Would you buy a high end car with salvage title? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ah-kay · #1 06-19-2012, 01:45 PM

Interested in a 2011 BMW 335d with salvage title. It is fully rebuilt by the dealer - they specialize in buying insurance totaled BMW and rebuild it. The price is about $6-8K below a comparable car with a clean title.

Worth the risk? Good buy or just move on?

Air&Road · #2 06-19-2012, 02:05 PM

I would want them to put it on a lift and show me the repair areas. If it looked like it was done well, and I was buying the car to drive for myself, I would be okay DEPENDING on the laws in your state. In some states there are some real roadblocks for salvage title cars.

Consult your insurance man first and if you don't need to finance it, this might make a thrifty way to come up with a good driver.

Best of luck with it!

tbomachines · #3 06-19-2012, 02:14 PM

Do you realize how much damage it takes to total a brand new BMW?

If anything you'd have to get it way lower than $6-8k below normal value. Anything wrong with it and you're going to pay out of pocket...I doubt it is warranteed, and if it is, prepare to fight any and all repairs that should be covered with BMW NA since they'll inevitably dodge responsibility. Come resale time, you'll have a hard time reselling it, and expect that $6-8k figure to jump around more as depreciation settles...I wouldn't touch it.

Air&Road · #4 06-19-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Do you realize how much damage it takes to total a brand new BMW?

If anything you'd have to get it way lower than $6-8k below normal value. Anything wrong with it and you're going to pay out of pocket...I doubt it is warranteed, and if it is, prepare to fight any and all repairs that should be covered with BMW NA since they'll inevitably dodge responsibility. Come resale time, you'll have a hard time reselling it, and expect that $6-8k figure to jump around more as depreciation settles...I wouldn't touch it.

You bring up good and valid points to watch for TBO. That said, it ALL depends on what happened to it, how it was repaired and ones plans for the vehicle.

Oh yeah, and with a car that expensive and that new, TBO might be right about that not being enough discount.

tbomachines · #5 06-19-2012, 02:22 PM

If it was a theft recovery, it might be a steal....

That's what my 300E is...stolen off the lot in the 90s, reported stolen but then found and declared salvage no damage, runs great after all these years. Anything damage-wise though, I'd stay away.

Air&Road · #6 06-19-2012, 02:24 PM

In Texas Theft Recovery's are in a different category from Salvage Titles. Sometimes you can't tell the difference by looking at the car though.

BTW TBO, I liked your "it could be a steal" joke.

iwrock · #7 06-19-2012, 02:32 PM

Yeah, but I would need to see what the damage was, and how it was repaired.

If it was repaired like some of the gypsy's do that I have met and worked with, no. But if it was done correctly, like by the people I work with now, then I would not have a problem.

davidmash · #8 06-19-2012, 03:38 PM

Since the OP said it was dealer rebuilt I am assuming (till other info says other wise) that it is a theft not a collision. Also since it is a dealer rebuilt I am also assuming that there is some sort of warranty supplied as well.

That aside, I would also be concerned about insurance. Given the investment in the car, most insurance companies will not insure a salvage for collision, only liability. So if you get in an accident, you will have to eat the cost of the repairs to your BMW. Most salvage cars are cheap so not a big deal. I am guessing the BMW is running somewhere in the upper $20's to $30's? That's a lot of car to eat. There may be insurance companies that will insure it but I think I'd be scared of the premiums.

If the BMW is a collision salvage, I'd run like hell.

ah-kay · #9 06-19-2012, 04:26 PM

It is being sold by a small dealer and it is a collision salvage. They included the pictures before the rebuilt and it did not look too bad. The small dealer is a reputable one and they specialize in salvage rebuilt. So they probably know what they are doing and can make a good living out of high end salvage cars.

I am not aware of the possibility of not able to get full insurance coverage. It could be a cash deal but I am still on the fence. I have yet to see the car.

G-Benz · #10 06-19-2012, 04:39 PM

Consider that these days, with cars being equipped with several airbags, that even if the collision wasn't dramatic, replacing deployed airbags brings the collision repair costs up quite a bit!

POS · #11 06-19-2012, 07:38 PM

Hell no. It'll have an unknown history regardless of what you find out; dealers have been known to hide things. Secondly, when it comes time to sell, you won't be able to. And if you trade it in, you'll get hammered by the dealer because they know you have no other alternative. If you can't afford a good version of the car you want, then pick another car that costs less.

aklim · #12 06-19-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

If it was a theft recovery, it might be a steal....

.

Or if it was a "stole", it is a "steal".

engatwork · #13 06-19-2012, 08:34 PM

I don't believe I'd ever purchase one that had a salvage title.

ah-kay · #14 06-19-2012, 08:43 PM

Well oh well. It was listed in eBay for $26,995 and was sold for best offer for $26,500 within 2 days. I was very tempted but I did not have time to check it out. The small dealer specialize in high end salvage rebuilt and they seems to be doing well. I will wait for the next one. I am sure some smart a$$ will bang up another one sooner or later.

catmandoo62 · #15 06-19-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I am sure some smart a$$ will bang up another one sooner or later.

don't you mean dumb a$$