Considering buying a 5 series that has one very, very minor issue. Wanted to get some opinions prior to purchase. The car has 3 weeks left on the warranty, so if that offers any relief from experience..that info is appreciated.

If not, what am I looking at to repair?

Here's pictures of the paint issue:

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7692/dsc044300cl.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/6263/dsc044315tp.jpg

Anyone?

Hello?

what is it a bubble i cant really tell?

looks to me like a bubble. If the car is still under warantee, the paint should also be under warantee, i think :dunno

what is it a bubble i cant really tell?

it's a bubble....

are you buying it private party, from a BMW dealer, or from a used car lot? If the are isnt at a BMW dealer already, get it to a dealer to see if the bubble is under warranty. If its at a used car lot, Id be wary - it may have been wrecked & given a bad paint job. Who knows what else would have been repaired cheaply as well.

Use the bubble to negotiate a lower sale price. It wont be too much money to have fixed at a body shop even if it isnt covered by the warranty.

i dont think detailing can fix a bubble.

If you're buying private party or third party dealer, take it to a bodyshop you trust. They can tell you if its been in a wreck and was given a poor repaint. If it is just a factory defect, the dealer should fix it under warranty.

a bubble means that the paint did not properly adhere to the surface that was being painted. That would probably chip off in a few months or so, if it was freshly painted.

are you buying it private party, from a BMW dealer, or from a used car lot? If the are isnt at a BMW dealer already, get it to a dealer to see if the bubble is under warranty. If its at a used car lot, Id be wary - it may have been wrecked & given a bad paint job. Who knows what else would have been repaired cheaply as well.

Use the bubble to negotiate a lower sale price. It wont be too much money to have fixed at a body shop even if it isnt covered by the warranty.

i dont think detailing can fix a bubble.

Private party. No accidents/repairs..and original owner. Everything looks 'correct' regarding the front end (bolt heads/overspray/alignment/etc), so I'm confident it hasn't been in an accident.

I've already negotiate the price down to trade in, so I'm not going to get him any lower.

And I appreciate the input....I post the final results....


I'm taking to my dealer on Monday to have it reviewed...it has about 2 weeks left on the warranty.

let us know what happens.