Experience Purchasing a Performance Center Car?

Capt Awesome · 10-05-2011, 09:40 AM

Has anyone here actually bought an M3 that was formerly used at the Performance Center? I know everyone has opinions on whether or not to buy one, but does anyone actually own one? Looking for your personal experience with the car, if it gave you any problems, etc...

I know the "drive it like you stole it" mentality at the PC and all the stress that the cars go through.

I'm getting pretty much a 50/50 split from calling some local BMW SA's on their opinions of whether or not it's a good idea. On one hand, they're driven to hell and pushed to their limits for their entire lives, but on the other hand they've been under BMW's care the entire time and have been very well maintained with all the wearable parts being replaced before they go for sale.

I test drove the car and everything looks and sounds fine on the surface, just wondering if I should go ahead with this and get the PPI and start negotiation on the car. As long as nothing comes up major on the PPI and I have a factory warranty for the next year, everything should be covered right?

To preempt anyone saying find another car, has anyone seen a 2009+ Le Mans Blue e90 DCT around for sale? I've looked everywhere and I've found maybe 3.

Thanks in advance.

ES_TRADER · 10-05-2011, 12:00 PM

i wouldnt do it...not worth the savings...in the future if something ever goes wrong, u will be sitting there wondering if it is because of the car itself, or because it was beat to shit when it was brand new...too much headache imo

oh and of course they will tell u it has been properly maintained, so on and so forth...what are they gonna say? we just drove it to shit and now u can buy it?

mazing · 10-05-2011, 01:54 PM

I would not buy one. Those cars are driven hard and put away wet. They couldn't discount it enough for me nor could I trust/assume any maintenance scheduled or coverage being honored

elh0102 · 10-05-2011, 02:49 PM

I don’t know what the typical structure of those deals is, but if a full new car warranty was offered, including both time and mileage from purchase date and odometer reading, and the price was right, I would consider it.

PKL · 10-05-2011, 02:49 PM

No way

smmmurf · 10-05-2011, 03:31 PM

Would you marry an ex-prostitute?

Perhaps, but there are plenty of quality, non-ex-hookers to choose from

happy187 · 10-05-2011, 03:35 PM

how do you even know it was a Performance Center Car?

nlpamg · 10-05-2011, 03:54 PM

Hell no.

That car was beaten every day. I've done classes at the Performance Center and those M3's are beat to shit.

ES_TRADER · 10-05-2011, 04:16 PM

Don't forget the golden rule of "you get what you pay for"

There's a reason why they're willing to sell it cheaply.

Capt Awesome · 10-05-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy187

how do you even know it was a Performance Center Car?

Took the VIN to my local BMW dealer and they looked up the history on it.

It had a bunch of things already replaced, VANOS, pwr steering pump, wheels, tires, body panels, etc... It's sort of like buying half of a new car... sorta...

happy187 · 10-05-2011, 05:35 PM

I would buy an under warranty PCC anyway, then trade it the second it was out of warranty.

how much of a discount do you typically find with these vehicles? I wonder if there is a way you can request one?

Capt Awesome · 10-06-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy187

I would buy an under warranty PCC anyway, then trade it the second it was out of warranty.

how much of a discount do you typically find with these vehicles? I wonder if there is a way you can request one?

They're sold at auction to BMW dealerships and then sold as used cars. I'm sure once someone finds out that it's a performance center car, they're going to ask for a hefty discount.

I'm pretty certain that they need to disclose the fact that it was used at the performance center.

Rekrul · 10-06-2011, 02:36 PM

It's not even a good deal. Why are you even debating this? If it was a steal... I would say ok.. but its not.

ploo · 10-07-2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Awesome

Took the VIN to my local BMW dealer and they looked up the history on it.

It had a bunch of things already replaced, VANOS, pwr steering pump, wheels, tires, body panels, etc... It's sort of like buying half of a new car... sorta...

uhh....if that's not a deal breaker, I don't know what is.

bigjae1976 · 10-09-2011, 09:55 AM

The PCD instructors over emphasize "NYC"...NOT YOUR CAR. That should apply to your buying decision.

/thread.

Raptor251 · 10-09-2011, 10:01 AM

I might think about buying one if it was less than $15K!! The car sounds beat and I would want nothing to do with it.

Wait and save for a new or near new one with very little miles. IMO I would compare that PCC to a washed up stripper with a handful of STD's.

Back to the original question, I have never owned a PCC and never ever will. I know this doesnt help answer the question at hand but I hoped I talked a little sense into you!

