For those who purchased used, did you get a frame inspection?

[Rahul718]

Hi guys,

Edit: Resolved

New owner here of a 2016 M4 manual comp package. After 4 months of exhaustive searching nationwide I ended up finding one nearby. I purchased the car non-CPO because the dealership said it would cost too much to CPO it. Carfax came back clean with no accidents, no damage reported and it was a one owner lease vehicle.

I had the dealership do a PPI - report attached. They installed a brand new set of Michelin tires. So far so good but I noticed a slight pulling to the right on the highway. Maybe I’m just paying too much attention to the little things since I spent a lot on this car and I do have OCD (not the cliche mainstream type but the textbook type of OCD). My mind first jumped to “frame damage?”. I know it may more likely be something to do with the wheel alignment.

I think it’s unlikely given it was a one owner lease vehicle so any damage bad enough to mess up the frame would probably involve a police report and a notification on Carfax. I did check all the panels myself for weld marks etc on the metal but was not able to. Given this, should I go ahead and get the frame inspected just for peace of mind?

More importantly, is frame inspection something that a lot of you guys here do as part of a PPI? Are our cars supposed to drive perfectly straight on flat road? If so, is there a standard amount of time the car should be able to drive straight without pulling in any direction?

Appreciate any input

Rahul

[Josh46]

I also bought my 2015 used about 4 months ago and have a slight pull to the right. I had an alignment done and the pull remained. Dealer said it was normal for these cars and the tires I have (hankook). I’ve learned to get used to it but interested to see if you find a solution. Hoping for you there isn’t any frame damage.

[X.X.I.V]

Just bought a '16 2 months ago. Same as you guys, did a PPI and had a pull to the right. What version of Istep is yours on ? Mine was on 15-11 (old)and after complaining to the dealer of this plus mdm and the dsc intervening to much. They updated it. That's when I noticed it disappeared along with bringing the fun back

[RickFLM4]

Why would you get the selling dealer to do a PPI? Someone independent should do it.

If that one page is the full report, it looks more like a basic checklist rather than a comprehensive inspection. It also looks like you need front tires. I’d think about that and alignment before jumping into frame damage.

[sabrina]

In March, I bought a '15 M4 non-CPO w/27K miles and did not do a frame inspection. I've put 2K miles on it and don't notice any pull whatsoever. Honestly, it's been perfect so far.

Yes. I realize I've just doomed myself by stating that online.

[Mark'sM3]

Bought a used Comp Pkg F80 2017 last summer. It has slight pull to the right as well and I thought it was due to slightly bent front passenger rim, but that was not the case. Doesn't bug me too much.

[Rahul718]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Why would you get the selling dealer to do a PPI? Someone independent should do it.

If that one page is the full report, it looks more like a basic checklist rather than a comprehensive inspection. It also looks like you need front tires. I’d think about that and alignment before jumping into frame damage.

Unfortunately the BMW dealer would not let me take it off the lot for a 3rd party inspection. I did mention in the original post that they replaced all tires before I took delivery.

Originally Posted by Mark'sM3

Bought a used Comp Pkg F80 2017 last summer. It has slight pull to the right as well and I thought it was due to slightly bent front passenger rim, but that was not the case. Doesn't bug me too much.

Was yours CPO?

[RickFLM4]

I missed the new tires in your post... did they perform an alignment as well? Have you checked cold inflation of new tires? There are posts in this forum that some cars came from the factory needing an alignment. Does the car drive differently now vs. during test drive?

Honestly, I would not worry about frame damage before exhausting every other possible explanation.

With respect to not allowing a PPI by a third party, do they at least have a return policy that would let you get it inspected by a third party after buying and return if anything is identified? If so, are you still within the return window such that you can get an independent PPI now and return the car if there is an issue?

[superbrew]

It could be the crown of the roads that you are driving on. I found this to be a slight issue when I had Michelins on the car, but I don't notice it as much with Continentals, or I have gotten used to it.

[RoundelM3]

I bought my 2015 non-competition M3 1 year ago - no issues at all. It was previously leased by one of the dealership owner's sons and there was no record of anything other than routine maintenance.

[Rahul718]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I missed the new tires in your post... did they perform an alignment as well? Have you checked cold inflation of new tires? There are posts in this forum that some cars came from the factory needing an alignment. Does the car drive differently now vs. during test drive?

Honestly, I would not worry about frame damage before exhausting every other possible explanation.

With respect to not allowing a PPI by a third party, do they at least have a return policy that would let you get it inspected by a third party after buying and return if anything is identified? If so, are you still within the return window such that you can get an independent PPI now and return the car if there is an issue?

I doubt it. But I still plan on having a 3rd party verify the condition. Like I said, I'm 99.9% sure the car is fine and it's probably an alignment issue. I tend to find an "issue" and focus on it. When I test drove the car I was more concerned about the engine and the manual transmission - checking for grinding, etc.

Originally Posted by superbrew

It could be the crown of the roads that you are driving on. I found this to be a slight issue when I had Michelins on the car, but I don't notice it as much with Continentals, or I have gotten used to it.

You're right, but I had already considered that. So I specifically tested this in the middle lane where there is no crowning and still noticed a slight pull to the right.

