So I am now very close to buying an m5

[drbru]

So a very kind member from here did some digging around for me (Thanks Greg!) to try and give me a but more of an idea about the history of this particular M5

The car in question, is fully loaded, reasonably priced and on the face of it looks like a good buy

However, it is now apparent that in 2013 alone the car visited a service centre 8 times and the year before 5 times...There is no apparent reason logged so my plan is to call of the centres tomorrow and try to see if they will tell me what was done to the car...

This is an ex demo car, hence its fully loaded but Im worried that it is carrying some hidden issues that I need to uncover when I purchase...

i know the car will be under warranty and has service pack etc etc but should I be worried/cautious...The dealer who is selling the car keeps saying it is in perfect condition but then again even the dealer may not know the full history of the car...

BIG DILEMNA! what would you do?

[BartM3]

Be careful! A buddy of mine bought an E93 with a two year warranty and for the past year and a half the car has spent more time at the dealership than at his place due to all sorts of gremlins in the DCT transmission. Warranty is nice but a trouble free car is way better. And remember, once you bought it, it will be hard (costly) to get rid of if it turns out to be a troublesome car!

[DrewM5]

The selling dealership should be able to provide you with the information you want (need). If not, I would take a pass. If something is too good to be true, it just might not be true - particularly if something already seems off. Believe me, I know how hard it is to switch gears once you have decided in your mind to get a car, but you really don't want to buy into someone else's problem. Even more so since this dealership is so far away from you. Not trying to be Debbie Downer, but sometimes some sober advice is the best advice.


All that said, I am hoping they can provide you with answers that ease your mind.

[avlnch]

Looks like your doing your due diligence, which is important when buying any used car. Service history is important.

I would just caution you to not buy a demo car. Those cars are started up cold, customer gets in and drives (aka rips) the car.

Also if your going to get a 2013, don't get anything before a march build as the iDrive was updated.

In 2014 (I think July 2013 builds going forward) the competition package came out.

Good luck with your purchase. It's a great car.

[stealth.pilot]

With used cars the best cars are often bought from private individuals. People tend not to mess up their own cars, however company cars, loaner cars, rental cars and demo cars get a beating.

[pochesq]

In California, that vehicle with its service record would qualify as a "lemon" which means that BMW would have been required to buy-back the vehicle from the purchaser. I'm not sure, but if there is a blemish on the title because of being labeled as a "lemon," then it would certainly diminish the value of the re-sale. I would be very wary if you are going to purchase this vehicle. If, on the other hand, you had planned on leasing the vehicle with the expectation of not keeping it, then by all means have fun!

[drbru]

hhhhmmm I had a feeling you may say this...In the uk, I've heard that the early M5s could be problematic and I think it was not until March 2012 that some of the issues got sorted...Im going to ask the questions at the centres where the car was taken as well as the selling dealership....Hopefully I will get some answers

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by avlnch

Looks like your doing your due diligence, which is important when buying any used car. Service history is important.

I would just caution you to not buy a demo car. Those cars are started up cold, customer gets in and drives (aka rips) the car.

Also if your going to get a 2013, don't get anything before a march build as the iDrive was updated.

In 2014 (I think July 2013 builds going forward) the competition package came out.

Good luck with your purchase. It's a great car.

I thought I has uncovered everything, mine was a Feb 2013 build, what's diff in my idrive?

[avlnch]

Actually looks like it rolled out starting with July 2012.

Upgrades were:
- Intel processor 1.3Ghz vs Renesas 600Mhz
- 1GB RAM (vs 512Mb)
- 8GB flash (vs 512Mb)
- Nvidia graphics (vs Fujitsu)
- 200GB hard drive (vs 80Gb)

Then the touch iDrive rolled out separately on a different date sometime shortly after March 2013.

[drbru]

So i think I have just about got to the bottom of this...

So with regards to the last 13 service visits in the last 3 years it appears the majority of these visits are for regular servicing..BMW informed me that when a service pack option is in place owners tend to bring the car in for more things e.g. oil top up etc...So on paper without looking at the detail, the history is a little worrying but when looking at the actual detail, I suppose its less of a concern

There was one entry for some suspension work under warranty but I understand that early m5s had a view teething problems in this respect which was an early fix...

Do you think uncovering the above is enough to give me piece of mind about buying this particular car then in your opinion

The car will come with 1 year BMW warranty which I shall renew each year and the service pack is still valid until Dec 2016..

Granted it is an ex demo car but is very very well specced and is the only example on the market at the moment with the full leather option...

Should I take the plunge??? (going to see the car in the flesh this weekend)

[Stash21]

I wouldn't buy it. I would get them to send you the service print out to validate the visits for oil top up.

I can't imagine most owners go for top ups. I certainly don't as its not worth my time and effort to save £12 each time

[mstmng]

Originally Posted by Stash21

I wouldn't buy it. I would get them to send you the service print out to validate the visits for oil top up.

I can't imagine most owners go for top ups. I certainly don't as its not worth my time and effort to save £12 each time

depends how good your relations with dealer
i don't even need to call them and arrange it in advance, i can pop-in anytime during opening hours and they top it up within 10 mins

[drbru]

Ive validated all of the entries with the dealership and they are as follows

Nov 13: Oil top up
Oct 13: New tyres
Oct 13: Software update
Oct 13: Suspension cup replaced under warranty
Aug 13: Various Services
Jul 13: ashtray

Surely all of the above seems about right??

Entries in 2012 are similar again

Pads
Bolster repair
Services etc etc

[Actor]

Originally Posted by drbru

Ive validated all of the entries with the dealership and they are as follows

Nov 13: Oil top up
Oct 13: New tyres
Oct 13: Software update
Oct 13: Suspension cup replaced under warranty
Aug 13: Various Services
Jul 13: ashtray

Surely all of the above seems about right??

Entries in 2012 are similar again

Pads
Bolster repair
Services etc etc

Seems to me that you have put a lot of effort into making sure this car is right for you. I would take the plunge as if you like it that much you may not be happy with another and can spend a lot of time thinking "if only it had full leather..." etc. Good luck with the purchase.

[bimmer-boy]

Originally Posted by drbru

Ive validated all of the entries with the dealership and they are as follows

Nov 13: Oil top up
Oct 13: New tyres
Oct 13: Software update
Oct 13: Suspension cup replaced under warranty
Aug 13: Various Services
Jul 13: ashtray

Surely all of the above seems about right??

Entries in 2012 are similar again

Pads
Bolster repair
Services etc etc

Services aside, have you driven it to assess yourself if the car feels and drives to your expectations?

Just so you have a basis covered

[drbru]

Originally Posted by bimmer-boy

Services aside, have you driven it to assess yourself if the car feels and drives to your expectations?

Just so you have a basis covered

Heading up to the dealership on Sunday to see the car in the flesh and to do a full test drive....That will be the decider!