PhillyNate · 10-09-2011, 10:25 AM

Do what you want with my blessing. I feel that all the TRUELY best miles have been driven out of the car already.

10-05-2011, 09:40 AM	#1
Capt Awesome Private First Class 80 Rep 147 Posts Drives: e90 335i Msport Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1)	Experience Purchasing a Performance Center Car? Has anyone here actually bought an M3 that was formerly used at the Performance Center? I know everyone has opinions on whether or not to buy one, but does anyone actually own one? Looking for your personal experience with the car, if it gave you any problems, etc... I know the "drive it like you stole it" mentality at the PC and all the stress that the cars go through. I'm getting pretty much a 50/50 split from calling some local BMW SA's on their opinions of whether or not it's a good idea. On one hand, they're driven to hell and pushed to their limits for their entire lives, but on the other hand they've been under BMW's care the entire time and have been very well maintained with all the wearable parts being replaced before they go for sale. I test drove the car and everything looks and sounds fine on the surface, just wondering if I should go ahead with this and get the PPI and start negotiation on the car. As long as nothing comes up major on the PPI and I have a factory warranty for the next year, everything should be covered right? To preempt anyone saying find another car, has anyone seen a 2009+ Le Mans Blue e90 DCT around for sale? I've looked everywhere and I've found maybe 3. Thanks in advance.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-05-2011, 12:00 PM	#2
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	i wouldnt do it...not worth the savings...in the future if something ever goes wrong, u will be sitting there wondering if it is because of the car itself, or because it was beat to shit when it was brand new...too much headache imo oh and of course they will tell u it has been properly maintained, so on and so forth...what are they gonna say? we just drove it to shit and now u can buy it?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 01:54 PM	#3
mazing Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 2011.5 Jet Black M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	I would not buy one. Those cars are driven hard and put away wet. They couldn't discount it enough for me nor could I trust/assume any maintenance scheduled or coverage being honored __________________ 2011 Jet Black Bamboo Novillo/DCT/Gloss Black Grills/Gloss Black Reflectors/Gloss Black Side Gills w/Light Tinted Lenses/Black Vinyl Window Trim
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 02:49 PM	#4
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I don’t know what the typical structure of those deals is, but if a full new car warranty was offered, including both time and mileage from purchase date and odometer reading, and the price was right, I would consider it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 02:49 PM	#5
PKL Brigadier General 848 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2020 M4, 2022 X6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Fernando Valley iTrader: (1)	No way __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 03:31 PM	#6
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	Would you marry an ex-prostitute? Perhaps, but there are plenty of quality, non-ex-hookers to choose from
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 03:35 PM	#7
happy187 Private 8 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 335I 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: houston, tx iTrader: (0)	how do you even know it was a Performance Center Car?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 03:54 PM	#8
nlpamg MBWorld Spy 316 Rep 831 Posts Drives: M4 CSL, F8 Tributo, GR Supra Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	Hell no. That car was beaten every day. I've done classes at the Performance Center and those M3's are beat to shit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 04:16 PM	#9
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	Don't forget the golden rule of "you get what you pay for" There's a reason why they're willing to sell it cheaply.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2011, 05:35 PM	#11
happy187 Private 8 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 335I 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: houston, tx iTrader: (0)	I would buy an under warranty PCC anyway, then trade it the second it was out of warranty. how much of a discount do you typically find with these vehicles? I wonder if there is a way you can request one?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 02:36 PM	#13
Rekrul Captain 65 Rep 820 Posts Drives: 19 M5 Comp, 16 GT3RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Purgatory iTrader: (1)	It's not even a good deal. Why are you even debating this? If it was a steal... I would say ok.. but its not.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2011, 09:55 AM	#15
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	The PCD instructors over emphasize "NYC"...NOT YOUR CAR. That should apply to your buying decision. /thread. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2011, 10:01 AM	#16
Raptor251 ESS Dreaming 27 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 2011.5 e92 m3/Ford Raptor 6.2 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I might think about buying one if it was less than $15K!! The car sounds beat and I would want nothing to do with it. Wait and save for a new or near new one with very little miles. IMO I would compare that PCC to a washed up stripper with a handful of STD's. Back to the original question, I have never owned a PCC and never ever will. I know this doesnt help answer the question at hand but I hoped I talked a little sense into you!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2011, 10:25 AM	#17
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	Do what you want with my blessing. I feel that all the TRUELY best miles have been driven out of the car already. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
	Appreciate 0 Quote