Looking at a 135 vert, need some advice

[Jarkarp]

Hello all, I am a newbie on the forum. I am looking to buy a 2011 135 convertible DCT with M-Sport and Premium package. It's got 39K miles and 10 months of factory warranty left. The person selling it is a car wholesaler who wanted to start doing some retail business and is asking for $26.5K.

The car is overall pretty clean, some cosmetic issues, and the rear tires will need replacement soon. I totally fell in love with it after the test drive It's an off-lease vehicle and just got inspected and serviced at a local BMW dealer.

I am leaning on buying to car, and just wondering if you guys can give me some advice on 1) if this is a good price, and 2) as the car is coming off warranty relatively soon, what are the preventative maintenance items that I should check for and try to get them fixed before warranty goes out?

[Rock1965]

Are u in miami? Sounds like a car I was going to buy and pulled out at last minute.

[Jarkarp]

No, I am on the west coast. Any reason that you didn't want the car?

[Rock1965]

Originally Posted by jacamania

No, I am on the west coast. Any reason that you didn't want the car?

The car I was looking at ended up being a dealer lease buy-back. They bought the lease car back from the owner because they couldn't fix some issues with the car. The dealer sold it to the wholesaler.

I had a friend at the dealer run the vin and the history unfolded.

I ended buying a 2011 135i M Sport fully loaded with 34+k miles on it for 29K. Super Clean from Texas. Paid 650. to have it shipped to Miami.

So the price sounds good to me.

[Jarkarp]

Thanks for the info. That's a sweet ride!

[granracing]

What does "some cosmetic issues" mean?

[ejm3]

If its an off-lease car how did it end up in the hands of a wholesaler?
I would think if the car was clean the dealer would have just cleaned it up a bit and put it on the lot and sold it as a CPO car.

When newer cars go to the wholesale market it always makes me wonder why. If its a nice car the dealer taking the trad-in should be able to make a decent buck selling it.

[Bob Z.]

IMO the price seems high based on the mileage, small amount of warranty, etc.

[Jarkarp]

Yes I was wondering about why it was off-lease but got sold at an auction to a wholesaler as well. The cosmetic issues are 1) one of the exhaust tips is missing and 2) the AC control unit fan speed control button has lots of wear and 3) the temp control ring around the actual knob is worn to show a ring of white 4) curb rash on one of the wheels. 2) and 3) make me think that it's a female owner with long nails. Also the rear tires need to be replace soon.

Right now I am considering passing up on this car and wait for something with lower miles.

[Global Autosports]

We have several good options on our website. Please feel free to use our site to buy or sell your 1 Series.

BMW 135 For Sale | Global Autosports

[Bob Z.]

Originally Posted by Global Autosports

We have several good options on our website. Please feel free to use our site to buy or sell your 1 Series.

BMW 135 For Sale | Global Autosports

Or in the classifieds on this site: I would rather purchase from someone here that has posted frequently and has a genuine interest in the car.

[ejm3]

Originally Posted by Bob Z.

Or in the classifieds on this site: I would rather purchase from someone here that has posted frequently and has a genuine interest in the car.

After reading the posts on this forum I don't think I would buy a used car from ANY of these people!

[Bob Z.]

Originally Posted by ejm3

After reading the posts on this forum I don't think I would buy a used car from ANY of these people!

In some respects I agree: if someone posts about hitting a curb and wondering why it no longer drives properly, and then trys to sell their car without disclosing it the forum can be a valuable research tool.

[ejm3]

I more worried about all the stories here about people who:
1) Mod their and then remove the mods before they sell the car and/or
2) Track it and/or generally drive it every day like they stole it!

[JimD]

Originally Posted by ejm3

I more worried about all the stories here about people who:
1) Mod their and then remove the mods before they sell the car and/or
2) Track it and/or generally drive it every day like they stole it!

I tend to agree with you about modifications but I don't think BMWs care if they are driven "hard". Almost nobody gets enough track time to matter much IMHO. I only autocross mine but that doesn't even get the radiator fan running. The car seems to totally say "so what". It's hard on tires but that damage is visible. More wear on the back is how the car is aligned, by the way, and not an indication that the previous owner spun them regularly. You have to switch the stability control completely off to spin them.

A bad or abusive driver can ruin a clutch and harder duty calls for more frequent maintenance but if the car is driven hard but well and maintained properly, I would not care about track time.

Any used car is a bit of a gamble. But only a bit. Mainly you don't want somebody else's problem.