Considering this Z4M in Long Island

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have been looking for a low mileage specimen with the right options and I think I've finally found one:

http://oysterbaybmw.com/Long-Island/...-Car/24774219/

The car looks good and the price seems relatively reasonable (is it?) However, I pulled the Carfax report and it shows an accident in 2010, without any further information. The dealership says it was a minor accident but they don't have any further info. I was wondering if anyone here perhaps knows the car.

Otherwise, would it be too risky to buy without more information? What do you guys thing?

Also, what am I looking at in terms of maintenance in the short term? My 2003 2.5 has been relatively issue free and I'd like to keep things the same way with the M!

[ZStig]

nice mileage

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yeah that's the main feature. Can't find them at such low miles very often!

[AmmarYasirA]

I think that's actually a fantastic price. Really low mileage on that thing. Gooooo for itttttttt!!!

[chickdr]

There has to be a way to find out how bad the damage was. Did the original owner trade it in at this dealer? If so, maybe they would give you the contact info? Seems like a solid price for this car.

[Huz-Z]

If you had a paint gauge, you could use it to find the areas of the car with a different paint thickness, indicating that they were repainted. That could help you confirm that the accident was truly minor.

The car does look sweet though.

[dgmanny]

That seems like a good price for miles but it is a 2006. Does anyone have a ball park idea of the typical difference in price between a 2008, 2007 and 2006 model years with the same miles?

[KevinC]

"..minor accident but they don't have further info." So, how do they KNOW it was minor? That's ridiculous.

+1 on going over it with a paint gauge. I'd have them put it up on their lift and look underneath for any evidence of damage.

As for being an '06, other than the year older "hit", it's really the same car as the later cars, other than lack of an aux input (easily added) and the TPMS sensors are the older wheel speed sensing type, not the PITA sensors inside each individual wheel - I'd much rather have the older system, so I'd consider that a plus.

Other than the accident mystery, the price looks good. Did you see the date on the clock? It's 2013 - have they been sitting on it THAT long?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yeah the accident is a bit fishy. Carfax usually includes details on the severity of accidents (like airbags deployed, etc.) EXCEPT in NY. Another red flag is that as Kevin pointed out it's been sitting on their lot for quite some time, granted it was priced higher ($28K) earlier. I may make a conditional offer and have a reliable indie check it out before fully committing.

[AmmarYasirA]

As far as price is concerned I haven't seen a big difference between model years, or any difference really. They're usually by mileage, not so much by year.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The plot thickens! Besides the accident, that they maintain was minor, Carfax shows the car was purchased by the first owner in 2006, and 15 monts/1000 miles later it was purchased by the dealership at "Auto Auction, Eastern Region." Nothing shown between the two records. Why would an almost brand new car with 1000 miles on the clock be sold at auction?

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

The plot thickens! Besides the accident, that they maintain was minor, Carfax shows the car was purchased by the first owner in 2006, and 15 monts/1000 miles later it was purchased by the dealership at "Auto Auction, Eastern Region." Nothing shown between the two records. Why would an almost brand new car with 1000 miles on the clock be sold at auction?

First owner could not pay and the car was repossessed perhaps?