CPO OR NOT?? Advice needed.

[OlyS4]

We are searching for an '08-'09 (3.0l or 4.8l) to replace my wife's '02 3.0l. I would like to know from experienced owners if in your opinion the certified warranty that adds 2 years and 50k miles to the factory warranty is worth the premium that dealers add to these vehicles.

My issue is this, I feel the warranty adds great piece of mind, especially with the BMW Care, since we are not buying new. We can get an '08 in our price range with CPO coverage until 2014 or 100k miles which is pretty damn good for a 4 year old vehicle. BUT, the dealers tack on $3-$5k for the CPO cars. I have heard from multiple dealers that BMW charges a dealer $2500 just to certify the vehicle, plus the money the dealer has to spend for brakes, tires, etc, to meet the CPO specs from BMW. It's a nice feeling to drive off a BMW lot in a cerified vehicle you know has been looked over and brought up to "like new" condition. Most the uncertified vehicles are not at BMW dealerships.

We don't typically put more than 10-11k miles per year on our vehicles, so we always "time out" before going over mileage. Wondering if I should be looking for the lowest mileage uncertified vehicle and take my chances when the warranty is up earlier, or spend a little more for the coverage. I am finding '08 4.8's with 28k miles uncertified for the same price as '08 3.0l CPO vehicles with 44k miles.


We've owned vehicles with and without CPO coverage but this time I'm torn. Her current X5 was CPO and within the warranty coverage term I think we used it one time to replace some weatherstripping on the drivers door. However, the E70's are loaded with more electronics than ours is (parking brake, comfort access, shifter, etc) and more to go wrong and $$ to fix.

Have most of you used your warranties to fix common E70 things that I may have to pay for out of pocket? I would appreciate input from owners of multiple BMW's with and without CPO coverage, and your opinions of repairs.

Thanks!