01 M roadster --> 29.5k (euro-spec) Any thoughts?
05-02-2003, 12:02 AM
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01 M roadster --> 29.5k (euro-spec) Any thoughts?
Well, I have been looking for a new car for a few weeks and a nearby dealer list a 2001 M roadster with 2800 miles for $29.5k.
Gave him a $1k (refundable) deposit today before I commit.
Will be seeing the car tomorrow. I figure that this price is 4-5k below what I'd expect. And it is a BMW dealership.
The dealer gave me the story as:
This car was imported by BMW in euro-spec and used as a model in photoshoots and car shows. It's Laguna Seca blue with blue/black leather. He says that the car was converted to US-spec by BMW and now for sale with the remainder of the factory warranty which would expire 9/04. He sent me 2 faxes which include VIN# and etc. The retail date is shown as 9/26/00.
The vehicle inquiry sheets shows the customer as Demo Upfit J
Order type/descrip is 3/ priority stock. Transfer date 4/28/03. Prod date of 8/2000.
The vehicle history sheet: Customer name & address as the dealership.
I called BMW NA and the lady I spoke to there says that the VIN is a valid US VIN. However, she has no maintainence history on the car saying that the warranty was never activated in the system. I also see a comment saying that the 6yr/100k engine warranty applies.
The vehicle inqury sheet shows an MSRP of 46,835.
The VIN is WBSCL93451LJ80009
My questions are:
1. Does a US conversion include changing the odometer which would explain the ridicolously low miles?
2. If BMWNA doesn't show the warranty being activated, why would I only have 1 yr left?
3. This car looks too good to be true, esp @ a BMW dealer. What am I missing?
4. Am I also going to take a hit when I turn it around?
Basically, this deal looks too good to be trure -- therefore, I figure I must be missing something. That being said, I will rely on my fellow A-CL's to convince me to not buy this car. Thanks for the help. I will be going to the dealership around 3pm Friday.
Gave him a $1k (refundable) deposit today before I commit.
Will be seeing the car tomorrow. I figure that this price is 4-5k below what I'd expect. And it is a BMW dealership.
The dealer gave me the story as:
This car was imported by BMW in euro-spec and used as a model in photoshoots and car shows. It's Laguna Seca blue with blue/black leather. He says that the car was converted to US-spec by BMW and now for sale with the remainder of the factory warranty which would expire 9/04. He sent me 2 faxes which include VIN# and etc. The retail date is shown as 9/26/00.
The vehicle inquiry sheets shows the customer as Demo Upfit J
Order type/descrip is 3/ priority stock. Transfer date 4/28/03. Prod date of 8/2000.
The vehicle history sheet: Customer name & address as the dealership.
I called BMW NA and the lady I spoke to there says that the VIN is a valid US VIN. However, she has no maintainence history on the car saying that the warranty was never activated in the system. I also see a comment saying that the 6yr/100k engine warranty applies.
The vehicle inqury sheet shows an MSRP of 46,835.
The VIN is WBSCL93451LJ80009
My questions are:
1. Does a US conversion include changing the odometer which would explain the ridicolously low miles?
2. If BMWNA doesn't show the warranty being activated, why would I only have 1 yr left?
3. This car looks too good to be true, esp @ a BMW dealer. What am I missing?
4. Am I also going to take a hit when I turn it around?
Basically, this deal looks too good to be trure -- therefore, I figure I must be missing something. That being said, I will rely on my fellow A-CL's to convince me to not buy this car. Thanks for the help. I will be going to the dealership around 3pm Friday.
05-02-2003, 12:54 AM
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Use Carfax to see what has been done to this car.
Also, have you driven it? If the car pulls on one side, it might have been in an accident which you wonna stay away from. It could be pulling for other reasons but the accident factor always makes cars much cheaper in the used car market.
Drive the car, check it in and out with a microscope and if you see nothing wrong with it, go for it. I loved the M Roadster I drove 2.5 years ago (240 HP).
Also, have you driven it? If the car pulls on one side, it might have been in an accident which you wonna stay away from. It could be pulling for other reasons but the accident factor always makes cars much cheaper in the used car market.
Drive the car, check it in and out with a microscope and if you see nothing wrong with it, go for it. I loved the M Roadster I drove 2.5 years ago (240 HP).
05-02-2003, 03:46 AM
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http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/z3/
these guys seem to know what to look for.
I couldn't fit in a M coupe I wanted.
these guys seem to know what to look for.
I couldn't fit in a M coupe I wanted.
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