[Alanine]

I haven't bought a used car in a while and excited to hunt for an OG M2 (key requirements are 6MT, no sunroof, and preferably stock). I'm not bothered about LCI. I'm based in SoCal, but willing to travel for the right car. I was hoping to ask a few questions:

- It seems to be challenging to find private sellers (who would tend to have a better understanding of the car's history). Is that usually the case or am I not looking in the right places? Any hints on best places to search (I'm currently using this forum, the Carfax search engine, Craigslist...)? I also check out Cars and Bids.

- What is the used market like right now for an OG 6MT M2? Prices seem to range from $35k-$45k, depending on private/trade, mileage etc? I was hoping to pay 40k max.

- I'm not concerned about higher mileage cars, but was wondering where you'd draw the line for an OG? Is there some sort of upper bound where failures become more common or major services approach?

- For remote deals, how much would you expect to spend on a pre-purchase inspection at a reputable shop? I assume this is the safest way to buy without being there in person.

- Making a cash transaction for a ~$40k used car scares me a little. Is this where buying from a dealer (or site like Cars and Bids) offers greater security than buying privately?

I appreciate your help!

[ericlr1225]

Originally Posted by Alanine

I haven't bought a used car in a while and excited to hunt for an OG M2 (key requirements are 6MT, no sunroof, and preferably stock). I'm not bothered about LCI. I'm based in SoCal, but willing to travel for the right car. I was hoping to ask a few questions:

- It seems to be challenging to find private sellers (who would tend to have a better understanding of the car's history). Is that usually the case or am I not looking in the right places? Any hints on best places to search (I'm currently using this forum, the Carfax search engine, Craigslist...)? I also check out Cars and Bids.

- What is the used market like right now for an OG 6MT M2? Prices seem to range from $35k-$45k, depending on private/trade, mileage etc? I was hoping to pay 40k max.

- I'm not concerned about higher mileage cars, but was wondering where you'd draw the line for an OG? Is there some sort of upper bound where failures become more common or major services approach?

- For remote deals, how much would you expect to spend on a pre-purchase inspection at a reputable shop? I assume this is the safest way to buy without being there in person.

- Making a cash transaction for a ~$40k used car scares me a little. Is this where buying from a dealer (or site like Cars and Bids) offers greater security than buying privately?

I appreciate your help!

Price is def gonna go above 40k if you are searching for 18' LCI which is most people are targeting if buying an N55 M2. Also 6mt will cost you even more than DCT used market. T0 on M2 is kinda bullet proof. I wouldn't worry about too much after cost.
My car has 35000miles on it, it looks still as new. 4 years warranty didn't do any sh*t except its left turning signal light was flckering on the first year.

[carchrism5]

I think you may have better luck than you'd expect posting a WTB ad on here. There are plenty of people who have the cars that consider selling but don't want to deal with tire kickers. Those cars will also likely have good history/maintenance. Your range and everything seems to be extremely realistic and with maintenance the M2 is very reliable and frankly no mileage number would be a hard cut off, assuming price reflected it.

[captain slowly]

I suspect the reason you're seeing most of these cars at dealerships is because they're expensive enough where the trade in tax credit is $3-4k on top of the trade in value, and because of that, for many, it comes out the same as selling the car yourself and dealing with tire kickers, people who don't show up, basically the general public. For the most part, people who can afford these cars in the first place are people who work a lot and don't have the time for the games. Its not a $5k Corolla.

As far as what I would look for? Preferably one owner, private sale, clean carfax, verified no paint work regardless of how "minor" it is presented as (invest in a paint meter, its only a few hundred bucks) and look for maintenance records. Miles don't scare me that much as generally these are reliable as far as BMW's go. Also look at who's selling it to you. A 20 something year old kid vaping with his hat sideways? Yeah, that car has been beaten on like it owed him money. Use your judgement and good luck. There are good cars out there.

[jefe2000]

I’d counsel patience. Determine the specs upon which you’re not willing to compromise and stick to ‘em. For me it was LCI, LBB paint color, 6MT, exec package, sunroof, one-owner, CA-owned, & <30K miles. With that list of specs, the search took me two years: 2020–2022. With fewer required specs, the search probably won’t take as long.

The automated search on AutoTrader was super-helpful in allowing me to watch the comings and goings of M2’s in the used market. I think Bring-a-Trailer and Cars&Bids are also great options.

I sold a car through Cars&Bids and can vouch for that service. I’ve seen several nice M2’s sell through them over the past months.

