[Adam684]

Hi all,

I've been searching for a 2018 LBB 6MT M2. While I'm not in a rush and I'd certainly prefer to find an example from a fellow enthusiast, I came across this one recently that checks all my boxes. However, I feel there's a few things in the vehicle history that leave me rather hesitant to commit (besides the too high asking price) so wondering if I might solicit some advice from the forums to see what others perhaps more informed than I might think... Specifically concerned about the multi-owner history, being listed as a dealer vehicle & sold at auction, and a note in the carfax about the catalytic converter being replaced? Thoughts?

Listing:
https://www.rmsmotors.net/inventory/2018-bmw-m2-/701262

Carfax:
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...vacZVK80wXPJoA

[Sled2105]

I've been looking at M2s for the past few months (picking my 17 up tomorrow) and I feel that's what these go for. LBB, low miles, 6MT etc. It's literally the most rare and desired spec.

[Adam684]

Originally Posted by Sled2105

I've been looking at M2s for the past few months (picking my 17 up tomorrow) and I feel that's what these go for. LBB, low miles, 6MT etc. It's literally the most rare and desired spec.

It's not so much the asking price that's my concern, more the other things mentioned.

[jefe2000]

Looks like the car has some tasteful mods. Interesting that the stock 437m wheels have been painted gloss black. Hard to say why — maybe personal preference, maybe to hide damage?

There are small details that stand out to me that I'd want to know more about:

• why are all the tire valve stem caps missing?
• the wheel paint is chipped in a few places — poor paint job or just standard wheel damage that happens during normal driving?
• the exhaust tips don't look lined up correctly, especially the outer tips — though it could be camera angles playing tricks
• for a car with such low mileage, why is there so much wear on the driver seat bolster?
• what's going on with the rear seat leather in between the middle cubby and the left rear passenger seat — it's all splotchy, but could again be weird camera/lighting effects

Those are all small, super-nitpicky details that make me pause, not show-stoppers.

Larger things that should be run to ground include:

• where's the factory PPF on the rear wheel arches — maybe it's there and not showing up in the photos? Unless the entire panel has been PPF'd after the factory, I'd be very concerned about the entire missing PFF pieces on both sides of the car.
• The initial 1200 mi run-in service occurred 400 mi late at an unexpected location. Ideally, the run-in service would have occurred at an official BMW service department or a trusted indy, not a generic chain auto shop. The Carfax doesn't show enough details to know whether it was even a proper run-in service.
• The car was CPO'd by BMW in 2020 however, which seems promising.
• The car failed inspection, had catalytic converter work, apparently the intake was taken off at some point (the gaskets were replaced). If the work was performed at a reputable indy, it might be fine. But this is atypical work on an M2 with less than 20K mi (unless maybe one of the owners had fitted a catless downpipe?).
• The minor damage might be purely cosmetic. I think I'd want to see the car in person to verify.

[jkoral]

Price seems high to me (those are 2021 prices when everything was inflated). Personally the 3 owner, dealer owned/auto auction, failed inspection, catalytic converter, cosmetic damage, BC Racing Coilovers and gloss black 437s all are big turnoffs. Notice also painted front reflectors and black rear reflector inserts. M Performance Exhaust is nice and sunroof (if you want one and don't care head clearance with helmet).

BTW, what's with the Emergency Call Malfunction on the dash?
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1317051

[murderspice]

I would add that the suspension is not stock. Maybe its all the m-perf stuff, but the shifter knob is standard? Make sure you check the computer.

[Adam684]

Thanks all for the responses.

jefe2000 all good call outs, I had a lot of the same thoughts, but did not notice the missing rear quarter PPF.

That is always the problem not dealing with the previous owner regarding service intervals, etc. All those details are lost or muddy at best. Some of the work seems to have been done by non-BMW dealers (Audi, Acura) and it makes me wonder if they even do things the same way?

jkoral I agree, the price is high despite the low mileage given the vehicle history and mods and those are all the things that give me hesitation. Unsure about the emergency call malfunction on the dash, but noticed that too.

murderspice the same thought came to mind and I'd want to see if the car were ever tuned. Not exactly sure how to go about that if you have any advice. BMW doesnt happen to have a feature like Porsches where you can see how many times its pegged the rev limiter, do they (I doubt it)?

[Philly_sweden]

Exhaust-tips are not aligned. Easy fix though.

Looks PPF glossy all over so that could be why sucky OEM PPF is removed

[Adam684]

Originally Posted by Philly_sweden

Exhaust-tips are not aligned. Easy fix though.

Looks PPF glossy all over so that could be why sucky OEM PPF is removed

Pretty sure there is no PPF on the car. There are also a few minor scratches I can pick up from the images, though its hard to tell exactly. One on the hood, one to the right of the M2 badge at the rear, and one on top of the rear deck lid (that I can see anyway). Paint overall looks decent though.

The wheels/barrels also look quite dirty for some reason.

[murderspice]

Originally Posted by Adam684

murderspice the same thought came to mind and I'd want to see if the car were ever tuned. Not exactly sure how to go about that if you have any advice.

My initial reaction is that you would need an independent 3rd party to go physically inspect the car for you; maybe a relative or friend in the area? Also, in my recent experience, carfaxes are absolutely being manipulated in the internet used car market so trust at own risk.

[ShortSides]

Originally Posted by Philly_sweden

Exhaust-tips are not aligned. Easy fix though.

Looks PPF glossy all over so that could be why sucky OEM PPF is removed

How is it am easy fix? I have the same issue with mine and I can't find a single shop that knows how to align them

[Adam684]

Originally Posted by murderspice

My initial reaction is that you would need an independent 3rd party to go physically inspect the car for you; maybe a relative or friend in the area? Also, in my recent experience, carfaxes are absolutely being manipulated in the internet used car market so trust at own risk.

