[lzzzzzy]

Hi everyone!

I'm currently in the market for a used M4 Competition xDrive (post-2021 generation) and have found several attractive deals out of state. One particular vehicle, a 2022 model with over 20,000 miles, was previously used as a rental. While I recognize the M4's capabilities, I am aware that rental cars can sometimes be mistreated.

The original warranty is still active (about half remaining), and my plan is to sell the car after the warranty expires. However, I'm concerned about potential issues that may not be covered by the warranty or the possibility of a dealership denying coverage.

Since I am thousands of miles away, I haven't been able to inspect the car physically. Would it be reasonable to request photos of the brakes, ball joints, transfer case, etc.? I'm hesitant to ask, as I don't want to waste the owner's time if I decide not to purchase.

I'm also contemplating the risks of owning a potentially abused car under warranty, especially since I take great care of my vehicles. I have no prior experience dealing with such issues.

What are your thoughts on buying a used G82 for daily? Alternatively, should I consider a G14 M850i, which might offer a better condition vehicle within the same budget?

Thank you!!

[DanG]

Auto trader has 126 2022-2023 M4 x drives. Pick another one to be safe. Here is the link: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...cars&zip=98101

[tturedraider]

It’s not the least bit unreasonable to ask for photos to help you make your decision. But, you should absolutely NOT buy the car unless you can travel to pick it up!!!!!

[Westside Guy]

Personally I would avoid buying a car that was used as a rental. People have the tendency to abuse them, especially when they get the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an M4!!!

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by DanG

Auto trader has 126 2022-2023 M4 x drives. Pick another one to be safe. Here is the link: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...cars&zip=98101

Thank you! I've been looking on Autotrader as well. I found many good deals from California and New York, but when I contacted the dealerships, they said I must pay their state tax to get the temporary tag for driving the car back home. This feels like being taxed twice. The prices seem to have increased a bit in recent weeks, but I'll keep watching!

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Personally I would avoid buying a car that was used as a rental. People have the tendency to abuse them, especially when they get the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an M4!!!

Exactly! That's what I'm worried about.

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

It’s not the least bit unreasonable to ask for photos to help you make your decision. But, you should absolutely NOT buy the car unless you can travel to pick it up!!!!!

I'll definitely travel to pick up the car in person! However I live in Minnesota, and I'll need to travel to Florida or the Carolinas to pick up the car, which could cost me thousands in hotel stays and flights. I'm thinking of gathering as much information as I can before booking these. In case I notice something hidden in person, I can decide not to buy at the last second, but I'm still trying to minimize the chance of that happening before traveling there.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Personally I would avoid buying a car that was used as a rental. People have the tendency to abuse them, especially when they get the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an M4!!!

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

Exactly! That's what I'm worried about.

This is definitely a concern. Especially with an ///M car. But, in reality most renters do not abuse their rental car. It’s definitely more likely to happen with a performance car, but it’s not a given.

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

Thank you! I've been looking on Autotrader as well. I found many good deals from California and New York, but when I contacted the dealerships, they said I must pay their state tax to get the temporary tag for driving the car back home. This feels like being taxed twice. The prices seem to have increased a bit in recent weeks, but I'll keep watching!

Cali and New York definitely have higher sales tax than just about anywhere else, but you won’t be taxed twice. MN will give you credit for the sales tax you pay in the state where you buy the car, so more than likely you won’t owe any additional sales tax.

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

I'll definitely travel to pick up the car in person! However I live in Minnesota, and I'll need to travel to Florida or the Carolinas to pick up the car, which could cost me thousands in hotel stays and flights. I'm thinking of gathering as much information as I can before booking these. In case I notice something hidden in person, I can decide not to buy at the last second, but I'm still trying to minimize the chance of that happening before traveling there.

