Looking at a used M3 and need some help

[Scott_S]

I am looking for my first M3, and second BMW.

I found a 2016 at a third party lot for a really decent price, but I am wary as it seems almost too good. The car is located almost 1000 miles away from me so I was hoping that I could get some help as to what to ask and look for. And maybe someone in the Atlanta/Marietta area would be available to look at it in person for me before I flew down there?

The specs are 2016 with 51,400 miles, ZCP, executive package I think. It seems like it has most options but I am not sure what if anything it is missing. The vin is WBS8M9C51G5E68623 if anyone can help me figure out what it doesn't have and does have or maybe run a CarFax.

Thanks in advance.

[MrSmileyDC]

This will let you know what options it has

https://www.mdecoder.com

[mlozano]

I don't know how much they're asking but that year with that many miles would warrant a rather cheap price.

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyDC

This will let you know what options it has

https://www.mdecoder.com

Sorry, I should have said that I have decoded the vin, I am just not 100% sure what options were available in 2016 to know what it is missing or if it has some of the finer details like it seems that it has all of the components of the executive but doesn't specifically call it out. And I am assuming that it is extended leather vs full based on this LEDER MERINOSCHWARZ (LKSW).

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by mlozano

I don't know how much they're asking but that year with that many miles would warrant a rather cheap price.

$43,040 is their asking price

[omega2733]

Honestly it has pretty much everything except sun visors, it has LED's, park assist, driving assist, exec pack etc etc.

It's a very well optioned vehicle minus full leather, you are correct that it has extended leather probably "LEDER MERINOSCHWARZ" translates to Merino Leather - where "VOLLLEDER MERINOSCHWARZ" translates to Full Merino Leather

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by omega2733

Honestly it has pretty much everything except sun visors, it has LED's, park assist, driving assist etc etc.

It's a very well optioned vehicle minus full leather, you are correct that it has extended leather probably "LEDER MERINOSCHWARZ" translates to Merino Leather - where "VOLLLEDER MERINOSCHWARZ" translates to Full Merino Leather

Thank you. It seems to me with the options and milage assuming that it is in good condition the asking price of $43,000 is a really good deal. I checked the carfax and it is a one owner, regular service records, and clean title.

[omega2733]

That's a very good deal, about 8 months ago I paid about $57,000 for my 17 ZCP w/ 10,000 miles. It wouldn't surprise me if it had a bit of extra wear and tear, generally 16's even with that mileage are around 45-50k w/ ZCP.

Do you have a link you can include to the car ad/description?

[Scott_S]

Here is the Link The dealer seems to have several other BMW's in stock so that puts my mind at ease a little. They are going to send me some close up photos today to get a better idea of it.

[omega2733]

Wow, that dealership really screwed the pooch detailing that interior, greasy as hell. Hard to tell the condition of the leather under the grease but you can clearly see some excess wear on the driver seat (bolsters, headrest) and many other interior locations.

There's also quite a bit of pitting up on the bumper/hood (hard to see in these photos but visible). I'm guessing it might be chipped up a bit, evident by the rocker panels which were either replaced or covered with a carbon fiber vinyl (to probably hide rock chips).

They also replaced tires (or previous owner) with some cheap all-seasons it looks like, can't completely make out the sidewall it appears to say "RHI". I'd expect to change those out when you buy it so factor that into overall cost.

It's a good price for a car that has some extra wear and tear and if you're fine with that then it's a good deal. Don't expect a pristine car from this example if that's what you're after.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by omega2733

Wow, that dealership really screwed the pooch detailing that interior, greasy as hell. Hard to tell the condition of the leather under the grease but you can clearly see some excess wear on the driver seat (bolsters, headrest) and many other interior locations.

There's also quite a bit of pitting up on the bumper/hood (hard to see in these photos but visible). I'm guessing it might be chipped up a bit, evident by the rocker panels which were either replaced or covered with a carbon fiber vinyl (to probably hide rock chips).

They also replaced tires (or previous owner) with some cheap all-seasons it looks like, can't completely make out the sidewall it appears to say "RHI". I'd expect to change those out when you buy it so factor that into overall cost.

It's a good price for a car that has some extra wear and tear and if you're fine with that then it's a good deal. Don't expect a pristine car from this example if that's what you're after.

i cringe super hard when the interior is all gresed up like that

[omega2733]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

i cringe super hard when the interior is all gresed up like that

Same, it gives me a bad feeling about whatever car I'm looking at on top of feeling terrible for the poor car.

