Editorial, Information

Should You Trust a Verbal Contract at a Dealership?

Buying a car is exciting as you start a new chapter in your automotive journey. The experience is even more exciting if you can get a fantastic deal. However, your luck may run out if the salesperson offers a verbal contract. Should you trust it? 

Here’s how you should approach these agreements.

Should You Trust a Dealership’s Verbal Contracts?

Verbal contracts are enforceable at car dealerships, though they shouldn’t be your first choice. Prioritize written agreements because they provide more clarity for everybody involved. Conversations can be misinterpreted and are difficult to prove in court unless you have proof, so it’s better to have concrete evidence of your deal. 

Get written documentation of any deal you get from the dealership. Emails, texts and paperwork are excellent options and can provide more legal backing. If you’re unsure, ask an attorney experienced in contract law to draft a template for both parties to sign. Car buyers who can’t get the salesperson to sign may consider walking away from the agreement. 

Is a Dealership’s Verbal Contract Legally Binding? 

A salesperson may offer a verbal contract when offering deals on a new car or repairs. These dealership commitments are generally enforceable, though it depends on state laws and the judge’s interpretation of your case. Specific details matter and could make or break your argument when shopping for a vehicle. 

The New York State Bar Association says state courts recognize oral agreements and have become more receptive to them in the 21st century. While specific aspects of your contract must be in writing, common law holds verbal agreements to the same standards as written ones if they consider finalizing them in a formal document. 

Regardless of the state, you must understand the fine details to enforce the contract. For instance, the statute of limitations matters when the dealership offers a deal. In California, you have up to two years to file a lawsuit for an oral agreement. Written deals get more leeway and allow four years after they occur. 

How Can You Prove the Dealership’s Oral Agreement? 

Whether buying a BMW or simply servicing the air conditioner, you expect a fair price. What happens if the dealership backs out of its verbal contract? If you take legal action, you must prove your case to a court. While challenging, it’s possible to validate your claims. Here are a few reasons why your verbal contract could hold weight. 

1. Offer Acceptance

One of the strongest legal backings your contract could have is an offer and acceptance. Experts say this factor may make it legally binding and prove the validity of your agreement. Offer and acceptance is a basic concept in law that includes a promise to enter a contract based on specific terms and conditions. 

2. Detrimental Reliance

Suppose you verbally agreed to pay $30,000 for your new car’s out-the-door-price. However, the dealership’s finalized total was $38,000, leaving you befuddled and with less money in your wallet. Your attorney could claim detrimental reliance, occurring when a party suffers losses because of broken promises by the defendant. 

3. Capacity

You and the salesperson should be able to enter a valid contract for the car or services. A court of law may inspect whether you or the dealership employee were in the right mental state to reach an agreement. If both parties meet the criteria, you may see the verbal agreement enforced. 

4. Consideration

Consideration is a significant part of your verbal contract and may determine its legality. This legal term includes the exchanged promises given between both parties. If you and the salesperson agree to the promise, the agreement may become enforceable. Legal experts say you could substitute consideration for good faith modifications, though it depends on the situation. 

Can You Get Out of a Verbal Contract With the Dealership?

Proof and a solid attorney can enforce your verbal contract with a dealership and get the agreement you want. However, flipped circumstances may mean you want to leave the arrangement. Can you get out of the deal without repercussions? Depending on the state and local laws, the situation may be in your favor. 

If you want to get out of a deal, New Jersey law may be helpful to customers at the dealership. The Consumer Fraud Act protects buyers from deceptive practices in vehicle sales, so salespeople must follow strict regulations. Car buyers and the business must have a written agreement to enforce a contract. 

Getting a Fair Shake at the Dealership

Buying a car is a complicated song and dance, especially when the law gets involved. The salesperson may make a verbal offer on a vehicle or repairs and receive your happy acceptance if the deal is good. Is the contract legally binding? Oral agreements can be enforced in court, though they can be tough to prove. Be safe and get everything in writing.

Car Care, Information

How Often Should You Rotate Your BMW’s Tires?

Owning a Bimmer is all about the driving experience — sharp handling, smooth acceleration and that signature connection to the road. Keeping your Ultimate Driving Machine at its peak requires regular servicing. 

While many obsess over engine oil specifications and brake pad compounds, proper tire maintenance deserves just as much attention. After all, those four contact patches connecting your prized Bavarian engineering to the asphalt are arguably your vehicle’s most essential safety system.

