BMW at an auction

[Prazision]

As title states,

Looking to purchase a vehicle that was previously sold at an auction.
Reports say it is clean carfax, however, usually that is a red flag that the
vehicle was in fact sold at an auction.
That being said, how much can one trust that this vehicle is in 100% good shape. It is being sold at a dealership(obviously that is taken with a grain of salt). How likely is it that the car is completely unmolested. Any insight to this would be very helpful.

Regards,
Prazision

[ken1137]

135i? Most are driven hard but many cars are auctioned for several different reasons. I would recommend paying a local indy (some that works on BMWs) for a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) if there is an opportunity to do so. GL.

[PINeely]

Cars being sold at auction aren't necessarily beaten on. It may have just been repossessed or seized.

[Daemonblitz]

Off-lease cars usually go to auction too. The dealer it was returned to gets dibs on buying it but if they don't, it goes up for auction between BMW dealers. If it doesn't sell here it goes up for auction again to other dealers.

[Ammonia]

Used vehicles that are on our lot for longer than 60 days get sent to auction too. Sometimes, vehicles that would take too much money to certify or make legal-to-drive also worm their ways to the auction.

[az34]

not for me. theres so many cars on the market i would stay away of auction cars. Go whit a private seller is my advice.

[Prazision]

actually it was a e36 m3, i'm really looking for a light, 6 speed vehicle. 135 would be my ideal car, however finding one with <40k miles under 25k is going to be tough. I'm basically looking to purchase a car outright. No monthly payments = more mods!!!!!

[Prazision]

appreciate the feedback guys.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by Prazision

actually it was a e36 m3, i'm really looking for a light, 6 speed vehicle. 135 would be my ideal car, however finding one with <40k miles under 25k is going to be tough. I'm basically looking to purchase a car outright. No monthly payments = more mods!!!!!

Nice! if you are willing to travel Enthusiast Auto Group in Cincinnati always has a few e36s and they seem to repair or replace whats necessary prior to listing them for sale. GL

http://www.enthusiastauto.com/

[Jumbosock]

As previously stated there are many reasons a car can go on auction that have nothing to do with the car having a problem. My current BMW was at an auction. I think it was a repo. As long as you get it checked out it should be fine.

[Prazision]

I have taken a look at those guys. Seem to offer great service and very well chosen inventory. However, their price also seems to reflect that. I'm looking for something more of a bargain.

Originally Posted by ken1137

Nice! if you are willing to travel Enthusiast Auto Group in Cincinnati always has a few e36s and they seem to repair or replace whats necessary prior to listing them for sale. GL

http://www.enthusiastauto.com/

[tamana]

The dealer it was returned to gets dibs on buying it but if they don't, it goes up for auction between BMW dealers.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by Prazision

I have taken a look at those guys. Seem to offer great service and very well chosen inventory. However, their price also seems to reflect that. I'm looking for something more of a bargain.

You may want to at least provide them with your target $ and specs...I believe they have a questionnaire on their site. Ya never know what they will find. GL...love the e36.

[NorthernDancer]

Agree with az34. Mike Miller also recommends private sale. Any E36 at an auction is going to be rough. I know, I work at an auction. Forget "saving" money for mods-buy the best damn car you can. If you do, you won't have to spend a bundle on it to get it up to spec. E36 M3's in the Roundel are minimum $9K but that will get a well looked after car. I remember seeing the 3 and 4 year old lease returns come into auction. DEFINITELY not looked after: dirty, curb rash, oil as black as soot-really ugly.

[Prazision]

looks like for now i am best off wait for pp or a gem at a lot....