2010 from Michigan

[M5Greg]

I'm looking at a 2010 35d that spent 7 years in Michigan. Should I have any concern about rust or corrosion underneath?

TYIA
Greg

[95wildtt]

If you haven't been to Germany to experience their winters, they are brutal!!
My point being that BMW designs their stuff for some really nasty conditions.
You just don't see rust on BMWs very often, and cerainly not any built in the past 15 years or so...

Thanks,
John

[ard]

Well, I would.

Do they use the same salts and chemicals in Germany that they use in Michigan?

All things being equal, Id shop away from the rust/snow/salt belt.

[Nanniepoo]

Am I reading it right that you're in Oregon? Why are you looking all the way out here?

For whatever it's worth, our '08 with 150k miles is really clean. It helps that they've covered basically the entire underside with plastic. Also the other cars in my fleet are 20 years old so my point of reference is probably way off.

[M5Greg]

It's currently at a lot near Seattle. I like the colors and it's very well optioned. https://www.tdimotors.net/vehicle-de...032bf#Features

[ard]

Be very very very careful.... There is a chance that car has a few 'diesel emissions timebombs'. Tank sensor, DPF filter, NOX sensor, SCR cat. I think I read somewhere that it was 'recently serviced'...what does that mean? "We got all the maintenance up to date" or "we replaced as little as possible to get the light off, trying to sell quick".

The car looks like she has been passed around A LOT. Have you looked at the carfax or autocheck?????

133k miles. Has the ATF been serviced? Diffs?? Any records at all? Or just vague "dealer serviced" words?

If you are planning to move forward, post more questions for more specific advice

[M5Greg]

I did run a carfax. It had 2 owners and regular dealer maintenance. I will ask if they have any more service history but it went through a dealer auction so that info is usually lost.

[Toothbrush]

Even if it when through a dealer auction, you can usually get more info from the party who sold it, if they're reputable, assuming you have enough info to go on.


I've used a Carfax sheet once before for a vehicle I purchased through a dealer auction to locate an AAMCO center that did repair work to make sure there was no major transmission issues, based on what was in the report. They were surprisingly helpful.

If you can get somebody on the phone and have enough info (e.g. VIN, service dates) most of the time you'll be glad you called, especially if you let them know you're just trying to do the best you can to purchase wisely.

[ard]

Originally Posted by M5Greg

I did run a carfax. It had 2 owners and regular dealer maintenance. I will ask if they have any more service history but it went through a dealer auction so that info is usually lost.

"Lost" is an odd terms. Sellers of used cars are offen willfully ignorant- dont ask, dont tell. Going to the seller to ask for data will only uncover happy news. Negative history does get 'lost'


They have little interest in digging deeper, nor of providing evidence of recent work that might have been done to sell it.

BMW recommends ATF service at 100k. Was it done?

Id keep digging...but just want you to be cautious.

[M5Greg]

Any opinions on corporate or fleet ownership? It was corporate for first 6 years.