[Scott_S]

I agree about the "detail" that they performed. It will take some work to get it cleaned up if I go that route. Good catch on the rocker panels, I hadn't noticed that. Does it look lowered? Other ZCP cars that I have seen seem to have more wheel gap. The all seasons would actually be ok for the time being as I am from Minnesota and its currently -6 without the windchill and a bunch of snow on the ground. I can throw on some PS4S or something once it gets nice out. This would take over daily driver duty year round and we have three kids so I can't expect perfection because it will not stay that way. MY hope is that it is good enough that it can have some touch up, paint correction, and ceramic coat and look nice for a while. I am not planning on it being a show car or anything of the sort.

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by omega2733

They also replaced tires (or previous owner) with some cheap all-seasons it looks like, can't completely make out the sidewall it appears to say "RHI". I'd expect to change those out when you buy it so factor that into overall cost.

I got a closer picture and the tires are brand new Falken Azenis FK510. I don't know about the quality of those tires, but they are at least a brand I have heard of. And the Rockers look like they could be real carbon fiber, if they make those?

[MrSmileyDC]

Originally Posted by scschafe

Sorry, I should have said that I have decoded the vin, I am just not 100% sure what options were available in 2016 to know what it is missing or if it has some of the finer details like it seems that it has all of the components of the executive but doesn't specifically call it out. And I am assuming that it is extended leather vs full based on this LEDER MERINOSCHWARZ (LKSW).

Well main change was hk sound became standard.

Here is the 2016 ordering guide

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1432840258

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyDC

Well main change was hk sound became standard.

Here is the 2016 ordering guide

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1432840258

Thank you, that gave me a lot to go on. Looks like as others have said it's only missing a couple of small things like the window shades.

[allinon72]

Everything else checks out, so the only other thing that could warrant the price is the overall condition. And that can be hard to judge completely by pictures, especially on a dark vehicle covered in Armor All.

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Everything else checks out, so the only other thing that could warrant the price is the overall condition. And that can be hard to judge completely by pictures, especially on a dark vehicle covered in Armor All.

I agree. I found someone local that is going to check it out in person and let me know if it's a turd or not.

[omega2733]

Originally Posted by scschafe

I got a closer picture and the tires are brand new Falken Azenis FK510. I don't know about the quality of those tires, but they are at least a brand I have heard of. And the Rockers look like they could be real carbon fiber, if they make those?

Falken Azenis are pretty good, although they don't look like an azeni tread I'm familiar with. They typically have very few water grooves and don't handle wet weather very well.

I really highly doubt that the rockers are real carbon fiber, I'm sure someone somewhere makes them but they'd be very expensive (complex shape). Also seeing as how this car has 0 other carbon fiber pieces on it, I really doubt it's actual CF. I'm 98% sure it's just a vinyl wrap covering up paint damage.

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by omega2733

Falken Azenis are pretty good, although they don't look like an azeni tread I'm familiar with. They typically have very few water grooves and don't handle wet weather very well.

I really highly doubt that the rockers are real carbon fiber, I'm sure someone somewhere makes them but they'd be very expensive (complex shape). Also seeing as how this car has 0 other carbon fiber pieces on it, I really doubt it's actual CF. I'm 98% sure it's just a vinyl wrap covering up paint damage.

It is vinyl, but the buddy that took a look at it in person for me said that everything was actually in really good condition, just filthy and in need of a deep clean inside and out. Few little things here and there but all in all not bad.

[omega2733]

Originally Posted by scschafe

It is vinyl, but the buddy that took a look at it in person for me said that everything was actually in really good condition, just filthy and in need of a deep clean inside and out. Few little things here and there but all in all not bad.

Go for it then! Yeah everything looked to be in ok shape minus some extra wear, but as you mentioned earlier you weren't too worried about it. With kids it's going to wear anyway :P. If you're happy with it then jump on it.

[Scott_S]

Originally Posted by omega2733

Go for it then! Yeah everything looked to be in ok shape minus some extra wear, but as you mentioned earlier you weren't too worried about it. With kids it's going to wear anyway :P. If you're happy with it then jump on it.

I have my flight booked for the 23rd down there and plan on driving the 1000 miles home. Should be a good time to get to know the car.