How To: buy used BM3 and not get screwed

TopJimmy · 10-09-2020, 10:59 AM

BIMMERPOST / Classifieds

Asking Price:

None

Item Interest

I see too many people getting hosed...either paying too much, or by petty thieves (they're everywhere).

First off, a pre-owned BM3 "S55 Engine" license is worth $350, regardless of whether the guy "never installed it". Second hand new stuff is still second hand... PTF only supports a license being transferred ONCE period (and value can transfer towards a different Engine...used S55+$=S65).

Here's how to buy a used BM3 license here, with lowest risk:
1) Ask the seller to send you a picture from their phone showing their license and VIN within the BM3 webpage, telling them you will check with PTF and will buy it next day. Email this to PTF Support asking if the key is valid, and saying you intend to buy the license used. PTF responds in 1 day saying yes/no. This usually scares off thieves.

2) if PTF says yes then buy/borrow an OBD cable, go to Bootmod3.com, download and install the OBD Agent, create your account, and log in to the webpage. Connect your car and read your settings. This step enables you to receive a transferred license as soon as the seller puts in your info. If you don't do this step you must email PTF to ask they do a "manual transfer".

3) pay ONLY using regular PayPal (never friends&family, never Venmo or Zelle). If the seller complains maybe you offer to increase your offer by $12 to cover their fees. Put what you're buying in the PayPal description..."$350 used S55 BM3 license from JohnDoe on BimmerPost" so you don't get mailed an old shoe for your 'donation' (don't friggin ask...it happened).

3) after you pay tell the seller you're ready for them to transfer the license online. Seller needs the email address that you set up as your BM3 login, and they need your VIN. Seller also must have flashed their car back to Stock Tune and Re-Locked their DME (thanks Tom@EAS). If you skipped Step 2 and didn't set up a BM3 account the seller will repeatedly get a license transfer error (frustrating) and you will need to Email PTF Support to get a manual transfer. PTF Support will need both the VIN and the Email address for both the old and new license holders.

???What Transfers???
Regardless of what tunes (called a map or maps) the old user owned, they go away and the new user gets to pick one new "pay-for" map (stage CS/GTS is free, stages 1 or 2 are pay-for) from the PTF maps. All the PTF maps are called Off The Shelf (OTS), as opposed to a Custom Map by a Custom Tuner (which you can buy extra from within BM3). Unless you're going straight to a custom tune I suggest you go back and pay $100 more for the "Map Pack" so you get all Stages & Fuel Types. If you don't want to buy the map pack you can download the free CS or GTS level tune, and decide later which pay-for map you want.

***Upgrading***
PTF told me that people can buy a used license and "buy up" to a higher level (if the other license costs more, like transfer M2/3/4 and bump up to a M5). This takes a manual transfer, and the new user needs to pay PTF the difference of "new cost" (+$300 in this case).

I haven't asked PTF about upgrading my own license from M3 to M5, but I assume they would only up-charge me $ , and I should still have my "one time license transfer" available if I want to sell the license afterwards. LMK if one of you already know and I'll go back and update this post.

!!! If they're still Thieves !!!
- You have their phone number from the pic they sent. Text to make sure they're not just slow..."just checking back"
- If slow is no answer maybe remind them they used their phone in defrauding someone, which is a much bigger crime than simple theft
- Hit up PayPal for a refund. You've got your proof.
- Do a quick post below with their info.

I hope that helps someone!

omgf80 · 10-09-2020, 11:32 AM

Nice write up, 3% in paypal fees regardless of the sale amount is more than worth it for piece of mind imo

dcpatters · 10-09-2020, 11:37 AM

And my contribution, albeit insignificant, all thieves and scammers must fucking die a painful death.

trungnguyen28 · 10-09-2020, 12:28 PM

Great write up. It's all too easy to scam people looking for BM3. I got lucky and bought one second hand, but I met up wit h the guy and had him transfer it in person.

Mojoman · 10-09-2020, 06:29 PM

Nice write-up. Thanks for taking the time to help others!

tom @ eas · 10-09-2020, 07:00 PM

BM3 license transfer process on pg16 of BM3 User's Manual

carbon-14 · 11-18-2021, 08:24 AM

So only able to do a one time transfer!? Probably better off buying new and ability to make some money back once/if I decide to sell down the road.

TopJimmy · 11-18-2021, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbon-14

So only able to do a one time transfer!? Probably better off buying new and ability to make some money back once/if I decide to sell down the road.

Why pay $650 now to try and get $350 back later ($300 total). Pay $350 for used and you're done. PTF gives good support either way…

carbon-14 · 11-19-2021, 08:00 AM

There's a couple of online vendors that have combo sales going on plus an additional 10% off entire order.

e90335e36m3 · 11-19-2021, 07:50 PM

Judy buy it new. If you can afford a 40k car you can afford a new BM3 license.

TopJimmy · 11-19-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

Judy buy it new. If you can afford a 40k car you can afford a new BM3 license.

No…just because we have a nice car doesn't mean we should waste money. Saving $300 gets you halfway to a custom tune.

Who's Judy?

