Possible new addition

[PicassoM]

So I have a 2011 M3 and the wife is looking to finally have a nice car too. She offered to take my M3 and I could get something else, but since a 911TT isn't in the budget i'm keeping the M3 and she's going to get a 328i xDrive.

Curious if any of you have had experience with buying a loaner car from a BMW dealer. The one I just put a deposit on is a 2011 white/saddle 328i xDrive. Built early 2010 so only has about 19 months of warranty left. 23,000 miles. Car looks in great shape, so I can't complain about condition.

It was a loaner for 4,000 miles, then used for a year for 19,000 miles. I think I got a good deal at about $29,400 for the car as most 2011 models are going for $31-36k.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[THE TECH]

Personally, I'm not a fan of buying a "rental". I'm sure the price reflects that.

[jimf15e]

Depends on what you're concerned with. If price is most important then sure, that's probably a great deal. For me...I know how *I* drive any loaner or rental vehicle, and I know what people say about how they drive loaners and rentals. On that alone I'll always stay far away from any demo, loaner, or even most off-lease cars.

[PicassoM]

Originally Posted by jimf15e

Depends on what you're concerned with. If price is most important then sure, that's probably a great deal. For me...I know how *I* drive any loaner or rental vehicle, and I know what people say about how they drive loaners and rentals. On that alone I'll always stay far away from any demo, loaner, or even most off-lease cars.

So basically you'd only own a car that was purchased by one person. Understood, just leaves a limited market.

This one was only a loaner for 5 months and 4k miles. Which is actually pretty low for a loaner. The "story" is that one of their usual customers liked the loaner and bought it and traded it for the new X3 recently.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by PicassoM

So basically you'd only own a car that was purchased by one person. Understood, just leaves a limited market.

I think he's more concerned with buying a car that was previously not actually owned by someone. Loaners are owned by the dealers which give them to anyone who needs it. Rentals are the same. Leased cars are only slightly better but fall into the same category since the lessee doesn't have any equity in it and therefore tend to abuse the car more than if they actually owned it.

[PicassoM]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I think he's more concerned with buying a car that was previously not actually owned by someone. Loaners are owned by the dealers which give them to anyone who needs it. Rentals are the same. Leased cars are only slightly better but fall into the same category since the lessee doesn't have any equity in it and therefore tend to abuse the car more than if they actually owned it.

Gotcha, A leased car is owned by one person which doesn't have the multiple driver situation. I do know some people who have leases and don't really care about what they do to it.

It is a 328i, not like it's an M3 so I would think the tendency to abuse it would be less. Also most people who get loaner BMWs aren't kids with a lead foot hitting the rev limiter and going crazy.

Have to have some confidence. Since it still has 2 years warranty, I have time to make sure everything is operating as it should.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by PicassoM

Gotcha, A leased car is owned by one person which doesn't have the multiple driver situation. I do know some people who have leases and don't really care about what they do to it.

It is a 328i, not like it's an M3 so I would think the tendency to abuse it would be less. Also most people who get loaner BMWs aren't kids with a lead foot hitting the rev limiter and going crazy.

Have to have some confidence. Since it still has 2 years warranty, I have time to make sure everything is operating as it should.

All good. Good luck!

[M3 Esq.]

I would be reluctant to purchase a car that was used as a loaner for the first 4K miles. Chances are it was not broken in properly. As was pointed out earlier, the assumption is that the car was more likely to be abused during this time becuase the drivers didn't have any real interest in it and therefore no incentive not to abuse it. However, if its a good deal and everything checks out, go for it. Just keep in mind there may be issues down the road. Any chance you can get them to CPO it? GL!

[jimf15e]

Originally Posted by PicassoM

So basically you'd only own a car that was purchased by one person. Understood, just leaves a limited market.

This one was only a loaner for 5 months and 4k miles. Which is actually pretty low for a loaner. The "story" is that one of their usual customers liked the loaner and bought it and traded it for the new X3 recently.

