[qc328i]

Hi, I’m from Canada and I just found a really good deal on a black 2007 328i coupe /w sport package from an used car dealer. It has 44,000km (about 27,500 miles) and it’s selling for about $4-5K below market value. The problem is that CarProof (same as CarFax but for Canada) says that it has been in a rear center accident and the estimated cost is $9500!!! But the title is still normal (not salvage nor severely damaged) and the salesman kept reassuring me that this is a normal amount because it was repaired at a BMW dealer and used original BMW parts which are very expensive. He said that the rear bumper, 2 taillights and the left rear fender was replaced (and probably did something to the trunk too). But $9500 seems quite a lot of damage to me, more than just simple cosmetic damages... What do you guys think? Did any BMW owner had a huge bill after a rear end accident?

The car was an ex-3 year lease. And I believe it was taken good care of by the lessee. It was serviced every year at BMW and CarProof shows that he/she only drove about 15,000km per year (9320 miles/year).

However, the accident was at the end of May 2010, and the dealer got it at the end of July. The interval is a short 2 months and if I buy it, I am basically the guinea pig, taking the risk to test if the garage did a good job or not...

Let me know what you guys think.

[hdrewh]

fwiw I recently had a guy barely tap my rear bumper on the corner. Minor scratches with paint removal and slight dent in the bumper that required heat to get back into shape. About as minor an accident as there can be.

Repair bill (other guy's insurance co. of course): $1,300 (albeit, including $200 for clear bra replacement)

Yeah, expensive s**t.

[alex2364]

I would stay away from that car. Sales people will tell you anything to sell a car. There's a reason why it's priced below market.

[JuppiOne]

If the repair had been done right, then it may worth saving a few grands, but first you have to test drive it throughly, although most will recommend not getting a car that was in an accident, but IMHO, if the repair was done right it should be fine, now this being said, "DONE RIGHT" is a big statement, as we all know there may be many (or none) hidden problems and problems may develop down the road, who knows.

However, for me, knowing the the car I love had been in a accident bothers me, and I won;t be able to keep her for long or happy with it, no matter how the repair was done right or not, knowing she was in an accident, in the back of my mind, she will never "drive" right, placebo effect certainly applies here, if it doesn't bother you, then check her out throughly, test drive it for a while before you decide.

[qc328i]

Originally Posted by alex2364

I would stay away from that car. Sales people will tell you anything to sell a car. There's a reason why it's priced below market.

Well, it's priced below market because it has a $9500 estimated damage on the record, and I know A LOT of people will walk away from that. And I do know that sales people will say anything to sell their car. That's why I will not buy this car until I get a detailed invoice of all the repairs from a trustworthy source. But the problem is that I already called BMW Canada 3 times and they refused to give me information since it's confidential...

[vladdy328]

What are they asking for it??

[qc328i]

Originally Posted by vladdy328

What are they asking for it??

Well, price varies from place to place, but I'm from Montreal, Canada and even though the exchange rate is almost at parity, we, Canadians, still pay about 5-6% more compared to the US.

The dealer is asking $25,995 CAD, but I bargained down to $24,800 (I know I can ask for less and I will bargain for less when I really decide to buy it). The current price on a CPO at BMW dealers goes for about $32,000. Private sales go for about $30,000. There are also some others at $28,000 with higher mileage. And I'm only talking about '07 328i coupes.

[tim818]

For $9.5k damage I would not consider buying.

Tim

[qc328i]

Some of my friends told me that a rear accident is less of a concern than a frontal accident. And $9500 CAD of repair is probably equal to $8000-8500 in the US. I'm just scared there's some frame or suspension damages...

Does any mechanics here know what could $9500CAD ($8500US) of damage could be?

[John 070]

Not sure why anyone would knowingly buy a vehicle that was involved in an accident. If it happens, it happens, but for what possible reason would you share in someone else's misfortune? It's like knowingly treating yourself like a second-class citizen.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by John 070

Not sure why anyone would knowingly buy a vehicle that was involved in an accident. If it happens, it happens, but for what possible reason would you share in someone else's misfortune? It's like knowingly treating yourself like a second-class citizen.

Funny, but true. There are plenty of other E92s on the market.

[JuppiOne]

true that its a few thousand less to buy now, but comes time to sell, it s also a few thousand less you can get too ... something to think about

[Kolyan2k]

rear end is no big deal. make sure it drives good, its been fixed right (paint match) etc....and dont accept to get top dollar for it if you ever plan to sell. accidents happen, and 8k USD is not that much

[Bulldog 6]

Originally Posted by qc328i

it’s selling for about $4-5K below market value. The problem is that CarProof (same as CarFax but for Canada) says that it has been in a rear center accident and the estimated cost is $9500!!! But the title is still normal (not salvage nor severely damaged) and the salesman kept reassuring me that this is a normal amount because it was repaired at a BMW dealer and used original BMW parts which are very expensive. He said that the rear bumper, 2 taillights and the left rear fender was replaced (and probably did something to the trunk too). But $9500 seems quite a lot of damage to me, more than just simple cosmetic damages... What do you guys think? Did any BMW owner had a huge bill after a rear end accident?

