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      06-20-2013, 11:29 AM   #1
1SerieStud
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Performance Center 1M's

I have a feeling I'll know what some of the answers are going to be, but realistically speaking and with these cars being uncommon, are there any major cons to purchasing an ex-performance center 1M which has been fully reconditioned by BMW NA?

I've been looking for a second 1M lately, and even the privately owned ones are not near perfect any longer, so I may consider a low-miles performance center machine for a good deal.

For those of you who did PCD or simply attended, was the treatment of these cars terribly bad?

All input greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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      06-20-2013, 11:35 AM   #2
cooler2442
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PCD cars have thousands of hard miles. Especially them being manual cars makes it worse because you will have all sorts of drivers from novice to expert beating on the clutch / car at PCD. When you know you're driving a car at a performance event and it's not your car you run into the mentality of beating on it even more since you have no consequences. You will also have a harder time reselling the car if you run into knowledgeable individuals that can google the vin #.
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      06-20-2013, 11:54 AM   #3
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honestly if it was me, i wouldnt get those cars from the performance center.. wont even get cars from a teat drive..
better get your 1m from a private owners..
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      06-20-2013, 12:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooler2442 View Post
PCD cars have thousands of hard miles. Especially them being manual cars makes it worse because you will have all sorts of drivers from novice to expert beating on the clutch / car at PCD. When you know you're driving a car at a performance event and it's not your car you run into the mentality of beating on it even more since you have no consequences. You will also have a harder time reselling the car if you run into knowledgeable individuals that can google the vin #.
+1. Just a suggestion: Maybe you can change your perception of the matter and instead of a certain color or equipment combo (you want VO and fully loaded, right?) like you are buying the car when new, and instead look for the best kept/lowest mileage car, there are/were some like that, there is a AW right now maybe pending for sale in member's ads section and others. That should be the "absolute" priority when you buy a used car imho, especially a car like 1M, not a power seat or navigation, but it's your call at the end of the day. Hope this will help clear your mind a bit and look broader
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      06-20-2013, 12:32 PM   #5
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Since I did PCD with 4 of our brethren, there were lots of 1Ms on the track that day.

The car that my brother and I drove definitely had a 'well used' transmission. The shifter was notchy and the clutch was definitely not as smooth as my own car's was when we drove it back the next day. I know for a fact that at least one car did a little bit of 'off roading' during the track laps.

Remember, the first thing that the instructors tell you to remember is NYC (Not Your Car).

I'm pretty sure that a lot of people take that quite literally.
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      06-20-2013, 12:33 PM   #6
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As this has been kinda discussed before, I think consensus has been to stay away from these cars. They've been thrashed, even some minor repairs (like tarting them up for sale), clutches replaced is only the beginning.
They've been rode hard and put up wet!
And the dealers that have them now picked them up for $54k and they charging a premium
Would you ever buy an ex-rental car?
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      06-20-2013, 12:37 PM   #7
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Very true on all accounts...I suppose I had started to drift away from common sense *focus, focus*

I'll pass on the car.
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      06-20-2013, 12:52 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SerieStud View Post
Very true on all accounts...I suppose I had started to drift away from common sense *focus, focus*

I'll pass on the car.
What's going on man? Has the P-car already lost its luster?

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      06-20-2013, 01:02 PM   #9
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I would stay as far away as possible.
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      06-20-2013, 03:04 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by b33g33
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SerieStud View Post
Very true on all accounts...I suppose I had started to drift away from common sense *focus, focus*

I'll pass on the car.
What's going on man? Has the P-car already lost its luster?

I don't want to start a "what car is better" war, but the pcar is far superior in every aspect of a car...in fact, I prefer it over the 1M.

What happened was that I sold my Carrera S to pursue a GT3, which resulted in not so much of a good deal, so I ended up moving on.

I thought it was a good time to try and get back in the 1M game...after all, I never stopped loving it ...if I can't get my hands on a reasonable one, I'll pursue an e9x m3, and eventually move back into a pcar.

For purposes of this thread, I've decided to pass on the performance center cars.
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      06-20-2013, 04:08 PM   #11
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Good luck bro.
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      06-20-2013, 07:52 PM   #12
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Also, I've been tracking all of the PCD cars that popped on the market (to ensure I know which they are, and avoid them). Most have been for sale for a while. They just aren't moving. Also, asking prices by dealers have been absurd, so that also contributes.
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      06-21-2013, 09:41 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern View Post
Also, I've been tracking all of the PCD cars that popped on the market (to ensure I know which they are, and avoid them). Most have been for sale for a while. They just aren't moving. Also, asking prices by dealers have been absurd, so that also contributes.
OT - I really hope that companies like Tesla and Gordon Murray's new startup can finally provide an alternative to the horrible dealership model.

