Buying a used 2014 M235i that had manual transmission replaced

[wallofgrath]

I am interested in buying a 2014 BMW M235i that had it's 6-speed manual transmission replaced by a BMW dealership 10-15k miles ago because of a bad 2nd gear. Current mileage is about 47k mi.

The car looks and drives great, 2 previous owners, no accidents, and no modifications. The price is right. As long as the tranny was professionally replaced by BMW, should I be safe, or is this too much of a red flag? All my friends tell me to PASS, but I'm starting to think it could be a good thing to have a fresh transmission (and possibly clutch)... twice I have had to prematurely replace clutches on used cars... Thanks for your thoughts

Edit: Buying from a used car dealer who bought the car at auction. I have no info on the previous owner/driver.

[Breeze1]

I don't see why you'd pass on it if it looks, drives and feels right and was professionally maintained . A bad synchro on a gear isn't necessarily a sign of mistreatment in my book. Since it's been replaced recently I guess it was under the 2nd owner's ownership. So I'd focus more on what kind of guy that owner seems to be. A "kid" who has, all cliches aside, likely mistreated the car driving and maintainance wise or someone who seems mature enough to have respected it. What reason did he give regarding that bad 2nd gear, things like that...

[jclausen]

Pass no cars from the auction that's have had transmission problems, listen to your friends there right

[Breeze1]

The auction part does change everything...

[wallofgrath]

Why? Dealerships sell trade-ins at auction all the time.

[Breeze1]

I see what you mean with your question. It's not that all cars being bought at auctions are bad, but as far as I understand at auctions there are repossessed cars, former company leased cars and things that are less "transparent" for lack of better words. Perhaps if you really interested in this purchase you should then focus on the dealer's reputation, if some sort of warranty is offered with the car...

I personally feel more comfortable buying a car from its owner than from a dealer, because I feel I can better assess that vehicle's history that way.