Questions about buying an M Roadster from across the country

[kolosy]

(mods: talking about buying an m roadster, so technically bmw related )

I'm looking at buying an m roadster that's far enough away that I'll need to fly for it. It's sitting at a dealer that's got a reasonable Yelp history- it looks like a higher-end used car only show. I've got the carfax, a bunch of reasonable pictures, and need to decide whether to spend the money to fly down, and how to protect myself.

Will a dealer let you do an independent PPI? If not, do I trust theirs? What are people's thoughts on not getting fleeced here?

[519.E82]

Yes they should allow a PPI, i would call first though before committing to fly. It also really depends on the price and your financial state. All used cars me or my family have purchased we've always payed full cash, makes it way easier to negotiate and has always saved thousands

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by 519.E82

Yes they should allow a PPI, i would call first though before committing to fly. It also really depends on the price and your financial state. All used cars me or my family have purchased we've always payed full cash, makes it way easier to negotiate and has always saved thousands

yeah, i'd be paying cash, and certainly doing the bulk of the negotiation ahead of time (reserving a second step should the ppi find something)..

[519.E82]

Originally Posted by kolosy

yeah, i'd be paying cash, and certainly doing the bulk of the negotiation ahead of time (reserving a second step should the ppi find something)..

Last thing, im not sure how it is in the states but if possible don't forget to negotiate the taxes being included. When buying my car I saved $5k + taxes included, licensing everything, dealer did everything at one price. Not sure if it applies to you but maybe be helpful to others reading

[omera60]

Originally Posted by kolosy

yeah, i'd be paying cash, and certainly doing the bulk of the negotiation ahead of time (reserving a second step should the ppi find something)..

If you can give me the VIN of the vehicle I can potentially pull up its service history from BMW's system...

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by omera60

If you can give me the VIN of the vehicle I can potentially pull up its service history from BMW's system...

awesome - thank you!

5UMCL93452LJ82394

carfax does show a couple of accidents, so i'm going in aware of that. price reflects it too.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by kolosy

awesome - thank you!

5UMCL93452LJ82394

carfax does show a couple of accidents, so i'm going in aware of that. price reflects it too.

You're going to fly to another state and deal with an unknown dealership to buy a car with 2 accidents? A good deal turns bad very quickly with this many risks involved.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by allinon72

You're going to fly to another state and deal with an unknown dealership to buy a car with 2 accidents? A good deal turns bad very quickly with this many risks involved.

when it's 1 / 640 units made and priced accordingly? sure.

[CSBM5]

I've never had an issue with any out of state seller refusing to allow an independent PPI -- if they refuse, you've got your answer. From looking through the carfax it doesn't appear to have been an issue, but note that entry about how it was registered in a flood disaster area (Katrina I think); if it was me, I would assume there is hidden flood damage and ask the PPI shop to specifically verify that assumption incorrect. Similarly, the PPI shop should be able to thoroughly inspect the accidents and how professionally the repairs and paintwork have been performed.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I've never had an issue with any out of state seller refusing to allow an independent PPI -- if they refuse, you've got your answer. From looking through the carfax it doesn't appear to have been an issue, but note that entry about how it was registered in a flood disaster area (Katrina I think); if it was me, I would assume there is hidden flood damage and ask the PPI shop to specifically verify that assumption incorrect. Similarly, the PPI shop should be able to thoroughly inspect the accidents and how professionally the repairs and paintwork have been performed.

cool, thanks. yes, saw the flood area too. definitely on the list of things to check, as well as a compression test.

[NorthernDancer]

Really really think you should wait until omera60 gives you maintenance history.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

If it's a reputable manufacturer's dealer (example BMW from a BMW dealer) IMO you don't really need to inspect it unless it's sold "as is".

[xQx]

Treat them the same way you would a private seller.

Get a PPI done by a shop of your choosing.
Negotiate with cash. Only talk about finance or trade-ins after you've agreed on a cash price.

.. and generally speaking - don't buy any extra insurance from them, it's not worth the paper it's written on.

[Alpine2]

Any dealer worth your business will not only allow you to get an independent PPI- but will take it and return it from said inspection free of charge.

Find a highly recommended BMW indie shop nearby and have the dealership take it.
Theyll do a better job than the dealership would for 1/3rd the price.

[WestRace]

Well this like saying how to touch fire without got burned.

[Tuxedo]

just pulled the history not really much to report. last entry from my view 03/24/2008 the dealer in Mississippi that serviced would see all of it if more was done.

[Jeffcharger]

Originally Posted by kolosy

(mods: talking about buying an m roadster, so technically bmw related )

I'm looking at buying an m roadster that's far enough away that I'll need to fly for it. It's sitting at a dealer that's got a reasonable Yelp history- it looks like a higher-end used car only show. I've got the carfax, a bunch of reasonable pictures, and need to decide whether to spend the money to fly down, and how to protect myself.

Will a dealer let you do an independent PPI? If not, do I trust theirs? What are people's thoughts on not getting fleeced here?

Maybe someone local to the car from this forum could take a look at it for you. I'm not sure where the car is, but maybe someone could help you out. I've seen people willing to volunteer to help out a fellow forum member.

[omera60]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

just pulled the history not really much to report. last entry from my view 03/24/2008 the dealer in Mississippi that serviced would see all of it if more was done.

My view is in correlation with this, probably it was a Indy or DIY car as there’s not a full history available. Had some loose items in the cabin that was fixed, it had its lights control unit replaced. It seems like a gamble to me, if you are serious about it I would fly and have a PPI done to it, if they refuse that’s a big red flag just walk away from it...

[kolosy]

Selling dealer agreed to drive it to a euro tuner shop for a PPI. Doing that next, will see after.

[kolosy]

just for the curious, car is in rough shape and remote ppi flagged a number of items for me (vanos oil leak, a bunch of aero pieces missing, inoperable top, and, most importantly - rear subframe crack forming). so that's that. $120 well spent.

[XMetal]

I'm assuming you were looking at a Z3 M Roadster? I wasn't aware there is subframe issue on a Z4 platform. In any case, glad to see you dodge a potential disaster!

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I'm assuming you were looking at a Z3 M Roadster? I wasn't aware there is subframe issue on a Z4 platform. In any case, glad to see you dodge a potential disaster!

yeah. this thread got moved here from another forum, based on, i assume, "it's close enough"