Buying Advice Please

Discussion in 'General chat' started by mark elwell, Aug 1, 2020.

  1. mark elwell
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    mark elwell

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    I'm seriously considering buying, from a BMW dealer, a second-hand M135i and there appears to be plenty to choose from.
    One major concern I have is that it appears that stock available is either ex-demo or ex-belonging to BMW staff (can't remember the name of the scheme but basically cars are sold to staff at a discount and most are then returned back into stock). Being of an age and having bought many cars in my lifetime, I learnt years ago to tread very carefully when considering ex-demo cars for the sheer fact that they may not have been very well cared for and in respect of this model, may very well and perhaps understandably, have been driven hard.
    What are your opinions please - do you think my concerns are valid or am I being too over cautious?
     
  2. Abh29
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    Abh29

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    A few years ago we frequently hired Renualt for short periods. The hire company had the cars for a maximum of 10,000 miles after which they went back to Renuault The were sold off under adverts that gave the initial impression they had been used as staff cars ---- but in the small print it refered to some cars may have been out on hire. We were under strict orders to notify the company at 9500 so it could be changed. At that age it had not required a service , and any tyre that required changing was fitted with one matching the rest. I know of another company who had a fleet of Ford cars, and these had to be returned at under 10,000 miles.

    I understand other makes did similar but I dont know if BMW did. This was around 15 years ago.

    If buying from a BMW dealer it should have the rest of the 3 years warrantee,that can be extended and that includes "Wear & Tear" up to 100,000 miles.

    A friend has bought a few M5's over years e34, e39,e60,e61 and a couple of f series . He works on the basis that not many people can drive them hard (in relation to the cars cabability )so he just makes sure its not been bent, the the stone chips are dealt with ( either respayed or rreflected in the price so he can do it later---when its got a lot worse)

    My daughter about 4 yeas ago bought a Mini Cooper S ex Mini works that had just about every extras available , in immaculate condition with 4,000 miles on the clock. It has been a great car.

    As long as buying from main dealer I would have no concerns.
     
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  3. mark elwell
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    mark elwell

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    Thank you for the quick response. What you wrote is reassuring and I suppose I just need to ask the question of the dealer.
     
  4. kleynie
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    kleynie WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I have had many BMW management vehicles (number plate starting with a YA or YK prefix) and never had an issue. They usually come as high spec because they have either been used as demonstrators or management vehicles. As long as you get a warranty, which you will buying from a BMW dealer, then nothing to worry about in my opinion.
     
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  5. GunRunner
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    GunRunner WARLORD

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    Yes also agree. My X3 xDrive 30d MSport had many extras. So many electrical accessories that they (BMW ) needed to fit a Heavy Duty battery normally fitted to Canadian specification ones
     
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  6. mark elwell
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    mark elwell

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    Thanks guys. Have taken on board what you have all written.
     
  7. Jonnyg123
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    Jonnyg123

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    I think your probably better off with an ex demo car in my opinion it will more than likely have a lot of extras fitted as it would have been the demo to show people what they can get via all the options
    I few friends have bought ex demos and this was the case with their cars
     
  8. MDC250
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    MDC250

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    I bought mine at 11 months old and 3000 on the clock. Ex dealership management car. Even if it had been mistreated 3000 miles is nothing. Was able to take advantage of an extended maintenance scheme as well so 4 years instead of 3 which meant I got 2 services out of my service pack.

    But with your head and not your heart and you will be fine.
     
  9. Spuffington
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    Spuffington Staff Member Admin Site Supporter

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    Just to add to what the others have said, I’ve also had ex Management cars and ex demo’s since Ive always chased spec. Never had an issue and in any event it’s impossible to know how a car has been treated before you apart from any external signs of wear. There’s no guarantee that the proverbial one little old lady owner car hasn’t been driven everywhere in first gear for all of its 5k Miles 3yr life.

    I took this line of thought to the next level when I bought my Porsche and consciously bought an ex-Press car. My thinking was the same as with the BMWs - firstly I’m buying under approved manufacturers warranty and secondly, for a Press car, although they’re driven hard, they are well looked after so that each Journo gets a car which is in top notch condition.
     
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  10. blackrat
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    blackrat

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    I too have had cars that at sometime were owned/leased by the manufacturer to staff
    Yes they had high(ish) mileage but as with most company cars they were maintained under manufacturers warranty with oem parts etc
    I have no concerns about purchasing this type of car it just comes down to being snobbish if that's the right way to put it about wanting a low mileage model
     
  11. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    Based on my experience, I'd say most staff cars are treated better than customer cars. I wouldn't be worried buying one
     
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  12. edthefed
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    edthefed

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    I seem to recall our favourite parts supplier is changing his BMW fairly frequently now as it's on the staff scheme ?

    When we were looking for my wifes X1 she seriously considered an "ex management" car, it was registered in an individuals name c/o BMW.

    2 mins research on www found someone with the same name as the previous keeper working for BMW / Mini, so we believe it was an ex staff rather than ex management as such.

    BMW dealers are still selling ex hire cars as AUC, my sister in law was looking at a 1 series, dealership admitted it was ex hire car and did their best to convince her it would be fine...not knowing her son worked for the same hire company dealing with damage reports
     
  13. GunRunner
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    GunRunner WARLORD

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    My previous X3 xDrive 30d M Sport was an ex-management vehicle when I purchased at under 10,000 miles. It came from BMW head office in Farnborough and it was extremely well looked after. The guys name was still in the iDrive as the main and only user for Connected Drive, although I could not logon to anything, because as you will no doubt appreciate, I did not have his password.
     
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  14. mark elwell
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    mark elwell

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    Thanks everyone. I’ve just taken the plunge and bought an “ex-management“ car. According to the salesman, staff are only allowed to keep the car for 6 months and are personally liable for all damage incurred which has to be repaired at BMW. So I suppose that’s quite an incentive for them to take care of it.
     
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  15. GunRunner
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    GunRunner WARLORD

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    Good too hear. Enjoy!
     
  16. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Ed @Cotswold BMW would be the one to confirm that, he's recently taken delivery of his new car. Check his posts for pics...:)
     
  17. Cotswold BMW
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    Cotswold BMW WARLORD Site Sponsor

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    He's right, the driver is responsible for any damage and they're checked over when handed back :policeflat:
     
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