It won’t really cost “thousands”. I’ve traveled for all but one of my 3ers. Last summer I flew to Raleigh, NC and drove back to Chicago. It was less than $1,000 and I stayed on the road an extra couple of nights on the way home and made a little sightseeing trip out of it. I’ve flown from Chicago to Houston and driven home and when I lived in Texas I flew to Tucson, AZ and to Memphis, TN. I’ve always had sufficient knowledge of the car that I’ve never had to cancel a deal at the last minute, but I still will only ever buy by long distance if I can travel to get the car. I will grant you that traveling to California is a long trip and I did decide not to pursue one car because of that and the California sales tax.

[Akkord29]

I've sold a few cars on Autotrader. Some buyers can definitely be a pain however I've always tried to be forward and provide as many pictures or videos they needed to feel assured.
I would see if some on the forums could check the car out for you as well and get a ppi. I've walked away from a few cars after the ppi.

[NickyC]

I'd rather have an M850i, just don't buy new as those things plummet like a meteor in value.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Akkord29

I've sold a few cars on Autotrader. Some buyers can definitely be a pain however I've always tried to be forward and provide as many pictures or videos they needed to feel assured.
I would see if some on the forums could check the car out for you as well and get a ppi. I've walked away from a few cars after the ppi.

That’s a good idea!! Forum members have checked out cars for other members in the past.

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

This is definitely a concern. Especially with an ///M car. But, in reality most renters do not abuse their rental car. It’s definitely more likely to happen with a performance car, but it’s not a given.



Cali and New York definitely have higher sales tax than just about anywhere else, but you won’t be taxed twice. MN will give you credit for the sales tax you pay in the state where you buy the car, so more than likely you won’t owe any additional sales tax.



It won’t really cost “thousands”. I’ve traveled for all but one of my 3ers. Last summer I flew to Raleigh, NC and drove back to Chicago. It was less than $1,000 and I stayed on the road an extra couple of nights on the way home and made a little sightseeing trip out of it. I’ve flown from Chicago to Houston and driven home and when I lived in Texas I flew to Tucson, AZ and to Memphis, TN. I’ve always had sufficient knowledge of the car that I’ve never had to cancel a deal at the last minute, but I still will only ever buy by long distance if I can travel to get the car. I will grant you that traveling to California is a long trip and I did decide not to pursue one car because of that and the California sales tax.

I was thinking of traveling along the road because driving from Florida back to Minnesota will be a lengthy and scenic trip haha I've never done I-75 before and try to stop at as many places as I can. California taxes are really high tho. I've found some cars I'm interested in but I'm still not planning to travel there.

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by Akkord29

I've sold a few cars on Autotrader. Some buyers can definitely be a pain however I've always tried to be forward and provide as many pictures or videos they needed to feel assured.
I would see if some on the forums could check the car out for you as well and get a ppi. I've walked away from a few cars after the ppi.

I've never thought about it!! Which subforum would you recommend for posting? What's the cost like if I'm finding someone on the forum to help check out the car? Thank you!!

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by NickyC

I'd rather have an M850i, just don't buy new as those things plummet like a meteor in value.

I'm looking at 2021/2022 M850i s, and many already have huge price cuts but still come with the warranty. I had an N63TU2 and spent thousands on the engine, but the problems were still there. I went to many dealerships and shops, but no one could really pinpoint the issues. They said they would have to pull out the entire engine. I gave up. I've heard the TU3 is pretty reliable, so I was considering it! What's your opinion on the TU3 by the way?

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

That’s a good idea!! Forum members have checked out cars for other members in the past.

Yes! I've never thought about!

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

I'm looking at 2021/2022 M850i s, and many already have huge price cuts but still come with the warranty. I had an N63TU2 and spent thousands on the engine, but the problems were still there. I went to many dealerships and shops, but no one could really pinpoint the issues. They said they would have to pull out the entire engine. I gave up. I've heard the TU3 is pretty reliable, so I was considering it! What's your opinion on the TU3 by the way?

I would be able to give you nothing but an uneducated opinion. I would highly suggest checking around in the appropriate 8 series forums. Good luck.

