[phly]

Car is at CarMax, I currently have a hold on the car and need help on whether you guys think I should pull the trigger on it or not. The car is listed at $34,999 with 26k miles on it. My biggest concern with the car is the HUGE gap in service history. I have test driven the car and like it A LOT but, I am really concern that the previous owner did not take good care of this car. It had the schedule maintenance done at 5k, and then NOTHING after that. Also, the 5k mile maintenance was not done at a dealership but at an NTA. I have attached a copy of the CarFax report, should I avoid this car and wait for something with a better service history?

THANK YOU

[aerobod]

I would only buy it if proper maintenance records can be found that indicate the correct oil was used at close to the required interval. If it did go double the normal change mileage on an unknown oil, then there is a high likelihood of sludge or significant engine wear for the mileage.

[BEM-S4]

I don't believe there even is a scheduled stop at 5. Think 10 and 20 fluids and filters but could be wrong. Worth a call to SA to ask.

Some folks like me do fluids and filters at 1K just for OCD reasons then 10 and 20.

[NVHoo]

Call you local service manager and give him the VIN. Ask him about BMW's service records. He does not want to deal with a lemon any more than you do.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

Call you local service manager and give him the VIN. Ask him about BMW's service records. He does not want to deal with a lemon any more than you do.

While you've got him on the phone check on the warranty. I'm not 100% certain but I am 99% certain that the warranty could be in jeopardy if services are skipped.

[p912guy]

That's an odd one considering BMW service on a 2017 with that mileage would generally be covered at no charge. That said, I see the "original" owner sold the car a month and 1900 miles into ownership. BMW has changed their service plan terms so much over the years, I'm not sure if the service plan followed the car to the new owner or not which might explain the service at an "independent" at 5K miles. I'd be hesitant with for two reasons, first being ownership change one month in and second being spotty service history. Based on everything I know, I firmly believe our 2er's are rock solid vehicles when properly maintained, but when the maintenance schedule isn't followed, who knows. Not to launch into another discussion of maintenance / oil change intervals, but I service my m235i every 5-6K miles, doing the service myself at home in-between the scheduled visits at BMW.

[phly]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

While you've got him on the phone check on the warranty. I'm not 100% certain but I am 99% certain that the warranty could be in jeopardy if services are skipped.

You are correct, the 3yrs maintenance warranty is voided per the BMW rep I spoke with.

[Vitacura]

I had pulled the Carfax on a BMW I was going to sell and there were no records of it being serviced. Now I had all the service records from the local BMW dealership, but I guess they didn't report it to Carfax.

This was about 8-10 years ago, but just a thought that wherever it was serviced they may not report it.

Back then you could go and ask your SA for service records by just telling them the VIN, but lately it has been difficult to do since they clamped down on only releasing info to the registered owner of the vehicle. It may not hurt to try though.

[phly]

Originally Posted by Vitacura

I had pulled the Carfax on a BMW I was going to sell and there were no records of it being serviced. Now I had all the service records from the local BMW dealership, but I guess they didn't report it to Carfax.

This was about 8-10 years ago, but just a thought that wherever it was serviced they may not report it.

Back then you could go and ask your SA for service records by just telling them the VIN, but lately it has been difficult to do since they clamped down on only releasing info to the registered owner of the vehicle. It may not hurt to try though.

I think the previous owner just neglected to get it properly serviced. I got the inspection report that was done by CarMax, looks like they had to do an oil/filter change on the car. Which tells me the previous owner did not have the oil change between 5k and 26k miles. It apparently also had a very strong smoke odor according to the CarMax report. I think I'll pass on this car, seems like there's a few red flags on it. Thank you all for your suggestions!

[BEM-S4]

If you haven't already talk to your dealer about trying to source an exec demo. I have ZERO idea how many 2-series are available that way compared to the tons of 3-series, but you can score a very good deal that way as well.

[p912guy]

If you are really serious about getting a 2 Series and want to purchase preowned, look for a BMW CPO at a BMW dealership. Search dealers within a comfortable radius of your area and see what's available. While not as ubiquitous as a 3 Series, most dealerships of any size seem to have at least 1 or 2 CPO 2 Series available all the time. A quick search of my local dealer shows they have 30 CPO 3 Series and 1 CPO 2 Series. I recently helped my daughter shop for a lightly used Mazda 6 and while CarMax was convenient and had lots of cars to pick from, we were able to find a nicer CPO car at a lower price at the Mazda dealer. Good luck with your search. Like most of us on this forum, I truly love my m235i and can say it's by far my favorite DD of the more than 20 vehicles my wife and I have had over the past 35+ years.

[phly]

Originally Posted by p912guy

If you are really serious about getting a 2 Series and want to purchase preowned, look for a BMW CPO at a BMW dealership. Search dealers within a comfortable radius of your area and see what's available. While not as ubiquitous as a 3 Series, most dealerships of any size seem to have at least 1 or 2 CPO 2 Series available all the time. A quick search of my local dealer shows they have 30 CPO 3 Series and 1 CPO 2 Series. I recently helped my daughter shop for a lightly used Mazda 6 and while CarMax was convenient and had lots of cars to pick from, we were able to find a nicer CPO car at a lower price at the Mazda dealer. Good luck with your search. Like most of us on this forum, I truly love my m235i and can say it's by far my favorite DD of the more than 20 vehicles my wife and I have had over the past 35+ years.

Thanks for the advice, man. Ive test driven a few cars while car shopping and the 2 series was definitely the best (although the b8.5 S5 would be my 2nd choice). I've looked at local and other dealerships within 100miles, there's just no inventory of them at the moment. I'll keep searching!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by phly

Thanks for the advice, man. Ive test driven a few cars while car shopping and the 2 series was definitely the best (although the b8.5 S5 would be my 2nd choice). I've looked at local and other dealerships within 100miles, there's just no inventory of them at the moment. I'll keep searching!

If you tell your dealer what you are looking for they get a roster of cars (both preowned and exec demo) that are coming to auction each week. They can help you find something.

[phly]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

If you tell your dealer what you are looking for they get a roster of cars (both preowned and exec demo) that are coming to auction each week. They can help you find something.

I'll try with a different BMW dealership, I had a bad experience with my local one. Thanks.