Fair price for this 135is?

[bluesguitar]

I'm looking at a 135is with the DCT that a dealership sold to a customer who traded it back in with less than 1500 miles on it. According to dealership, the customer complained about a transmission fluid leak that could never be confirmed but the dealer ended up responding by "replacing the transmission."

Two questions for you guys: Would you buy this car given the transmission issue? If so, what's a fair price? Pricing guides are giving me 39-42k range. They're asking 43. I'd argue the swapped tranny will impact resale so should be reflected in my purchase price.

It's pretty well optioned with nav, convenience, and heated seats.

Thanks!

[UK2USA]

The best answer, used by good Attorneys would be "It depends", was this Car a buy-back or Lemon ? What is reflected on the Title or Carfax?
You're right,this can make a big difference, to it's value when you come to sell it , or trade it in eventually. If the Title and Carfax are clean then it's a decent price, the new Tranny should be under warranty, right?

To give you an idea, our 135is was $52K new, it is fully loaded except for the $400 alarm.

I guess my short answer would be, if the Title/Carfax aren't clean then I wouldn't buy it at all, but that's just me.

[bluesguitar]

I'll ask those questions, thanks.

I do have the build sheet (orig MSRP $51,700):
Carbon Black with black leather/blue stitch
Premium Pkg (comfort access, satellite radio, etc)
Technology Pkg (nav, BT, etc.)
DCT
Alarm system
Heated Seats
HK sound

Assuming the Carfax and title are clean, I still feel like you end up with a car that has "a story" and that should reflect what I'm paying and what the next person will pay...So I'm thinking of going in with a pretty low offer like $38,000. The inservice date was June so the warranty and covered maintenance goes way out. which is nice.

[Chschwaller]

if the Title/Carfax aren't clean then I wouldn't buy it at all, but that's just me.
This is the best answer! The price doesn't look to be too far off. although I never like to offer "Asking Price"

[bluesguitar]

OK thanks. I'm finding out tomorrow about the Carfax and title. But assuming both ARE clean, with a history of a swapped out but under warranty transmission, what should my offer be? I get the sense they've been sitting on this car for awhile and want it out of there... maybe their loss could be my gain and I'm covered by warranty?

[Chschwaller]

Negotiating is always the tough part. In fact some dealers will not negotiate at all "No Haggle". I think 38k is a little low but if you are there they wont throw you out the door. If you are trading something in, another option is to negotiate what they will pay for your car. Some dealers want to keep their price as close to the asking as possible (Makes it look good on the books) but are willing to negotiate more on your trade. Good Luck and send pictures if you get it! I LOVE my 335is!

[UK2USA]

I'll ask those questions, thanks.

I do have the build sheet (orig MSRP $51,700):
Carbon Black with black leather/blue stitch
Premium Pkg (comfort access, satellite radio, etc)
Technology Pkg (nav, BT, etc.)
DCT
Alarm system
Heated Seats
HK sound

Assuming the Carfax and title are clean, I still feel like you end up with a car that has "a story" and that should reflect what I'm paying and what the next person will pay...So I'm thinking of going in with a pretty low offer like $38,000. The inservice date was June so the warranty and covered maintenance goes way out. which is nice.

Oh, there you go, it sounds pretty much identical to ours which is also Carbon Black/Black with Blue stitching. Here in CA Tax/License etc is approximately 11%, so I negotiated it down to $52,250 out the Door. This was in October '12 and it was the first and only one on the West Coast, so I was actually surprized.

The perfect end to any negotiation is both Parties ending up pissed off, the Buyer thinking he could have got it for less, the seller thinking he could have got more. Start at $38K and be happy at $41K.

You should also get free maintenance and servicing, after 15 months and 10K miles both have cost me exactly zero, although I don't stick to BMW's maintenance schedule for Oil changes, I go 6 months, I use a really good BMW Indy shop, so in reality it cost me about $200 for an Oil change/Fluid top-up and inspection, but that's just me.