[lzzzzzy]

Originally Posted by NickyC

I would be able to give you nothing but an uneducated opinion. I would highly suggest checking around in the appropriate 8 series forums. Good luck.

hahaha thank you!!

[Akkord29]

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

I've never thought about it!! Which subforum would you recommend for posting? What's the cost like if I'm finding someone on the forum to help check out the car? Thank you!!

The regional section is a good place but not sure how much people check it. Since you've got this post going maybe drop the location and see if anyone is close by. I've never asked anyone to do it but from what I've seen it's something they will do for free and the person requesting probably send them some payment to maybe cover gas/time (maybe $50).

You could also just ask for locals to suggest a good independent shop for a ppi. Generally the buyer covers the ppi and they can range from ~$100-300. I call the shops and see what's covered in their ppi and from what I've experienced most are working pretty hard for the buyer to identify all the issues.

I'm in FL if there is something you are looking at near Tampa I can help or make suggestions for shops.

Unless you really trust the seller at some point you'll make the trip to drive it back or complete the sale and fly back then ship. The only times I've ship was when I couldn't make it and the cars were purchased as cpo was a dealer otherwise I'm driving it home.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

Thank you! I've been looking on Autotrader as well. I found many good deals from California and New York, but when I contacted the dealerships, they said I must pay their state tax to get the temporary tag for driving the car back home. This feels like being taxed twice. The prices seem to have increased a bit in recent weeks, but I'll keep watching!

At least one CA (MINI) dealer I talked to assured me I would not be charged CA sales tax as an out of state buyer. (I was/am in Benton County AR.) As it turned out I ended up buying what I wanted from a Loveland CO MINI dealer. And I bought my M2 from a MO BMW dealer and didn't pay any sales tax when I purchased the car.

However, both the MINI and M2 purchases happened last March/April of 2023. Maybe things have changed since then?

[chassis]

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

However, I'm concerned about potential issues that may not be covered by the warranty or the possibility of a dealership denying coverage.

It depends on how much you trust BMW's integrity in standing behind their warranty. I don't trust MB on this. I trust Porsche on this. I have had no issues with BMW but would put them between MB and Porsche on the trustworthiness scale. The integrity question falls directly on the dealers - in a grey area BMW (or MB or Porsche) corporate rarely overturns a dealer decision whether or not to cover a warranty repair request.

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

Would it be reasonable to request photos of the brakes, ball joints, transfer case, etc.?

Reasonable request on the brakes, also tires. The rest of it is in the grey zone.

Originally Posted by lzzzzzy

I'm also contemplating the risks of owning a potentially abused car under warranty, especially since I take great care of my vehicles.

See the first point. A borderline trustworthy dealer can always say the vehicle was abused. A hypothetical example is if you feel the need to have suspension ball joints replaced under warranty, and the dealer says the car was curbed or otherwise mistreated.

In summary, I have bought, in succession, 3 previous German-brand service loaners, the last one sight unseen from 2,400 miles away. All have been perfect. I would do this again without hesitation. The 2,400 mile transaction relied on my trust in the SA, which he earned during the process.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

At least one CA (MINI) dealer I talked to assured me I would not be charged CA sales tax as an out of state buyer. (I was/am in Benton County AR.) As it turned out I ended up buying what I wanted from a Loveland CO MINI dealer. And I bought my M2 from a MO BMW dealer and didn't pay any sales tax when I purchased the car.

However, both the MINI and M2 purchases happened last March/April of 2023. Maybe things have changed since then?

If you take delivery in California you must pay California sales tax. If the car is shipped out of state you don’t have to pay California sales tax.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

If you take delivery in California you must pay California sales tax. If the car is shipped out of state you don’t have to pay California sales tax.

Correct. My CPO Cayenne was in CA and I wanted to fly out and drive it home. The SA told me I would have to pay CA sales tax so I chose to ship it.