Advice on buying m3

[spacebear]

I am literally days away from buying a 2008 e92 m3. It is gray and clean and beautiful.

The seller is a focused dealer with a garage of other 'high end' cars, mostly not-too-old bmw, porsche and mercedes. the car was previously owned by an 'enthusiast', and is sparkling clean at 50k miles.

i have asked the car to be inspected by a bmw dealership, which is where it is right now. if possible, i will buy a warranty from bmw, officially.

my father, being older and wiser, thinks i should ONLY buy such a car CPO, specifically for the coverage.

me, being in the position of needing an m3 yesterday, i want to buy the car that conforms to the constraints i have set forth: e92 m3 in certifiably good condition, so i see no reason to wait. it is not the first car i have pursued, maybe the third or fourth.

please i would appreciate anyone's advice on this matter.

[shimmy23]

Don't know if I've seen a CPOd 2008 for sale recently. You'd likely need to step into a newer m3 to find a CPO.
Not sure you'd be able to find a warranty for a car that's a 2008 with 50k either

[spacebear]

but what should i do? is it worth waiting? i don't think i care if the car is newer. is cpo worthwhile?

[DiegoM3sa]

I highly doubt there is a such thing as a "CPO E9x M3" anymore. They're too old. If the PPI comes back clean then go for it.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by DiegoM3sa

I highly doubt there is a such thing as a "CPO E9x M3" anymore. They're too old. If the PPI comes back clean then go for it.

this.

find an example you want and get the bearings done.

[Richneerd]

Originally Posted by spacebear

but what should i do? is it worth waiting? i don't think i care if the car is newer. is cpo worthwhile?

Nah, don't need CPO.

I bought my shit box for hella cheap with 130k miles,

Did all the maintenance and everything is all groovy now.

Let us know when you bring it home!

[akkando]

Originally Posted by DiegoM3sa

I highly doubt there is a such thing as a "CPO E9x M3" anymore. They're too old. If the PPI comes back clean then go for it.

There might be a private seller who has some of their cpo warranty left, but not much warranty left.

his best bet is he wants a warranty is get 3rd party warranty. or buy the car at CarMax and get their warranty.

also anyone who buys these cars should put a few grand away for things that might need to get done.


also for my peace of mind I'd pay to have aftermarket rod bearings done with increased clearance if no warranty.

[PYE46M3]

CPO cars from dealers are usually lease turnovers that are 2-3 years old. E92 M3 is way too old to be CPO'd from BMW.

[cjpavao]

these cars are too old to meet CPO qualifications. buy the car and get the infamous e9x necessities done and enjoy it.

[neilum]

Your father may be older and wiser but it doesn't make him informed on this platform. My pops also has a ton of good advice for me but it doesn't mean I listen to him blindly.

Due your due diligence, get a PPI and enjoy the car.

[djsilverjohnson]

Most car dealers can arrange for an aftermarket vehicle warranty, though you'll almost certainly have to pay for it. I bought our 31k M3 from a Chrysler dealer and purchased a Zurich warranty through them.

[spacebear]

this has all been excellent advice, and has gotten me to look into the bmw used car market.

as others have said:

1) cpo is a resale technique that is applied to a car when it is returned from lease, and thus, only extends back 4-5 years. no car older than 2016 is sold cpo i was told by a bmw dealership.

2) a bmw dealership/garage did the ppi, and i was told by the rep that this assessment is virtually no different than the cpo assessment.

3) even without cpo i can buy a warranty from bmw (perhaps) or a third party (definitely), and this warranty in either case covers the car for 1 year at any bmw or independent shop.

so overall this is awesome. the car is $30k, 50k miles, impeccably clean, and the ppi came back very positive. for better or worse it has after market springs, but that's not a deal-breaker for me.

i think i will buy it. woah.

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by spacebear

this has all been excellent advice, and has gotten me to look into the bmw used car market.

as others have said:

1) cpo is a resale technique that is applied to a car when it is returned from lease, and thus, only extends back 4-5 years. no car older than 2016 is sold cpo i was told by a bmw dealership.

2) a bmw dealership/garage did the ppi, and i was told by the rep that this assessment is virtually no different than the cpo assessment.

3) even without cpo i can buy a warranty from bmw (perhaps) or a third party (definitely), and this warranty in either case covers the car for 1 year at any bmw or independent shop.

so overall this is awesome. the car is $30k, 50k miles, impeccably clean, and the ppi came back very positive. for better or worse it has after market springs, but that's not a deal-breaker for me.

i think i will buy it. woah.

On the F8x platform tons of people have issues with CPO cars that don't make sense. Few months after purchase they'll have something go down like a big leak or failure that should've been suspected by bmw if they did a true thorough inspection. BMW "CPO" is just a way to make a few extra grand. Extra year of warranty is cheaper if bought separate from bmw.

The warranty is worth it though definitely don't skip out on that I have one on my f82 no regrets.

[Sideways91]

Congrats on finding one you like! Space grey is a classic color.

It has always amazed me how much stronger the m3 market is in the US compared to Canada. I get that it's all relative, but a 2008 e92 m3 with that mileage would sell for 17-20k USD up here.

As a current example, there's an original owner, accident free, dealer maintained 2011 E92 with 33,500 miles (54k km's)for sale right now on Autotrader where the seller is asking $32k CAD which is equivalent to ~$23,500 USD:

2011 BMW M3 2dr Cpe - Calgary
https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/m/calgary/alberta/19_10141043_?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&showVs=1&orup =22_64_64&pc=T5T%205J6&sprx=-1&modalXS=1

I would hate to think what a similar 2011 would cost down there in USD...

Sorry for going off topic, i just find the market difference interesting. Best of luck with your purchase and be sure to post pics when/if you get it!

[steven747]

The last thing I'd ever do is get a ppi done at a Bmw dealership. Overpriced and the mechanics working at them are all very beginner level. Even their "master techs" are nowhere near as good as the mid level shops. Many shops including the one I go to rebuild s65's all day long as well as rod bearings and extensive modifications. They routinely work in the bowels of these cars daily vs bmw dealerships who do brakes and wiper blades 7 hours a day