10-09-2020, 10:59 AM	#1
TopJimmy Major General 5463 Rep 5,155 Posts Drives: 2023 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Chester County, PA iTrader: (5)	BIMMERPOST / Classifieds Asking Price: None Item Interest I see too many people getting hosed...either paying too much, or by petty thieves (they're everywhere). First off, a pre-owned BM3 "S55 Engine" license is worth $350, regardless of whether the guy "never installed it". Second hand new stuff is still second hand... PTF only supports a license being transferred ONCE period (and value can transfer towards a different Engine...used S55+$=S65). Here's how to buy a used BM3 license here, with lowest risk: 1) Ask the seller to send you a picture from their phone showing their license and VIN within the BM3 webpage, telling them you will check with PTF and will buy it next day. Email this to PTF Support asking if the key is valid, and saying you intend to buy the license used. PTF responds in 1 day saying yes/no. This usually scares off thieves. 2) if PTF says yes then buy/borrow an OBD cable, go to Bootmod3.com, download and install the OBD Agent, create your account, and log in to the webpage. Connect your car and read your settings. This step enables you to receive a transferred license as soon as the seller puts in your info. If you don't do this step you must email PTF to ask they do a "manual transfer". 3) pay ONLY using regular PayPal (never friends&family, never Venmo or Zelle). If the seller complains maybe you offer to increase your offer by $12 to cover their fees. Put what you're buying in the PayPal description..."$350 used S55 BM3 license from JohnDoe on BimmerPost" so you don't get mailed an old shoe for your 'donation' (don't friggin ask...it happened). 3) after you pay tell the seller you're ready for them to transfer the license online. Seller needs the email address that you set up as your BM3 login, and they need your VIN. Seller also must have flashed their car back to Stock Tune and Re-Locked their DME (thanks Tom@EAS). If you skipped Step 2 and didn't set up a BM3 account the seller will repeatedly get a license transfer error (frustrating) and you will need to Email PTF Support to get a manual transfer. PTF Support will need both the VIN and the Email address for both the old and new license holders. ???What Transfers??? Regardless of what tunes (called a map or maps) the old user owned, they go away and the new user gets to pick one new "pay-for" map (stage CS/GTS is free, stages 1 or 2 are pay-for) from the PTF maps. All the PTF maps are called Off The Shelf (OTS), as opposed to a Custom Map by a Custom Tuner (which you can buy extra from within BM3). Unless you're going straight to a custom tune I suggest you go back and pay $100 more for the "Map Pack" so you get all Stages & Fuel Types. If you don't want to buy the map pack you can download the free CS or GTS level tune, and decide later which pay-for map you want. *Upgrading* PTF told me that people can buy a used license and "buy up" to a higher level (if the other license costs more, like transfer M2/3/4 and bump up to a M5). This takes a manual transfer, and the new user needs to pay PTF the difference of "new cost" (+$300 in this case). I haven't asked PTF about upgrading my own license from M3 to M5, but I assume they would only up-charge me $ , and I should still have my "one time license transfer" available if I want to sell the license afterwards. LMK if one of you already know and I'll go back and update this post. !!! If they're still Thieves !!! - You have their phone number from the pic they sent. Text to make sure they're not just slow..."just checking back" - If slow is no answer maybe remind them they used their phone in defrauding someone, which is a much bigger crime than simple theft - Hit up PayPal for a refund. You've got your proof. - Do a quick post below with their info. I hope that helps someone! __________________ '18 F80 Base 6MT \| '19 F82 Exec DCT \| '18 F82 Comp Exec DCT \| '23 G80cx
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10-09-2020, 11:32 AM	#2
omgf80 First Lieutenant 207 Rep 354 Posts Drives: 18' ZCP F80 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	Nice write up, 3% in paypal fees regardless of the sale amount is more than worth it for piece of mind imo __________________ Current:18' F80 AW \| 05' T4R Sport Sold: 89' 325ix \| 09' 135i \| 15' M235i \| 17' I3 IG: omgf80
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10-09-2020, 11:37 AM	#3
dcpatters Lieutenant 250 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Laguna Hills, CA iTrader: (2)	And my contribution, albeit insignificant, all thieves and scammers must fucking die a painful death.
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10-09-2020, 12:28 PM	#4
trungnguyen28 Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: California iTrader: (7)	Great write up. It's all too easy to scam people looking for BM3. I got lucky and bought one second hand, but I met up wit h the guy and had him transfer it in person.
	Appreciate 1 TopJimmy5463.00 Quote

10-09-2020, 06:29 PM	#5
Mojoman Private First Class 134 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	Nice write-up. Thanks for taking the time to help others!
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11-18-2021, 08:24 AM	#7
carbon-14 Private First Class 32 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 CS Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: TEXAS iTrader: (1)	So only able to do a one time transfer!? Probably better off buying new and ability to make some money back once/if I decide to sell down the road.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2021, 08:00 AM	#9
carbon-14 Private First Class 32 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 CS Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: TEXAS iTrader: (1)	There's a couple of online vendors that have combo sales going on plus an additional 10% off entire order.
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11-19-2021, 07:50 PM	#10
e90335e36m3 M3 1426 Rep 725 Posts Drives: M3s Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Earth iTrader: (4)	Judy buy it new. If you can afford a 40k car you can afford a new BM3 license.
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