It can't get any worse.
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      06-21-2013, 03:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern View Post
Also, I've been tracking all of the PCD cars that popped on the market (to ensure I know which they are, and avoid them). Most have been for sale for a while. They just aren't moving. Also, asking prices by dealers have been absurd, so that also contributes.
I want to weigh in on pricing. I am an auto wholesaler and BMW enthusiast. I currently am an original owner of a VO 1M. I am seeing prices at the auction for the 1M as follows:
6/03/13 $60,900 2,521k VO FL
5/30/13 $57,500 18,336k AW CA
5/17/13 $55,000 21,099k AW FL
5/02/13 $61,000 12,915k VO CA
4/11/13 $59,750 5,528k VO PA
3/04/13 $60,000 6,061k VO OH

That being said, I would accept no less then $60k for mine with 4,300k on it as I could just take it to auction and get probley more than that. For all you day dreamers thinking you are going to get a 1M for under $55k, keep dreaming and good luck. My flame suit is on!
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      06-21-2013, 06:15 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by JAX S50 View Post
I want to weigh in on pricing. I am an auto wholesaler and BMW enthusiast. I currently am an original owner of a VO 1M. I am seeing prices at the auction for the 1M as follows:
6/03/13 $60,900 2,521k VO FL
5/30/13 $57,500 18,336k AW CA
5/17/13 $55,000 21,099k AW FL
5/02/13 $61,000 12,915k VO CA
4/11/13 $59,750 5,528k VO PA
3/04/13 $60,000 6,061k VO OH

That being said, I would accept no less then $60k for mine with 4,300k on it as I could just take it to auction and get probley more than that. For all you day dreamers thinking you are going to get a 1M for under $55k, keep dreaming and good luck. My flame suit is on!
lol huh? Did you read the title of the thread?
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      06-27-2013, 05:59 AM   #16
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Once again, I think I know what the replies will be, but I rather ask and make sure I'm still sane:

I was debating between a performance center car with 9k miles, fully loaded, and a 1-owner flawless car with 17k miles almost fully loaded (missing heated seats, Sat radio, and BMW apps); I've decided to pursue the 1-owner car. Even though it's missing a few minor options, did I make the right decision?

In other words, are 17k normal miles better than 9k performance center miles?
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      06-27-2013, 06:41 AM   #17
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Can only speak of the M3s used for driver training in OZ. The cars are thrashed, even when cold. 9k on track is a hard life. From the computer adaptions, you'll have probably the quickest stock 1m in town, but it doesn't mean it'll last long!

1-owner and looked after all the way UNLESS you get a sweet price, replaced brakes/clutch/tyres and extended warranty
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      06-27-2013, 06:56 AM   #18
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Are you kidding? It's not even a question. I drove those cars and I know how we used them. Granted, the bits that were mostly abused could be replaced and made brand new, but that's an expensive proposition.

Knowing your tendency towards perfection, I can't believe you're even considering a performance center car though.
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      06-27-2013, 07:02 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piets94
Can only speak of the M3s used for driver training in OZ. The cars are thrashed, even when cold. 9k on track is a hard life. From the computer adaptions, you'll have probably the quickest stock 1m in town, but it doesn't mean it'll last long!

1-owner and looked after all the way UNLESS you get a sweet price, replaced brakes/clutch/tyres and extended warranty
Agreed, thank you!
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      06-27-2013, 07:03 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sergeremi
Are you kidding? It's not even a question. I drove those cars and I know how we used them. Granted, the bits that were mostly abused could be replaced and made brand new, but that's an expensive proposition.

Knowing your tendency towards perfection, I can't believe you're even considering a performance center car though.
J, lol you know me well my friend...I was just performing a reality check, no worries I'm still the same haha
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      06-27-2013, 08:50 AM   #21
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I guess I don't agree with the prevailing attitude. I've been to the performance center and I've taken a few hot laps with an instructor in a 1M. I also did PC delivery in a 135i and took the 2 day M school. I know first hand the cars were driven hard. But they were also maintained by-the-book or better. If you buy from an individual, they also could have driven the car hard and the maintenance is more iffy. If I had a choice of a few more miles AND I thought the car had been well maintained and not driven hard, I would make the choice the OP indicates. But if the maintenance records are not provided and/or the car looks like it was driven hard, I would go back to the PC car.

The other point I would make is that BMWs are engineered to be driven hard. The PC track and non-owner drivers are extreme but the cars can take it. Mine doesn't even start up the radiator fan during autocrosses (on the PC track). The primary damage I have observed at the PC is to the tires.

Any used car has some risk. At least you pretty much know the down side of PC cars.

Jim
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      06-27-2013, 04:05 PM   #22
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I bought a Porsche 996 from a guy who had bought it from a Dealer with full knowledge it was Porsche Driving Experience car. The car had minimal options (that kept the price lower) so it was not overstuffed with junk.

If the price is right for the 1Ms then I'd go that route. But as I've read, "priced right" is vaporware. I'd definitely take one of those over the salvage cars that have been nicely repaired.

I think JAX's post is okay. Those are viable datapoints for what the market is bearing on lower mileage cars.

How much are the Performance Center cars going for anyway?
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