[Chrono9084]

Hello all,

I am a first time BMW owner coming up to the end of my current lease. I currently have a 2021 M340ix and absolutely love it. I had my heart set on a new M440ix convertible but realized I could get a barely used M4 convertible for nearly the same price. I am very wary of buying used cars due to some pretty bad luck in the past.

To make matters even more interesting, I am looking for a convertible but live in Minnesota. Chances are I am going to have to travel to purchase this vehicle and trade my lease in at the same time. I need to make sure, as much as possible, that the car I select is going to work before possibly driving for two days to pick it up. 🙂

With that in mind, I have a bunch of questions that I figure the veterans here can probably answer.

1. What potential issues should I be looking for when buying a used M4 competition convertible?
2. Brake replacement average cost between an M440 and M4.
3. Other maintenance items (and costs) not present with an M440.
4. Any issues I should be aware of with a convertible in wintery conditions (Minnesota).
5. Best practices when buying a used car from an out of state dealer before driving there? (Video/Pictures? Third party inspector? Something I am not thinking about?)
6. Any opinions on best tools to verify options based on VIN number?
7. Does the included three year maintenance transfer to a new owner if the car is still in that window?
8. What is the best way to determine if a warranty has been voided?
9. Any convertible owners have experience installing a rear facing camera in a convertible? (I am using a Thinkware U1000 currently. The rear camera mounts to the rear window which obviously will not work in a convertible.)
10. Any other additional information would be welcomed!

Thank you all in advance!

[Berzerker]

1. Make sure all service records are done via carfax (1200 mile break-in (at or around 1200 miles), oil changes at most every 10k miles/once per year, etc). Bonus points if they've bothered CPO'ing it.

2. Third party pads, quality pads, can be had for less than $700 total. First party will run you about $1k. Rotors are $2k total.

3. Nope. Maintenance is fairly standard across the board.

4. Nothing more than a coupe.

5. This is tough, best to get as many pictures/videos you can, you'll probably be rolling the dice a bit more than you normally would if you don't have anyone to go physically look at it.

6. Carfax

7. If it's a MY'22 or newer it is

8. Ask BMW

9. Probably not gonna work. The folding mechanism is too complicated for a well placed/slack-hidden rear camera. Your best bet is mounting some glass shield between the back headrests and mounting it to that. I'd just forgo it altogether and only use a forward-facing one IMO.

10. Any dealer is willing to ship the car for a fee (usually at or around $1k), so you may want to look into that option.

[caveatesq1]

Not sure what your budget is but there are deals to be had on new G83s. Just picked one up this weekend for my wife with more than a 15% discount off MSRP. $104,700 MSRP and selling price after Loyalty of $88,600.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by caveatesq1

Not sure what your budget is but there are deals to be had on new G83s. Just picked one up this weekend for my wife with more than a 15% discount off MSRP. $104,700 MSRP and selling price after Loyalty of $88,600.

I think if they're cross-shopping a new M440iC, even with % off new is going to be a hard sell.

[xxyion]

I think it can depend on your area. Just did a Cargurus search and used M4 Convertibles right now are listed for about 80k give or take.

My brand new G82 M4 Competition xDrive i got 11% off and my sale price before tax was 85k. If you dont care about the competition or the xDrive then the overall MSRP is going to be way cheaper. A lot of deals can be had and average price for a M4 Convertible is around 92k in my area (NorCal). I was offered 12% off for one of those at my local dealership which would have put sale price at around 80k. If thats your budget i highly recommend shopping around for deals as getting into a new one will be way nicer.

[Mike02z]

Look at new G83 M4’s in inventory at all NE dealers. There should be a substantial discount as convertibles don’t sell in the winter in the NE. You might get 10% or more off MSRP if you find a dealer with one sitting on the lot. Dealers want to move them. Might do even better if you start calling dealers right before/after Christmas. EOY deals can be the best. Just tell them you’ll want it this year.

[Chrono9084]

Thank you for all of the great info.

