[areeb]

I'm thinking of picking up a current model generation M3 with 15k miles. I realize this is still considered low mileage and within the manufacturer warranty, but with a car like an M3, is it risky buying it used? How crucial is the break-in period? It seems to have been maintained according to BMW's schedule including the 1000 mile break in service.

[rak299]

I would worry about a car that had aftermarket performance enhancements. It depends on the driver. You can look at the tires. My car has 14,000 miles and is still on the original tires, with some wear left. If the owner had changed the tires, he probably drove it harder than I did.

[Osirisman]

I was considering buying a used 21 M3 which was fairly closed spec’d to my liking with 9k miles.
I ended up ordering a new M3 exactly to my liking.

Reason, the used one was only 10k cheaper. I wanted to have the piece of mind of a full warranty and a car that was not tuned before or messed with in any way. Plus it has the color and options I really wanted.

End of the day you have to be happy with your choice and choose what fits your budget better.

And yes I am still waiting for my car 😂

[Adcampo]

You don’t mention the MY, but if it’s a 2022 with an early in service date, 15k miles isn’t that much at all. Assuming it’s been well taken care of, ticks all your options and checks out, I wouldn’t worry about it. It also depends on the sales price versus new. I love buying low milage used cars that already had the initial depreciation hit.

Based on the wait time for new and MSRP sales price, I’d want to save at least $10k.

[iviegatron]

Originally Posted by AlamgirBMW

I'm thinking of picking up a current model generation M3 with 15k miles. I realize this is still considered low mileage and within the manufacturer warranty, but with a car like an M3, is it risky buying it used? How crucial is the break-in period? It seems to have been maintained according to BMW's schedule including the 1000 mile break in service.

Just because the break in service was performed doesn't mean the original owner followed the procedure. I know some folks that don't care and drive the car like they stole it from day one. There are some in this forum too.

Personally I buy all my cars new since I have no clue how the previous owners drove their cars. It's for my peace of mind. Plus with the M3 you can easily do a piggy back tune, push it to the limits and never know about it unless you had BMW check the logs to check boost levels etc. If you can afford it I'd say buy new.

[vj123]

I don't prefer buying a used performance vehicle, especially the Germans. You can find plenty of reports where dealers are selling tuned vehicles as CPO and the second owner ends up dealing with it. This can always change if I find a really clean example and also know the complete history of the vehicle by talking to the previous owner. This can happen if I personally know the owner or if the seller is a reputed forum member.

In your case, are you buying it directly from the previous owner or through dealership. If so, what was the original MSRP and what is the selling price.

[Mark Kez]

I’d give this one a full pass. You have no clue how the car was driven and the idea of buying someone else’s problem is a problem in and of itself. Pass.

[areeb]

Originally Posted by Adcampo

You don’t mention the MY, but if it’s a 2022 with an early in service date, 15k miles isn’t that much at all. Assuming it’s been well taken care of, ticks all your options and checks out, I wouldn’t worry about it. It also depends on the sales price versus new. I love buying low milage used cars that already had the initial depreciation hit.

Based on the wait time for new and MSRP sales price, I’d want to save at least $10k.

It's a 2021 and I called the BMW dealership from which it was bought and they confirmed that it's been serviced according to schedule. A similarly optioned new M3 would cost me almost $15k more. Most of the dealerships I called have quoted, at the earliest, a 6 month wait time for a new car.

[areeb]

Originally Posted by vj123

I don't prefer buying a used performance vehicle, especially the Germans. You can find plenty of reports where dealers are selling tuned vehicles as CPO and the second owner ends up dealing with it. This can always change if I find a really clean example and also know the complete history of the vehicle by talking to the previous owner. This can happen if I personally know the owner or if the seller is a reputed forum member.

In your case, are you buying it directly from the previous owner or through dealership. If so, what was the original MSRP and what is the selling price.

I'm buying from a dealership and the list price is $10k less than MSRP and about $15k less than if I was to order a new, similarly optioned, M3 (considering BMW increased the starting price of the M3).

[chicagofan00]

.

[Adcampo]

I’ve bought many performance cars new and used. I don’t keep cars more than a few years. If this is your forever car, buy new. For $15k savings, I’d buy it.

Most 1st owners of a $80k car with included service likely didn’t abuse is. It’s the 2nd, 3rd 9 owners you have to worry about.

