[chris14031]

Hey all, I have been searching for a new car for what seems like forever (a few months now ) and still haven't found the perfect one yet. I'm pretty partial to red and white cars, and thought I finally found the perfect car (2011 328xi) at a dealership 3 hours from my house: Gorgeous, in my opinion, crimson red over grey leather. Looks very European to me lol. Under 30,000 miles. CPO. $24,500. Sounds like a good deal.

...Until I looked at the CarFax. Looks like it was a prior rental vehicle? I have rented cars from Hertz, Dollar, National, and Enterprise and never saw a 3 series in their fleet up until recently? Maybe owned by a private company of some sorts? But the carfax shows that it was a rental vehicle owned for just under two years. The even more alarming point is that this vehicle has been for sale for over one year now, which may mean that it was either too expensive to start with or more grave problems. Either way, I'm concerned to say the least. Dealer says the car is perfect but I'm three hours away and want to know if its worth the drive to look at it. Price at $24,500 is very reasonable and low for the area.


Would you buy a "former rental" CPO 3-series? Please let me know. Appreciate the help!

LINK:http://www.cainbmw.com/certifiedbmw/...XBA972417.aspx

[Osirisman]

This just my opinion but I would never buy a rental. There usual abused, I mean come one who doesn't like to have fun in a rental lol
But I would assume they keep up on there maintainance :

[NormE91]

If it were a rental I would be a little wary. I wonder if carfax would list it that way if it were a loaner?

Pretty car. No sport package, but don't know if that's important to you. The only other thing I noticed is no xenon headlights. I will say, the xenons make a huge difference IMO.

[ken1137]

Wouldn't matter as long as the PPI is good. Get a PPI and negotiate the price down based on what they find or the fact that is was a rental. I rent cars for business every week and when I get a BMW 3 series or Mustang I drive it very hard

[Dark_Knight_335]

Never in a million years. I have a good friend that works for enterprise- he's told me many a horror story of how those rentals are treated...

[tm6030]

Never.. When ever have a loaner in possession.. I fuck with it all the time..I'm pretty sure the vast majority do too..

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by Osirisman

This just my opinion but I would never buy a rental. There usual abused, I mean come one who doesn't like to have fun in a rental lol

+ many, they don't exactly get an easy life ...wouldn't touch a rental with a barge-pole.

[cuiter23]

Wouldn't hurt to go and take a look right since you said that this is your ideal car. Keep in mind that this may be the only one in your vincinity. I mean you buying a $25,000 car, a couple hours on the road shouldn't hurt (I drive 3 hours to Seattle for shopping once a month if that helps lol).

[SSW]

Originally Posted by chris14031

Would you buy a "former rental" CPO 3-series?

I would NEVER buy a "former rental" of any make or model.

[chris14031]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far! I will email them and see if they can get the price down a little, if I know they are willing to negotiate I may make the drive and see the car and get a PPI if I feel like it is right. But I am apprehensive to say the least...

On a side note, finding the perfect 3 series has been such a journey so far...always trying to find the perfect model with the perfect color...
When I bought my RAV4 I went to the Toyota lot, picked out the car within ten minutes, and drove home a few hours later. Hopefully my long search will pay off very soon