Concerns about this low mileage, two owner M3

[16M3]

Greetings,

Looking at a 2017 M3 ZCP with just over 8,000 miles at a local infiniti dealership. The car fax says it was a two owner car... so I can't tell why it would have switched hands so often in such a short period of time. It was leased by the first owner then it seems another out of state dealership bought it... then auctioned it.

Carfax doesn't really give too much detail. Will a PPI and BMW dealer be able to tell me what if any repairs/services were carried out on this specific vehicle?

Just want to do my due diligence!

Thanks for input in advance

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by 16M3

Will a PPI and BMW dealer be able to tell me what if any repairs/services were carried out on this specific vehicle?

Yes.

[Hachima]

Looks like the second owner owned it for 11 months but only drove it 1200 miles. 600 miles between the first and second owner, it must have been demod a lot.

[3PedalMINI]

I'm always suspect of used cars that are low on mileage that isn't at a home dealership (bmw) or a competing brand like MB or Audi. An M3 at an Infiniti dealer? Weird, M3 at a Kia dealer? Even weirder.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen and that things change like families, finance etc and need a truck or large SUV. Generally someone who owns an M3 isn't trading into an Infiniti.

2 owners, low mileage at an Infiniti dealership? I would start walking the other way pretty quickly.

[KevinM]

I agree that a 2 owner M3 with only 8000K miles at a non-BMW dealership raises a few red flags. However, it is also very possible that the car was owned/leased by 2 people who felt it was not the right car for them, and the second one wanted an Infinity.

The car should still be under warranty, so if it is a good/great deal and you want the car, take it to BMW for a full PPI. They should have access to all the service records, although they will probably give you some BS that they can't share them with you...still, I suspect you will have a pretty good idea of what you are dealing with.

GL

[16M3]

Thanks all for your respective responses...

[Poiseuille]

I agree: PPI and a key-read will tell the story on this car. I don't agree that a Dealer wouldn't tell you what the key-read reveals, especially if it's negative for the simple reason that he'd rather sell you one of his cars. Just make sure (if you can) that the same folks don't own both dealerships. Also, I'd want to make sure that the title isn't conditional: salvage, theft recovery, whatever. Good luck!

[IDBGOD]

I personally wouldn't read too much into the multiple owners. People change cars all the time regardless of circumstances.

As long as the carfax checks out, it's under warranty, clean title and there is no open disclosures it should be all good.

Do a little research on the vehicle and history and if it makes you feel better hire and independent mechanic whom you trust to inspect the car for you if you want the extra assurance.

If it all pans out go for it if it's something you want. Would not let the two owners in a short span get into my head nor what dealership it's at.

[cartOC]

Not to mention checking it out in person, looking under the car front/back/sides, opening up the hood, but our BMW PPIs we do at our dealership will tell you everything you need to know. If the car has good paint, good interior, no bondo/checks out with a paint meter, you will be fine.

[JamesMA]

Hmm, what about 1200 service? Wouldn't that affect the warranty if not performed, especially if purchased from a non-BMW dealer 3rd hand as appears to be the case here. Just saying.

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by JamesMA

Hmm, what about 1200 service? Wouldn't that affect the warranty if not performed, especially if purchased from a non-BMW dealer 3rd hand as appears to be the case here. Just saying.

Yes, the 1200 mile service is a thing on these cars. I'm not so sure if it will directly effect the manufacturers warranty but I do know the car can't be certified if this service was not performed.

[allinon72]

If you do your due diligence on the car, that's all that really matters. There are perfectly reasonable explanations on why it could be a 2 owner car at 8k miles. Turned in on lease, didn't like the car, was a weekend car but decided on something else, etc.

And the fact that it's at an Infiniti dealership doesn't matter either. Cars are bought and sold at auction all the time, especially vehicles off lease.

[EatMoreLobsters]

I have been looking for an M3 since May, very carefully looking at CPOs. In the end, I picked up a new 2018 ZCP yesterday... because I would never buy a car that I owned.

