[asab]

Hello guys!

I've read a lot on the forum but i's still a tad confused...

I'll be going to the Manheim car auction in pennsylvania next week to pick a BMW... and i'm trying to figure out which model and trim level I should go for...

so here are my questions

1. based on consumer reports I should be looking at a 2007 since the 2006 had some minor engine and cooling issues

2. I should avoid the 335 or 330 because of some fuel delivery system issues (it's okay I can start at 325 or 328)

3. I live in canada so it snows (obviously) is it neccessary to have AWD (xi I think it's called)

4. Is the auction a good place to get this from (i can save a good 5k)

Thanks a lot for the help in advance and excuse the stupid questions i'm a total noob!!

[alexckma]

correction 330 doesnt have the HPFP issue

[SWFan]

2. The 335 is the model with the HPFP failures, though BMW covers it in the U.S. up to 100,000 miles or 10 years.

3. AWD is nice in snow heavy areas, but not necessary. I'm in my 40's and through the late 80's and almost all of the 90's I drove RWD cars in snow areas. All you need are good snow tires and a RWD car is perfectly fine in snow. Is it as good as an AWD with snow tires, no, but it works just fine.

4. Depends on who else is there. If there is no one else there it could be a good place, otherwise the price can escalate due to bidding competition. Of course you're also limiting yourself to the the few models they actually have at the auction. I wouldn't recommend buying a car from an auction simply because it was the only one there. You want to get something you'd like with all the options you want.

[John 070]

Again, I think misconception. 335 had a lot of trouble, yes, for me as the original owner, in year 3. Took me 4 visits to the dealership over 6 mos. to fix. Now, it's been going on 15 mos. trouble-free. You get my used car, and you've got a reliable car. So imho it makes no sense to say, can't get a 335, not reliable. You're not the original owner, how do you know that the original owner didn't already suffer and it's now repaired?

Why buy a car at an auction if you're not in the car business? Cars for some people are a business, it's not fun and games. Auction vehicles are the worst specimens of any given model. If you own an auto business, you can repair them at minimal cost and flip them and pass the troubles onto the buyer. That's the idea. If you are a retail customer, you cannot afford to fix the vehicle at a retail price. If you could, it wouldn't be at the auction in the first place. My .02

[asab]

Thank you for the great info! I hope to go everything done by July 4th weekend!!

Another quick question... I have a feeling that the maintenance expenses that everyone talks about are over exaggerated. Am i right in this?

and personally SWFAN would you get the328 or 325

Thanks again!

[BTTGMan]

Originally Posted by asab

Thank you for the great info! I hope to go everything done by July 4th weekend!!

Another quick question... I have a feeling that the maintenance expenses that everyone talks about are over exaggerated. Am i right in this?

and personally SWFAN would you get the328 or 325

Thanks again!

They are exaggerated because most people are under warranty. For you they are understated.

Trust me, don't buy a bmw at auction unless. yOU are mechanically inclined. John is dead on with his post.

[bill1718]

cpo way to go auction goodluck lol

[asab]

I am mechanically inclined though and I think given the parts and that the vehicle won't have failure which deems it inopperable then I can get to fix any trouble during the weekend... I'm going to try private and see how it goes. THanks a lot for the info

[BMWs4ever]

You will roll the dice with the 335i. Some people have no problems others have too many problems with the HPFP and injectors. If you can't live without the extra power of the 335i then I guess you'll be rolling the dice. The 328i is rock solid and a pleasure to drive if you can look past the extra power of the 335i.

[asab]

Yea i think I can do without the power.


on to the next question... how does one go about checking a BMW on the fly (say auction) i've seen poeople go in and fiddle around with the computer and try to pull things up... is there a special service menu or something that they go inside of or is it no different than checking another vehicle?

[BMWs4ever]

Originally Posted by asab

Yea i think I can do without the power.


on to the next question... how does one go about checking a BMW on the fly (say auction) i've seen poeople go in and fiddle around with the computer and try to pull things up... is there a special service menu or something that they go inside of or is it no different than checking another vehicle?

Ideally if they provided the service records that would be the best. If you check on the computer in the car it would show you when the next service was due and the icon would be red if the service has not been performed yet. As most people have said buying CPO would be better then buying at the auction if you can't find any service history on the car

[BAL278]

I've been to the Manheim Auctions in NJ, and you get some ridiculous deals... and on certain days (at least for the NJ one) they'll have the highline auctions.. with 300-400+ bimmers... you just need patience and to do your research.. Got My x5 at auction.. Also.. I'm not too familiar with Manheim's financing options (if you know maybe you could fill us in) AND lastly.. I thought you needed a dealer's license to get into Manheim auctions.. they don't let you go as a dealer's "driver" anymore

[335aw]

i am no pro but i disagree about the concerns from buying from auction. Yes it is true they may not be ready to hit the road. They may need brakes or tires or something, but they are the exact same cars dealers buy and sell to people every day... many will be certified and resold.

They are typically lease returns from people who's lease is now up. Just be weary of the lemon buybacks.

[ryan970]

if you want reliability get a 330 or 328. If you want quick get the 335i.

[reaper335]

yea my dealer always goes to auctions and buys and resell cars.. but they check each car out from bumper to bumper and dealers who go to these auctions have access to info that the normal person wouldn't be able to get. it's a roll of the dice as well at an auction

[John 070]

Originally Posted by jewrican

i am no pro but i disagree about the concerns from buying from auction. Yes it is true they may not be ready to hit the road. They may need brakes or tires or something, but they are the exact same cars dealers buy and sell to people every day... many will be certified and resold.

They are typically lease returns from people who's lease is now up. Just be weary of the lemon buybacks.

I don't agree. Fact: new car dealers have a higher margin on used cars, than new. So they would ideally sell every single used car they take in trade. However, some are not up to snuff, so they accept a wholesale price on them rather than retail. The auctioned cars are the worst specimens of the particular model. It goes back to the everyone can afford a 750li, but only a few can afford to maintain/repair. If you are an auto shop, you can afford to repair these auctioned vehicles. My wife's cousin's husband bought a 2k4 E46 M3 for 12k. The SMG was having shifting issues, so he took it to the dealership and they wanted 10k to fix it. He decided to DIY and found it was merely a spring which cost around $10 and his labor. Anyone who could not repair a SMG themselves would have been burned buying that car for 12k. But for those who are ready to do any work needed, they might win some, they might lose some.

[OfficialBOLO]

as a manheim dealer, i have to recommend that you wait to buy this car. the summer months are the WORST time to buy a car, especially a high end one. If you can't wait, you ABSOLUTELY need to get a PPI done at Manheim. Their mechanics are world class and i have bought several cars there that looked good but didnt pass the PPI for major issues. i have online access to MMR if you would like to know how much you can expect to pay for the car.


Good luck.