Bought from BMW corporate?

[jditom]

Looking at a 2005 X5 this weekend from a dealer who says they got it from BMW corporate.

What does that mean?

Anyone know?

Thanks all

[motordavid]

It means nearly any level employee that got lucky enough, got to drive the crap outta of it for a few thous. miles.

Treat it at least, as a used car, and one that mighta been rode hard and put away wet.

I love "Excutive cars"; hell, I used to be an Exec. and I know I drove the crap outta my Co.car.
Buyer Beware, as in any used car purchase...hope it's at least "cpo'd".
GL,md

[Jeremy]

Or does it mean it was a customer buyback vehicle that was repaired and is being resold?

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by motordavid

It means nearly any level employee that got lucky enough, got to drive the crap outta of it for a few thous. miles.

corporate h00ker!

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Or does it mean it was a customer buyback vehicle that was repaired and is being resold?

Good pt and possiblity, Jeremy...I would personally take a pass on the "exec. cars", "co cars", et al, that Stlrs try to float out to the buying public under the inferred softball of them having been driving by people that never floored them, polished them every weekend and avoided farting in the seats.

They are used cars and maybe, very used, in a short time, imo.
BR,md

[NervX5]

A pitcher on my baseball team works for BMW corporate in NJ. I was also a contractor for Mercedes Benz corporate in NJ for a while. When I told my friend at BMW corporate (who has an X5 and a 5 series BMW) that I bought the X5 and installed the Bull Bar on it, his quote was: "That's awesome. The X5's kick ass. Nice Bull Bar, but we're not allowed to do things like that".

From what I heard at MB and from my pitcher is that they are not even allowed to alter the cars in any way at all. At MB, the leases were 13 months (very cheap I might add). I would say I never heard of anyone "beating" on their corporate car. They still had to park it in the lot for all to see, and they were responsible for it.

No matter what, I believe if it is BMW preowned certified, you should be fine. For most issues, it will be covered. I had a 2001 MB CLK 320 that was certified. I never paid a dime for anything but the 10,000 mile service appointments. That's why I trust my 2002 BMW X5 with 48k miles covered up to 100k. No worries that way.

Good luck in your search.

Originally Posted by jditom

Looking at a 2005 X5 this weekend from a dealer who says they got it from BMW corporate.

What does that mean?

Anyone know?

Thanks all

[Teutonaddict]

Originally Posted by NervX5

From what I heard at MB and from my pitcher is that they are not even allowed to alter the cars in any way at all. At MB, the leases were 13 months (very cheap I might add). I would say I never heard of anyone "beating" on their corporate car. They still had to park it in the lot for all to see, and they were responsible for it.

I agree that both BMW and MB make it easy (read: cheap) for their employees to lease vehicles. Take a good look at the parking lot in Spartanburg and you'll see an amazing percentage of BMWs being driven by BMW Manufacturing associates. [I've often wondered how dramatically the registration of BMWs spiked in SC once the US Manufacturing organization arrived.] The Performance Center director told us at the M5DE that BMWNA subsidizes not only the lease, but also the insurance to make it very attractive for said employees.

Now shift to my former dealer in SE US. Because Spartanburg does not have body/collision facilities, they farm out their body work to a few large dealers in the region. This particular dealer would recieve 1 or 2 auto transporters a week carrying in company vehicles and various states of banged-up-edness. The perspective of the folks who repair an endless stream of damaged Bimmers? 'They don't have to pay much for them, so they beat the sh!t out of 'em...'

Not saying that's the case on this vehicle, just be aware it's within the realm of possibility!

[fln8tive]

Here in Florida I know there are "factory" auctions where dealers can stock up on used inventory, but I agree, it's a crapshoot as far as how well the BMW employee treated the vehicle. I have a neighbor who works for DaimlerChrysler and while he does not beat up his leaser, I have never seen him doing the Saturday morning TLC thing. Pay to have the car pre-inspected, keep the receipt.