[DrivingPassion]

Would you buy an E46 or E90 located more than 2,000 miles away relying only on the inspections of AIM Inspection or CarChex; assuming, you purchase their highest priced inspection package?

Yes/no, please explain yourself.

Thanks!

PS:
I have driven and owned E46 and E90 before so I know how they felt like.

[jwalker87]

Yes. I've bought 2 cars without ever seeing them in person, just relying on inspections. Another one I "saw" but it had some problems and I just drove it around a dark parking lot.

In any case, I only do it because I don't mind working on the cars myself, so some extra surprises aren't that big of a deal. And if you have to cast a wide net to get exactly what you want, then your only options are a plane ticket or trusting the inspection place.

I'd say you're fine.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by jwalker87

Yes. I've bought 2 cars without ever seeing them in person, just relying on inspections. Another one I "saw" but it had some problems and I just drove it around a dark parking lot.

In any case, I only do it because I don't mind working on the cars myself, so some extra surprises aren't that big of a deal. And if you have to cast a wide net to get exactly what you want, then your only options are a plane ticket or trusting the inspection place.

I'd say you're fine.

Who did you use for inspection, if you don't mind sharing?

[matamua]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Would you buy an E46 or E90 located more than 2,000 miles away relying only on the inspections of AIM Inspection or CarChex; assuming, you purchase their highest priced inspection package?

Yes/no, please explain yourself.

Thanks!

PS:
I have driven and owned E46 and E90 before so I know how they felt like.

Just did this 3wks ago with a low mileage 2007 e93. It was interesting. As long as the owner has good records, you've got a bmw code scanner and are getting a good deal, I'd say it's fine.

I'd be very wary of traveling to buy a car without inspection if you weren't getting a great deal.

My 335 had 61k. Clean Carfax. Turbos replaced at 40k by BMW, new index 12 injectors, HPFP, new tires and impeccable records. Bunch of small scratches and bumper covers could both use a repaint/replacement. Otherwise very clean and I spent $8500, which is the upper end of wholesale.

Even with all that, I'm going to have to spend some money.

When I met the guy at the airport, he had hit a pothole on the way out and triggered the trifecta of brake/dbc/dsc which went away on its own. I drove it a bit harder and triggered 30FF/30FC. Long story short, I drove it to the dealer and they checked it out. Charge pipe came loose with the bump though there was no damage to the bottom of the car. Steering angle sensor code fired and they recalibrated it. They felt it wasn't the dsc pump. I drove it from NYC to Charlotte with no issues.

Fast forward two weeks and now I'm getting 5DF0/5DF1...DSC pump is toast. Common issue, but annoying and not cheap. I bought another used pump and it's on its way to module masters for a rebuild—better than $2.5k at the dealer. I'd be less excited if I had paid more for the car.

Long story short, I'm still real happy with the car, but I went into it thinking I'd be okay if I had to spend some money.

[jwalker87]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Who did you use for inspection, if you don't mind sharing?

One was Guardian Auto Inspection (car was in West Palm Beach, FL). The other was a BMW Dealership local to the seller in Dallas, TX.

The Guardian Auto place traveled to the place selling the car and did the entire inspection/test drive there, with minimal interaction from the used car dealer. For the one in TX, it was private party, so I asked the seller to take it there for me and I arranged the rest.

Also, don't be afraid to use the forum! For one I posted a thread asking for help in the area, and someone volunteered to go check it out / test drive it. Not an official inspection, but free and very helpful information that just gives you a bit more confidence, especially if it's someone who owns a similar car.

[DrivingPassion]

Thanks, man ... appreciate the help.

[Vulcan50]

I'd say it depends on your plans to get it.

If you are planning to drive back worst case scenario you are out a plane ticket to get back.

Shipping it, you have the car regardless.

[DrivingPassion]

I'm planning to ship it. It's way past my bedtime to drive 2,600 miles.

[matamua]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

I'm planning to ship it. It's way past my bedtime to drive 2,600 miles.

If you're shipping, better be a smoking deal. I just paid $1k to get from Charlotte to Utah.

[mider111]

Yes, just make sure the inspection is from a reliable source.

[The0pportunist]

Personally I would want to see the car myself before buying it. Going to look at it, negotiating the price then driving her home is all apart of the joyous moment of acquiring a new car IMO.

Furthest we traveled for a car is Scotland (450miles). The savings on a similar spec car in London far outweighed the plane ticket for 2 people & the long journey back home.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

Personally I would want to see the car myself before buying it. Going to look at it, negotiating the price then driving her home is all apart of the joyous moment of acquiring a new car IMO.

Furthest we traveled for a car is Scotland (450miles). The savings on a similar spec car in London far outweighed the plane ticket for 2 people & the long journey back home.

Thanks for the input.
The distance I’m dealing with is more like 2,600 miles.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by mider111

Yes, just make sure the inspection is from a reliable source.

What is considered reliable source ?
Would you trust AIM andCarChex?

[Run Silent]

So long as you feel comfortable, I don't see why not. The last three cars I bought, I either agreed to purchase or full on bought sight unseen.

2013 BMW E93 - I had the seller do a walk around and operate the various mechanisms of the car via Face time with me and the dealer also had tons of HD photos. I bought the car sight unseen and had it shipped to my house. No issues.

2002 Ferrari 360 Spider - I had folks I trusted drive the car with the seller and then I had a PPI completed on the car. Agreed on pricing and flew out one way to the car. Drove it myself to confirm everything lined up, paid for it and drove it home. No issues.

2016 Mini Cooper S - Similar to the Spider, but didn't have anyone drive it first. Agreed on a purchase price and then I did an one way rental car and drove out to where the car was, stayed overnight in a hotel, met the seller at the local dealer who did a quick PPI on it. We exchanged cash and title and I drove it back home that day. No issues.

[krhodes1]

Heck, I bought a P38 Range Rover 2K away based on a quick look at it by a friend of mine who is a car guy but knew nothing about P38s. Flew down to San Antonio and drove it back to Maine. I've bought a number of cars this way, usually with no inspection at all.

If the price is right, it looks good in the pics, and the inspection is good, why not? You only live once. And every used car is an adventure in it's own way anyway.

[DrivingPassion]

Drive from San Anton to Maine ... I have done that driving from Houston to NJ 6 times and I think I have enough of that in a life time.

But, then again .... driving a BMW is a different calling ...

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Drive from San Anton to Maine ... I have done that driving from Houston to NJ 6 times and I think I have enough of that in a life time.

But, then again .... driving a BMW is a different calling ...

The farthest I have ever gone for a BMW was Philly. But I have retrieved a Volvo from Alabama, and a Saab from Oklahoma - that last one had some real adventures along the way too. Furthest was a Volvo from Los Angeles to my winter place in Florida last year - but my friend who checked out the Range Rover did the LA to San Antonio part, I "only" had to drive it from San Antonio to Port Charlotte, FL.