Not exactly what I meant. I prefer new cars but if I were to buy used it would be as the tech said, one that was actually 'owned' vs leased. The two are very different.

Other things to keep in mind - there's usually no restriction on smoking in a loaner, only absolute minimum services are performed (if any), you have no idea if/how it was broken in, the list goes on. A warranty is great but just because service is free doesn't mean it's not inconvenient.

Sounds like you've made up your mind based on your responses so caveat emptor.

[ES_TRADER]

If you're ok with knowing its been filled with 87 octane for most of its life then I say go for it.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

If you're ok with knowing its been filled with 87 octane for most of its life then I say go for it.

This.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the N52, especially with X-drive. I hope OP (or wife) has driven a 328xi before making the decision.

[MKE_M3]

I bought one, very similar situation, and had no problems. Look into cpo or bmw extended warranties. May offset much of the risk and would be worgh a couple extra grand.

[studntloan]

i beat my loaners like a hooker on the st, would you marry a hooker?

just kidding around.... kinda

not sure i would buy a previous rental, they are beat pretty bad and usually are in rough shape

[///M3THOD]

Originally Posted by Alex@dirtywerkz

i beat my loaners like a hooker on the st, would you marry a hooker?

just kidding around.... kinda

not sure i would buy a previous rental, they are beat pretty bad and usually are in rough shape

I do not believe I would.

I'm never hard on loaners(hookers) but there are plenty of people who are.. (ShamWow guy).

[Carl L]

I say go for it. Break in isn't that important on a 328 and I doubt it was flogged too much by the 45 year old housewives who took it home for the day. When I'm on vacation I'll beat on a rental but a loaner is just used to get to work/home, and besides how much damage can be caused with an auto trans anyway? Cold starts are the only thing but the majority of people don't peel out of the forecourt. Most leases are treated worse. Change the oil, start running 91 through it and enjoy a great saving.

[PicassoM]

Originally Posted by SamS

This.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the N52, especially with X-drive. I hope OP (or wife) has driven a 328xi before making the decision.

drove it, no issues. She's a casual driver. What is wrong with the N52? I've driven them, thought they were peppy.

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

If you're ok with knowing its been filled with 87 octane for most of its life then I say go for it.

ok that is something I didn't think of. Good point. However what engine damage would that potentially cause? Also remember 4,000 miles it was a loaner, not 23k, 19,000 miles were by an owner.. For a TURBO i can see that as an issue, but a 6cyl, 230hp engine?


note:
nearly every engine produced today is equipped with a knock sensor. On engines designed for premium fuel, this device compensates when regular is used. Mounted on the engine, the sensor detects the rattle of detonation and sends a signal to the engine computer, which changes the calibration to eliminate the cause. In most cases, that means retarding ignition timing. With the spark coming later, less heat is generated, so unburned fuel isn’t ignited prematurely and detonation doesn’t occur.

[Koop]

Many people thrash loaners. I'd stay away.

Plenty of other good deals out there from owners who took care of their car well, followed break-in procedure, filled it with correct gas, etc.

Best of luck.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by PicassoM

drove it, no issues. She's a casual driver. What is wrong with the N52? I've driven them, thought they were peppy.

N52 just feels lethargic to me. Not impressed by the mpg, either. Drive it in the 328xi, see what you think.

[NoM3ForMe]

Originally Posted by Koop

Many people thrash loaners. I'd stay away.

Plenty of other good deals out there from owners who took care of their car well, followed break-in procedure, filled it with correct gas, etc.

Best of luck.

I agree with this. I have seen it ad nauseum.

[HotIce]

That cars probably been abused to hell and back. I don't want to even think about what people have done to that thing.

[positiveions]

i would shy away from previous loaners. I would find a private party with much history on the car. Look in the classified section of Roundel; plenty of clear cars.

[Red_Baron]

Don't buy a loaner. A 4,000 mile loaner car probably has about 30,000 miles worth of abuse on it.

What's your budget? 30k?