Knowing what I know now about the relatively stalwart reliability of most M2’s, I don’t think higher-mileage M2’s would scare me away. I wouldn’t limit myself to <30K mile examples if I were again the the market for an M2.

If you’re purchasing from truly private party, nothing beats meeting at the bank and executing the transfer right there at the bank.

[KevinC]

Search with AutoTempest.com. It pulls in virtually every used car site. Good luck!

[Alanine]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have a couple of tech questions: is there a certain year/package I need to be able to get the following:

- Fullscreen Apple CarPlay
- Backup camera

I can’t tell if all OG M2s can have those coded in later, or retrofitted easily.

[AFatMiata]

Originally Posted by Alanine

Thanks for the suggestions! I have a couple of tech questions: is there a certain year/package I need to be able to get the following:

- Fullscreen Apple CarPlay
- Backup camera

I can’t tell if all OG M2s can have those coded in later, or retrofitted easily.

You should be looking for exec package if you want backup camera & wireless carplay compatibility. Fullscreen Apple CarPlay will have to be coded in (BMW offers CarPlay as a separate charge but it's not fullscreen IIRC). Also as a note backup cam on alpine white cars get funky at night, the car will see the bumper and mess with auto-exposure but there are cheap workarounds floating in the forums.

[ZL9M2]

OG

https://www.collectorchassis.com/gen...39/2017-BMW-M2

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

OG

https://www.collectorchassis.com/gen...39/2017-BMW-M2

You're about $15k short of a happy meal, bud

[Philly_sweden]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

OG

https://www.collectorchassis.com/gen...39/2017-BMW-M2

What. New brakes? Super low Miles and new brakes?

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

You're about $15k short of a happy meal, bud

You guys are funny. Tooling around in your belly button cars. If you can find a comparable car for less then certainly that's the one you need to buy.

[bmwstephen]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

OG

https://www.collectorchassis.com/gen...39/2017-BMW-M2

they said the same thing about e36 LTW. look at where those are priced now

[Philly_sweden]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

You guys are funny. Tooling around in your belly button cars. If you can find a comparable car for less then certainly that's the one you need to buy.

Why new brakes?

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by Philly_sweden

Why new brakes?

Just prepping for sale. Same for the spark plugs and new tires.

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by bmwstephen

they said the same thing about e36 LTW. look at where those are priced now

That's what I'm thinking with this ZL9 car as well. But with my CS and other cars this is just the odd man out and I don't use it.

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

You guys are funny. Tooling around in your belly button cars. If you can find a comparable car for less then certainly that's the one you need to buy.

Yeah, you're right. That's why you've been trying to sell it for months and still have it. Because the manual seats, single zone climate control and the ugly graphics makes yours sooooo unique, lol. Just noticed it has an accident on carfax too, lol. Definitely a collectable now. OP, better go buy this one!

Originally Posted by bmwstephen

they said the same thing about e36 LTW. look at where those are priced now

To compare a N55 M2 to a E36 LTW you've probably hit your head several times
and might be high. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The only M2 that has a remote chance at reaching E36 LTW status is the CS... maybe.

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by Philly_sweden

Why new brakes?

My theory is, since it has the intercooler and all the other modifications along with the bad carfax, it was never tracked or driven aggressively, just to church and then to get groceries, so naturally, in 15000 miles the brakes were starting to wear out and the boy scout that he is, he replaced them "in preparation of the sale".

[Philly_sweden]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

My theory is, since it has the intercooler and all the other modifications along with the bad carfax, it was never tracked or driven aggressively, just to church and then to get groceries, so naturally, in 15000 miles the brakes were starting to wear out and the boy scout that he is, he replaced them "in preparation of the sale".

Haha

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

My theory is, since it has the intercooler and all the other modifications along with the bad carfax, it was never tracked or driven aggressively, just to church and then to get groceries, so naturally, in 15000 miles the brakes were starting to wear out and the boy scout that he is, he replaced them "in preparation of the sale".

I don't really know why you have a stick up your ass about this car. If you're not interested then move along. The car was absolutely on the track a few times each summer here - as all of these should be - with a different set of pads, so not even material to some argument you're trying to make.

[Philly_sweden]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

I don't really know why you have a stick up your ass about this car. If you're not interested then move along. The car was absolutely on the track a few times each summer here - as all of these should be - with a different set of pads, so not even material to some argument you're trying to make.

The car looks really good 😍

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

I don't really know why you have a stick up your ass about this car. If you're not interested then move along. The car was absolutely on the track a few times each summer here - as all of these should be - with a different set of pads, so not even material to some argument you're trying to make.

He has a stick up his ass in general

That’s exactly why he’s on my ignore list