Recommendations: Vista BMW or Braman BMW for Pre-Purchase Inspection?
Anyone have a view on which of these two dealers are better for pre-purchase inspection and frame inspection? The selling dealer (Rick Case) prefers Braman, which makes me tend to lean toward Vista, but i have no basis apart from being suspicious to think that.
Braman in miami is the best BMW dealer (for service) in SoFla, however it isnt in the greatest of neighborhoods. Dont let them take it to braman in coconut creek (mediocre at best), and by all means do not go anywhere near vista...they suck something awful.
edit: I highly suggest you catch a flight down for a day, and take the car there yourself
Last edited by E55AMG2; 24th August 2006 at 17:59.
I'm not familiar with the area, but are there better choices with independent shops??
I am very distrustful of the phrase "pre purchase inspection"... you generally get a quick once over. Did you find the link for the CPO inspection? Do a search, tell them you want every single item in the checklist performed, initialled, and if there is a value (measurement, etc) it must be written down.
I too recommend a personal discussion with the shop doing the inspection.
I wanted to add my input on this question. Vista sucks!! I would not bring my car there. They will get you in and out as fast as possible with no regard for doing the job right. Don't know much about Brahman but definately would not recommend Vista.
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Keith
'02 Lemans Blue
AA software, Dinan exhaust, CAI, MAF's, IATS relocation kit, Rouge SSK and WSR, Dinan JRZ stage III suspension, front and rear Dinan shocktower braces,19x9, 19x10 OZ Superleggras.
Coming soon: Supersprint headers.
I got the service record. It looks pretty clean to me. There was a dead battery early in the car's life, but it seems not to recur after the first 250 miles, so I am guessing it's clear now.
Regarding flying down. I'm sure that's the best way, but all I'm going to be able to tell is if it's cosmetically in good shape. Which I suppose is something. I am hoping to be able to proxy that either from someone on the board or through the inspection. In anycase, I'll let you know how it turns out...
I got the service record. It looks pretty clean to me. There was a dead battery early in the car's life, but it seems not to recur after the first 250 miles, so I am guessing it's clear now.
Regarding flying down. I'm sure that's the best way, but all I'm going to be able to tell is if it's cosmetically in good shape. Which I suppose is something. I am hoping to be able to proxy that either from someone on the board or through the inspection. In anycase, I'll let you know how it turns out...
Fair enough. It turns out I learned something about the iterations of this engine. I don't understand the specifics, but I was advised not to buy any car with a vin < 60900. THere was apparently a significant VANOS modification done after "roughly" that VIN that if there's a failure costs a ton in labor (I was told >$10k) to fix. THe parts are apparently de minimus in cost. So, I'm off this one...
Fair enough. It turns out I learned something about the iterations of this engine. I don't understand the specifics, but I was advised not to buy any car with a vin < 60900. THere was apparently a significant VANOS modification done after "roughly" that VIN that if there's a failure costs a ton in labor (I was told >$10k) to fix. THe parts are apparently de minimus in cost. So, I'm off this one...
Thanks for your collective advice.
Alex
Early cars pre 03-00 had differnt rings on the pistons. Some early cars also had vanos problems, I believe it was cured with an accumulator, so pressure didn't bleed down.
A good PPI using the CPO checklist could tell you a lot, and will cost from $200-$500 at a dealer if you want them to do the work. If a car has a bunch of miles, I wouldn't be too concerned, but certainly your call. Braman is better, I have had nothing but good experiences with Braman in West Palm Beach.
Regards,
Jerry
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'01 Black/caramel
Dinan Stage 3 suspension, SS jet coated headers, ESS SC kit, open brake ducts, Hamann front splitters, TEC cupholder, U.S.(Euro style) tilt/slide armrest, 6k HID fogs, 6k super white low beams, V1/Stealth1, dual head LI, 2.65 diff w/40% lockup/2x dynamic, compact spare, Euro trailer hitch, Mocal oil cooler, ACS type rear spoiler, Rogue custom SSK and tranny mounts, ST 355 BBK (fronts), BP sway bar brackets, Bluetooth retrofit
Recommendations: Vista BMW or Braman BMW for Pre-Purchase Inspection?
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