Buying used 330 CIC - what's wrong with the picture

[dadka]

New to the forum, new to BMW

I am trying to buy used 330 CIC/manual in SoCal - not an easy feat, given there are very few of those around. Found the car:

2001, 27K miles, all fixings

Dealer agrees to push it for $27K, also is trying to sell extended warranty for 5 more years/100K - $2600.

Given I am new to BMWs I want to have some type of warranty on the vehicle, at least for a couple of years. I was looking to spend about $27K-$28.5 so generally we are in a ball park. But, and this where my paranoia kicks in:

1. The car had 3 owners, all of which drove very little, it seems.
2. BMW dealer selling the car is not giving me his shop records, except for saying they spent $500, and he does not know the details. This sounds like a hogwash to me, even although the car looks pristine.

Any thoughts?

Dadka

 

[newguy]

Dadka...patience..patience...if they are the original dealer and they won't show you the repair records....walk...walk quickly away. I would bet if they want to sell it, they will come up with them for you...good luck!

 

[deutsch100]

Agree with Newguy. Just tell them under no circumstance will you buy the car without seeing ALL service records. If they really have nothing to hide, they will provide you with papers to sell the car.

Keep looking if they are hiding something. 3 owners could mean the car looks great, but it's a maintenance nightmare. You don't want to deal with that.

 

[lilbimmer]

Can you at least run a carfax report on the vin #? Start there and see what you can find!

 

[dadka]

Ran the CarFax - that's how I found about 3 owners. Bought in TX, reregistered in CA, then new owner, then was traded-in. Other than the # of owners, everything looks tight. BMW service record shows 3 visits to a dealer over these years - oil change they claim, may very well be. They are not CPOing the car (2001), but I'd expect them to have the normal workorder with the remarks from their own shop - they are not showig that, and that's worrisome. BTW, the dealer is Irvine BMW

 

[tazza0712]

If they really want you to buy the car they'll show you the records. I can't stand when dealers think they can just take buyers for granted. Tell 'em to shove it and find another - my haste sometimes gets the better of me, but that's just annoying.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

27k for a 2001 without a warranty is very expensive... Another 2500 for an extended warranty from them which means 30k for that car sounds suspicious... I would not go through with that deal, I would tell them 25k is my highest offer WITH the extended warranty, an extended test-drive, and all service records including a copy of the carfax report, otherwise I'd walk right out the door.

According to edmunds.com my car is worth 30k in a private sale (32k dealer), and I have a 2004 330 with a lot less mileage and plenty of warranty left.

 

[sly]

Run don't walk away from the deal.

 

[dadka]

this is convertible - $27k /27000 is just about trade-in value. hard to find car (manual tranny, or so sweet) in SoCal

 

[Unit74]

Sounds shady to me to........back away slowly, then run. they are up to no good......Might have been a lemon buyback or problem car.

 

[Bobajobbob]

Convertible owners generally don't put on big miles jsut to add a counter argument. They are often second cars driven by the wife etc. This is a possibility.

 

[one6emommy]

You can call bmw directly at 800-831-1117. With the vin#,you can find out if there is any extended warranty on this car, when it ends, and if any services has been performed. They will even tell you where..and the number andyou can call the bmw dealership and check what was done and when. I did this when I bought my 2001 330cic..the dealership selling me the vehicle didn't even know there was an extended bmw warranty on the car that transfers to owners! It's great! My car is still under warranty!

 

[one6emommy]

27k for low mileage is a good deal. i think the ftv on the car is 30k..you should call that number fist to see if it already warrantied..most likelyit is..low mileage w/3 owners..could be lease return car. Technically, they don't have to show you anything. but you can have a mechanic come look at the car..or call irvine bmw..ask for service..give them the vin#..and ask what service has been done. The salesman don't know jack..and they won't take the time to find out..just call service directly. There's always a way around things. When I bought my bmw, i did just that..all the research..call all the dealerships it's been brought to found out that the car was well taken care of..came in for its oil changes, brake changes, etc..also..if there is no warranty..i suggest getting one..it's worth the money..fixing a bmw can cost thousands! I've used my extended warranty once and only paid a $50 deductible on a 2k job. well worth the money

 

[330i and like it]

Buy the warranty! That sounds too good to be true. Having said that it is getting to the end of the year so they will want to move it. Also is there were problems when the person traded it in they may have paid very little for it.

 

[dm_longhorn]

I bet it sat emblem-deep in flood waters!

RUN!

 

[dadka]

Shows moved out of houston in 2002 or 2003. Did you guys have any floods then?

Dadka

 

[Macaroni Kid]

Get the warranty included in the $27k. That's how my deal went when I bought from Irvine BMW.

 

[tazza0712]

Did you get it?

 

[dadka]

Not yet - the car is still on the lot. I MAY take it to a mechnic a week after next. They will let me borrow the car to do just that. At the mean time I am on a look out for something less ambigious

 

[Average Jae]

good luck on your search. i find it a bit odd that they won't CPO it, but are willing to sell you the warranty. (i thought one of the main things about the CPO was just that: extended warranty) remember that the extended warranty covers additional 2 years and or upto 100k miles. (it works for the 4/yr 50k warranty) but you are looking at a 2k1, w/ 3yr 36k coverage, it may already be out of warranty as is.

for a 2001, 27k miles seems really low. it maybe typical for a vert in a cold areas, where it really is a seasonal driver, but if it came from Houston and Cali.. maybe its too low?? i have 17000 miles on my 2003, which seems really really low. (i've actually walked to work for a good part of the ownership..) add the fact that it already went through 3 owners, i'd try like heck to look for another one.