Buying a 1M: does track time affect value?

[COChris]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm looking at a 1M with less than 20k miles. The owner states it has about 120 miles of combined autocross and track time, with the autocross covering the majority of that.

It had front rotors replaced last summer and has had all pads replaced as well. It's for sale at a dealership, but it's not Certified.

Is this a red flag that they didn't certify it? And how much will the track time affect value?

It's fully loaded with all options. They are asking $55,900.

Thanks!!
Chris

[Amnizu]

I think the red flag would be that the rotors were changed after 20k.

The brakes on this car from the factory are phenomenal for street usage. If the previous owner blew threw a set of rotors in 20k then they were most likely running an aggressive front pad compound and heating them up frequently. I would not buy that car without CPO, proof that they also changed the brake fluids and an independent mechanic's review of the car including the calipers.

[TBURKE555]

Pads and rotors are consumables in autocrossing and track days. As long as the car has new rotors and pads the car should be ok. I own an 03 Z06 as well as my 1M. I have 53k miles on the Z06 and 7 to 8K are track miles. I just keep putting on new rotors and pads flush the brake fluid and take it to the track. And yes my 1M has been to the track as well. I didn' buy htese cars to look at. I drive them.

[GimmeanM]

Originally Posted by COChris

Hi guys and gals,

I'm looking at a 1M with less than 20k miles. The owner states it has about 120 miles of combined autocross and track time, with the autocross covering the majority of that.

It had front rotors replaced last summer and has had all pads replaced as well. It's for sale at a dealership, but it's not Certified.

Is this a red flag that they didn't certify it? And how much will the track time affect value?

It's fully loaded with all options. They are asking $55,900.

Thanks!!
Chris

I also wouldn't be worried about non-CPO. This was probably done as a reflection of the market for these cars, not the condition of the specific car per-se. I work at a BMW store and know the cost to the dealership to purchase a CPO warranty for a ///M car is much higher than a regular series counterpart. Considering the high demand for the car, the dealership really has no reason to spend that extra money to certify it...it'll sell anyway. That being said, if you want to buy it, you may be able to negotiate with them that they do certify the car...if you're willing to pay for some of it likely.
Concerning the brakes, I'm no expert on the track use and expectation surrounding that...
-Dave

[vasmir]

Track time is a lot harder on the car than autocross - but that little track time shouldn't hurt the value too much - definitely not as much as non-OEM modifications do. Nice the seller is being upfront about track time.

Recent rotor & pad replacement is good, but I'd also ask for the full maintenance history. 120mi of track motoring wouldn't necessarily be a turn-off for me - but I'd consider how often and recently the engine oil and brake fluid has been serviced. If only the bare minimum fluid maintenance has been accomplished I might skip it and keep shopping... or at least factor in the cost of getting both done (and possibly 4 new tires) immediately after purchase.

[TXmtrhed]

I wouldn't worry about the rotors much. BMW has a tendency to readily replace them under warranty if they start shuddering due to uneven pad deposits. The mechanics don't seem to understand how to remove them and it's easier/faster for them to replace rotors.

I'd be more worried about body blems from cone strikes.

[fastauto]

Originally Posted by TBURKE555

Pads and rotors are consumables in autocrossing and track days. As long as the car has new rotors and pads the car should be ok. I own an 03 Z06 as well as my 1M. I have 53k miles on the Z06 and 7 to 8K are track miles. I just keep putting on new rotors and pads flush the brake fluid and take it to the track. And yes my 1M has been to the track as well. I didn' buy htese cars to look at. I drive them.

I agree

[fastauto]

Just ask long as the consumable parts are replaced with new ones you should be all good. In all fairness I think someone that tracks their car will take better care of it than someone that does not. I think they are more proactive about doing maintenance.

[CarJunkie]

Originally Posted by fastauto

Just ask long as the consumable parts are replaced with new ones you should be all good. In all fairness I think someone that tracks their car will take better care of it than someone that does not. I think they are more proactive about doing maintenance.

+1

[Kgolf31]

Keep in mind 120 track miles are like a weekend. It's not much at all.

[COChris]

Thanks everyone! I thoroughly went through what parts and fluids had been replaced. Everything was very fresh.

Here it is at its new home:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1088759


Now I can't wait to track it!