[LexTalionis17]

Hello everyone! I'm looking at a 2018 M550i with 65K on the odometer being offered at a non-BMW dealership. I live in Maryland (for reference) and the asking price is currently $36.5K. No accidents, but there are some cosmetic "issues" that I can live with or repair down the line (front lip scraped up from what seems like a steep driveway & small spot paint correction on passenger rear door) and it doesn't have all of the options I'm really looking for...but I honestly can live without them. I plan on keeping it 7-10 years, but don't plan on driving it daily as I have another vehicle for that. I plan to use it for
weekend driving, out of state driving (trips), etc. I've test-driven it and to the unexperienced (with BMWs) it drives GREAT!

Now...I have been to a local tuner who specializes in Euros for his advice and he says although the N63s in the 2018+ are FAR more reliable than what's found in the F10's, he would never buy any Euro without it being CPO'd. Because of his advice, I initially was only targeting CPO'd 2018+ M550i's. My question to you all is, should I make an offer of $35K and buy an extended warranty? Or stick to my guns and wait for exactly what I want in an M550i that has been CPO'd w/lower mileage?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

[spiderman1982]

This car will be incredibly expensive to repair and an extended warranty will be very costly. Also, it won't be reliable. If you buy it, you should expect to spend a lot of time at the repair shop. I hope they will give you a loaner.

[LexTalionis17]

Originally Posted by spiderman1982

This car will be incredibly expensive to repair and an extended warranty will be very costly. Also, it won't be reliable. If you buy it, you should expect to spend a lot of time at the repair shop. I hope they will give you a loaner.

Thanks for your input! Are you saying 2018+ M550i's aren't reliable? Or are you saying you don't think this particular one won't be reliable due to the mileage?

[Rocket455]

OP: you'll find near-universal consensus among BMW owners/leasees that these cars are incredibly expensive to own once outside the warranty period (not just routine maintenance, but repairs in general); Mercedes-Benz and Audi also fall in the same group. Actually, the steep depreciation on these cars is a direct consequence of that ownership cost. I would never go near any modern BMW without a warranty, no matter what a great deal it may seem....on my 3rd BMW lease since the past 5 years, but still own my 2001 Toyota Taco =P

[P_GT]

Originally Posted by LexTalionis17

Hello everyone! I'm looking at a 2018 M550i with 65K on the odometer being offered at a non-BMW dealership. I live in Maryland (for reference) and the asking price is currently $36.5K. No accidents, but there are some cosmetic "issues" that I can live with or repair down the line (front lip scraped up from what seems like a steep driveway & small spot paint correction on passenger rear door) and it doesn't have all of the options I'm really looking for...but I honestly can live without them. I plan on keeping it 7-10 years, but don't plan on driving it daily as I have another vehicle for that. I plan to use it for
weekend driving, out of state driving (trips), etc. I've test-driven it and to the unexperienced (with BMWs) it drives GREAT!

Now...I have been to a local tuner who specializes in Euros for his advice and he says although the N63s in the 2018+ are FAR more reliable than what's found in the F10's, he would never buy any Euro without it being CPO'd. Because of his advice, I initially was only targeting CPO'd 2018+ M550i's. My question to you all is, should I make an offer of $35K and buy an extended warranty? Or stick to my guns and wait for exactly what I want in an M550i that has been CPO'd w/lower mileage?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

I think that even $35k is too much for a 65k miles with no warranty on it.
The closer you are to 80-100k miles, the sooner you will need maintenance and possibly repairs, all of which are costly when it comes to BMW.
Up to you at end but I personally would pass this deal. Unless they agree on something like $30-31k.
With $35k you are not low balling anyone. They will sign right away.

[BMW012]

ask them how much with CPO, (if it even qualifies for CPO)? and then start your negotiation from there.

[Mandingo9]

I also would pass for reasons stated before.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by BMW012

ask them how much with CPO, (if it even qualifies for CPO)? and then start your negotiation from there.

Too many miles to CPO the car. Plus, it's not being sold by a BMW dealership. So, you can't CPO it.

[saw1]

I am the original owner of an '18 M550, 59k miles. I have been out of warranty for 14 months trouble free. The car and the engine/tranny have been fine. During the warranty period I had a few minor issues that are common to the G30. I can't predict what will happen down the road and I may not keep the car long enough to find out, but so far the M550 has been the best car I have ever owned and my biggest problem has been finding a better replacement. Even the new M550 is a compromise with certain features being deleted in the LCI.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Too many miles to CPO the car. Plus, it's not being sold by a BMW dealership. So, you can't CPO it.

This. Plus, CPO is just an extended warranty (believe me, you are paying for it) and is no guarantee of a "good" car.

A car this old, with those miles, should not be purchased without a PPI. Maybe that's what your mechanic meant. PPI = Pre-Purchase Inspection. Preferably by a BMW shop (not a dealer) with an experienced BMW technician. A PPI will not catch everything, but it could save you a bundle. Ask me about that Jaguar I was looking at in Florida...

BMWs are great cars to drive. If you can DIY, then owning one out of warranty may not be the horror show that some may lead you to believe, but it can still be a PITA constantly dealing with crap. The level of crap on a 7 series is a multiple factor higher than a stripper 3 series. The V8 5 series lands somewhere in the middle, more toward the 7.

And it's not so much stuff that will get you stranded, but more along the lines of failing electronics (think door locks, TPMS, stuff like that) and oil leaks and worn suspension components and stuff that should have been maintained but wasn't. Of course, there are also components that BMW is famous for, like the plastic bits in the cooling system that will fail and leave you stranded, which many owners prophylactically replace. And that can get expensive as well (see DIY comment above).

