[otee10]

Hi all

Thinking of swapping out my F32 for an M2 LCI as I not longer perform the mileage to warrant a diesel.

Wondered what your views are on purchasing an M2 LCI (2018/68) with 1 year BMW warranty left from factory (I believe) all with less than 15K on the clock. All cars come with full BMW service history and were recently serviced within last 12 months. Only issue is that they are non manufacturer approved.

I know many will avoid purchasing a car like this unless it's from the AUC network. Surely, if they're from a reputable performance dealer, can't be such a bad move? We all know that a premium is placed on an AUC.

Many thanks

[Malone]

I personally wouldn’t have a problem at all. It’s still got BMW warranty left on it. It wouldn’t be liable for the 1 years AUC warranty that you’d get from a dealer anyway, as it’s still got outstanding 3 year from new warranty.
It’s still got full BMW service history and from a reputable performance specialist. I say go for it!

We’re not far from Munich Legends - I wouldn’t hesitate in buying a car from them if the deal was right.

[robbiep]

I'd actually debate whether the 'AUC premium' really exists that much.

I know when I've been looking, the difference between even AUC and car supermarket has been minimal - though I'll readily admit I'm not looking at M cars, and the premium might exist on those

[JD6]

There is no quality difference between AUC and other vendors in my view. The claims of a 130 point AUC check, or whatever it is these days, are plainly nonsense. I can always find faults, sometimes significant ones, within 5 minutes of looking at one. I'm convinced that all they actually do is make sure all the wheels are there and give it a quick wash and vac!

That said, the value of buying AUC is the ability to go back to any BMW dealer and make them rectify any fault, which they will willingly do in my experience without quibbling.

[otee10]

Thanks all. I wouldn't value the AUC tag hugely myself, wished to see other opinions too

[Techno 9000]

Found that my local main dealer had a very poorly presented car that I was notionally interested in. After seeing it that interest had disappeared completely. For instance three different makes of tyre and not all particularly good brands, dead leafs all over the place underbonnet and it was late summer, so they had been there some time, a welter of stonechips etc.
The price was in the region of 2k higher than the the independent I went to to purchase my current car, that has a higher spec and lower mileage, that was also presented perfectly.

So the end result was a total flip of what you should expect.

I wouldn't hesitate to go to an independent for a car under three years old with the balance of manufacturers warranty left.

[otee10]

One of the cars I'm looking at eibach springs fitted to this and I was advised that this would invalidate the warranty? Could anyone confirm this?

If so, surely it's just the suspension element?

[Armaan]

Originally Posted by otee10

One of the cars I'm looking at eibach springs fitted to this and I was advised that this would invalidate the warranty? Could anyone confirm this?

If so, surely it's just the suspension element?

Most likely they'll reject any suspension warranty issues, but all else should be well.

FWIW I genuinely think a performance independent seller will be preparing the car much better than any dealer. They just care more, but most people after 3 years want the no quibble warranty.

I wouldn't hesitate buying the M2, nice choice too.

Armaan

[Kal101]

If you’ve got A new BMW warranty I don’t see it being an issue as long as everything else eg mileage, service history etc are genuine.

I’ve heard a few have had issues with AUC stuff as well, so presume that’s not a fail safe either

[otee10]

Thanks as I've had polar opposite responses on another forum, all saying stay clear etc as BMW won't honour any work or may be more inclined to decline if not purchased through their dealership network.

I just thought as the car has covered only 12K miles with FBMWSH alongside 1 year left of manufacturers warranty, I am happy to not go to BMW as they are notoriously overpriced!

[Armaan]

Originally Posted by otee10

Thanks as I've had polar opposite responses on another forum, all saying stay clear etc as BMW won't honour any work or may be more inclined to decline if not purchased through their dealership network.

I just thought as the car has covered only 12K miles with FBMWSH alongside 1 year left of manufacturers warranty, I am happy to not go to BMW as they are notoriously overpriced!

Find a good specialist and you'll not go far wrong. Dealership servicing is very hit and miss as most will testify to on here, but there are some good dealers out there...just expensive.