I still say walk away if it has a Bad Title or Carfax.

[bluesguitar]

I got the Carfax and it says at 450 miles: "oil pump seal replaced"

It says nothing about the transmission swap. Another interesting piece of information: This was a lease-- so the person must have been in a war with BMW financial about walking away after four months, which is what he did.

I'm driving the car tomorrow and I'm sure they'll want me to buy it. I don't think I can go wrong at 38,000 but if they want more than 39 I think I'm taking a risk. This is my "home" dealership and I've bought and serviced cars there for years. I'll articulate my concern about resale and maybe there's another option? I know I can't really lease a car that's used, but that might be a good solution.

[Chschwaller]

I got the Carfax and it says at 450 miles: "oil pump seal replaced" It says nothing about the transmission swap. Another interesting piece of information: This was a lease-- so the person must have been in a war with BMW financial about walking away after four months, which is what he did. I'm driving the car tomorrow and I'm sure they'll want me to buy it. I don't think I can go wrong at 38,000 but if they want more than 39 I think I'm taking a risk. This is my "home" dealership and I've bought and serviced cars there for years. I'll articulate my concern about resale and maybe there's another option? I know I can't really lease a car that's used, but that might be a good solution. I don't think an oil seal puts a blemish on it at all. They put everything on the Carfax reports now. If I remember correctly there were a couple tire repairs on my wife's Cadillac when we got it. Haha not sure why they go to that level of detail. Good luck!

[UK2USA]

I don't think an oil seal puts a blemish on it at all. They put everything on the Carfax reports now. If I remember correctly there were a couple tire repairs on my wife's Cadillac when we got it. Haha not sure why they go to that level of detail. Good luck!

I agree, I was talking more about "Lemon" or "Buyback" on the Title or even Carfax. How are the negotiations going blues? That is one extremely rare Car, only 38 were imported in that color combo with DCT. There were 18 with MT. Cashmere Silver are the rarest, only one !!

[bluesguitar]

I haven't been able to get over there but plan to do so this week. There is nothing about a buy back on the Carfax. I assume the title is clean but will check when I'm there of course. My concern is buying a car that although it's under warranty, will need frequent attention and be hard to unload when the time comes. I'm thinking of asking if I can take it overnight.

[UK2USA]

I haven't been able to get over there but plan to do so this week. There is nothing about a buy back on the Carfax. I assume the title is clean but will check when I'm there of course. My concern is buying a car that although it's under warranty, will need frequent attention and be hard to unload when the time comes. I'm thinking of asking if I can take it overnight.

That's a valid concern, I'm an Automotive Engineer and worked for BMW (Manufacturing) for a few years. Not unlike many other Cars, the 135is (which we're talking about here) is a technological masterpiece so they cost a lot to buy and also to maintain properly, they're a commitment. I'm actually shocked that after 15 months absolutely nothing has gone wrong with ours. Having said that, the Windshield was hit by a Rock on the Freeway, a Factory replacement is $1500 !! Then a set of Tires is $2k.

I drive a 2013 Range Rover, and with the 4-wheel air suspension, multiple terrain selections, Technology systems etc etc. Multiply the above by at least 10 for the propensity for something to go wrong.

I understand what you're saying, Cars can be like Tattoo's, easy to get but a Bugger to get rid of when you're tired of them. Haha.

[silbul97M3]

I've seen the advertisements for the same car and was curious as to why a leased car came back so quickly. It's unfortunately out of my price range (yeah, poor me, stuck with my E46 M3) and maybe a bit 'rear seat small' as well, but it caught my eye. Will wait to hear from you. I want to drive the car, but I won't go down while you are interested so as not to 'drive up the price with competition'. Let us know if you DON'T act on it so that I can have a romp!

[vanishm3]

for that much you might as well get a new m235i

[bluesguitar]

To silbul97M3-- go ahead if you're interested. Drove it today-- great machine but realize now I'm a stick shift guy.

[silbul97M3]

OK, thanks for the heads up!