The BMW-Specific Rotation Schedule

BMW’s engineering philosophy creates unique considerations for tire rotation intervals. Unlike mainstream vehicles, most models feature a performance-oriented rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform or sophisticated xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) system — both demand thoughtful tire maintenance approaches.

For most BMW models, experts recommend performing tire rotations every few thousand miles. Many specialists consider this the sweet spot for offsetting wear patterns while maintaining optimal performance characteristics. Some BMW service centers will suggest this service coincide with every other oil change as part of a logical maintenance rhythm.

However, this “standard” interval requires adjustment based on several factors:

1. Drivetrain Configuration Matters

  • Rear-wheel drive BMWs: Models like the 3 Series, 5 Series and Z4 typically experience faster rear tire wear due to power delivery and weight transfer during acceleration. For these vehicles, a shorter interval between rotations is optimal.
  • xDrive all-wheel drive systems: While BMWs equipped with xDrive generally wear tires more evenly, they benefit from regular rotation to maximize tire life and maintain balanced handling. These models might tolerate slightly longer intervals — closer to 7,000 miles — but regular inspection is still nonnegotiable.
  • M performance models: The high-performance M variants present special considerations due to their staggered tire setups — they have differently sized front and rear wheels — often preventing traditional rotation patterns.

2. Your Driving Style — The X-Factor

The “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline exists for a reason — Bimmers are designed to be driven with finesse. Your driving habits dramatically impact rotation needs in the following ways:

  • Frequent spirited driving with hard acceleration and cornering accelerate uneven tire balding.
  • Underinflated or overinflated tires can lead to premature wear. 
  • Typically, highway commuting generally allows for longer intervals.
  • Regular exposure to poor road conditions — such as potholes and rough surfaces — necessitates more frequent inspections and potential rotations.

Advanced BMW owners recognize these patterns in their driving and adjust accordingly. The driver who occasionally explores their vehicle’s performance envelope on winding backroads should consider more frequent rotations than someone using their X5 primarily for gentle commuting.

When Should You Rotate Your BMW’s Tires?

For most BMW models, tire rotation should be performed approximately every 5,000 miles. This aligns with common recommendations and ensures even wear, extending the life span of your tires while maintaining optimal traction and stability.

BMW models with performance-oriented setups, like the M cars, may require different strategies. Many high-performance models use staggered setups or directional tires, meaning rotations may not follow conventional front-to-back swaps. Instead, owners may need to focus on periodic tire inspections and balancing and alignment checks to mitigate uneven wear.

Signs Your BMW Needs a Tire Rotation

Even if you track mileage, your tires can sometimes tell you when they need attention. Look out for the following:

  • There’s more wear on one side than the other.
  • You notice steering wheel vibrations at certain speeds.
  • You notice decreased fuel efficiency.
  • There’s a slight pull to one side when driving straight.

Addressing these signs earlier rather than later can prevent more extensive — and costly— tire and suspension issues down the line.

What Happens if You Skip Rotating Your Tires?

Neglecting tire rotations can lead to the following:

  • Shortened life: Uneven wear can cause some tires to bald much faster than others, forcing early replacements.
  • Compromised handling and safety: BMW’s precise steering and stability rely on well-maintained tires. Unevenly threaded tires impact grip and braking, cornering performance.
  • Increased maintenance costs: Misaligned wear patterns can put additional stress on the suspension system, contributing to premature aging of components like shocks and control arms.

Professional Service vs. DIY Approach

While many BMW enthusiasts pride themselves on DIY maintenance, tire rotation presents specific challenges:

  • You must know the fundamentals involving proper torque specification for wheel bolts.
  • Modern BMWs require careful handling of aerodynamic components and sensors.
  • TPMS reset procedures vary by model year and configuration.
  • Professional equipment guarantees accurate balancing after rotation.

Those comfortable with DIY work should invest in quality torque wrenches and jack stands rated for your vehicle’s weight. Also, take time to research model-specific procedures through owner forums or service manuals.

A Disciplined Approach for the Discerning Owner

To keep your Bimmer performing at its best, plan to rotate your tires after roughly every 5,000 miles minimum. Adapting this schedule based on driving habits, road conditions and your specific BMW model ensures optimal tire longevity, enhanced handling and a smoother ride. 

