Would you buy an Italian BMW?
Discussion
A broker found me an E70 LCI 40d that is fully optioned, and in a color I like (non-black, which is rare in France and Germany). The compelling factor is that it's an LCI 40d with low miles but priced like a pre-LCI 30d with more miles and less options. So the price is attractive.
BUT this car is from Milano. Having been on business trips to Rome, I have a bad impression of Italian driving. I imagine that they don't take care of a car as well as I or German drivers do.
What do you think? I realize that this is largely hypothetical for y'all as the Italian cars have the steering wheel on the wrong side for you.
BUT this car is from Milano. Having been on business trips to Rome, I have a bad impression of Italian driving. I imagine that they don't take care of a car as well as I or German drivers do.
What do you think? I realize that this is largely hypothetical for y'all as the Italian cars have the steering wheel on the wrong side for you.
Mechanically Italians do take care of their cars, but it would be very obvious if the bodywork bears the marks of inner city living. That it is Italian sourced wouldn't worry me, not as if French are known for their mechanical sympathy or great parking skills. If it is really priced that well, go for it!
Touché. I rarely buy cars in France. The Rhine is only 20 minutes away, and the Germans really do take great care of their cars. Years ago I snapped up a 1-owner E32 750i Sport in perfect condition for about £8k. The old fellow had cash in his hand and tears in his eyes as I drove off. I loved that car.
In general (and this is a gross generalisation) most Italians think of maintenance as an optional burden and follow the "if its not broken don't fix it" school of thought.
Having said that, a lot of bigger engined cars (which are very expensive tax & insurance wise and therefore relatively rare) could be ex-leasing company cars. These are, usually, maintained based on manufacturer schedule, but not necessarily loved. Check who the owner was if you can (common names are Leaseplan, Arval, Alphabet...). It used to be that the leasing companies were quite ok with a full main dealer service history, but in more recent years they seem to have started cutting corners and using their own "approved" mechanics.
Be wary if the car was ex-lease and is "low mileage" as almost sure it will have had its miles rolled back. Typical mileage on these deals is 90k km in 3 years.
If it was a private car then there is a chance that the owner took the other, these days more rare, "get it done and let me know how much it cost" approach. Any self-respecting high end Italian BMW owner will know that, talking about money, especially in Milan, is seen a 'gauche' and therefore one just pays up as one car afford it (sort of).
Btw, driving in Milan is much more sedate than Rome.
Personally, its a lottery of course, but I'd stick to buying German!
Having said that, a lot of bigger engined cars (which are very expensive tax & insurance wise and therefore relatively rare) could be ex-leasing company cars. These are, usually, maintained based on manufacturer schedule, but not necessarily loved. Check who the owner was if you can (common names are Leaseplan, Arval, Alphabet...). It used to be that the leasing companies were quite ok with a full main dealer service history, but in more recent years they seem to have started cutting corners and using their own "approved" mechanics.
Be wary if the car was ex-lease and is "low mileage" as almost sure it will have had its miles rolled back. Typical mileage on these deals is 90k km in 3 years.
If it was a private car then there is a chance that the owner took the other, these days more rare, "get it done and let me know how much it cost" approach. Any self-respecting high end Italian BMW owner will know that, talking about money, especially in Milan, is seen a 'gauche' and therefore one just pays up as one car afford it (sort of).
Btw, driving in Milan is much more sedate than Rome.
Personally, its a lottery of course, but I'd stick to buying German!
I just have!
I live in Berlin and was looking for a 330d. The two I looked at (at dealers) were Italian and also colleague recently bought an Italian E60 M5 from a Berlin dealer. I found it all a bit strange/unsettling but a quick look on autoscout.it shows why: seems to be a few thousand € less than the equivalent German car to buy in Italy. Indeed looking in the UK on the Pistonheads classifieds you can get a lot more for your money if only the steering wheel was on the other side.
I bought the second one I looked at which was in great condition, decent spec and had a service book full of Italian main dealer stamps and had just passed the German MOT. Had it a few weeks and really happy with it. The i-drive was easy to put into English, or German. The only thing, which I just discovered at the weekend there, is that is has voice recognition but only in Italian. I'm sure I could get it reprogrammed at BMW but I've always wanted to learn Italian...
Watch out for spec too. I was very happy with mine - has pro nav, xenons, silver/black leather but one abberation is a lack of cruise control. Strange for a 330xd. I read it was standard on all E90s but that must not apply to Italian cars. Also it doesn't seem to have the regulation first aid kit, warning triangle etc, doesn't have the proper compartment for it so obviously a little bit of cost-cutting by BMW. Not sure if the UK spec cars have? Required by law here in Germany.
I live in Berlin and was looking for a 330d. The two I looked at (at dealers) were Italian and also colleague recently bought an Italian E60 M5 from a Berlin dealer. I found it all a bit strange/unsettling but a quick look on autoscout.it shows why: seems to be a few thousand € less than the equivalent German car to buy in Italy. Indeed looking in the UK on the Pistonheads classifieds you can get a lot more for your money if only the steering wheel was on the other side.
I bought the second one I looked at which was in great condition, decent spec and had a service book full of Italian main dealer stamps and had just passed the German MOT. Had it a few weeks and really happy with it. The i-drive was easy to put into English, or German. The only thing, which I just discovered at the weekend there, is that is has voice recognition but only in Italian. I'm sure I could get it reprogrammed at BMW but I've always wanted to learn Italian...
Watch out for spec too. I was very happy with mine - has pro nav, xenons, silver/black leather but one abberation is a lack of cruise control. Strange for a 330xd. I read it was standard on all E90s but that must not apply to Italian cars. Also it doesn't seem to have the regulation first aid kit, warning triangle etc, doesn't have the proper compartment for it so obviously a little bit of cost-cutting by BMW. Not sure if the UK spec cars have? Required by law here in Germany.
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