[Game]

Will likely need to go that route. (not buying from a dealer)

Any tips? Things I should know?

Also, would you recommend driving the car home or having it delivered?



Thanks in advance.

[nafoo]

Pre purchase inspection

[GmoBmw]

Originally Posted by nafoo

Pre purchase inspection

[thkfast]

If buying from a private party out of state, I'd suggest arranging the purchase on a week day so you actually "touch" the title. Nothing like having problems with an out of state title to cause an anxiety attack!

The good news is depending on the number of interested parties, you may be able to strike a better deal with a private party seller than a dealership! I've always driven my out of state purchases home - usually make it a road trip with a friend or two.

[FiremanLU706]

I guess I was blessed with buying my 335! Mine does have the 100K maintenance & 100K drivetrain warranty which made it easier for me to make my mind. The seller drove it to me & bought a airline ticket to fly back home! He was 8 hours away!! Good luck

[vrrooom]

I have sold my M cars to out of state buyers, and in all cases I took them to the local DMV, got them temporary plates to drive home and had the title validated (no liens, loans etc) as clear.

[Ricer X]

on the $ side of things....be aware of any potential tax issues in the sellers state or yours...you don't want to be surprised that tax for you was a couple of thousand that you don't have.

[Sara]

I live in New Orleans and bought mine in Los Angeles. That's 2000 miles. I drove mine across the country (by myself) 22 and 1/2 hours the first day (without stopping) and a little over 8 hours straight the second day. Car was flawless.


If its new definitely drive it! Break it in. But if its not from a BMW dealer its probably used. If its high mileage and youre buying it on the other side of the country, just ship it.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Ricer X

on the $ side of things....be aware of any potential tax issues in the sellers state or yours...you don't want to be surprised that tax for you was a couple of thousand that you don't have.

You only pay tax on the state where you are registering it. Or am I wrong? I paid Louisiana tax on the car I bought in California. CA recieved $0 from me.

[rudebwoi]

im in CT and purchased in NJ. I drove down to test drive it, but also had a 3rd party inspection look it over and drive it. Paid about $130 for that, and because they back their inspections I felt a little better about pulling the trigger.

I drove the car home with the temp plate, and had 30 days to register. I paid CT tax on it at DMV along with registration.

[Island Road]

I bought my car from KY and then had it shipped to Boston. I bought directly from BMW it was a trade in so felt better about buying it and not having anything go wrong.

[EYE4SPEED]

I've done quite a few. Best advice is have a knowledgeable forum member do the inspection. When I bought my Audi in MN, had a local member take some pictures and a quick spin. Only an enthusiast would take pictures underneath the car. Turned out it had a little damage due a jack and had dealer repair it before delivery (they trailered the car to Chicago auction) and I picked it up. If you are buying from a dealer, they might drive their truck to your local auction for free.

If you are going far away (I flew to NY), buy a round trip ticket. If you find something wrong and the seller won't budge on price to fix it, fly home. Better being out a few hundred bucks than being stuck because you were forced to buy transportation to drive home.

You will often find better deals if you want specific options if you search nationwide. Well worth the expense if you are spending this kind of money. Covered delivery costs under $1000 depending on where you live. This might take the broker a few weeks to get a truck, but worth the cost to offset wear/tear.

[rudebwoi]

Originally Posted by EYE4SPEED

If you are going far away (I flew to NY), buy a round trip ticket. If you find something wrong and the seller won't budge on price to fix it, fly home. Better being out a few hundred bucks than being stuck because you were forced to buy transportation to drive home.

good point.

[ENGINE er]

Recently purchased my 335 in ny and I live in Texas. It was a private party CPO with maint and the seller was up front about everything, drove it home without plates, but with the title, bill of sale and proof of insurance. 1800 miles and only pulled over once and the paperwork was enough.

A few months ago I purchased my 98 Landcruiser in Atlanta and drove it home. 200k miles and it's the most solid vehicle I own.

If you are picky and looking for a good deal, be prepared to travel!

[Game]

Thanks guys, plenty of good info here.

[Ricer X]

in my case, yes, I only paid in IL (the state I registered)...it was like $2500 from what I remember (no trade)....I am just not sure what the rules are nationwide. My point is, just find out before you have to write a big check you are not ready for.

[kelvin2010]

I live in Oregon where is sale tax free, and I purchased my car from California.
I bought it in BMW dealer and my car is CPO. So I did not worry about the condition of my car so much...
I flied down to CA and wanted to drive my car home. But I found out if I purchased my car in CA and drive it home, I have to pay for the tax...If I have it delivered to Oregon State, I don't have to care about the tax which is over $3000....The delivery costs only $800...

So, watch out the tax issue if it applies to you..

[JPK89]

i live in atlanta and bought mine from cali...looked at pictures...talked to the guy...flew my sister out to LA and she drove it back to Atlanta..car actually looked a lot better in person than the pictures...i would do it again...only if it seems perfect..

[335i101]

I always buy out of state....WI does not have a large selection of "nice" cars. Also, with more supply means lower cost.

I have bought cars in NY, CA and AL.

Got semi-screwed once....and that was but a "bigger dealer"...they bought back the car from me 6mths later....

As everyone said, get inspection from dealer (or ask peeps on this forum if they have Indy in the area).

[Xwahoo]

I live in Georgia and bought mine from a Benz dealer in Houston. My wife and I flew to the dealership and drove the car home. It was almost 3 years old, 20,000 miles and it was cosmetically perfect. The dealership had checked it out and put new tires on it. I depended on the dealership to have the car mechanically perfect also and they didn't disappoint me. I would do it again. I did have to pay sales tax in Georgia when I registered it.

[Stein67]

Bought mine in St Louis sight unseen, flew in, picked up by sales chick, rode to BMW dealer, did paperwork and drove home. First time I had ever sat in a BMW, let alone drove one. It was a CPO with only 26k so I wasn't worried about little things wrong. Just fix it at my home dealership. The passenger vent was broken for example. Fixed under warranty at my convenience.

I signed the BOS and emailed back prior to the sale. That was it. Pretty simple.

[gogunbaba]

I bought mine in Detroit, MI. I had the seller send me detailed pictures and had him do the pre purchase inspection. The BMW delaership e-mailed me the results and everything was looking perfect. He owned the title, so I had him fax the copy of the title to my bank so I could get the check on his name. I flew to Detroit, took a cap to where he worked, looked at the car and it was in mint condition. We went to his bank , I gave him the check, exchanged the driver license copies, signed the bill of sale and drove the car to ATL. I did not have to pay sales tax as I purchased the car from a private party. I have been looking for a white coupe with tan leather, low mileage, sport, premium with Nav for a year (private party) and did not find what I was looking for in ATL. I would certainly do it again.