Whether you opt for a DIY approach or visit a BMW service center, staying on top of tire maintenance is a small investment that pays off in the long run.

Car Care, Editorial

How Far I Pushed My BMW’s Tank and What I Learned From It

Most drivers would instinctively head to the nearest gas station to refill when the low fuel light comes alive. Letting your Bimmer’s tank go bone-dry will put you in an inconvenient situation — regardless of the location.

While it’s a given that an internal combustion engine vehicle with an empty tank won’t move, are there more consequences of ignoring the low fuel light? I pushed my Bimmer’s gas tank past “E” to know what would happen, and what I learned has made me a wiser BMW owner.

My Bimmer Ran for Dozens of Miles More

A BMW running on fumes can still run for tens of miles. That’s because the “E” in the fuel gauge actually means nearly empty, not absolutely empty.

A warning light will come on when your tank is 10%-15% below its capacity. For sedans, coupes and hatchbacks, it usually means you have 20-30 miles of range. If you drive an SUV or a pickup truck, you may stretch every drop of fuel left up to 50 miles. 

I heard a chime after my vehicle switched to the fuel reserve setting. After that, a distance-to-empty readout appeared on the dashboard — an approximate calculation of the mileage I could expect before my Bimmer would die on me.

The In-Dash Display Is Helpful — But Can Be Inaccurate

Thanks to advances in in-vehicle computers, the distance-to-empty figure is helpful. However, — although the figure takes multiple variables into account in real time — it makes assumptions based on historical data. Whatever happens next may drain your remaining gas more quickly.

For instance, driving more aggressively to quickly find a place to top off your tank can prove counterproductive and accelerate fuel consumption.

Hitting a curb is another example. This action can deflect a tire, compromising its structural integrity or causing it to lose air faster. A drop in tire pressure by 1 PSI reduces gas mileage by 0.2%, meaning an underinflation of 5 PSI renders your Bimmer 1% less efficient. Although it’s not astronomical, it’s big enough to move the needle closer to “E.”

Aside from roadworthiness, age and road conditions are vital factors affecting a vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Consumer Reports tire program leader Ryan Pszczolkowski recommends cross-referencing your vehicle’s mpg against your in-dash fuel estimate to make a more realistic guess. I would agree with him because my prediction was closer to reality than my BMW’s distance-to-empty reading after factoring in my car’s recent mpg.

Most BMW enthusiasts — including myself — love Bimmers because they’re the epitome of German engineering excellence. However, we should balance common sense and faith in innovation. Modern auto technology only becomes more sophisticated over time, but it’s still fallible.

If you drive a 2023 BMW M2 coupe and remember that its highway mpg was 23, it’s probably less than that now. Note your mileage the next time you fill your tank to the brim.

Top up your tank, and set your trip odometer to zero before driving. When you return to a gas station, divide the amount of gas it takes to top up your tank by your trip counter’s reading. The answer reflects your Bimmer’s mpg at its age.

My Technician Found Signs of an Ailing Fuel Pump

It generally takes more than 100,000 miles before an average fuel pump fails. I haven’t covered that much distance with my Bimmer yet, but my BMW technician told me that my fuel pump looked prematurely worn out.

From what I gathered, driving on empty increases the risk of overheating. The small amount of gas can’t adequately lubricate and cool the fuel pump when driving. This component draws air in place of some of the gas, causing less fuel to move through the mechanism.

It didn’t help that my fuel filter is due for replacement. I normally change it at home every 20,000-30,000 miles, but it was apparently dirty enough to cause my fuel pump to suck up more sediment into the system. The little gas flowing through it while I was on the road with the low fuel light on was more concentrated, so it had to work harder.

I confessed what happened, and my technician advised me against pushing my luck the next time my BMW detects the gas level is low. Such a gamble could severely compromise my fuel pump, engine and catalytic converter.

I Learned My Lesson the Easy Way

Any Bimmer enthusiast knows that ignoring the low fuel warning light won’t lead to a happy ending. My experience satisfied my curiosity on some level, but I dodged a bullet. Quantifying the effects of driving on low fuel is challenging without making it a habit. Still, I nearly felt its impact on my pocket during my Bimmer’s annual full-car service at a dealership.

Make it a mission to refill as soon as your car begins to tap its fuel reserve to prolong its life and avoid hefty maintenance bills.

The Ultimate BMW Forum