Help me create a check list before paying carmax a transfer fee

[h1Shawn1]

So the title pretty much says it all. I am considering paying car max $599 to transfer a car, for me to inspect and purchase. It's a 2008 135I, and I am only considering it because I really like the color combination. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

[champignon]

I've looked at Carmax listings of manual transmission BMWs, including 1-Series and 1Ms, many times over the last few months.

I am impressed by the information and the accuracy of the information, that they give on the cars they have for sale. They do a very good job of that. I'm also impressed at the fact that in some overheated markets, like for the 1M, they price the cars at close to the actual selling prices rather than the inflated prices a lot of non-sellers list.

On the other hand, when it comes to the 1-Series and M3s, the two car groups I've looked at the most on the Carfax site, there don't appear to be any real bargains to be had. And they stick with those prices even when the cars don't move, for WEEKS.

I wouldn't absolutely rule out buying a 1-Series car from Carmax, but they would not be among the first places I would look, and unless I found exactly, absolutely, the car that I wanted and I was SURE I couldn't find it elsewhere, I would not pay them a transfer fee just to have a look-see at a vehicle.

[Esteban]

It would be helpful if you could post a link to the car. That's a lot of money to part with if you decide not to get the car. You'll be disappointed for sure. I assume it would be cheaper and/or more convenient to bring the car to you than it would be for you to go to the car. You can't know positively of it's condition without an inspection first, and it is a 2008. Everybody would like to pick their favorite color combination, but with a seven year old car, maybe there are other more important things to consider. Just some things to think about.

[julienjj]

Read Doug demuro posts on jalopnik about carmax.

Their car are overpriced because they offer a ridiculously cheap (few grands) uber-long warranty on ALL their cars. The kind of warranty that cover a v10 M5 up to 100,000miles; which is a pure financial suicide.

[h1Shawn1]

Trust me, I dislike Carmax at least as much as everyone else. EvenEsteban I didn't mean that color combination was the most important, it's just I see no reason not be just as picky about colors as I am about everything else regarding my next car purchase.

I will check Doug Demuro posts, and generally enjoy reading japolink. I wasn't considering the warranty, but I probably should assuming they aren't too difficult when it comes to repairing modified cars.

[TwinTurboXI]

Why not fly to wherever the vehicle is or drive with a friend and check the car out yourself instead of the $600 transfer fee?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by h1Shawn1

EvenEsteban I didn't mean that color combination was the most important, it's just I see no reason not be just as picky about colors as I am about everything else regarding my next car purchase.

Perfectly understandable, especially with a vert. I would be interested in a particular car as well because it matched my color choices. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by julienjj

Read Doug demuro posts on jalopnik about carmax.

Their car are overpriced because they offer a ridiculously cheap (few grands) uber-long warranty on ALL their cars. The kind of warranty that cover a v10 M5 up to 100,000miles; which is a pure financial suicide.

I bought my 2011 128 convertible there last Fall after shopping the entire Southwest and could not find a better deal ($25K for a car with 10K on the ticker). The car was a few days from being out of factory warranty so I bought the CarMax warranty for about $2K for 5 years. I bought the warranty primarily because the top mechanism looked too complex not to fail in a few years and after reading several reliability issues with the MMI. There were no deductables during the first 30 days. They replaced the radio and the engine computer during that time. The engine computer was covered under the BMW emissions warranty.

About 3 years ago I was shopping and saw my local CarMax selling a 4 year old Audi RS4 convertible with 15K on the ticker for about $10K less than KBB. I test drove the car and all the documentation said it was totally clean.

I admit these finds are rare at CarMax, but the do pop up from time to time.

[tock172]

I got mine from CarMax and I think I got a pretty decent deal. The amazing thing about CarMax is that they will still warranty something as old as the car in question. The only reason to really consider CarMax is the warranty. The MaxCare warranty is, in my opinion, better than BMW's own CPO warranty. You can choose the deductible and the warranty is valid anywhere that is ASE certified, which means I get to stick with my independent mechanic for most repairs. I was also able to find a pretty desirable, low mileage example of what I what I wanted, my '11 135i 6MT with 29,000 miles. Within the 5 day money back guarantee period, I took it to my trusted independent mechanic and we did a full inspection. I wrote down a few things, told CarMax and they fixed all of it.