Thanks. If I were to move on this, I can/would have a PPI done by a local shop as I am in CT and this is near Pittsburgh. Not sure I even want to go to that step though if I can't quell all my reservations with the cars history.

[philth]

Personally, I’d pass (for all reasons mentioned above) and just be patient. Something better will inevitably pop up that checks all boxes and fills you with a true sense of ‘this is the one, without question’. Especially if you’re not in a rush.
Keep an eye on the for sale section of this forum.

[murderspice]

Originally Posted by Adam684

Thanks. If I were to move on this, I can/would have a PPI done by a local shop as I am in CT and this is near Pittsburgh. Not sure I even want to go to that step though if I can't quell all my reservations with the cars history.

There are still completely stock cars with low miles out there; no need to settle for a shady one.

[Philly_sweden]

Originally Posted by ShortSides

How is it am easy fix? I have the same issue with mine and I can't find a single shop that knows how to align them

1. Loosen the bolt
2. Adjust in/out
3. Tighten the bolt

[murderspice]

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2073021

Id buy this before i bought the one you are looking at (and i think the og is better than the comp). I wouldn’t even worry about the MT too much, since i think the dct will become celebrated in its own right in due time.

[asiflicious]

Price seems a little high. You’re approaching M2C money at 48k. I just got a MG 2018 M2 with 30k miles, 2 previous owners, clean car fax with no damage or accidents reported for $40k.

[carchrism5]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

Looks like the car has some tasteful mods. Interesting that the stock 437m wheels have been painted gloss black. Hard to say why — maybe personal preference, maybe to hide damage?

There are small details that stand out to me that I'd want to know more about:

• why are all the tire valve stem caps missing?
• the wheel paint is chipped in a few places — poor paint job or just standard wheel damage that happens during normal driving?
• the exhaust tips don't look lined up correctly, especially the outer tips — though it could be camera angles playing tricks
• for a car with such low mileage, why is there so much wear on the driver seat bolster?
• what's going on with the rear seat leather in between the middle cubby and the left rear passenger seat — it's all splotchy, but could again be weird camera/lighting effects

Those are all small, super-nitpicky details that make me pause, not show-stoppers.


Also, quick VIN search turns up more mods https://plc.ua/auctions/lot/bmw-m2-2...ery-2873637-17


Larger things that should be run to ground include:

• where's the factory PPF on the rear wheel arches — maybe it's there and not showing up in the photos? Unless the entire panel has been PPF'd after the factory, I'd be very concerned about the entire missing PFF pieces on both sides of the car.
• The initial 1200 mi run-in service occurred 400 mi late at an unexpected location. Ideally, the run-in service would have occurred at an official BMW service department or a trusted indy, not a generic chain auto shop. The Carfax doesn't show enough details to know whether it was even a proper run-in service.
• The car was CPO'd by BMW in 2020 however, which seems promising.
• The car failed inspection, had catalytic converter work, apparently the intake was taken off at some point (the gaskets were replaced). If the work was performed at a reputable indy, it might be fine. But this is atypical work on an M2 with less than 20K mi (unless maybe one of the owners had fitted a catless downpipe?).
• The minor damage might be purely cosmetic. I think I'd want to see the car in person to verify.

Great observations and think there are way too many items of note to consider this car.

Originally Posted by philth

Personally, I’d pass (for all reasons mentioned above) and just be patient. Something better will inevitably pop up that checks all boxes and fills you with a true sense of ‘this is the one, without question’. Especially if you’re not in a rush.
Keep an eye on the for sale section of this forum.

I'd agree, hard pass on this one. Price is quite high for a car with CarFax note and a ton of questions. If I didn't see the mileage I would have thought this car was closer to 50k miles. And to me BC racing coils would be a notable negative, not just in replacement but lower end coils, poorly done wheel refinishing and catalytic converter issues makes me think this car was modded more than it appears. I'd be the ECU is flashed also or was at least (not a downside by any means but for this many mods I'd want to talk to prior owner).


Also VIN search shows more mods through auction, https://plc.ua/auctions/lot/bmw-m2-2...ery-2873637-17

[///MPhatic]

Seems high for that year and mileage. Not sure I'd be bothered by the mods, it's going to be hard to find these cars with more than one previous owner that didn't do anything to them. I'd definitely prefer a virgin car though. They're out there too, you will just have to be patient.

[Adam684]

carchrism5 Great find, thank you for this! Spidey senses were definitely tingling and I think this confirms it.

philth murderspice ///MPhatic asiflicious Thank you all for your input, I think I needed to hear this! And while I wouldn't be bothered by the right mods, some things just seem off about this.

Also, that '21 M2C is clean and exactly the kind of example I'd prefer to find on the forums here. I am really partial to the N55 OG though. I will continue to keep an eye out!

[allinon72]

Would be a pass for me. It's very possible that the car checks out and is just fine, but it's also possible that the red flags equal someone else's failed and unkept project. But why risk it when there are plenty of clean examples? And you'll be fighting tooth and nail just to get the price down to a reasonable level. A lot of these smaller car lots are the "I know what I got" types and won't budge on price anyway.

[philth]

Originally Posted by Adam684

I will continue to keep an eye out!

Good luck with your search and don’t compromise! Patience is key. Keep us posted! I think most of the people here appreciate finding the right car for them and can appreciate a fellow enthusiast doing the same. It’s an exciting moment, one that should fill you with joy, NOT with more questions then answers lol