Purchase Advice

[kt35]

Hi folks. I’m in the market for an e92 m3 (currently have a 330). I’ve spent A LOT of hours going through the forums over the past few months which has been really helpful in my process so thanks for all the information.

My preference was to buy a ’11 (either from a BMW dealership or thru a private seller) so I’d have some small time left on the warranty and then think about whether or not to extend. I’ve been looking for a while now though with no luck. I’ve come across a ’13 that has exactly all the options I want but it is being sold by a generic dealership (not a BMW dealership). Car came from an auction purchase. Pricewise I could make it work relative to what I was budgeting for the ’11 but I was staying away from auction vehicles as I think the quality of the car would be lower relative to those sold by BMW dealerships from trade-ins/lease turns-ins or from a private seller who cared for the car. Never know if it was a demo car, who owned it, etc. That said, since it is a ’13 and I will still be covered for ~2 years under the new car warranty I’m wondering if the history of the car matters as much. Obviously I’d check it out for any existing/apparent issues but if stuff happened down the road I’d be covered by the full warranty. Am I thinking about this right? Any thoughts?

My other concern would be making sure that the new car warranty is still valid. If I take it to a BMW dealership and have it inspected would they be able to tell me if the car had been modded in any way that would have violated the warranty and certify that the warranty is still valid?

Thanks

[thekurgan]

Get a PPI from a reputable independent BMW specialist; that's a good start. Is this 13 a salvage title?

[kt35]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Get a PPI from a reputable independent BMW specialist; that's a good start. Is this 13 a salvage title?

No. clean title

[EJT86]

M3s aren't just traded in to BMW dealerships. I found mine at an Audi dealer (it was traded in for a more family oriented car). So it's an option to check there you can also have a dealership find what you want for you

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by EJT86

M3s aren't just traded in to BMW dealerships. I found mine at an Audi dealer (it was traded in for a more family oriented car). So it's an option to check there you can also have a dealership find what you want for you

+1, mine was at the local Maserati dealership. The "auction" threw me a bit.

[kt35]

Originally Posted by EJT86

M3s aren't just traded in to BMW dealerships. I found mine at an Audi dealer (it was traded in for a more family oriented car). So it's an option to check there you can also have a dealership find what you want for you

Yes, I know. But this car was specifically not a trade-in at this dealership. They bought it at an auction and are re-selling it.

[jeff@autocouture]

A lot of times dealerships will take in cars knowing that they will be sent straight for the auction,
this could have been one of those cases for a quick flip or they just couldn't move it,
id contact a dealership and get the service records but chances are it was just a quick flip

[Flying Ace]

to answer your question, yes, a BMW Dealership would be able to check to see if you're eligible for extended warranty with your VIN number.

Before you purchase, run your VIN at the BMW dealership to get access to maintenance and repair logs. Also advise you should pay for a PPI at the dealership.

But remember, extended warranty is negotiable and can be shopped around. Any BMW dealer across the country (plus 3rd party) can sell you one, so I would do some phone shopping first once you verify your VIN is eligible for BMW's warranty.

Please please please don't just walk in and buy your warranty and take the price as is. It always helps to shop around these things.


I wouldn't be concerned with the auction. Dealer auctions are common and a lot of dealers don't want to sit on used inventory, especially if its not the same make they sell (a BMW traded into an Audi dealership)

[izzyM2]

I found my M3 after looking for a couple months at a Ford dealership and the original warranty followed the car including an extended maintenance for 100k... and all is well.