Tell me I have done the right thing!

[Stone Cold]

Went to view a silver E46 M3 Conv near Portsmouth today. The car looks fantastic, barely a mark on it, inside or out and it drove superbly but when I spoke to the dealer he said it had a full service history, all BMW apart from the last oil service, that was not the case though. It is a 2005 car with 46,000 miles but has only had one Inspection 1 service and never had an Inspection 2 service, and the last three services were just oil, that is not right in my view and couldn't be explained and there were no bills, receipts, old MoT's etc, just the service book. Also it has changed hands 4 times this year already so I have walked away, a shame because it was a top condition car but with crap supporting paperwork, the hunt continues

[DennisCooper]

Unless it was very cheap, it sounds as though you've done the right thing!

Did you have it HPI checked? 4 times this year for change of ownership sounds as though there's something seriously wrong with the car, however it 'just' might be all genuine and indeed a nice car!

The only way to know would've been to have it inspected thoroughly.

A similar E39 M5 came up a short while ago and was very very cheap. On the forum discussing it, everyone thought it'd be an utter dog and a completely knackered car etc etc. One guy went to actually look at it.. and purchased it! over the course of I believe around a year, he showed a build thread of what he'd done to it etc - turned out it was a really really good car!

Cheers, Dennis!

[Stone Cold]

Cheers Dennis, HPI check was fine no issues and it was £12k so not expensive for a 2005 but not silly cheap either, I think had the dealer had the Inspection 2 done before purchase I would have gone for it, but he said he couldn't so.......

[BMWNICK]

You will find another silver convertible which comes with the paperwork and history to give you peace of mind. It isn't particularly rare, albeit a very good car. Good luck with your search .

[Smuler]

The dealer lied to you, about the Service History. That's more than enough reason to walk away.

[Stone Cold]

Dealer just called me and offered to get the Inspection 2 done by a local BMW specialist at no cost to me + a new MoT at the same time, worth reconsidering?

[andyeds1234]

Stone Cold said:

Dealer just called me and offered to get the Inspection 2 done by a local BMW specialist at no cost to me + a new MoT at the same time, worth reconsidering?

"it has changed hands 4 times this year already"
Dealers don't need to lie about good cars.
Don't walk away, run......

Edited by andyeds1234 on Saturday 16th November 19:16

[pjv997]

There's plenty of time to regret a hasty decision.

I'd keep my distance.

[Captainawesome]

I would say you dod the right thing. Go with your gut because your brain knows more than it is telling you.

[nickrex]

Let your head rule here, walk and don't look back. As stated, not rare, not cheap, dealer lied. No brainer.

[Stone Cold]

Cheers guys you have just confirmed what I knew really, leave it alone, it's just I am impatient and once I made my mind up I wanted one I am increasingly impatient to get one. But not this one

[siovey]

As above mate. Walk away! Theres plenty of good ones out there . You just have to sift through all the sh*t to find 'em! Its worth the wait though.....

[wheelsmith]

Agreed, you have done the right thing.
There is always something to pick fault with if you look hard enough on a second hand car, but missing services to this degree spanks of lack of care/monies by previous owners.
Best avoided

[max b]

I know of a fairly immaculate 2005 E46 M3 Cab with only 38k miles with Full correct BMW SH, incl a recent Insp 2 service (all other services on time incl 1200 mile), Manual, every option Nav, HK, BT, Heated Mem Seats, Fold Mirrors, Conti M3 tyres etc etc.
Its not £12k but if it is of interest drop me a msg via profile
Cheers Max.

[JRBM5]

Swallow your pride, get a full inspection done by an independent specialist and if the car is kosher then use the dealers lack of knowledge about the car to haggle at least £2k off of the price (knowing that the dealer will have at least £4k in the car!!!).

[Stone Cold]

Its not a pride thing its more about getting the right car and not getting a lemon and as others have said there are enough good ones to not need to bother with a potential duffer, which of course it may not be

[Gruber]

Surely an Inspection 2 wouldn't be due until about now would it?

Assuming a 12k mile / 2 year (whichever comes sooner) service schedule, then 48k miles and 8 years old could well be about right.

If the dealer is offering to get it done by a reputable specialist, and if you like the car and eveything else checks out, I wouldn't necessarily close the door on it.

4 owners in a year is a bit odd though.

[N7GTX]

The 4 owners thing bothers me a bit too but if you do like the car you can find out how trustworthy the dealer is by asking him for the details of the last owner and contacting him/her.
If the dealer is unwilling then that would confirm it. If willing, would be interesting to know why the last owner dumped it.
My car with 29,000 miles on a 2002 plate had the first service at 1,200 miles then just one service 1 in the next 3 years. It then had a service 2 at 28,000 miles by a specialist BMW independent so almost 8 years.
It is now on 29,300 and I have carried out another service 2 just to be extra belt and braces safe using genuine parts etc. It drives almost as new so the history while important is not absolute I feel.

[The Stiglet]

OP, yes you have. Sleep well.

[phelix]

If it's from the dealer I think it is in haven't I thought they had a pretty solid reputation...