The car was an ex-3 year lease. And I believe it was taken good care of by the lessee. It was serviced every year at BMW and CarProof shows that he/she only drove about 15,000km per year (9320 miles/year).

Stay away. Almost 10 grand in repairs...I guarentee that is will always seem "not quite right." Also the paperwork didn't add up. I met a dealer that had X5's, X3's, and M3's that were in accidents "on the lot" and were on sale for great prices. All of them were in accidents on the lot or on test drives adn repaired. None of the paperwork reflected damage. Without the paper trail how do you know that there wasn't even more than the $9500? Stay away or at least have them throw in an extended warrenty or CPO it.

[Wires]

$9500 in damage doesn't really take much. I had a Chevy truck that got that. Slid on ice in a parking lot, snagged the drivers door on a cement picnic bench, and passenger front corner clipped a part car. Other than the door being pushed in so it didn't open smoothly, most of the crap that was payed out was paint work, and overpriced plastic bits. Didn't do any frame/suspension/engine/etc damage at all.

That being said, if you're concerned about it, then I'd jutst pay the extra $5k and buy a different car from somewhere else.

Not saying dealership guys lie or anything... Just saying....

[rickwjenn]

Move on - you will be second guessing this every time something does not seem right on your car.

Start the new car experience with a good experience.

[driverman]

I wouldn't buy it because I'd never be sure the car was "right" and it's a huge gamble.

If the car isn't "right", would you be happy with it? Would you sell it and not tell the buyer?

It's one thing to get into a wreck with your own car, get it repaired by the best shop you can find and live with it afterwards. But it's quite another thing to knowingly buy a car that had significant damage and roll the dice. What are the odds the repair shop did a perfect job?

Plus I've never met anyone selling a used car that admitted a car had significant damage from an accident. Everyone always says something like "it was in a small (insignificant) accident". I never believe them.

Bottom line: Are you a gambler? Is it worth gambling a lot more than $5K and piece of mind to save $5K?

[cb1111]

What? Me taking an opposing viewpoint?

Ask yourself one - and only one - question; "Would I buy this car for market value had it not been in an accident?"

It is too easy to let yourself get sucked in buy a low price - "buy" the car, not the price.

Assuming that you really like the car, the next step is to evaluate the condition.

Like others have said, you can't trust the dealer and a "test drive" won't do it. Unless you are a fully trained tech and body shop specialist you can't evaluate it yourself.

Find the best local independent mechanic and ask them what they would charge to do a mechanical/electrical evaluation. That should cost around $50.

Assuming that the car passes that inspection, take it to a respected local bodyshop and have them do an inspection as well. If they find minor things (they should) then ask them what it would cost to properly repair them.

The results will help you renegotiate a price.

If the dealer refuses to allow these inspections or if you find problems that the dealer clearly lied about, then never go back to that dealer again and post their info here.

A car can be properly repaired and $9500 isn't that much damage - my "deerslayer" incident with an Acura (looked like a busted headlight and a crumpled fender) was about $8500 and was only a "replace body parts" repair.

I also remember a Car & Driver long term 3 series many years ago that a staffer wrapped around a tree causing $28k in damage. They said it drove better than new thereafter.

OTOH, it is easy to do a crappy job that looks OK to a layman.

[Harlech]

You have to also keep in mind that someday you might want to sell the car and with the blemish on the record it could make it hard.

[bob.g]

u can get better deals here in montreal if u go private. And it wont have a 10k accident. check kijiji.ca/lespac/craigslist, you could score one that hasnt been accidented (but ususally with mor kms, 60-70), for as low as 25k (wth only 1 tax to pay). you just gotta spend a few weeks on the classifieds finding the perfect deal. Then run the carproof and get it inspected.

[vladdy328]

My buddy is selling his 07 328 coupe, graphite metallic for 19,500 because it was in an accident as well. But the damage was not bad. His repair costs were only 4,000. If you are interested let me know. Its a sweet car and in perfect condition. He always kept it clean.

[qc328i]

Originally Posted by bob.g

u can get better deals here in montreal if u go private. And it wont have a 10k accident. check kijiji.ca/lespac/craigslist, you could score one that hasnt been accidented (but ususally with mor kms, 60-70), for as low as 25k (wth only 1 tax to pay). you just gotta spend a few weeks on the classifieds finding the perfect deal. Then run the carproof and get it inspected.

I've been looking all around the internet for a while now, but I never found a private one for as low as $25k in Montreal... I've seen some at $27k, but they probably had some accidents on the record too. Please let me know when you found one at that price. Thanks