So much for BMW's CPO Program

[///Bruce]

I wonder if BMW USA monitors this board? They'd be dumbfounded to know that I traded my 05 M3C last weekend for a 2006 X5 4.8is only to find the M3 listed on their website a few days later as a CPO vehicle when I KNOW that it was hit at least twice! It also has several non-BMW parts on it as well as a warped Euro cross-drilled rotor in the front.

It's even listed on the CarFax website! This normally would not bother me except that my 4.8 is also CPO'd. Now if this nonsense goes on with a car like mine, I wonder what anomalies I will eventually find on mine.

I did open the intake box to find the air filter had dry rot around the edges of the filter. I brought this to their attention and they said it would be fixed. I also pointed out a poorly fixed 4"x5" dent in front of the driver's side rear wheel well.

Anyone else run across stuff like this?

[anerbe]

unfortunately, the inspection of the CPO isn't the best. they raise a snot about the type of tires on it / amount of tread, but often neglect larger vehicle issues.

I see it like this, after buying 2 CPO's. You don't buy it for the inspection, but the warranty. i've found multiple things that shouldn't have allowed the car to pass inspection - as long as BMW will make right by fixing any issue covered by CPO, it's one of the negatives to buying used.

[///Bruce]

To a large extent, I agree with you. However, with three of the four rims being curbed, the old weight glue on the inside of the rims is 1/2" deep... These things should NOT have to be pointed out by ME!

But, like you said, if they're willing to make it right, that's okay. But, what I don't like is having to quibble over nonsense like this is getting it right!

[anerbe]

yup - never said it was right. the turn-around time for CPO inspection is like 3 hours. as long as there isn't going to have a problem if they happened to get audited on the car, it's gonna get approved.

[Meiac09]

My CPO was in a pretty serious wreck before they sold it to me without disclosure and now my paint is peeling. So far I'm SOL until I get a lawyer involved. Dealers f-ing suck

[faz]

I am not sure what the CPO certification process is for BMW, but for Honda, it was basically the dealer that would do the inspection/work needed (at their own cost), and then pay and buy a certificate from Honda that would cover the warranty. Some dealers will cut corners (inspection/fix stage) and pocket the money if they can get away with it, and some will be more careful about their relationship with the parent company and not cut any corners in inspection/fix stage of the CPO certification.

[motordavid]

Welcome to the marketing scam that was probably/initially a good move
to offer decent cars, "slightly inspected/low mileage/lease turn ins"...
it has, in the fervor for pushing units and packing profit margins, turned
into a near scam in some cases. Every brand on the planet has "certified"
pre-owned "gems" for sale now. BMW, et al, will tell you it's up to each
independently owned dealer, blah..blah...blah.

When there is lots of wiggle room, in almost any biz situ, many take
advantage of that space, unfortunately, and only imo.
Nice catch by the bye, OP!
GL to all you CPO buyers out there, though for the buyer it remains
a very good safety net, even if that "inspection" was slight or lacking.
mD

[Zulu95]

My CPO had a very tight inspection I did it and took it back 12 times until I was satisfied the vehicle was right. I was a total PIB until they put it right!!
They missed so much I would doubt a mechanic even drove the vehicle on the lot!

[Weasel]

The problem may lie in the different dealers... The dealer I work for is pretty strict on what does and doesn't get CPO'd. I have had quite a few of them myself that I was inspecting that got pulled from the CPO program due to my findings. Certain dealers may turn a blind eye to certain problems and not depict it in the paperwork to get the car CPO'd but thankfully I have never seen my dealership use any questionable work practices like that or I would question my want to work there. In the past 5 years there I have only seen honest and fair practices from the quality minded owner and the service manager, and our foreman is among the best in the business. (as stated by regional trainers that deal with all shop foremen when they go training school)

[BGM]

Just because a car is in an accident means it has to be listed on Carfax--that depends on who reports it meaning the insurance, the police, etc. I believe they have different levels of repair damage so it might have to be a whole lot to get it on the report. Like it's been pointed out BMW is willing to make it good for whatever goes bad in the future on a CPO.