Yeah, 36K may be a bit high. I'd try to find a car being sold by the original owner, so that you'll have service records and a better idea of the history. Join the BMW CCA and look at the local chapter newsletter and the national web site (bmwcca.org) for classifieds and get a really nice one owner car if you can.

BTW, FWIW, I once got the perfect used car. It was a one-owner, meticulously maintained, no expense spared. The PPI was great, but it was a 10 year-old BMW with close to 100K miles. There was not a week that went by without something going wrong with it. Water pump, speedometer, door locks, taillights, check engine lights, you name it. Now, this was a 1996 car, and they've gotten much better, but holy crap it was never ending. And that was a premier example of a used car.

Best of luck.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by saw1

I am the original owner of an '18 M550, 59k miles. I have been out of warranty for 14 months trouble free. The car and the engine/tranny have been fine. During the warranty period I had a few minor issues that are common to the G30. I can't predict what will happen down the road and I may not keep the car long enough to find out, but so far the M550 has been the best car I have ever owned and my biggest problem has been finding a better replacement. Even the new M550 is a compromise with certain features being deleted in the LCI.

This is the kind of car you want to buy. Not one off of a second-tier used car dealer.

[jphcbpa]

As reference..Just did a vroom and carmax check on our 2018 (with executive, nappa and dhp), 30K miles and was offered approx. $37,500.

[Joe-BMW33]

Here is my input which echo's a few others and contradicts some.

I personally only buy new or CPO from a dealer and if CPO it is a car with verifiable records and a car that appears to be owned by someone like me, meaning takes great care and performs all maintenance on time or earlier. Body is impeccable.

An M550 with 65k miles sold from a sand lot with dings, scrapes and scuffs is a car I would steer clear of. BMW won't certify a car with 65k miles on it. A car like the one you are looking at was likely a trade that was auctioned off.

In terms of reliability, I question a few of the blanket comments from people that appear to not even own one. Yes, the initial N63 was problematic, the N63TU2/3 so far has not shown to be any more problematic than the B58. I personally have had relatively minor issues and the more expensive one were covered under warranty. Coolant issues seem to be the most common sure thing, but once the lines are replaced, most people are fine.

As for aftermarket warranty vs. CPO, a good aftermarket far exceeds the coverage of CPO for less money usually. Do a search on the Route 66 thread. My CPO ran out a few weeks ago and I seriously considered going without a warranty for the first time ever. I like you don't drive the car daily and it is a weekend car for Spring and Summer and then it goes away. BUT, at the end of the day I wanted some peace of mind. Not because it has the N63TU2, but because it is a german car and like all german cars, you bend over and take it up the ass for every repair. Parts are expensive and even independent shops are marginally better priced than the dealer. You need to ask yourself the question - can I afford a German car and all it comes with.

I feel pretty confident to proclaim that the M550 is no ticking time bomb, but even wear and tear repair will be 3 times the cost of Toyota.

[luthers4]

My opinion clearly differs from most here. In my experience extended warranties are a waste. Had 100k warranty on my 330 ci, factory warranty on F80 M3, 100k warranty on Touareg TDI, 100k warranty on wife's Subaru outback, no warranty on my used E46 M3 and balance of factory warranty on my 2020 M550. Warranties were worthless other than a few radio issues that cost a fraction of warranty to fix.

I'm diligent with maintenance, consistently check fluids and like to do most of the fluid changes/ flushes, brakes etc. myself to ensure done correctly. I assume most of the catastrophic issues you hear about on these forums can be attributed to abuse and boosting. If you do have a warning light or experience a mechanical issue, it's likely a typical problem with a specific make/ model and you can easily figure out the fix with a google search. Even if you're not up to addressing yourself, mechanics can't BS you and you can determine most cost effective solution.

I recommend a pre purchase inspection. If all is good go for it. If you have the time and inclination to do a bit of DIYing you'll save yourself $$.

[LexTalionis17]

Thanks to all for your insight! For clarification, the car is being offered at a Lexus dealership, not Joe Schmoe's Auto Emporium. But, I understand the process in acquiring their used cars as I worked as a mechanic at a Ford dealership back in the day.

I'll take all of your input into consideration and continue to do research. I think I'll pass on this specific offering, but definitely feel better about an overall purchase; CPO or not.

Thanks again!

[LexTalionis17]

Originally Posted by saw1

I am the original owner of an '18 M550, 59k miles. I have been out of warranty for 14 months trouble free. The car and the engine/tranny have been fine. During the warranty period I had a few minor issues that are common to the G30. I can't predict what will happen down the road and I may not keep the car long enough to find out, but so far the M550 has been the best car I have ever owned and my biggest problem has been finding a better replacement. Even the new M550 is a compromise with certain features being deleted in the LCI.

Keep me posted if you decide to let it go anytime soon!

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by luthers4

My opinion clearly differs from most here. In my experience extended warranties are a waste. Had 100k warranty on my 330 ci, factory warranty on F80 M3, 100k warranty on Touareg TDI, 100k warranty on wife's Subaru outback, no warranty on my used E46 M3 and balance of factory warranty on my 2020 M550. Warranties were worthless other than a few radio issues that cost a fraction of warranty to fix.

Wow, I'm surprised to hear that about the M3s. Did you drive them up to 80-100k miles? IME that's around the time the warranty has the highest likelihood of paying off.