[joyjitguha]

Hi
I am looking at a 2006 325i. It has 40k miles on it and has had two owners. And the first one was a 'rental', it was driven 13k miles in the first 13 months and then it was sold to a dealer. It was then sold to another dealer in an auction and then the 2nd owner (current) bought the vehicle. It been driven to 40k miles till now.

I am putting down some carfax entries about its maintenance, please let me know if this is a normal maintenance activity.
"Body computer/module reprogrammed at a mileage of 30,450 miles.'
'Air vent/outlet replaced'

Also I would like to know a good mechanic who does buyer inspections, preferably near Tacoma or Olympia.

Thanks for your feedback and help.

[335icell]

how much is the kbb? i got my 2007 335i twin turbo sedan which has 48xxx miles for $20,200. so if i were you probably looking around still. craigslist.org is a BIG help for me.

[joyjitguha]

yes found this on CL. The asking price is 17k which is the private party value for 'excellent'.

Am not sure if the 'rental' history or the maintenance activities look out of order.

[ctanod]

im selling my bmw 2006 325i 2068325965 hit me up

[black3]

Nice. Welcome aboard, post pics when you can.

[Blackbird]

Try Pete Bristow - http://www.bristowsauto.com/.

Also, here's my buying advice:
1. Run a free VIN check on the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) site. You’ll find out if the car has ever been reported stolen or as a salvage title. https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud...check/vincheck

2. Run a Carfax or Autocheck report. Both offer limited “guarantees” that if something has been reported to them, they’ll included it on the report. Frankly, not much of a guarantee, but it gives you some additional information. Some are of the opinion that Autocheck offers more information than Carfax, and for less money. I’m among those.

3. If you are buying from a “corner lot” used car dealer, they likely purchased the car at auction from Manheim / OVE.com. Ask where they bought the car. If they tell you at auction, ask for a copy of the auction report. Much more is disclosed here than on any Carfax/Autocheck.

Through an arbitration process, the dealer purchasing the car at auction may return the car within 14 days if they discover undisclosed damage. As such, sellers tend to disclose all available information for the auction. Not all auto body shops report to Carfax and Autocheck. Cars have been known to look clean on a Carfax when in fact the frame has been damaged. Again, Carfax only reports what has been reported to it.

The Manheim policies aren’t perfect, but they'll probably have the most in-depth info you can get. http://www.manheimresources.com/poli...ManMktpolicies

4. Get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) done by a qualified mechanic before you buy.

5. Read the Washington Department of Licensing’s page on buying a car. http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistr...uyingacar.html

[brocken]

Do NOT buy a rental car. Have you ever driven a rental car? If so, how did you drive it...?

Just think of how poorly everybody drives rental cars. It's not like buying a two owner car... it's like buying a 200 owner car where nobody gave a crap about it.

If you're buying used my advice would be to find one from a private party where you can talk to the person and get a feel for how they took care of it.

Take your time and get the one that really feels right for you.

[Blackbird]

Are you looking at the one on Craigslist out of Portland for $16,700? (http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1963230877.html) I just ran the VIN through the NICB VIN check, and it has a salvage title. Run, run like the wind.

[joyjitguha]

Thanks for the responses... Not the one from portland but from Olympia/tacoma.
Carfax seems fine and the current owner has had the car for last 3 years and the maintenance records from Northwest BMW look fine.. am taking the car to northwest BMW for an inspection including a compression test. Am i going to waste my $220 for the whole check? Should I just start looking again?

[shockin330i]

I'm just gonna go out and say it. If you can't afford to maintain it, don't buy it.

[joyjitguha]

i dont have a problem spending 1000-1500 a year on regular maintenance but i really dont want to bogged down by repairs every month...

[Blackbird]

Nope, the $220 for the inspection is money well-spent.

[joyjitguha]

okie... done deal
proud owner of my first Bimmer... 2006 325i 4 dr with 44000 miles... comes with sports and weather package. a lovely silver color...carfax clean, one WA owner and the best for last extended CPO warranty and maintenance package till Mar 2012

BTW i paid 18900! sounds good?

PS: Not the car I had posted asking about but a different one.

PPS: will post pics soon!!!