I would consider a new one but I am hoping to keep it around or below 80k. The m440 I specced was 83k. I would be quite happy with that but know I would kick myself in the ass if I found out afterwards that I could have had a low mileage M4 comp for slightly cheaper. I am also looking at used m440ic's but there are far fewer of them on the market and finding the right combo of options is proving to be difficult.

[maguir2]

Originally Posted by Chrono9084

Thank you for all of the great info.

I would consider a new one but I am hoping to keep it around or below 80k. The m440 I specced was 83k. I would be quite happy with that but know I would kick myself in the ass if I found out afterwards that I could have had a low mileage M4 comp for slightly cheaper. I am also looking at used m440ic's but there are far fewer of them on the market and finding the right combo of options is proving to be difficult.

You can definitely find a new m4 comp around the same price ($83k)

[nordmanmg]

If you buying a CPO (certified pre owned) then you’ll be fine, bmw offers extra year of warranty with unlimited miles.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by maguir2

You can definitely find a new m4 comp around the same price ($83k)

Not a convertible. Those start north of $93k now. And, I wouldn't get one with zero options on it.

[maguir2]

Originally Posted by Berzerker

Not a convertible. Those start north of $93k now. And, I wouldn't get one with zero options on it.

You might be right. I do know I could find a new manual m4 for less than $80k and a new m4 comp for $80k.

[xxyion]

Originally Posted by Chrono9084

Thank you for all of the great info.

I would consider a new one but I am hoping to keep it around or below 80k. The m440 I specced was 83k. I would be quite happy with that but know I would kick myself in the ass if I found out afterwards that I could have had a low mileage M4 comp for slightly cheaper. I am also looking at used m440ic's but there are far fewer of them on the market and finding the right combo of options is proving to be difficult.

You can 100% get an M4 Convertible for 80k or less. Especially if it's non comp or xDrive. I'm on the west coast where winters are basically chilly summers and even then M4 Comp Convertibles are selling for significantly under MSRP.

Keep in mind these are not advertised prices, you need to talk to someone. And dont sound desperate to buy. You can negotiate. My M4 Comp xDrive Coupe, i negotiated 11% under MSRP for a sale price of 85k before taxes and fees. The dealership near me with a bunch of convertibles on their lot was offering me 12% under MSRP for any of them. Most had between 91-94k MSRP. 12% under puts it right around 80k which is what sounds like your budget. In an area where winters are real winters, i would be surprised if you couldnt get at least that much of a discount.

[monkeyman8]

Originally Posted by xxyion

You can 100% get an M4 Convertible for 80k or less. Especially if it's non comp or xDrive. I'm on the west coast where winters are basically chilly summers and even then M4 Comp Convertibles are selling for significantly under MSRP.

Keep in mind these are not advertised prices, you need to talk to someone. And dont sound desperate to buy. You can negotiate. My M4 Comp xDrive Coupe, i negotiated 11% under MSRP for a sale price of 85k before taxes and fees. The dealership near me with a bunch of convertibles on their lot was offering me 12% under MSRP for any of them. Most had between 91-94k MSRP. 12% under puts it right around 80k which is what sounds like your budget. In an area where winters are real winters, i would be surprised if you couldnt get at least that much of a discount.

Isn't the convertible available only in XDrive and Comp?

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by monkeyman8

Isn't the convertible available only in XDrive and Comp?

Correct. There's no non-competition or RWD convertible.

I would be floored if you could get a *new*, well-optioned M4C for less than $80k. Even less than $90k is pushing it with decent options.

[xxyion]

Originally Posted by Berzerker

Correct. There's no non-competition or RWD convertible.

I would be floored if you could get a *new*, well-optioned M4C for less than $80k. Even less than $90k is pushing it with decent options.

Ah thats my bad then. Either way, it's very possible to get these prices. As i said my local dealership is offering 12% off MSRP for any M4 Comp CV on their lot. Average price for a vert is around 95k, with 12% off, that comes out to just under 84k. I read in another thread on here that someone managed to get 15% off. That drops the price to 80k.

While i do understand not everyone will get these deals, i personally think we're in a much stronger position to negotiate than we were in the past. Not to mention we're about to hit winter and convertibles are not desired at all this time of year. Just find a dealer with 5 or more on the lot and play coy. chances are they will be desperate to get them off the lot.

