Advice about m235i viewed today.

[JCDenton]

Hey guys,

Hope you're all well. I'm new here, so hello! I'm after some points of view please if possible.

So, I viewed a 2014 m235i today with 53k miles. The car looked gorgeous and ticked a lot of boxes for me. It drove well; steered straight, sounded delicious and went well. Gearbox precise, steering had no vibrations, no knocking sounds or other suspicious sounds etc.

Albeit, a few things drew my attention. The salesman did point out the front bumper in all fairness, citing some orange peeling on the right hand (O/S) of the bumper and a small crack on the splitter. He stated that it may have had some damage to the bumper, but the car is hpi clear and there isn't evidence of any further damage beyond the bumper. I checked the front cross member and there wasn't anything obvious bar some small bubbling spots on the metal in places and slightly rusty looking bolts. He has offered for the bumper to be redone if it bugs me...

The other thing I then noticed is the driver's door didn't close properly at first. Second attempt and harder did close it. Salesman was curious and did point out that it could be the seal; pushing it in did somewhat help, but he offered to look into it to see if the latch can be adjusted. I noted that the trim (coloured black instead of chrome) around the bottom of the window had flaked off in a certain spot and had some striations. The trim around the left side of the window had a small crack too. The passenger side seemed fine.

The price, mileage and owners are all fine. Alloys immaculate and tyres brand new (Michelins), new brakes etc, plus the garage appeared clean, professional, and the salesman is a BMW enthusiast. So some positives. 

But am I right to be concerned that it's potentially had a knock (unrecorded)?

[Greydog]

Morning Billy

Welcome (almost) to the Forum

Unfortunatley due to the low ride height on the M cars it isn't unusual for them to suffer front bumper/splitter damage. My next door neighbour has a 335i coupe which he loves and works hard to keep it pristine, he has had 3 incidents (2 of his own and 1 of his wifes) where parking nose in and there had been a raised kerb he has had 2 paint repairs and then made the decision to replace the bumper completely all unrecorded as he just loves his car. 

If your happy with the car and more important happy with the standard of repair/restoration the Selling Garage have done then why not buy it. Obviously you have to remember it is a 10 year old car so final inspection is your responsibility if still unhappy either negotiate a price that lets you get the work done to your own standards or walk away. I take it you have ensured all switches and toys are working as they should

Good luck with the purchase hope you enjoy your Beemer

Dave

[JCDenton]

2 hours ago, Greydog said:

Morning Billy

Welcome (almost) to the Forum

Unfortunatley due to the low ride height on the M cars it isn't unusual for them to suffer front bumper/splitter damage. My next door neighbour has a 335i coupe which he loves and works hard to keep it pristine, he has had 3 incidents (2 of his own and 1 of his wifes) where parking nose in and there had been a raised kerb he has had 2 paint repairs and then made the decision to replace the bumper completely all unrecorded as he just loves his car. 

If your happy with the car and more important happy with the standard of repair/restoration the Selling Garage have done then why not buy it. Obviously you have to remember it is a 10 year old car so final inspection is your responsibility if still unhappy either negotiate a price that lets you get the work done to your own standards or walk away. I take it you have ensured all switches and toys are working as they should

Good luck with the purchase hope you enjoy your Beemer

Dave

Good morning and hello!

Thank you for the post and advice, do appreciate it. Tbh, I wasn't massively too bothered at first. It's on the right hand side of the bumper with it sprayed all across the side, so it's definitely had a nudge enough to warrant spraying the bumper.

I think where it started to go off for me is when I closed the door with a fairly decent push and clunk noise, and it didn't close. It did this a few times. Coupled with the dings/stretches in the paint on the window trim made me think, hang on, has the door had a whack too and is the frame or door out of alignment.

Like I said, I loved the car otherwise but this is a niggle that has bothered me. Hence, I'm thinking am I right to be concerned, or overreacting. 

[JCDenton]

Decided on reflection, that from these red flags and service history/MOT concerns, I'm not going ahead with the purchase. 

Thanks for the advice!