Hello!
I'm considering purchasing a black 2004 325i with just about 30,000 miles on it. While I've been wanting to go all out and buy a new vehicle, I've come across this one just by chance.
The issue I'm trying to tackle is that this one was a leased car which the seller bought at an auction and is looking to sell.
A summary:
2004 BMW 3 Series 325i Sedan
Condition: Pre-Owned Clear Title
Mileage: 30,000
Warranty: Full Factory Warranty
Transmission: 5 Spd Automatic
Engine: 2.5L L6 FI DOHC 24V
For $18,000.
I test drove the car today and have mixed feelings.
First up; I have a big problem with this car having been a leased vehicle. Many people don't take care of their leased cars (with my apologies to those who do) and really beat on them. Second, even though the car is quite shiny (all buffed for the auction, I'm sure) there's a few odd scratches on it, which the seller said they can buff out. (I think they do most of their business online and weren't expecting me to shop by so soon and didn't really have time to full clean it up).
I noticed that the cupholder's plastic is quite worn compared to the rest of the car. Overall the interior (leather) is in great shape. I test drove it briefly on the highway and it felt pretty smooth and quiet (particularly compared to my 2005 Pontiac Vibe, heh). The most apparent thing to me was the steering wheel, which wasn't quite aligned. That is, I had to rotate it about 22 degrees to the left in order for the car to go straight. I'm certainly no car expert, but it seems that's off by quite a bit for a "small alignment problem", no? It seems more like the steering wheel just isn't screwed on straight or something like that.
Now, the seller agreed to let me take the car to a mechanic of my choice, and I'm looking to get a car fax on it.
My concern essentially is that this car was leased by someone who beat the crap out of it, figuratively speaking. It's a year older than my current car and has fewer miles on it -- and I don't even have to drive to work. The seller did say that it was inspected by BMW and had something fixed (something electronic, a sensor or so).
It's just so hard to turn down a BMW when it's staring me in the face like that.
So my questions are:
1. Does this car seem like a lemon, or an okay deal? Probably hard to tell. Ask me for more details, and I'll try to find out best I can.
2. If I'm taking it to a mechanic, what should I insist on having checked out / have special attention paid to? Any known typical issues with the 2004s, or given that it was a lease?
3. What about the price?
I'm looking to go to BMW dealerships tomorrow (Sunday) and see if I can test drive newer and similar cars to compare, and hopefully have made up my mind some time on Monday. My problem is that I don't wanna miss out if this turns out to be a good deal. At the same time, I don't wanna jump the gun and regret it.
Any tips would be very appreciated!
Here's a list of things the seller posted:
2004 BMW 325I SEDAN
Only 30,000 Miles
Full Factory Warranty Till 8/2008
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
2.5L L6 Fi Dohc 24V Engine
18 Mpg City / 25 Mpg Highway
Trip Computer / Information Display
Black Exterior / Black Interior
Front Fog Lights / Halogen Headlights
Sunroof / Tinted Windows
Leather Seats /Cruise Control
Manual Height Adjustment Front Seats
Power Windows / Doors / Mirrors
Bmw Stereo System / Cd Player
Steering Wheel Controls (Cruise And Audio)
Tilt Steering Wheel
Front And Side Air Bags
Dynamic Stability Control
Hill Descent Control
Automatic Climate Control
Traction Control / Keyless Entry
Two Remote Key / Floor Mats/ Books
16" Wheels
I'm considering purchasing a black 2004 325i with just about 30,000 miles on it. While I've been wanting to go all out and buy a new vehicle, I've come across this one just by chance.
The issue I'm trying to tackle is that this one was a leased car which the seller bought at an auction and is looking to sell.
A summary:
2004 BMW 3 Series 325i Sedan
Condition: Pre-Owned Clear Title
Mileage: 30,000
Warranty: Full Factory Warranty
Transmission: 5 Spd Automatic
Engine: 2.5L L6 FI DOHC 24V
For $18,000.
I test drove the car today and have mixed feelings.
First up; I have a big problem with this car having been a leased vehicle. Many people don't take care of their leased cars (with my apologies to those who do) and really beat on them. Second, even though the car is quite shiny (all buffed for the auction, I'm sure) there's a few odd scratches on it, which the seller said they can buff out. (I think they do most of their business online and weren't expecting me to shop by so soon and didn't really have time to full clean it up).
I noticed that the cupholder's plastic is quite worn compared to the rest of the car. Overall the interior (leather) is in great shape. I test drove it briefly on the highway and it felt pretty smooth and quiet (particularly compared to my 2005 Pontiac Vibe, heh). The most apparent thing to me was the steering wheel, which wasn't quite aligned. That is, I had to rotate it about 22 degrees to the left in order for the car to go straight. I'm certainly no car expert, but it seems that's off by quite a bit for a "small alignment problem", no? It seems more like the steering wheel just isn't screwed on straight or something like that.
Now, the seller agreed to let me take the car to a mechanic of my choice, and I'm looking to get a car fax on it.
My concern essentially is that this car was leased by someone who beat the crap out of it, figuratively speaking. It's a year older than my current car and has fewer miles on it -- and I don't even have to drive to work. The seller did say that it was inspected by BMW and had something fixed (something electronic, a sensor or so).
It's just so hard to turn down a BMW when it's staring me in the face like that.
So my questions are:
1. Does this car seem like a lemon, or an okay deal? Probably hard to tell. Ask me for more details, and I'll try to find out best I can.
2. If I'm taking it to a mechanic, what should I insist on having checked out / have special attention paid to? Any known typical issues with the 2004s, or given that it was a lease?
3. What about the price?
I'm looking to go to BMW dealerships tomorrow (Sunday) and see if I can test drive newer and similar cars to compare, and hopefully have made up my mind some time on Monday. My problem is that I don't wanna miss out if this turns out to be a good deal. At the same time, I don't wanna jump the gun and regret it.
Any tips would be very appreciated!
Here's a list of things the seller posted:
2004 BMW 325I SEDAN
Only 30,000 Miles
Full Factory Warranty Till 8/2008
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
2.5L L6 Fi Dohc 24V Engine
18 Mpg City / 25 Mpg Highway
Trip Computer / Information Display
Black Exterior / Black Interior
Front Fog Lights / Halogen Headlights
Sunroof / Tinted Windows
Leather Seats /Cruise Control
Manual Height Adjustment Front Seats
Power Windows / Doors / Mirrors
Bmw Stereo System / Cd Player
Steering Wheel Controls (Cruise And Audio)
Tilt Steering Wheel
Front And Side Air Bags
Dynamic Stability Control
Hill Descent Control
Automatic Climate Control
Traction Control / Keyless Entry
Two Remote Key / Floor Mats/ Books
16" Wheels
