the those customers looking to do 15 and 20 thousands miles per annum. Rather than having to make a call or enquire via email the information is available on line.

Part Exchange

As more and more people and organisations move towards leasing as a cash flow positive solution, turning the metal on the drive way is important. Mercedes Leases will now offer a part exchange service to further support the leasing experience.

Price Promise

So sure they can offer the most competitive leasing products on Mercedes Benz cars they will now offer to pay £50 on completion of any deal to a customer that can provide a more competitive quote.

A spokesperson commented “we are simply moving with the times and looking to me customer expectations. These are constantly evolving and it’s our job to evolve too.”.

Visit Mercedes Leases for the best car leasing deals.

Filed under: Mercedes

Cosworth meets Range Rover

Iconic car tuning company Cosworth has now combined their stunning technology with the Ranger Rover Sport and Vogue model lines. Whils this is not an official Land Rover upgrade, Cosworth tuning and exterior and interior styling are a real must have for any lover of the classic brand and popular Range Rover.

The work is the brain child of Khan Cosworth and can be carried out on nearly new and new Range Rover Vogue and Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8’s. For more information why not contact Insignis Cars for more information.

Filed under: Uncategorized