Hello

I'm a 1st time BMW buyer and am planning on taking a trip down to Austin (from CO) next weekend to buy an '02 M3. This is my tentative plan, but I would like to get a few things accomplished first. One of which is to do a thorough background check. I was told by a friend that people on here don't mind sharing their CARFAX subscription to look up VINs. If that's the case, I would really appreciate it. The car I'm looking at has the VIN WBSBL93402JR12474.

I'm also hoping to find some information on reputable BMW shops in and around Austin that could perform a pre-purchase inspection on the car. Furthermore, this might be an ambitious request, but if anyone down there has time and wouldn't mind helping out a fellow enthusiast, a check-up on the car itself would help me out hugely.

Buying a car blind like this is difficult, but I have some hope it can be done right. And of course, if I get down there and the car isn't what I hoped, I'll have to let go and come home without it. In which case, I'm trying not to get too emotionally attached to this particular one, but am also trying to be as meticulous as I can.

Thank you in advance for anyone who has any insight on this topic or any help to be given. It won't let me paste a link to the car, but it's on cars.com, Austin, '02, grey, coupe.

Thanks
Pete

For a pre purchase inspection bring the car to Terry Sayther Auto. Marty there will do a killer inspection on the car and note anything needing attention.

Price for it is about a hours labor, $88.

If you want same day service its best to come in right at 8am or at least no later then 9am Mon-Fri to get in right away while you wait.

I JUST moved from Austin, I would have loved to assist you in this but sadly I can't. I used to work for Terry, and although I loath the guy Marty is cool shit and will take the bestest care of you :)

Tell him I said hello.

here you go..



Good News -- Vehicle qualifies for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee! No severe problems (major accidents, fire, flood damage, major odometer problems or lemon history) were ever reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474). If you find that any of these severe problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back.

You must register at www.CARFAX.com to activate this free guarantee!


CARFAX Talking CarTM
The story of this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX:
This coupe has had 1 owner in Texas. It was originally registered by the owner for personal use.
It has had no minor or moderate accidents reported to CARFAX.
It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood.
It has not been reported by a DMV as having an Exceeds Mechanical Limits or Not Actual Mileage title.
It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. It was driven an average of 14,600 miles per year, which is slightly lower than the industry average of 15,000. The last odometer reading, reported on 01/02/2006, was 61,741 miles.
It was not reported by a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback or LEMON.
Its basic warranty has expired. You may want to discuss an extended warranty with your dealer.
Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete history and a glossary of terms.






Report Summary
1. ACCIDENT CHECK

Total Loss Check No Severe Accidents Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Other Accident Indicators No Accident Indicators Reported
2. MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK

Truth-In-Mileage Check No Odometer Problems Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback Found
Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer Reading Found
3. LEMON CHECK®
No Mfr. Buyback Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
4. OWNERSHIP CHECK

Number of Owners 1 Estimated Owner(s)
Type of Owners Originally Registered as a Personal Vehicle
5. RECALL CHECK
BMW Does Not Report Recalls to CARFAX
6. WARRANTY CHECK
No Coverage Remaining on Basic Warranty. Interested in an Extended Warranty?
DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 6 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED
Tell us what you know about this vehicle







Year/Make/Model: 2002 BMW M3

Body Style: COUPE
Engine: 3.2L V6 PFI DOHC 24V
Fuel: GASOLINE
Driveline: REAR WHEEL DRIVE
Manufactured in: GERMANY
Safety Equipment: 4 wheel ABS, Running Lights Optional, Dual air bags front, head, and sides/active (manual) belts with automatic passenger sensor

Standard Equipment: Power Windows, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, AM / FM CD, Power Brakes, Tilt Wheel, 6-digit Odometer







FREE to you from CARFAX. Additional information to help you make the right decision when buying or selling a used car or truck.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How safe and reliable is this 2002 BMW M3?
Find out with the CARFAX Safety & Reliability Report.


Looking for other 2002 BMW M3 vehicles like this one in your area?
Get a complete, up-to-date list of CARFAX Hot Listings


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Share what you know about this vehicle - Add a CARFAX Customer Rating & Comment.





Total Loss Check:


GOOD NEWS! No severe damage events were ever reported by a DMV for this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474). If you find that any of the following severe problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!


Salvage Title Loss Due To Fire Title
Junk Title Flood Damage Title
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title Hail Damage Title
Dismantled Title Canadian Total Loss


Other Accident Indicators:


This 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474) had no accident indicators reported to CARFAX from its sources. This section checks for accidents and/or related damage reported from many public and private sources. Not all accidents are reported to CARFAX. A vehicle inspection completed by your dealer or professional mechanic is recommended.

No Salvage Auction Record Reported No Crash Test Vehicle Record Reported
No Fire Damage Record Reported No Airbag Deployment Record Reported
No Automotive Recycler Record Reported No Damage Disclosure Record Reported
No Frame Damage Record Reported No Collision Repair Facility Record Reported
No Police Accident Record Reported

CARFAX depends on public and private sources for its accident data. Each one of these sources has different processing times. CARFAX can only report what is in our database on 26.Feb.2006 20:43:09. New data will result in a change to this report.
Not all accidents are reported to the Police. Tell us if you know of other fender benders, accidents or damage.

