Looking at Buying 2003 M5! What do I need to know?

[GONBAS]

I am looking at a 2003 M5. 19,000 miles Cobalt Black(?)/Black. Doesn't have wood I would call it aluminum in the interior. The paint almost looks like it has a blue tint to it. Car looks almost new. Not all that familiar with the M5's color and interior types. Just one ding in the paint on the rear passenger side door and one wheel that has curb rash. The driver seat doesn't show any wear at all. The price is very low.

The current owner purchased the car in CA under BMW's certified pre-owned program. It is under the factor warranty until 07/07 an the CPO warranty until 07/09.

What does the factor warranty cover?

What does the CPO warranty cover?

What are some problem areas to look at? I am having the car inspected this week.

It drove fine. The clutch is much easier than I am used to with my C5. However the brakes had quite a bit of pedal travel. May be just used to my very firm brakes.

Any Help would be greatly appreciated.

[GONBAS]

Never Mind! :mad:

F'n Salvage Title from CA and on a Rebuilt Title here in Texas. :mad:

As they say to good to be true.

[MatWiz]

its good you cought it before you paid. what i don't understand is how come its cpo, with this history? what was the price anyway, since you are not buying it now?

[GONBAS]

Apparently the damage was not real severe but was totaled by owners insurance company. It was hit in the rear. Car was repaired by a BMW dealership in California. As to how that car was put in the CPO program I don't know. I would expect you would not have a salvage/rebuilt title car in a factory sponsored program. It now makes me think I should pull a CARFAX on any Manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned program if the dealership can stick any car it wants in it as long it meets the age and milage issues.

The car was listed at $40K. Which I know is around $15K less than what it is worth if it had a clean title. It drove fine. I am not putting my 7 month old daughter though in a car that has been hit hard and repaired. It would not matter whether it was a clean title or not. If I owned a car that was involved in an accident that caused significat damage to the structure of the car...i.e. it needed to be pulled straight on a frame machine etc... I would push real hard to have the car totalled or if not totaled I would repair and sell it immediately.

My issue with this seller was that I asked him specifically before I looked at the car if it had a clean title history. He said yes; therefore he lied. :thumbdwn:

[KevinM]

Close call; glad you found out in time.

Do yourself a favor and do your research at www.m5board.com.

All you ever wanted to know and more.

Good luck, you will not be disappointed!

[Bruce]

I wouldn't say that a 2003 with 19k miles is worth 55k. Probably more like $45k. I bought an 02 with 23k miles a few months ago and paid mid 40s, but that was without a CPO warranty or extended warranty.

[Nero530i]

Apparently the damage was not real severe but was totaled by owners insurance company. It was hit in the rear. Car was repaired by a BMW dealership in California. As to how that car was put in the CPO program I don't know. I would expect you would not have a salvage/rebuilt title car in a factory sponsored program. It now makes me think I should pull a CARFAX on any Manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned program if the dealership can stick any car it wants in it as long it meets the age and milage issues.

The car was listed at $40K. Which I know is around $15K less than what it is worth if it had a clean title. It drove fine. I am not putting my 7 month old daughter though in a car that has been hit hard and repaired. It would not matter whether it was a clean title or not. If I owned a car that was involved in an accident that caused significat damage to the structure of the car...i.e. it needed to be pulled straight on a frame machine etc... I would push real hard to have the car totalled or if not totaled I would repair and sell it immediately.

My issue with this seller was that I asked him specifically before I looked at the car if it had a clean title history. He said yes; therefore he lied. :thumbdwn:

According to your math the car -pre accident- was worth 55k. In order for the insurance company to total the vehicle the cost of repair would necessarily exceed the value of the vehicle or damn near close. Lets take the sale price of 40k - - that car was f ed up if it sustained 40k worth of damage we are talking a super frame tweak job. No way I would buy that car even with your money.:thumbdwn:

[ase2dais]

Apparently the damage was not real severe but was totaled by owners insurance company. It was hit in the rear. Car was repaired by a BMW dealership in California. As to how that car was put in the CPO program I don't know. I would expect you would not have a salvage/rebuilt title car in a factory sponsored program. It now makes me think I should pull a CARFAX on any Manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned program if the dealership can stick any car it wants in it as long it meets the age and milage issues.

The car was listed at $40K. Which I know is around $15K less than what it is worth if it had a clean title. It drove fine. I am not putting my 7 month old daughter though in a car that has been hit hard and repaired. It would not matter whether it was a clean title or not. If I owned a car that was involved in an accident that caused significat damage to the structure of the car...i.e. it needed to be pulled straight on a frame machine etc... I would push real hard to have the car totalled or if not totaled I would repair and sell it immediately.

My issue with this seller was that I asked him specifically before I looked at the car if it had a clean title history. He said yes; therefore he lied. :thumbdwn:
Id stay 100 miles away from that car, had bad experiences from lying used car dealership too! it aint worth the headache!