Buying an ex-courtesy car (BMW) a terrible idea?

[hellobimmers]

I was thinking of trading my 4runner in for a 2018 X5 50i, it has less than 5k miles on it and I'd get a nice bit off from sticker due to it being a courtesy car. If purchased, they'd give me $10k off sticker, and another $6k off in incentives with the unlimited certified pre-owned warranty. Seems like a pretty decent deal but I'm wondering if getting an ex-courtesy car is a mistake or not.

Also, how much negotiating room do you have on these types of cars? I've been looking at cars.com and the price they want to give me is coming in a few grand over what I see, although the options are a bit different on each one.

This one in particular is x-line, exec/winter package, the original MSRP on it was $83k.

[Shaw]

I wouldn't recommend it.

[alphaod]

From what I have seen, probably not.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Shaw

I wouldn't recommend it.

Kinda torn in this one. My gut says to avoid; however, 5K is relatively low for a Courtesy car.

[V8LIFE]

I would rather buy a used 2017 with same mileage and same price.

[Shaw]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Kinda torn in this one. My gut says to avoid; however, 5K is relatively low for a Courtesy car.

I hear you on the 5K; although that's not my point of focus...the way people treat the courtesy cars would be my area of concern...note that 5K may be an acceptable mileage, but it doesn't necessarily represent small amount of drivers behind the wheel and the number of rotations...
Do the math; on average if each customer does 100m, that's about 50 clients right there.
I don't want to see 50 drivers sitting behind the wheel of my future car...but that's just me I guess...
And with all do respect, not everyone treats courtesy cars as if it was their own...

[TOPEC]

im surprised they used a 50i as a courtesy vehicle, let alone a X5. was it a courtesy vehicle given to customer or a courtesy vehicle to drive customers to and from the dealership? either way its probably gone through some hard hard 5K miles, but u also have $6K off the unlimited (is it unlimited miles or years or both) warranty so u shouldnt have anything to worry about when shit breaks. how much is the full price on the warranty?

[Shaw]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

iwas it a courtesy vehicle given to customer or a courtesy vehicle to drive customers to and from the dealership?

never thought of it as a car giving customers a ride (one driver) which is probably the stronger case...but that to me is even worse as the car has been in the role of a taxi/uber!
So still a no for me.

[geedup35]

Originally Posted by hellobimmers

I was thinking of trading my 4runner in for a 2018 X5 50i, it has less than 5k miles on it and I'd get a nice bit off from sticker due to it being a courtesy car. If purchased, they'd give me $10k off sticker, and another $6k off in incentives with the unlimited certified pre-owned warranty. Seems like a pretty decent deal but I'm wondering if getting an ex-courtesy car is a mistake or not.

Also, how much negotiating room do you have on these types of cars? I've been looking at cars.com and the price they want to give me is coming in a few grand over what I see, although the options are a bit different on each one.

This one in particular is x-line, exec/winter package, the original MSRP on it was $83k.

Thats about the same thing as buying it from a Rental Car place. Although it remained with the dealer, I'm sure that has been beat up on quite a bit. (I would have if they gave me a brand new 50i)

[duercos]

Not sure if I'd buy one, but been leasing 2 BMWs now and both were loaners with about 4k miles on each. 0 problems, same warranty and other terms. The only thing I would suggest is to check for any scratches/dents or other imperfections for esthetic reasons.

[bmw x5 f15]

Originally Posted by V8LIFE

I would rather buy a used 2017 with same mileage and same price.

[mrfochon]

I would ask for history as precise as they can offer you.
And push the discount bill to $10K. That will give you nice advantage to sell if anything.

[Chigger]

Originally Posted by alphaod

From what I have seen, probably not.

** fixed **

"From what I have done, probably not."

[turboawd]

Was probably a loaner car.
With the money saved, you probably lose at least that much in depreciation just by driving it off the lot, since the new model is out.

[Kzang]

IMO, cars engine these days can take a beating and abuse. I've never driven a loaner like I stole it but I'm sure there are people out there that do. I think there are more people like me than people that abuse loaner cars. But as long as the car is inspected thoroughly and it has warranty coverage I don't see a problem.

The only thing that would keep me from getting it is that it isn't an Msport.

[tkelley86]

Isn't there a break in period on most engines? Like, "do not beat on engine for XX miles"? Safe to say this request may have not been honored by said loaners...

[SCA]

Originally Posted by tkelley86

Isn't there a break in period on most engines? Like, "do not beat on engine for XX miles"? Safe to say this request may have not been honored by said loaners...

1500 miles.

[Kzang]

And I'm willing to bet many people don't follow the break in period on their leased cars that eventually get returned and re-certified to be purchased as CPO.

They will continue to drive the car for several hundred thousands of miles without a hiccup.

[turboawd]

There's really not much to break in on new engines nowadays. Most of valvetrain is roller designed. Only thing is maybe piston rings to break in.

[smyles]

Anyone who's been on a factory tour or saw "how it's made" has no illusions re proper break-ins (or 0 mileage, for that matter).

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by Chigger

** fixed **

"From what I have done, probably not."

Actually on the contrary I treat all cars rental, loaner, or friends’ the same as my own. I wash, clean, use premium gas when recommended, etc.

That said, I floor my car and drive up to the governor, etc.

What I meant is for example in my recent loaner X5 the previous driver obviously was smoking in it. It smells of smoke, there is ash in the ashtray and the cigarette lighter has tobacco residue all over it.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Shaw

I hear you on the 5K; although that's not my point of focus...the way people treat the courtesy cars would be my area of concern...note that 5K may be an acceptable mileage, but it doesn't necessarily represent small amount of drivers behind the wheel and the number of rotations...
Do the math; on average if each customer does 100m, that's about 50 clients right there.
I don't want to see 50 drivers sitting behind the wheel of my future car...but that's just me I guess...
And with all do respect, not everyone treats courtesy cars as if it was their own...

When you’re right, you’re right.