Considering buying a buyback 5BW - blown motor issues resolved?

[bamagrad03]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 5BW that was bought back with engine replaced at about 3500 miles and now listed for resale. Seeing some blown motor issues here, as well as the infamous C&D nuke.

Wonder if the figured out a common thread and I should be comfortable with the motor that was dropped in the one I'm looking at.

Ironically, I'm coming from an Alfa Giulia QV that's had absolutely zero maintenance issues. Not a one. But I've owned BMWs, so I clearly have some tolerance for cars in the shop. Just don't want GM giving me the runaround if the same dead motor situation happens again (though I'd be totally fine with it so long as they replaced it)

 

[dribs15]

Full factor warranty (not just on engine)?
And really good price?

 

[bamagrad03]

Full factor warranty (not just on engine)?
And really good price?

Yes. Full factory warranty, being sold from a Cadillac dealer. Fully powertrain warranty too.

Priced about 13 grand under market.

 

[dribs15]

13k under 'market' (what you see or what they say?) or msrp?
Sounds like you should be pretty well protected.

... obviously this will affect resale value down the road... but the 13k helps offset it... and the further down the line you get without an issue will help too.

Plus, we don't buy these cars to resell them... we get them to drive them!

Are lemon laws in your state in play for buybacks?

 

[bamagrad03]

13k under 'market' (what you see or what they say?) or msrp?
Sounds like you should be pretty well protected.

... obviously this will affect resale value down the road... but the 13k helps offset it... and the further down the line you get without an issue will help too.

Plus, we don't buy these cars to resell them... we get them to drive them!

Are lemon laws in your state in play for buybacks?

Under market based on my own observations having watched these for about a year. Kind of sad that I'm actually buying one because looking is part of the fun

I do agree with the resale value. But also I'm ready to settle into a car for a while. I had a C63S for a year, an S6 for a year then the DCT nuked, and this QV for 2.5 years. I'm ready to buy and hold for a while.

Lemon laws are in play, honestly I don't know that I'd even want a buyback if this happened again, just a new motor to make it right. I lucked out in that this is the /exact/ spec that I'd get if I ordered one, but I don't have to wait on an order and save a lot of money.

 

[565565]

Million dollar question... is it a 6 speed?

 

[dribs15]

I lucked out in that this is the /exact/ spec that I'd get if I ordered one, but I don't have to wait on an order and save a lot of money.

I was wondering that too.

I'd probably roll the dice.

I've more thing- you should see if they can throw in Spring Mountain (if the original owner didn't go).

Good luck and post pics!
Hope they are a reputable dealer!

 

[bamagrad03]

Million dollar question... is it a 6 speed?

Unfortunately no. My wife refuses to learn a MT and we have 3 small kids. She has to drive my car sometimes.

To her credit she gives me zero gruff about all my car buying. The only thing she complains about is that it be 4 doors and auto.

 

[BimmerFan]

I got a little bug last month and perused autotrader/cars.com to see what BW were going for. Most of the cars (more than half for sure) that I saw listed had either replacement engines or were unspecified buybacks. Most prices reflected that.

I'd suggest that future resale wouldn't be hurt much if you kept the car for a few years. Any replacement engine issues would show up by then.

And everyone needs to remember that lemon laws vary by state. I don't know what AL is like, but I know that here they only apply to the first buyer of a new car.

And I had to LOL at the OP's BMW comment. So true.

 

[bamagrad03]

I got a little bug last month and perused autotrader/cars.com to see what BW were going for. Most of the cars (more than half for sure) that I saw listed had either replacement engines or were unspecified buybacks. Most prices reflected that.

I'd suggest that future resale wouldn't be hurt much if you kept the car for a few years. Any replacement engine issues would show up by then.

And everyone needs to remember that lemon laws vary by state. I don't know what AL is like, but I know that here they only apply to the first buyer of a new car.

And I had to LOL at the OP's BMW comment. So true.

I had two e46s and one e92. They all loved the mechanic more then my driveway. Especially the e92

But I loved them. I would have gotten a g80 if it wasn't for the beaver teeth. Test drove a 23 M5 comp this weekend and would totally buy it if the 5BW didn't exist. Drove the new RS7 and it came in a distant third. Gorgeous car. Much nicer interior than the Cadillac. But driving experience more sterile than a can of Lysol

 

[dinkman]

if a discount is factored into the price, i wouldnt worry about it at all. problem is, when you eventually go to sell it potential buyers will so just make sure a discount is factored in now

 

[coffee_time]

Truly the only thing to worry about is resale value BUT that's obviously on a person to person basis. If you just plan on owning and driving forever you're golden. $13k under value and full warranty? I say SEND IT and have some fun.

 

[flipray]

Shoot, I’d ask for longer warranty if it’s CPO.

 

[bamagrad03]

Shoot, I’d ask for longer warranty if it’s CPO.

They can't CPO buybacks, but I did extend the bumper to bumper out to 7 yrs/70 to match the powertrain for roughly $2000 after all the horse trading was done.

 

[flipray]

That’s still not bad, think I’ve seen GM extended warranty go $32-3600.

 

[rdollie]

I had two e46s and one e92. They all loved the mechanic more then my driveway. Especially the e92

...

So true on the e9xs. I still have an e90 M3 but scared to drive it after all the engine work is required! It just sits on the battery tender while I enjoy the 5BW and hopefully see the e90 resale value creep up.

 

[dizz81]

Damn all this hate on the E92's is crazy. I must have lucked out in a major way.
I had an E92 M3 that I owned for almost 8yrs. In those 8yrs I had my O2's go at 98k, thermostat at 102k and then the TA's at 108k.
I bought the car with 30k miles on it, dropped the ESS VT625 SC in there at 65k miles and replaced the rod bearings and clutch at the same time as a preventative measure.

Other than that. I literally did nothing to it and just drove it like a mad man as a daily. I beat the hell out of that car and it never let me down.

 

[BimmerFan]

... hopefully see the e90 resale value creep up.

I think they've peaked.

 

[bamagrad03]

Damn all this hate on the E92's is crazy. I must have lucked out in a major way.
I had an E92 M3 that I owned for almost 8yrs. In those 8yrs I had my O2's go at 98k, thermostat at 102k and then the TA's at 108k.
I bought the car with 30k miles on it, dropped the ESS VT625 SC in there at 65k miles and replaced the rod bearings and clutch at the same time as a preventative measure.

Other than that. I literally did nothing to it and just drove it like a mad man as a daily. I beat the hell out of that car and it never let me down.

You were one lucky e9x owner

 

[ngoni]

Damn all this hate on the E92's is crazy. I must have lucked out in a major way.
I had an E92 M3 that I owned for almost 8yrs. In those 8yrs I had my O2's go at 98k, thermostat at 102k and then the TA's at 108k.
I bought the car with 30k miles on it, dropped the ESS VT625 SC in there at 65k miles and replaced the rod bearings and clutch at the same time as a preventative measure.

Other than that. I literally did nothing to it and just drove it like a mad man as a daily. I beat the hell out of that car and it never let me down.

My E92 is on its third water pump (thank you BMW for making the face plastic), new valve cover gasket at 90k, timing solenoids at 95k, alternator at 100k, oil pan gasket at 110k. GM needs to build my damn 4BW already so I can retire the money pit.