Also i think "well optioned" really depends on the owner. I personally think my M4CX is very well optioned. but it doesnt have ventilated seats, or full leather, or driving assist. For me none of those were important and not worth spending the money on.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Just took a quick look. Not so sure about the average price being $96,000 with only 6 cars at or below $96,000 and 141 cars over $100,000

187 convertibles in stock nationwide listed by Edmonds.

Least expensive MSRP $95,000 2 in stock

4 in the $96,000 range

10 in the $97,000 range

13 in the $98,000 range

19 in the $99,000 range

141 over $100,000-$103,000

[Mike02z]

Let’s assume you can get one for 98K MSRP. IF you could get 15% off you’re looking at $83.3k. Those have some options. I think 15% is not outside the realm of possibility with a hungry dealer looking to make an extra sale prior to end of year. Check dealers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The G83 was not a “hot” seller in Covertible weather let alone in the far NE states going into winter.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

Let’s assume you can get one for 98K MSRP. IF you could get 15% off you’re looking at $83.3k. Those have some options. I think 15% is not outside the realm of possibility with a hungry dealer looking to make an extra sale prior to end of year. Check dealers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The G83 was not a “hot” seller in Covertible weather let alone in the far NE states going into winter.

There are about 8 available locally $98,000-$102,000. Looks like the dealers with stock are discounting 4% + anything BMW Financial & or BMWCCA are adding to it.

[caveatesq1]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

Let’s assume you can get one for 98K MSRP. IF you could get 15% off you’re looking at $83.3k. Those have some options. I think 15% is not outside the realm of possibility with a hungry dealer looking to make an extra sale prior to end of year. Check dealers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The G83 was not a “hot” seller in Covertible weather let alone in the far NE states going into winter.

15% on stock unit is possible if you qualify for BMWFS loyalty in New England. I just signed for one for my wife with MSRP of just under $105k and selling was under $89k. DM me if you want to know where.

[monkeyman8]

Originally Posted by xxyion

Ah thats my bad then. Either way, it's very possible to get these prices. As i said my local dealership is offering 12% off MSRP for any M4 Comp CV on their lot. Average price for a vert is around 95k, with 12% off, that comes out to just under 84k. I read in another thread on here that someone managed to get 15% off. That drops the price to 80k.

While i do understand not everyone will get these deals, i personally think we're in a much stronger position to negotiate than we were in the past. Not to mention we're about to hit winter and convertibles are not desired at all this time of year. Just find a dealer with 5 or more on the lot and play coy. chances are they will be desperate to get them off the lot.

Also i think "well optioned" really depends on the owner. I personally think my M4CX is very well optioned. but it doesnt have ventilated seats, or full leather, or driving assist. For me none of those were important and not worth spending the money on.

95K is stripped bare. Optioned well you're looking 102-107K. I have not seen many (if any) at 95k.

[xxyion]

Probably very location dependent then. A lot of the ones in my area are around the 96-98k mark. Which is interesting because it being California you'd think people would be willing to spend more money.

[Chrono9084]

I forgot to mention that my lease is up at the end of May so I am getting close but still far enough out that I think most dealers are not going to want to give me any of my equity as it will be used to offset the early termination cost. My local dealership offered to pay me the equity as a down payment on a new vehicle assuming I order it to arrive around the end of my lease. With that in mind....here are some other questions.

1) If it's possible to get these large discounts on new M4 Convertibles, is it not also possible to do the same with an M440i convertible or is this based more on the amount of M4 allocations?

2) Is it possible to get discounts on allocation orders similar to discounts you can get on vehicles that are on the lot? I was thinking of going back to my dealer once I find a good deal and see if they will let me order one that I want at a similar price but don't want to ask if I am going to look like an idiot, lol.

3) One thing that has been bugging me is not getting the curved screen if I buy a used 23 M4. Any thoughts on how much better (or worse) it is than the previous iteration?

4) Assuming average driving across the board, is the M4 going to be less reliable than an M440 over the course of 7 years?

5) For newer models, do you still need Driving Assistance Pro to get Adaptive Cruise Control?