[alexxs]

Hey everyone,

So I'm left choosing between M5 and M550i for my next car. Both would be CPO cars (BMW Premium selection in Europe). I found what seemed like a great deal 2020 M5 for 69 000 EUR, but noticed something odd in the car's service history. Essentially it's being sold as a 49000km car (~30 000 miles), had its spark plugs replaced at 44000 km as part of normal service, but then had a warranty entry to replace a couple just 1000km later. Now, 5000km from the initial service, the car is up for sale.

I know it's a CPO with a warranty, but I have this sneaky suspicion that the warranty entry was because they were chasing misfires and I'd be stuck holding the bag. Unfortunately I can't go and test it as it's in another country over in Europe.

Thoughts? Am I reading too much into a spark plug warranty job?

Thanks!

[AHall]

Originally Posted by alexxs

Hey everyone,

So I'm left choosing between M5 and M550i for my next car. Both would be CPO cars (BMW Premium selection in Europe). I found what seemed like a great deal 2020 M5 for 69 000 EUR, but noticed something odd in the car's service history. Essentially it's being sold as a 49000km car (~30 000 miles), had its spark plugs replaced at 44000 km as part of normal service, but then had a warranty entry to replace a couple just 1000km later. Now, 5000km from the initial service, the car is up for sale.

I know it's a CPO with a warranty, but I have this sneaky suspicion that the warranty entry was because they were chasing misfires and I'd be stuck holding the bag. Unfortunately I can't go and test it as it's in another country over in Europe.

Thoughts? Am I reading too much into a spark plug warranty job?

Thanks!

So you would be purchasing a car without test driving it and taking it to an independent mechanic for an inspection?

[Mr. Jonathan]

Ask if the records show a coolant expansion tank replacement. Its possible the coolant leaked from a failed tank or cap and they had to replace spark plugs. If your able to have an independent shop inspect the car. Make sure you have them check the injectors under the coolant expansion tank.

[alexxs]

Originally Posted by AHall

So you would be purchasing a car without test driving it and taking it to an independent mechanic for an inspection?

Unfortunately there really aren't many other options. I bought 3 cars like this so far (C63s AMG, Golf GTI TCR and Cayenne) and all 3 have been ok and as described. Should say that they all came as CPO cars. The biggest disappointment tbh was the Cayenne which, although a Porsche certified car bought from a big Porsche dealer, had some ugly scuff marks on the leather that were never mentioned.

[alexxs]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jonathan

Ask if the records show a coolant expansion tank replacement. Its possible the coolant leaked from a failed tank or cap and they had to replace spark plugs. If your able to have an independent shop inspect the car. Make sure you have them check the injectors under the coolant expansion tank.

I have access to the records. The only thing that mentions "tank" is "Program control units (OBD - tank vent valve)", but that was at ~20 000km.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by alexxs

Hey everyone,

So I'm left choosing between M5 and M550i for my next car. Both would be CPO cars (BMW Premium selection in Europe). I found what seemed like a great deal 2020 M5 for 69 000 EUR, but noticed something odd in the car's service history. Essentially it's being sold as a 49000km car (~30 000 miles), had its spark plugs replaced at 44000 km as part of normal service, but then had a warranty entry to replace a couple just 1000km later. Now, 5000km from the initial service, the car is up for sale.

I know it's a CPO with a warranty, but I have this sneaky suspicion that the warranty entry was because they were chasing misfires and I'd be stuck holding the bag. Unfortunately I can't go and test it as it's in another country over in Europe.

Thoughts? Am I reading too much into a spark plug warranty job?

Thanks!

Regardlsss of whether you’re reading too much into it or not, the general rule regarding used vehicles (especially ones of this nature) are two separate PPIs, conducted by two different entities, with both examining software and internals.

If I were in your shoes, I’d be at the car supervising as much of this as possible, even if means going to another country.