Buying a car with a reported accident.. - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Citrus · 01-18-2013, 12:06 AM

Hey guys, been in the market for a E92 28xi (as some of you may know from my previous post). I've fell in love with the blue colors. The one I was looking at before was bought a few days ago (ended in a price war between another buyer, was not willing to pay what was being asked) and have found another Deep sea blue with a interior that I like more. The Carfax has a "Accident reported Involving rear impact". What are your thoughts on buying a a car with a reported accident? Is there anyway finding out more about the accident? Should I forget about this way and look for another? It also lacks any detail into the service records in the Carfax. Is that a red flag?

Here is the link..
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...08902686&Log=0

BOBKUR · 01-18-2013, 12:11 AM

I think i would pass.

slider86 · 01-18-2013, 12:13 AM

I'd be more concerned about it being a "corporate fleet" vehicle than the accident. BMW doesn't generally certify cars if the damage is anything but cosmetic/minor.

deluxe 247 · 01-18-2013, 12:17 AM

Use it as leverage on the price as long as it's a clan title. Make sure you get a PPI and you should be fine.

StevenY. · 01-18-2013, 12:18 AM

Well, if you really want this car then you can probably take it to a shop and have them check it out and see if the repairs were done properly and if there is any frame damage. I would stay away from this car though, it's a 328 for 31k. You can easily buy a CPO 335i for that price. That's just my opinion.

Citrus · 01-18-2013, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider86

I'd be more concerned about it being a "corporate fleet" vehicle than the accident. BMW doesn't generally certify cars if the damage is anything but cosmetic/minor.

What does Corporate fleet mean? Iv googled it, and get all sorts of different answers.

Citrus · 01-18-2013, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenY.

Well, if you really want this car then you can probably take it to a shop and have them check it out and see if the repairs were done properly and if there is any frame damage. I would stay away from this car though, it's a 328 for 31k. You can easily buy a CPO 335i for that price. That's just my opinion.

The price is my second problem with the car. I love the color combo but not willing to pay 30k+ for a 328xi.

The problem with getting a PPI is the car is about 2 hours away from me

bmwforme · 01-18-2013, 12:23 AM

I was under the impression a car with an accident on its VIN couldn't be CPO'd... guess I was wrong.

StevenY. · 01-18-2013, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwforme

I was under the impression a car with an accident on its VIN couldn't be CPO'd... guess I was wrong.

It can still be CPO'd even if it has been in an accident. I heard that most dealers don't even really inspect the car to CPO it.

Vegetable · 01-18-2013, 12:32 AM

The description says 18" style 152 wheels.. Where are they?

xxcferrarixx · 01-18-2013, 12:35 AM

You can do much better on the price

Citrus · 01-18-2013, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenY.

It can still be CPO'd even if it has been in an accident. I heard that most dealers don't even really inspect the car to CPO it.

God! This has me cringing

bmwforme · 01-18-2013, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citrus

God! This has me cringing

I would always get a PPI to be sure, but everybody usually buys the CPO for the warranty anyway.. I remember a story on here a while back, a CPO car was sold with the rear seat belts literally cut out lol..

Citrus · 01-18-2013, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwforme

I would always get a PPI to be sure, but everybody usually buys the CPO for the warranty anyway.. I remember a story on here a while back, a CPO car was sold with the rear seat belts literally cut out lol..

The main reason I was going for the CPO was the warranty but the "certified BMW inspection"was giving me a little piece of mind but I guess not.

StevenY. · 01-18-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citrus

God! This has me cringing

Yeah, but it's still nice to have the warranty. Just make sure you check every little thing and make sure it's all good and if it's not all good, get them to fix it before you sign the papers. Another approach is you can just buy a car still under factory warranty and extend it for about 2-3k.

Catalina Wine Mixer · 01-18-2013, 01:43 AM

Have a legit bmw shop inspect it...

John 070 · 01-18-2013, 05:59 AM

That's like marrying a woman who has two sets of kids through two previous marriages, and who tells you "you're the one."

pepsih · 01-18-2013, 06:26 AM

if i were you i would leave the color preference, while choosing a used car...
Sometime it's very hard to find the right model with the right options, color at the right price.
when i was looking for mine, i skipped all the Titanium silver cars.
I end up buying one.

Sethism · 01-18-2013, 07:50 AM

I would pass on a car with an accident, unless you could find solid documentation regarding the nature of the accident, the extent of the damage, and how it was repaired.

