Where should I buy a used BMW?
The used BMW market in the United States has been growing rapidly for the last few years, mainly because many BMW lovers have discovered the convenience of leasing new BMWs and then upgrading to newer models after 2 or 3 years. This trend has overtaken the older trend of buying a BMW with a 4 or 5 year car loan. That’s one of the reasons so many used BMWs are hitting the market and being snapped up by discerning buyers.
The BMW leasing phenomenon has radically changed the dynamics of the used car market by flooding it with luxury cars in good condition at reasonable prices. Until ten years ago, a typical used BMW looked more like a beat-up old clunker than a luxury car; it’s a totally different ball game today, with most BMW dealers and used car shops scrambling to find low-mileage BMWs with accident-free histories.
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) BMW Program
The leading automaker has established a used BMW certification checklist to help potential buyers. To qualify for this certificate, all used BMWs must meet all of the criteria set forth in the checklist. Additionally, a used BMW that meets the CPO checklist and is still covered by the original warranty gets an additional 50,000-mile/2-year warranty.
For example, anyone who buys a used 2007 BMW X5 with, say, 25,000 miles on the odometer from an authorized dealer will have approximately 4 years of original warranty. If the car passes the CPO checklist, you will get: remaining original warranty mileage plus additional CPO mileage: 25,000 + 50,000 = 75,000 miles.
It is possible to drive the used BMW 75,000 miles and still be covered by the warranty program. If you don’t often drive long distances, you also get a 6-year warranty on the car. This means many more years of enjoyment driving the luxury car of your dreams.
The best places to buy a used BMW car
In view of the current market scenario, it is best to buy your BMW from an authorized BMW dealer. Other options include popular auction websites and used car stores, but buying the car from an authorized dealer helps you save a substantial amount of money with the extra 50,000 miles on the original warranty. When all is said and done, an authorized BMW dealer will provide excellent after-sales service and support than going to a store or auction site.
