Advice on potential purchase -e92 6mt zcp

[surfguitar41]

Hey gang, I’m contemplating putting an offer on a 2011 e92 m3 with <50k miles. It is just about everything I’m looking for (6mt, zcp, stock).... problem is it has had 6 owners! Would this scare you guys away, and/or do you have any ways of getting more detail on ownership beyond Carfax? Will dealers or independent shops provide info? How much should this impact market value?Thanks!

[IB M]

6 owners in 8 years on a high perf car would be a non-starter for me personally.

There are other cars out there with 1, 2 or maybe 3 owners.

If you're not bothered by so many POs then I'd say IF it's in great condition with maintenance records AND you can get a $3 to $5k discount off market value then take a swing at a PPI.

Post pics if U have them.

[blue-mw]

How will you explain that you're the 7th owner to the prospective 8th?

Don't talk yourself into a red flag.

[tacoman]

7!
Wow.

Unless it is damn near free....would not consider.

[kyrix1st]

That many owners in 50k miles would typically mean some problem with the car. I would stay away.

[BOOF-M3]

So many owners but yet still stock? Wow. One would think at least one owner out of six would have done some mods.

[velociti]

As a point of contrast, I recently purchased an '09 E90 M3 from another forum user. 22k miles, recent Blackstone report, full PPI, new tires, new brakes, and generally in tip-top shape. I am the sixth owner of the car. I definitely had some trepidation, but I've put almost 1000 miles on it since I purchased it and had no issues.

Bottom line, do as much due diligence as you can on the car, and trust your instincts when it comes to the guy you're buying it from. In my case, the seller was fastidious beyond belief. If he struck me as anything but, I may well have not bought the car.

[Ab28]

You positive that all 6 owners are actually owners?

I had a car that showed 6 owners but only 3 of them were actual owners...3 owners, 3 dealers. I guess it depends on how the dealership takes over title or whatever.

Just do some digging and see. I'd be willing to bet it wasn't 6 individuals, especially with a sub 50k odometer and stock.

[surfguitar41]

In looking at the Carfax it looks like one of the owners may have been the dealer taking title. It’s bounced around across the eastern seaboard before making it to California and at one point was sold at auction. I think I’m going to hold off given I’m not in rush. Agree with prior comment about trying to talk myself into something with red flags.

[furry]

This is common, and carfax shows the same for my car while there have only been 3 actual owners with me being the 4th. Car checked out and I can care less. Performance cars (look at porches) change hands often and without issue.

[thkfast]

This is sort of unrelated, but after I bought my 3 owner M3, what caught me by surprise was the SELECTION of MUSIC saved on the hard drive. Pink, Lady Gaga and some other crazy youthful artists I wouldn't have expected - and don't necessarily appreciate.

I made it a point to leave A LOT of classic rock on the hard drive of my 335is trade-in!

[mrspecter]

If you look at the records and maintenance and everything looks alright and a PPI confirms the car has no issues, I would put in an offer and then discount it by however much you think the 6 previous ownerships is worth.

If you can get a good deal on it, why not then?

[ghostofsenna]

I would hesitate as well. As others have said, gather as much service history as possible.

One thing that has not been mentioned that I would especially be aware of is if the car has been modded and returned to OEM. I'd hate to buy a car that was supercharged and driven irresponsibly by one of the owners. The more owners a car has, the higher the chance that this could have been the case (e.g., how many guys on lease go beat their cars right before lease expiration?).

What would I do if I couldn't pass on this car? I'd take those service history receipts and make phone calls. I'd try to speak to the shops and get insights on the condition of the car when it was in their possession. It's some investigative work on your end and I'd like to think it will give you more insights than asking strangers on the internet about that specific M3.