The only other thing to confirm that it wasn’t a press or BMW car. That might give me some pause.

[gc.g80brg]

Originally Posted by Osirisman

I was considering buying a used 21 M3 which was fairly closed spec’d to my liking with 9k miles.
I ended up ordering a new M3 exactly to my liking.

Reason, the used one was only 10k cheaper. I wanted to have the piece of mind of a full warranty and a car that was not tuned before or messed with in any way. Plus it has the color and options I really wanted.

End of the day you have to be happy with your choice and choose what fits your budget better.

And yes I am still waiting for my car 😂

Done pretty much the same haha ! Plus 2021 comp's doesn't come in xdrive and lot of people doesn't know this...

[BzsBimmer]

A dealer can do a PPI and look to see if the DME was tampered with or tuned as a condition of purchase.

You can also ask the dealer for all of the service records (looks like OP did) which will tell you the vehicles history. You’ll also have the factory warranty in case anything goes wrong and I’m sure they will try to sell you on an extended warranty to boot.

If the deal is good, there probably aren’t too many downsides in buying used with a newer model year, single owner.

[BryanCO]

Even though the car is still has a warranty, I would do a PPI and if it checks out, absolutely buy it.

[DTMfan]

How did it turn out? I'm looking at a similar used car. 22 with 15k miles at a bmw dealer. Non certified. Looks fairly clean from all the records I can see online.

[EatThatLunchBaby]

I can’t speak for everyone’s experience and the way they treat their vehicle, but I’m about to pass 14,000 miles on my 2023 (4 track days included) and this thing seems bulletproof.

Granted, I have not done performance mods to increase power and/or change the dynamics of the car. I have a midpipe for sound and brake pads/fluid for track “safety” (in quotes because the stock pads/fluid are probably fine anyway).

This car feels like when I push it as hard as I can, it just asks for more! Almost like it’s capable of double the power.

Overall, I feel pretty confident in saying that if the car hasn’t been extensively modded, there isn’t much any owner could do (besides visible damage) that would make me worry about a used G80

[f30dreamin]

Originally Posted by DTMfan

How did it turn out? I'm looking at a similar used car. 22 with 15k miles at a bmw dealer. Non certified. Looks fairly clean from all the records I can see online.

I’d be curious as to why they aren’t doing a cpo?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by areeb

I'm buying from a dealership and the list price is $10k less than MSRP and about $15k less than if I was to order a new, similarly optioned, M3 (considering BMW increased the starting price of the M3).

I'd just buy new. $10-15k savings for an unknown isn't worth it.

[Bimmerfun82]

Ask questions. Try to determine if the car has been tracked - front tires replaced, brake pad thickness, etc.

It’s intriguing to save money on a used M3, but it really depends on how long you will keep the car and if it’s certified and the extended warranty coverage.

But if you buy a new one, it comes with peace of mind. And M3’s are still in a high demand situation with short supply, so the depreciation may be similar to a used model. I was only down $5k on my comp x with 10k miles.

['Cane]

Originally Posted by f30dreamin

I’d be curious as to why they aren’t doing a cpo?

Most dealers won't/don't CPO M cars.

[azonis2021]

This post is nearing a year old now, so OP has probably already made a decision, but just for future reference, I'd like to add that the G8X Generation is the best-built, most reliable M car BMW has ever produced. Seriously, these things are Camry-reliable with the amount of abuse they endure.

Also, when buying used, it's much better to buy the car from a private owner vs a dealership. This way, you can gauge what type of owner you're dealing with, and who's driven their car hard and put it away wet. It's quite easy to distinguish the 'hot boy' do oil changes every 10k miles and redline the car after cold start types from the meticulous enthusiasts who service their car frequently and treat it with mechanical sympathy, once you've talked to them a little.

However, if you find yourself at a dealership, try to comb through the Carfax service records to get an idea of how frequently the oil has been changed, and whether there are service records from independent shops. Also, if the car has aftermarket modifications, ensure that the parts come from high-quality, well-respected aftermarket brands. I generally stay away from cars that have a bunch of no-name, Alibaba drop-ship parts. Shows me if the owner was willing to put bottom dollar parts on an $80,000+ car, then they likely also cheaped out on other more important areas.

[f30dreamin]

Originally Posted by 'Cane

Most dealers won't/don't CPO M cars.

Did not know that.