E90/92 aren't exactly rare. Just be patient and persistent. Something good will come your way.

baris · 01-18-2013, 10:48 AM

With an accident that car shouldn't cost more than $25k. I just bought a 2009 328xi with 30k miles on it for $23k.

upstatedoc · 01-18-2013, 10:56 AM

aw jeez, not this sh!t again...

ken1137 · 01-18-2013, 11:01 AM

+1 on a PPI and have them inspect the frame closely in addition to the entire rear of the car. You can still use the accident report, if it passes inspection, as leverage in negotiating. Walk away if they refuse your request for an independent PPI. GL

01-18-2013, 12:06 AM	#1
Citrus New Member Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: BOS Posts: 13 iTrader: (0)	Buying a car with a reported accident.. Hey guys, been in the market for a E92 28xi (as some of you may know from my previous post). I've fell in love with the blue colors. The one I was looking at before was bought a few days ago (ended in a price war between another buyer, was not willing to pay what was being asked) and have found another Deep sea blue with a interior that I like more. The Carfax has a "Accident reported Involving rear impact". What are your thoughts on buying a a car with a reported accident? Is there anyway finding out more about the accident? Should I forget about this way and look for another? It also lacks any detail into the service records in the Carfax. Is that a red flag? Here is the link.. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...08902686&Log=0
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01-18-2013, 12:17 AM	#4
deluxe 247 Shake and Bake Drives: the girls crazy Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 378 iTrader: (3)	Use it as leverage on the price as long as it's a clan title. Make sure you get a PPI and you should be fine. __________________ 2007 Space Gray E92 335i 6 speed

01-18-2013, 12:23 AM	#8
bmwforme First Lieutenant Drives: 11' Camry Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NYC Posts: 376 iTrader: (0)	I was under the impression a car with an accident on its VIN couldn't be CPO'd... guess I was wrong. __________________ 18 Brooklyn, NYC Debating on getting an E90 2010-2011...

01-18-2013, 01:43 AM	#16
Catalina Wine Mixer Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 09 335i Coupe White/Coral Red Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,600 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i [3.63] 2008 328i [2.75]	Have a legit bmw shop inspect it... __________________ \| 09 335i Coupe \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| M Sport \| 6mt \| Premium \| Logic7 \| 19" Beyern Mesh \| 20% Tint \| LUX Angel Eyes \| 5000k Fogs \| Black Kidney Grill \| BMS DCI \| Cobb Stage 1 \| M-Pedal Set \| Painted Side Reflectors \| Rear Lip Spoiler \| Euro Front Plate \| Passport 9500ix \| BIM Coded \| Who is John Galt??

01-18-2013, 10:56 AM	#21
upstatedoc Drone Expert Drives: '09 BMW 328ix Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Posts: 805 iTrader: (1)	aw jeez, not this sh!t again... __________________ Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.

01-18-2013, 12:11 AM	#2
BOBKUR Major Drives: 2008 E 90 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 1,207 iTrader: (2)	I think i would pass.

01-18-2013, 12:13 AM	#3
slider86 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 328xi Alpine White Join Date: May 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 231 iTrader: (1)	I'd be more concerned about it being a "corporate fleet" vehicle than the accident. BMW doesn't generally certify cars if the damage is anything but cosmetic/minor.

01-18-2013, 12:18 AM	#5
StevenY. ///M Drives: Searching.. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 771 iTrader: (0)	Well, if you really want this car then you can probably take it to a shop and have them check it out and see if the repairs were done properly and if there is any frame damage. I would stay away from this car though, it's a 328 for 31k. You can easily buy a CPO 335i for that price. That's just my opinion.

01-18-2013, 12:32 AM	#10
Vegetable Private First Class Drives: e92 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orange County Posts: 197 iTrader: (0)	The description says 18" style 152 wheels.. Where are they?

01-18-2013, 12:35 AM	#11
xxcferrarixx Private Drives: 2011 328xi Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Norwood, NJ Posts: 71 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [5.00]	You can do much better on the price

01-18-2013, 05:59 AM	#17
John 070 Lieutenant General Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW Posts: 10,220 iTrader: (0)	That's like marrying a woman who has two sets of kids through two previous marriages, and who tells you "you're the one."

01-18-2013, 06:26 AM	#18
pepsih First Lieutenant Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Currently NY Posts: 383 iTrader: (0)	if i were you i would leave the color preference, while choosing a used car... Sometime it's very hard to find the right model with the right options, color at the right price. when i was looking for mine, i skipped all the Titanium silver cars. I end up buying one.

01-18-2013, 07:50 AM	#19
Sethism Private First Class Drives: 2009 328i Xdrive Coupe Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: St Louis Posts: 123 iTrader: (0)	I would pass on a car with an accident, unless you could find solid documentation regarding the nature of the accident, the extent of the damage, and how it was repaired. E90/92 aren't exactly rare. Just be patient and persistent. Something good will come your way.

01-18-2013, 10:48 AM	#20
baris Private First Class Drives: 09 328i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: South Portland, ME Posts: 132 iTrader: (0)	With an accident that car shouldn't cost more than $25k. I just bought a 2009 328xi with 30k miles on it for $23k.

01-18-2013, 11:01 AM	#22
ken1137 Colonel Drives: a slow 2009 e90 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,365 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 335i (e90) [2.17]	+1 on a PPI and have them inspect the frame closely in addition to the entire rear of the car. You can still use the accident report, if it passes inspection, as leverage in negotiating. Walk away if they refuse your request for an independent PPI. GL __________________ BMWCCA member

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