[Poiseuille]

^^^^ interesting this, I did pretty much the same thing. Looked for an E92 for two years because I really wanted that V8, but with a warranty, must have looked at 12 CPO'd examples, all off-lease polished-up clappers with 3 years of BMW free-no-maintenance. Saw two cars that could not be CPO'd because they'd not had the 1200m service done, one that had not been serviced AT ALL. about that time I found out about the rod bearing thing, so I threw in the towel and ordered an F82. Sooooo glad I did.

[Brix]

There are many f80 owners with low mileage. Also bunch of members have swapped early on. Drive it and inspect in good daylight. Bring a knowledgeable friend if you’re not keen to red flags (bodywork, suspension damage, etc)

[RRedline]

Originally Posted by EatMoreLobsters

... because I would never buy a car that I owned.

Do you not take care of your cars?

I feel like I take exceptional care of all of my cars. As such, I would only want to buy a used car from someone like me.

[EatMoreLobsters]

Originally Posted by RRedline

Do you not take care of your cars?

I feel like I take exceptional care of all of my cars. As such, I would only want to buy a used car from someone like me.

I take very good care of my cars - but I also drive them with enthusiasm. I have 5 cars - My oldest has 230k miles on it, the only drivetrain repair was a new clutch at about 180k. The statement was more of a jest.

[Wmf80]

Originally Posted by EatMoreLobsters

I take very good care of my cars - but I also drive them with enthusiasm. I have 5 cars - My oldest has 230k miles on it, the only drivetrain repair was a new clutch at about 180k. The statement was more of a jest.

Didn’t u blow the motor on ur f30?

[EatMoreLobsters]

Originally Posted by wreckedmyf80

Didn’t u blow the motor on ur f30?

Doesn't mean I didn't take care of it. Getting rebuilt. I unfortunately found its limits

[JoeFromPA]

You've got to assess the vehicle. I don't like that combination frankly.

At my dealer there was a 2018 comp package model with 1800 miles for sale - 1 owner.

The car had had significant investment made in PPF, some unique options/upgrades, and had some signs that someone was throwing money at this time.

Salesman - who sold me my 2015 model - told me it was owned by a rich chinese kid who bought it, fully loaded, threw money at it, and then returned to China.

Does it mean it wasn't beat on for those initial miles? No. Although the rear tires looked fine. From what I could see and the total picture, I'd buy it.

[RRedline]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

At my dealer there was a 2018 comp package model with 1800 miles for sale - 1 owner.

The car had had significant investment made in PPF, some unique options/upgrades, and had some signs that someone was throwing money at this time.

Salesman - who sold me my 2015 model - told me it was owned by a rich chinese kid who bought it, fully loaded, threw money at it, and then returned to China.

Does it mean it wasn't beat on for those initial miles? No. Although the rear tires looked fine. From what I could see and the total picture, I'd buy it.

This pretty much describes the 2017 ZCP with 5k miles I found at a dealer in the middle of nowhere that was aggressively priced. I went to look at it and the car was good as new. Bought it and drove home.

[georgere]

Originally Posted by 16M3

Greetings,

Looking at a 2017 M3 ZCP with just over 8,000 miles at a local infiniti dealership. The car fax says it was a two owner car... so I can't tell why it would have switched hands so often in such a short period of time. It was leased by the first owner then it seems another out of state dealership bought it... then auctioned it.

Carfax doesn't really give too much detail. Will a PPI and BMW dealer be able to tell me what if any repairs/services were carried out on this specific vehicle?

Just want to do my due diligence!

Thanks for input in advance

Op don't take this personally but the question shows how people can never be happy. Most pple looking to buy low mileage newest and in best condition car. When they find it, they question why it has such low mileage.

Seriously though, most pple baby these cars and don't drive them much. On top of that, pple who can afford these cars often get bored after a year or so and so the trade them in.

Check car fax. Then call bmw NA and try to learn car service and repair history. They might direct you to right source.

If all checks out, take it for pre purchase inspection.