BMW wants to pay me $500 to test my car!!

[Blu Yea]

I checked the recent threads and hadn't seen this so if i missed it forgive.
So, I get a letter in the mail from ATDS (Automotive Testing and Developement Services) supposedly they want to take my 2011 Z4 and put it through an emissions testing program...the envelope also includes a letter from BMW saying it's legit and they are authorizing this company to test.
So they want my car for 5-10 days or maybe longer, they will give me a "late model BMW" filled with gas while they use my car.

OK folks, what do we know about this?

[paris1]

Google is your friend:http://www.automotivetesting.com/

[jparnes1]

I would do this, but in the winter. I'm not giving up my car for 10 days or longer in top down season.

[rking117]

shoot i would say if they want to pay a car payment for me for little to no mileage on my car then be my guest. Tell me where to drop it off.

[Blu Yea]

Thanks all, doesn't sound like anyone has done this but not hearing or reading any warning signs.

[nicknaz]

Lol.... I don't valet my car so why would I give it up for 5-10 days to strangers for "testing".

[rking117]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Lol.... I don't valet my car so why would I give it up for 5-10 days to strangers for "testing".

Hijack alert... speaking of valet. If you need to go to the hospital in lakeland FL they only have Valet, albeit free. I had to take my neighbor to the hospital for chest pains a while back. after dropping him off with the nurse and waiting for his wife to arrive i decided to leave. It all took me about 10 minutes max at the hospital. I went outside with my claim ticket and they said they couldn't find my vehicle. not really panicked or anything i waited patiently (pun not intended) and finally my car arrived with not one attendant in it but two. Looked like they were stylin' so to speak. I unfortunately didn't have any evidence that they were joy riding but I suspect it seriously. I mean why would it take 10 minutes to bring my car to me after saying the lost it from 10 minutes before and why were two attendants in my vehicle? all valid questions i am sure.

Anyway, I think that valet is a little different than systems techs working on a car. Maybe i am fooling myself in thinking that way. I would just expect them to have had the joy of a BMW in the past by the time I arrive.

[SpikeMilligan]

They sometimes ride back together if they are parking two cars and retreiving one. That said, a $79 dashcam is a handy device to have if you suspect something like joyriding.