Which would you buy?

[groesner]

2009 M3 DCT Space Gray/Black CF roof, 142k miles (!) serviced at BMW stealership every 12-15k miles, has 1200 mi break-in done.
Great shape for the miles, clear bra on front end, new brakes/tires.
Asking $24,999

OR

2011 M3 DCT Black/Black CF roof, 30k miles but NO service history (unless I can somehow find out which dealership it was serviced at - Clearwater, FL)
Asking $35,500

Both are 3 hours from me. I'm thinking the 2011.

Your pick?

[oolas3]

Get a carfax on the 2011. It should pick up some service records.

[groesner]

It has the CARFAX and no service records listed. Just registration renewed every year

[imserious]

Neither. If you can afford $35k, just wait for a better one. There should be plenty in that price range with good options, reasonable miles and solid service history.

I wouldn't try to save $10k on a 142k mile car. You'll probably spend a good chunk of that replacing worn out parts only to still have a car with > 140k mis. A high mileage $25k car is for someone who wants to have a little fun and then sell it when the first expensive bill comes around. That's actually not too bad a way to go if that fits your needs.

[groesner]

True. I'll just try to call a few dealerships in the Tampa area and see if they have it on record.

[BGBF18]

Originally Posted by groesner

2009 M3 DCT Space Gray/Black CF roof, 142k miles (!) serviced at BMW stealership every 12-15k miles, has 1200 mi break-in done.
Great shape for the miles, clear bra on front end, new brakes/tires.
Asking $24,999

OR

2011 M3 DCT Black/Black CF roof, 30k miles but NO service history (unless I can somehow find out which dealership it was serviced at - Clearwater, FL)
Asking $35,500

Both are 3 hours from me. I'm thinking the 2011.

Your pick?

Hey man, pass on the '09. It isn't worth more than about $22K in any case.

The 2011 with 30K is likely coming off lease and therefore was covered by the BMW maintenance warranty - meaning the maintenance was done at the dealer. Any Service Advisor (SA) at any dealer can see all the dealer maintenance that was done via the VIN. Obviously they cannot see indy shop or owner maintenance.

If you are serious about the 2011, tell the dealer you want to pay for a full CPO PPI at a BMW dealership. Make the selling dealer drop it off. It will run about $350, but once the results are in and you have the SA on the phone, have them read-off the car's service history starting with the 1200 mile service. Take good notes and have them email you the PPI report. If you don't understand something on the report, just post it and you'll get tons of actionable advice.

The other option is to just write the VIN down and call random BMW dealers until you get a complicit SA to read through the service history. Tell them you just bought the car and need to update your records.

Good luck!

[apollo322]

Originally Posted by ///MayorMcCheese

Hey man, pass on the '09. It isn't worth more than about $22K in any case.

The 2011 with 30K is likely coming off lease and therefore was covered by the BMW maintenance warranty - meaning the maintenance was done at the dealer. Any Service Advisor (SA) at any dealer can see all the dealer maintenance that was done via the VIN. Obviously they cannot see indy shop or owner maintenance.

If you are serious about the 2011, tell the dealer you want to pay for a full CPO PPI at a BMW dealership. Make the selling dealer drop it off. It will run about $350, but once the results are in and you have the SA on the phone, have them read-off the car's service history starting with the 1200 mile service. Take good notes and have them email you the PPI report. If you don't understand something on the report, just post it and you'll get tons of actionable advice.

The other option is to just write the VIN down and call random BMW dealers until you get a complicit SA to read through the service history. Tell them you just bought the car and need to update your records.

Good luck!

Great advice. I also think the 11 is the better value by far

[DSilk]

Have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done. If the car comes back with a clean bill of health, get the 2011.

[TrevorM3]

lol, at even considering an m3 with 142k miles on it.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

lol, at even considering an m3 with 142k miles on it.

What is so funny about it? The ///M is damn reliable car. We have people here that allready hit the 200k mark.

And if someone is on a budget, there definately is no need to set these kind of people under pressure, with such comment's.
Think about it...

[rixride]

Great point!
Totally agree.

[groesner]

Oh man a 2012 E92 ZCP black on black just popped up for $37,500. 47k miles with 2 year BMW extended maintenance warranty til Dec 2017. I think it's time I get into some debt!

This seems like a killer deal.

[groesner]

Update on the 2011. Called the dealership and this is what they have on record.

-1,200 mile break-in service performed at 2,210 miles
-Replaced rear diff with new unit at 7,699 miles (apparently it was making a grinding noise when turning)
-Brake flush, cabin filter, software update @ 12,890 miles
-Oil/filter change and air filter @ 18,989 miles
-Oil/filter change @ 24,486 miles

So it went over 16,000 miles on one oil change but then changed it out again within 6,000 miles.

Seem ok to you guys?

[Mr. Liu]

Yeeaaa not so sure about the 16k mile oil change man.