[shortair44]

Hi everyone,

I am currently deployed and have about a month to go until I get back to the states and I am in talks with a dealer about purchasing a 2011 BMW 335d with the color I want, the options I want, and the price I want. The issue is that I asked about the service records and he had no idea what I was talking about. I explained it to him and he said that since they are not a BMW dealership to contact the one next to them. Well, I contacted the BMW dealership and asked about the service records and I explained my situation and the SA literally yelled NO!!! on the phone and said that he hates when people try to do this and that it is illegal and then he hung up on me. Is this true? Is it illegal? Is there anyone on the forum that can help me out and pm me the service records by chance? I can pm the vin number if anyone can help me out. I would really appreciate it.

-Robert

[smass]

Technical the detailed service records contain the personal information of the previous owner. Some dealerships have a policy to never give this out. Many times I have been able to convince them to use scissors to out the name, address phone area. They also can print a summary on a single page or two however this has less detail. The best way to get this is to go in to the BMW dealer for a service and sweet talk the SA.

You can also have the selling dealer contact the previous owner and have then get them from the BMW dealer. Some previous owners are attached to their old car and want it to go to a good home. . Some are not.

I got the summary when I got my latest used BMW and I find it has little vaule. The Carfax actually has more info as it included oil changes that were not done at the BMW dealer. It hurt me to type that as I hate Carfax with a deep passion.

[shortair44]

Thanks for all the info. Normally that sounds like a good idea taking it in for service but I am deployed right now, so I can't physically go anywhere until next month.

[335dlci]

I worked at the dealer for over 8 years. The vehicle history only includes warranty repairs done to the vehicle.

[shortair44]

I sent you a pm 335dlci, if you don't mind helping me out

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by shortair44

I sent you a pm 335dlci, if you don't mind helping me out

please do. Ill see what I can do with my resources.

[Andrew@FixMyVW]

Originally Posted by shortair44

Well, I contacted the BMW dealership and asked about the service records and I explained my situation and the SA literally yelled NO!!! on the phone and said that he hates when people try to do this and that it is illegal and then he hung up on me. Is this true? Is it illegal?

I don't know if it's illegal or not, but if someone calls us and wants information about what was done with a car's tune, and they are not the person that paid for the work, they get zero information. I view those records as private information, like only a doctor would/should have. If they get rude on the phone about it we would tell them to go pound sand and blacklist their phone number.
Obviously this changes if the original owner calls us and gives us written authorization to release these records.

[shortair44]

I completely understand about the personal information aspect, believe me, the military and I take that very seriously. I just wanted to know what stuff was replaced under warranty. Shouldn't that info be available for the car owner (past or present) since BMW replaced it and paid for it? Without the personal information attached obviously. Just my two cents.

[hang your cross]

I've never had issues with any dealer. They cut out personal info and give you the records, not just warranty either. Maybe Ive dealt with nicer service departments?

It's really no big deal.

[melonbread]

Why buying from dealer? Get one from the forum.

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

I worked at the dealer for over 8 years. The vehicle history only includes warranty repairs done to the vehicle. I still have access to that info btw

I bought my car from dealer but technically it was used as it was loaner for first 6000 miles. I wouldn't think there would be privacy issues there.

[Jay Carnes]

Originally Posted by shortair44

Hi everyone,

I am currently deployed and have about a month to go until I get back to the states and I am in talks with a dealer about purchasing a 2011 BMW 335d with the color I want, the options I want, and the price I want. The issue is that I asked about the service records and he had no idea what I was talking about. I explained it to him and he said that since they are not a BMW dealership to contact the one next to them. Well, I contacted the BMW dealership and asked about the service records and I explained my situation and the SA literally yelled NO!!! on the phone and said that he hates when people try to do this and that it is illegal and then he hung up on me. Is this true? Is it illegal? Is there anyone on the forum that can help me out and pm me the service records by chance? I can pm the vin number if anyone can help me out. I would really appreciate it.

-Robert

It might not be as detailed as records right from BMW - but try a carfax report. Every time it goes to the dealer, or an independent they report to carfax. From inspection stickers, to oil changes and tire rotations they are all on there. PM me your VIN if you want me to run one for you. If you are deployed for the military - thanks for your service.

[shortair44]

Thanks for the replies and info everyone. 335dlci helped me out big time and ran the info for me. Awesome forum with awesome people

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

I bought my car from dealer but technically it was used as it was loaner for first 6000 miles. I wouldn't think there would be privacy issues there.

Same with my D, 11k as a North America demo vehicle. I'm technically the only owner

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by shortair44

Thanks for the replies and info everyone. 335dlci helped me out big time and ran the info for me. Awesome forum with awesome people

You're welcome and thank you for your service sir.

[Pierre Louis]

The dealer here in Savannah refused to give me my own personal records of what was done to my non-leased vehicle which I still own. I am not happy with the overall service either, as they lost my service booklet and never bothered to replace it.

[mefferso]

I got all records on mine when bought as CPO. All I did was just ask and he emailed them too me.

[aaddam2]

don't want to get too off topic, but I am about to buy a 335d in 1.5 weeks *giggity giggity*

carfax clean, 335dlci will hopefully run service history , but seller also has his paperwork and noted some replacements that were done.

I was thinking of taking the car to the dealer for a PPI...but seller provided one that was preformed last year on the car, and I planned to use carly bmw to run the "used car check" and see if any codes are popping up. car is only 37k so i couldnt imagine too much could be wrong, and thinking of not getting a PPI done myself.

what do you guys think?

[BB_cuda]

What year model with 37,000 miles? Even if its a 2011, that is low miles. You need to ask if the car is low miles because lots of short trips or if the car is just not driven often. The difference is DPF and CBU related. Lots of short trips spells some trouble if all emissions are intact. The DPF can possibly be loaded up due to incomplete regens. CBU has been rumored to be less if car driven hard. I'm personally skeptical that "blowing it out" with fast driving matters, but I'm in the minority. I think it just delays the eventual accumulation if EGR operation is still in OEM configuration.