Maybe the question I should be asking is how long should a car track in a straight direction on it's own? Seconds? Infinitely?

[nickl630]

I love that a slight pull makes people think the car has frame. I lost count the amount of times I've heard that. "OMG IT PULLS SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT IT MUST HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT"

There are several parts and components on the suspension that can cause a slight pull, or it could be as simple as an alignment or the crowning of the road.

[Cajun1]

Originally Posted by X.X.I.V

Just bought a '16 2 months ago. Same as you guys, did a PPI and had a pull to the right. What version of Istep is yours on ? Mine was on 15-11 (old)and after complaining to the dealer of this plus mdm and the dsc intervening to much. They updated it. That's when I noticed it disappeared along with bringing the fun back

This. If you search you'll find this is not an uncommon problem that is corrected by a dealer update and has noting to do with hardware, tires, alignment or crown in the road.

[dallastide]

Bought my 2015 last May w/ 32k miles. Clean carfax and PPI. Also had a trusted mechanic look the car over the first time I brought it in for service. Not sure if either mechanic specifically checked the frame but I've never noticed any pull to the right and it's not something I worry about.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Why would you get the selling dealer to do a PPI? Someone independent should do it.

If that one page is the full report, it looks more like a basic checklist rather than a comprehensive inspection. It also looks like you need front tires. I’d think about that and alignment before jumping into frame damage.

^This. I doubt it was a very intensive PPI, especially after they tell OP he can't get it inspected elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Rahul718

Unfortunately the BMW dealer would not let me take it off the lot for a 3rd party inspection. I did mention in the original post that they replaced all tires before I took delivery.

I would've probably walked had they said that to me.

[Rahul718]

Originally Posted by minn19

^This. I doubt it was a very intensive PPI, especially after they tell OP he can't get it inspected elsewhere.



I would've probably walked had they said that to me.

In all fairness, 3 other BMW dealerships told me that also when I was car shopping. Might just be a policy thing.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Rahul718

In all fairness, 3 other BMW dealerships told me that also when I was car shopping. Might just be a policy thing.

Dunno, but it would raise huge red flags for me. And I definitely wouldn't trust the dealer's "report." This is part of the reason I rarely buy used (especially high performance cars) though as well.

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by Cajun1

This. If you search you'll find this is not an uncommon problem that is corrected by a dealer update and has noting to do with hardware, tires, alignment or crown in the road.

This. There was a service bulletin addressing this. Have them apply the software update (SIB 32 01 17) and it should be your culprit. Sounds crazy but it just may fix it.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ulling&page=19

[dallastide]

Agreed a dealer telling me I cannot have a 3rd party inspection would be an absolute deal killer for me unless it was CPO. No reason to do business with a dealer like that. They made a lot of these cars.

[summilux]

Originally Posted by Rahul718

Unfortunately the BMW dealer would not let me take it off the lot for a 3rd party inspection. I did mention in the original post that they replaced all tires before I took delivery.

As others have said, that "PPI" is not a real PPI. They didn't do anything but a visual inspection. If you are concerned, take the car in for a real PPI at an indy and maybe (maybe) if they find issues with steering, suspension or alignment you could get some redress.

Another thing to consider: Did they dealer say they were replacing the tires with NEW ones? I don't know who your dealer is but shady ones can and will replace with tires that are used but have the minimum CPO tread depth.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I There are posts in this forum that some cars came from the factory needing an alignment.

I am one of the people who posts that. Why? My car came with almost zero rear toe from the factory, and I found out because of all the oversteer I got during my first track days with the car

As for the OP's question on inspection, yes, I have the car put on a lift at a 3rd party shop I trust. Even when purchasing a car from friends, we do third party PPI. Good specialist shops will note minutiae (e.g. "these downpipe bolts have been turned, this car may have been modified with full bolt ons.. there's a cutout in the front trunk lining, that's usually where aftermarket remote reservoir for dampers go, etc etc) that dealers (purposely?) overlook. If it's a high performance car, I'm looking for signs that it is a track rate that went back to stock as much as I am looking for damage.

[Rahul718]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I am one of the people who posts that. Why? My car came with almost zero rear toe from the factory, and I found out because of all the oversteer I got during my first track days with the car

As for the OP's question on inspection, yes, I have the car put on a lift at a 3rd party shop I trust. Even when purchasing a car from friends, we do third party PPI. Good specialist shops will note minutiae (e.g. "these downpipe bolts have been turned, this car may have been modified with full bolt ons.. there's a cutout in the front trunk lining, that's usually where aftermarket remote reservoir for dampers go, etc etc) that dealers (purposely?) overlook. If it's a high performance car, I'm looking for signs that it is a track rate that went back to stock as much as I am looking for damage.

So I’m going to a collision specialist tomorrow to get the car checked out. They are BMW certified. They said they’ll put the car on the lift and the foreman will remove all heat shields to thoroughly inspect the frame. They also said that if I want the car put on a measuring machine that it’ll be more expensive and about a 3 weeks wait.

Would you guys be happy with a thorough visual inspection? I assume since it’s a bmw certified 3rd party shop that they know what to look for.

99.9% chance this is overkill and it’s completely fine but I get fixated on that .1%.