CPO - Unsold after many months?

[core22]

I found a CPO 30 miles from me (Pennsylvania). I took a drive over to the dealer this morning and found that they don't have the car, and was advised that its in transit from down south. They said it has yet to be inspected and put through the CPO process (advertised as a CPO). In the meantime I've been checking out the VIN, which shows this was bought at an auction in NC last week. In researching the VIN I was able to pull the Carfax, which shows multiple prior owners, and was for sale across multiple dealers since last summer prior to being auctioned the other day. Price history is reasonable so I can't imagine why it sat for so long unless there are issues. It was most-recently at Hendrick BMW in NC since mid-April, and prior to that was at Westgate Imports. 2015 alpine white / sakhir orange full merino, with comp pack and CF interior. The pics I did find show Eisenmann tips (Google cache), but was told the car has the M performance exhaust. Anyone by chance see this and know why it sat for so long? VIN # WBSFV9C56FD594353.

[Beast27]

something doesn't look right with this one when pulling up google images... the steering wheel is from 2013 models... looks well optioned though... GL

[core22]

Wow, just noticed that.

Old listing via Google cache:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&gbv=1&ct=clnk

[Darkshear]

Someone swapped the wheel before trading it in. A buddy with a '13 maybe.

[Beast27]

I would still consider ones outside your area with better history, etc.

My CPO was a lease return - one owner and only serviced at that specific dealer.

[TrevorM3]

honestly, if it's CPO, and you want it, just get it. it's covered.

[Flying Ace]

there's nothing going on here. BMW (and Porsche and MB) dealerships do this all the time. They get the car in the system, and the sales manager immediately gets the car on the internet. After all, if it's not listed, it can't be sold right?

After they get the car on the lot, they then go through the CPO process. It takes about 1 to 2 weeks to get an auction car onto the lot. They have to arrange for payment and transportation. How many times has it actually cleared at auction? If once, no biggie, but if multiple times, it shows that maybe it couldn't get enough interest for some reason. The multiple successive transfers before the auction indicates small interest in the car, or the prior dealer's inability to find a decent retail offer.


Now that I've scared you...there's the great opportunity here that you're not understanding. As it stands today, you can actually try to buy it without CPO. Once they CPO the car, they can't just "take it away" and sell it at the non-CPO price. They would have dumped at least $1000 into the car with new tires and an inspection. Some cars needs touchup and if servicing is needed, they will also do everything the CBS requires. So some CPOs, they would have dumped close to $2k into the car and that's not counting the "invoice" cost of the extra warranty they're adding on which is worth another $1k. Also there's an outside chance it actually might not pass CPO when they finally get the car.

I once was looking at a CPO Porsche at a local dealership. No actual pictures, just a stock photo. I called about it, all excited to look at it, and the dealer said, it's an "anticipated trade in". The owner has already committed to trading the car in after they ordered a new build. But they had to wait 2 months for the build. So needless to say, the owner actually was still driving the car, and ultimately, the car may never actually get traded in. After all, nothing is final until the car shows up, keys and title is handed over, and a trade in price is agreed upon. What if this Porsche got in an accident prior to trade? All bets are off for that owner. He lost the full trade value, and the dealer will definitely not be able to pass Porsche CPO for cars with certain accident history.


Anyways, don't shy away from this M5. Try to catch it when it arrives in it's full preowned "glory". You can assess the actual condition the prior owner kept it in (scroll through the CBS), and assess if it's just worth doing a non-CPO offer and saving $4k.

If a ton work is needed, you can then decide to walk or have the dealer perform the CPO work. This is an amazing opportunity most people don't have btw. So I would definite stay on this car. I bet as of now, you can get the dealer to quote you a non-CPO price.

[core22]

Regarding the CPO being covered should anything happen, its not yet a CPO. What concerns me the most is that from August 2017 to late April 2018 its been for sale at multiple dealers, then sent for auction and on the way to PA as of today. Why would a car optioned as this is, with the low miles it has, sit for so long - that's what I can't wrap my head around

https://marketcheck.com/vdp/WBSFV9C56FD594353

[WickedBMW]

Just FYI, auction has all the info on a vehicle before it goes for auction. Having said that, I would not buy this car. Based on a vin research, there are many things that don’t look right. Also, I’m not sure what are laws governing delearship in PA, but they can sell you lemon, or remanufactured car.

[core22]

Turned out to be an interesting story. A forum member familiar with this car advised that at one point it was highly modified with a tune, turbos, and more, had a mechanic's lein on it, and was put back to stock with parts from another M5 before being sold off. Still has SSP clutch and MPE/Akra exhaust but basically stock beyond that. The 2013 steering wheel was installed when the M Performance wheel was sold while they were attempting to recoup what they put into it. Probably a great car but with this history I doubt it will successfully get through CPO certification.

[apexlocator]

Even if it gets CPO, but has issues that are covered, do you want your car in the shop all of the time? Trust your gut and move on.

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by apexlocator

Even if it gets CPO, but has issues that are covered, do you want your car in the shop all of the time? Trust your gut and move on.

I don't have experience buying and selling BMW cars, but let me throw this thinking out there. It's the dealer who certifies a car as CPO worthy, correct? Does that dealer then collect the labor costs and profit margin on parts purchased for that CPO car if needed? Is it then in the BMW dealer's interest to make a car CPO if at all possible?

I suppose the risk the dealer would be taking would be to lose the business relationship with BMW if too many of their CPO cars require lots of repair work.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

honestly, if it's CPO, and you want it, just get it. it's covered.

Excellent advice

If not CPO, stay away. TBH, I'd never own any super sedan out of warranty. That's even with being able to turn a wrench.