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Truth-In-Mileage Check:


GOOD NEWS! No major odometer problems were ever reported by a DMV under the Truth-In-Mileage Act for this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474). If you find that any of the following odometer problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!

Not Actual Mileage Title - issued by DMV when the owner discloses mileage fraud or a broken odometer.
Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title - issued by DMV when the owner discloses an odometer rollover.


Odometer Rollback Check:


CARFAX found no odometer rollbacks for this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474). Rollbacks reported in this section originate from readings collected by a DMV or other verifiable source.

Mileage Consistency Check:


CARFAX found no inconsistent odometer readings in the mileage history of this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474).

Date: Mileage:
11/03/2001 10
12/30/2005 61,727
01/02/2006 61,741



Average miles driven per year 14,600 CARFAX AdvisorTM Compare this vehicle's average annual mileage to the industry average of 15,000 miles per year. Use this comparison to determine how this vehicle was driven.

Do you know this vehicle's current mileage? Tell us and help protect others from mileage fraud.

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GOOD NEWS! No manufacturer buyback was ever reported by a DMV for this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474). If you find that a manufacturer buyback was reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!

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Ownership History:


CARFAX estimates that this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474) had 1 owner(s). CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's title history and other supporting events to identify potential ownership transfers. In compliance with the U.S. privacy laws, CARFAX does not collect or report owner names or addresses.

Estimated Owners: Date: Location:
1st owner 11/03/2001 Texas

CARFAX AdvisorTM
The cost of ownership varies by vehicle. Go to Edmunds.com to check the recommended service schedule and estimated costs for this vehicle.



Types of Owners:


This 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474) was checked for 8 types of registrations.

Personal Use Registration Reported No Fleet Registration Reported
No Lease Registration Reported No Commercial Registration Reported
No Rental Registration Reported No Non-Profit Registration Reported
No Taxi Registration Reported No Built to Non U.S. Standards Record Reported

Do you have information about how this vehicle was used or driven? Tell us what you know.

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BMW does not report recall information for specific vehicles to CARFAX.
Go to the CARFAX SAFETY & RELIABILITY REPORT for recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2002 BMW M3. You can also contact an authorized dealership or BMW at 1-800-334-4269 to find out if this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474) still has recalls that require repair.

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For your convenience, CARFAX has estimated the remaining original manufacturer warranty coverage based on information reported to us on this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474). Please confirm remaining factory warranty and extended warranty options with your dealer. Interested in an extended warranty?

Estimated start date of warranty: 10/16/2001
Last reading reported on 01/02/2006: 61,741 miles Recalculate with current mileage
Today's Date: February 26, 2006

Type of Coverage: Original Warranty: Estimated Remaining Coverage:
Basic 48 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired
Drivetrain 48 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired
Emissions 24 months or 24,000 miles Coverage expired
Corrosion 72 months or unlimited mileage 20 months or unlimited mileage
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Same
Roadside Assistance 48 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data reported to CARFAX
Specific Components 96 months or 80,000 miles 44 months or 18,259 miles
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance is covered for 4 years or 50,000 miles. Corrosion coverage may require a once a year inspection. Full maintenance is standard for 3 years or 36,000 miles.




CARFAX Warranty Check provides an estimate of this vehicle's remaining warranty coverage. It does not take into account some vehicle history events. For example, major accidents resulting in Salvage or Junk titles that may void the original manufacturer warranty or ownership transfers that may decrease warranty coverage. This warranty information is only valid for vehicles manufactured for sale in the US. Complete warranty coverage information is available for this vehicle at the BMW web site.

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CARFAX searched more than 4 billion records from over 7,600 sources and found 6 record(s) for this 2002 BMW M3 (WBSBL93402JR12474).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


10/05/2001 US Customs
Vehicle imported to
Charleston, SC


10/16/2001 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Austin, TX
Registered as
personal vehicle


11/03/2001 10 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Austin, TX
Title #22710137187155757
Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection


12/30/2005 61,727 Texas
Inspection Station
Austin, TX
Emissions inspection performed
Failed emissions inspection


01/02/2006 61,741 Texas
Inspection Station
Austin, TX
Passed emissions inspection


01/31/2006 Dealer Inventory
Austin, TX
Vehicle offered for sale

Tell us what you know about this vehicle

Detailed Vehicle History Definitions:

Failed Emissions Inspection
The emissions check performed during a vehicle inspection indicated the vehicle was emitting more than allowable emissions standards and/or had missing or modified parts. Repeated failed emissions records can indicate engine problems and CARFAX recommends you have the vehicle inspected.

First Owner
When the first owner(s) obtains a title from a Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of ownership.

Personal Use
Vehicle was registered by the owner for private or personal use.

Great, thanks for your help Jordan. I will call Marty in the morning. Anyone know a way to get in touch with the original owner of this vehicle? That would be the best way to get a feeling for the car's condition without actually seeing it.

Thanks for the CARFAX too. This forum is a huge help!

I'll take it for a spin for ya, if the seller is cool with that :cool

You might also try Pauls Motor Werks for a pre-buyers inspection. He's out on 2222, Terry is way south of austin (the drive out 2222 is much more fun). Point being, neither shop is near downtown.