Would you buy a car with a "bad" carfax report

[stevenfstein]

Saw a 2014 stick, 49k miles with Sport and Tech packages. Dealer is asking about 27K but my concern is that is has a bad carfax report - "Damage reported: minor damage, damage to front. Minor damage is usually cosmetic, including dents or scratches to the vehicle body."
Not too worried about the damage but down the road when cars are readily available and chip problem is over a dealer would probably not buy this car and I would have to sell privately which might take some time. If a dealer were to buy for wholesale I'd take a bloodbath. Your thoughts appreciated.

Best... Steve

 

[john-e89]

Tricky one as I'm assuming you're in the states..?

Personally no idea of the amount of cars available there, but that has to be a big factor in what you decide. Here in the UK no one would pay much for a registered damaged car, there are enough available to avoid them. I'd doubt very much a dealer would give you the time of day over a damaged car unless you were trading it in and even then you'll get nothing for it. Personally I'd leave it unless you're going to keep it for a very long time, or can get it for a very low price and not take so much of a hit. If cars are few and far between there then bargain a much as possible but be prepared to have hassle come sale time. No one wants to take on another man's problem. As a car in isolation an E89 imho in whatever guise is a fabulous car to own, go for the best you can as with anything else unless it's a project, great cars if you don't want anything pin sharp. Best of luck with whatever you do.

 

[Marcoose]

Steve, you’ll be hard pressed to find a 10-yo car without blemishes. If it’s just cosmetic, use that as a bargain point. Where’s the car?

 

[B21]

Echoing John E89…these cars have a number of deformable sections /parts in them, the purpose being to take out the de-acceleration loads of an impact.

It’s pretty close to impossible to assess that damage.

Accident damage that’s visible tends to reflect the ownership approach.

So personally I would walk away , there are thousands of Z4s to choose from.

FWIW

 

[Marcoose]

It’s pretty close to impossible to assess that damage.

More nonsense. But then, always consider the source.

Steve, I’ve been living in America for a long time. I’m familiar with Carfax. Minor damage means love bumps, door dings and such. You can take the car to a trusted indy and inspect it thoroughly for structural damages. Now, it’s a 10-yo car. Expect work; from an oil change to leaking struts. I’ve bought mine newer with fewer miles and in ‘mint condition’, and there was work to be done. Let me know where the car is. Glad to help you.

 

[enuff_zed]

It’s pretty close to impossible to assess that damage.

More nonsense. But then, always consider the source.

Yeah, wait until PBondar come back with much better advice!
Honestly pal, you certainly are a well-balanced individual. You have a chip on both shoulders!

 

[Marcoose]

Yeah, wait until PBondar come back with much better advice!
Honestly pal, you certainly are a well-balanced individual. You have a chip on both shoulders!

You know the saying. Fool me twice, shame on me. That clown fooled me once. ‘Nuff said.

 

[stevenfstein]

Think I'll pass on this one and appreciate your thoughts. The dealer (BMW - New Jersey) said they would come down $500 and sell the car "as is".

Thanks... Steve

 

[B21]

Think I'll pass on this one and appreciate your thoughts. The dealer (BMW - New Jersey) said they would come down $500 and sell the car "as is".

Thanks... Steve

Good move, IMHO

You'll find plenty of folks here with experience of all the different models of Zeds..so when youa re looking, maybe post a few pictures and deatils up here and th folks will give you their opinions (as you can see there are differing views ) on issues to look out for /factor into your buying decision.

There must be around 20,000 E89s sold in the uS so you should be able to buy a good un!

 

[stevenfstein]

Appreciate all the advice. I need to find one with the hardtop for more safety and peace of mind for my wife. I test drove a 2015 auto but it was not quite as much fun as I thought it would be. I have a 2022 MINI S Countryman All4 and the Z was quicker and handled better but the experience was not much different than the MINI - pretty much the same controls, etc. I think if I were to get one the missing piece of the puzzle for me is a stick. I know auto is faster and better gas mileage but this will not be daily driver. Take it on vacation, top down to the local pizza place in the summer evening type of thing. I think the more involved driving experience is what I was missing.

Best... Steve

 

[B21]

We have a 2015 F56 Mini 2.0 Cooper SD..so I get what your saying..the Mini is a great and very nippy roller skate.

Top up I probably prefer the Mini but top down is a whole different ball game.

I’m sure Sunday morning blasts top down to somewhere for brunch will be a blast

A stick does make a difference especially on the non turbo models…each to their own..hope you find a good one.

 

[Silverstar]

I believe the US Carfax report of previous damage is different to how things work in the UK. In the US they can register even minor damage which seems to be the case here, the sort of damage that in the UK would never be registered on a HPI type report.

In the UK it only shows on those reports if it has been an insurance write off, which of course one should steer well clear from. In the UK if you take your car in for minor paint repair e.g. bumper scuff scratches on the door etc. which face it many of us here have had done then that type of repair isn't recorded whereas it seems to be in the US.

 

[Tom2207]

its amazing what an hpi check can show

 

[Marcoose]

In the UK if you take your car in for minor paint repair e.g. bumper scuff scratches on the door etc. which face it many of us here have had done then that type of repair isn't recorded whereas it seems to be in the US.

This is from personal and limited experience in America. Minor bodywork damages done to my cars, by, fixed and paid by others’ insurances, were never reported to Carfax. You voluntarily put that in. OP was looking at a car from a BMW dealer. Speculating here, I reckon the BMW dealer doesn’t want to come across as deceiving and risking tarnishing their reputation. That’s very nice. Minor bodywork damages on Carfax means exactly what you said, scratches and such.

 

[stevenfstein]

I'm not so much worried about the minor damage part, sold MINI Coopers for 14 years so did appraisals on lots of cars and looked at tons of carfax reports. Back before the current supply chain problems most dealers would not purchase any car that had a bad carfax report, no matter the severity. With dwindling supply and demand, dealers are relaxing their standards to make money but that will swing back the other way down the road. My biggest concern is that in a few years, when my legs give out or I'm not able to drive anymore it will be much more difficult to sell back to a dealer and I'd lose a boatload of money because of the wide swing between Galves and Manheim current wholesale numbers and what these cars are selling for.

Best... Steve

 

[Tom2207]

the day you buy it , is the day you sell it


if you buy a car on the hit list and get it cheaper , you will in turn be selling a car on the hit list and will get less for it .
If you buy something on the hit list and drive it into the ground your the winner , thats really the only way to win with hit cars.

 

[Tom2207]

one I was looking at recently came back with an interesting hpi list

 

[Pondrew]

one I was looking at recently came back with an interesting hpi list

Looks like it had been through a crusher, then assessed after!

 

[Tom2207]

one I was looking at recently came back with an interesting hpi list

Looks like it had been through a crusher, then assessed after!

I would love to have seen he before and after pics ,,, but its some list.

 

[rdm05z4]

Personally, Steve if you can find out what shop did the work can ask them for a run down. When I was looking at my car using the CarFax I call ed all the BMW dealers, and Independent BMW shops who worked on the car for a list of what was done. They all sent to me, so I had a complete maintenance history. According to your post you are concerned about resale value down road. Cars depreciate in value even if not used. (Subject to make model year condition etc). My point is if concerned about value down the road then you won't drive it much and will miss out on all that enjoyment? Let's say in 5 years you only put 10k on it then for reasons can't drive. So many years of fun due to value worries. Just my own opinion not meant to offend be smart ASS etc. Good luck with whatever direction you go in.