Remember to find a specialist that can update the BMW central database, as some can't because they don't want to pay for the privilege of doing so.

That'll maintain the FSH and it'll all be documented.

Armaan

[otee10]

Originally Posted by Armaan

Find a good specialist and you'll not go far wrong. Dealership servicing is very hit and miss as most will testify to on here, but there are some good dealers out there...just expensive.

Remember to find a specialist that can update the BMW central database, as some can't because they don't want to pay for the privilege of doing so.

That'll maintain the FSH and it'll all be documented.

Armaan

Thanks for your advice!

[otee10]

Will be picking up next week. Thanks again everyone for your help, very much appreciated!

[Armaan]

Originally Posted by otee10

Will be picking up next week. Thanks again everyone for your help, very much appreciated!

You're welcome. That looks great in that colour. I'll be arranging a West Midlands meet at some point, hopefully you can make it given you don't seem too far.

Keep us updated on how the collection goes.

Armaan

[otee10]

Originally Posted by Armaan

You're welcome. That looks great in that colour. I'll be arranging a West Midlands meet at some point, hopefully you can make it given you don't seem too far.

Keep us updated on how the collection goes.

Armaan

Thanks Armaan

I'm in the East Midlands so I'd be very much up for it

[ArthurKing]

We had a very positive experience with our local BMW dealer for a AUC car. They couldn't do enough for us, even refurbing two allows which we didn't even ask for when looking!

Car looks awesome by the way!

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by otee10

Thanks as I've had polar opposite responses on another forum, all saying stay clear etc as BMW won't honour any work or may be more inclined to decline if not purchased through their dealership network.

I just thought as the car has covered only 12K miles with FBMWSH alongside 1 year left of manufacturers warranty, I am happy to not go to BMW as they are notoriously overpriced!

i bought a 2 year old car from a car supermarket in 2017. It had a years manufacturers warranty left. I took it to bmw for warranty related issues about 10 times,(im rid of it now) hope this answers your question.

[otee10]

Originally Posted by ArthurKing

We had a very positive experience with our local BMW dealer for a AUC car. They couldn't do enough for us, even refurbing two allows which we didn't even ask for when looking!

Car looks awesome by the way!

Thanks mate

I am not knocking their warranty at all! Some dealers will go above and beyond though whilst others slack

[otee10]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

i bought a 2 year old car from a car supermarket in 2017. It had a years manufacturers warranty left. I took it to bmw for warranty related issues about 10 times,(im rid of it now) hope this answers your question.

Ouch, 10 times?! What for?

Appreciate your input but the garage I am purchasing from deals in performance cars (M, AMG, RS) and has built up a good reputation for going so. You're right though, I wouldn't go to a car supermarket myself.

[KRS_SN]

Suspension
And i think the car was clocked hence the suspension problems which shouldn't have occurred for a car with 30k miles.
The car supermarket was owned by a large group Starting with The word S. Lesson learnt.

[otee10]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

Suspension
And i think the car was clocked hence the suspension problems which shouldn't have occurred for a car with 30k miles.
The car supermarket was owned by a large group Starting with The word S. Lesson learnt.

Clocking is a very common practice these days, unfortunately. Unlucky mate, at least you're in a better car now.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Originally Posted by otee10

Clocking is a very common practice these days, unfortunately. Unlucky mate, at least you're in a better car now.

I questioned clocking with my service manager when a mates AUC 1 series needed new discs and pads at 28k and was told with BMW's is very hard as the mileage is stored in multiple places unlike many other manufacturers and it will show itself very easy to a dealership system even if the red tamper spot has been tampered out.

Congrats on your purchase it looks a belter.


I would have no issue buying from a Specialist like you have, if all service history was BMW & fully documented with its original sales warranty still in tact it's basically an AUC just outside of a dealership.

If you don't have the service history paperwork (only idrive record) you can easily find out from either your preferred dealership service manger or BMWUK the supplying dealership & everyone where it's been since you can then contact these individually to get further info on recalls, repairs in their bodyshop etc. I did this with both of my AUC's and would say with yours being an M the more you know & have/keep in a file for it & the more up-to date the better.