Title certificate issue!!!

[dandandk]

Hello Guys,

I m having a bit of trouble registering my car at the DMV here in NY and I wonder if someone can shed some light or has experienced similar issues.
I m the second owner of a Valencia Orange 1M from BMW, VIN: WBSUR9C59BVT47764 and the local DMV is leaning towards issuing a salvaged car title certificate to me which I believe to be completely undeserved.

The original owner bought the car when it was brand new from the dealer and I bought it from him in may 2013 when it still had only 925 miles on the clock. My understanding is different 1M owners have different car names written on their title, such as 1M, M1, 1M coupe or 135Ci; in my case, by the time I bought the car, the original owner had a California registration card where it was written 135Ci and the word “remanufctrd” next to it. My explanation for this and pls correct me if I m wrong is because BMW would take a 135i body and redo/remanufacture it to create the 1M, meaning the word “remanufctrd” had nothing to do with any issue the car could have happened after production. However, that word is enough for the NY state DMV immediately assumes it s a salvaged car.

After discussing this issue with the original owner, he provided a notarized letter stating the he s never had any issue with the car and there was absolutely no accident involving the vehicle. On top of that, just to be on the safe side I had my local auto body shop inspecting the car and they were positive saying the car s totally clean from their point of view. Carfax and autocheck are also clean.

I wonder if you guys think the notarized letter will be enough to set things right at the DMV or if you have any idea how I should approach DMV to explain the case or if you ve heard of similar cases from other 1M owners.

Any help will be much appreciated.

[flzrider]

The fact that the original California title had "re-manufactured" listed on it is very concerning. The idea that "re-manufactured" was appropriate due to it's similarities with another production car is very far fetched. BMW didn't build or re-build 1M's using existing 135i's. I also think it's very optimistic thinking that a notarized letter from the original owner will convince your state that the car should have a clear title. If it were that easy, everyone would do it. I think the onus is on the original owner to clarify why the title was listed that way. Ideally this would've occurred prior to the sale, but hopefully he is still willing to help you with this.

[moveswiftly]

Contact BMW NA with the Vin Number to find out of any issues after production that they know of.

[Venom]

bmw did not remanufacture any 135i's then sell them as 1Ms. I am unfamiliar with the remanufacture cert, but according to http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/ it is a 1M. bad news: it was totalled at one point and "fixed up". that could honestly mean anything. best of luck.

[///Maria]

Wasn't there some 1M's that were damaged on the transport ship to the US? I thought I heard something like this. My friend bought a 335i with a CA branded, "Remanufactured" title. His car was damaged during transport and fixed by BMW in the US because it didn't sustain over a certain % of damage. So they fixed the car, sold it as a branded title, but my friend received a substantial discount on the car. He was informed upon delivery and decided the cost of the discount was worth the branded title.

From CA.gov Site

Remanufactured—A licensed remanufacturer that constructs vehicles consisting of used or reconditioned parts. These vehicles may be sold under a distinctive trade name.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs%2Fbrochur...cts/ffvr33.htm

[Slats]

You need to get a certified title history to the car from the California DMV. It will show why a title branded "remanufactured" was issued to the prior owner. I have handled a lot of fraud cases involving seller misrepresentation of a car's prior history and I smell a rat here.

[eeghie]

BMW archive proves it's an original VO 1M. (Any repaired 135 would be released as re-manufactured 135. The conversion between 135 and 1M is a too costly an cumbersome especially for BMW)

My guess is that something happened befor it was sold to previous owner (transport or test drive). He got some deal compensating him for the title status, I hope so did you!. This prior history is also the main reason why the DMV is not going to care what the previous owner states. Not suggested as there's so little chance that there's any easy mix up of status, but if you must know details, try the original dealer. (at least it may support your story should you ever want to sell)

As DMV generally does not care about the complex emotions of salvaged car title holders: go for the salvaged title and do not be temped by any bruising of your ego.

As it has been inspected properly: The 1M is more awesome than we can convey: drive it, enjoy it and please post pics and impressions!

[Harlequin]

This car definitely started life as a 1M.

The 3rd letter of the VIN will only be an "S" if it's an ///M model car.

If it had started as a 135i then it would be WBU... or WBA... etc...

[IEDEI]

ouch man sorry to hear!! the NY dmv is very very strict....so definitely research this issue. You may have to go through the entire process of proving that everything is back up to 100% spec before NY will acknowledge the car as something they will register. From what I know this process can be lengthy sometimes. Have you spoken only to a branch office or have you called the DMV offices in Albany?

they often don't acknowledge other state inspections or approvals, however California is pretty strict themselves so it is worth a shot.

also was there ever a point where the car was actually salvaged and rebuilt?? if it was a salvage title at some point then things may get really tough :/

[dandandk]

Hi Guys, thank you all for the replies and insights! it looks it s a bit more complicated than i previously thought, but i guess the first thing for me to do is to contact the original dealer and BMW or NA and try to sort out whether something did happen to the car prior to delivery.

As per the original owner, i dont know him too well, but getting in touch with him many times , he s alsways seen to be quite supportive and honest with me, so i dont believe it was any sort of scam at all.

I suppose all i can do for now is to keep on driving it and get the best of this fantastic car!!! even if i cant get the title story straight and end up with a salvaged car title, it s not the end of the world, the value of my car will drop and that will give me another excuse to keep it for a long long time!!