[markb68]

Hi everyone,

I'm purchasing a 2017 BMW 440i Gran coupe in the next 2 weeks but I had some questions about the vehicle's reliability. The car I'm buying only has 26,000 km on it so it has very low mileage for its age. That's partly due to the fact that it's been sitting in a parking garage for the last 9 months. The car failed safety last week as the rotors were rusting a bit and BMW will charge the former owner $1,000 to machine them (which I think is a rip off, but hey he's paying for it). Also, one of the struts was leaking which will be replaced under warranty.

I was wondering if anyone had any bad experiences buying BMWs that had been idle for a while? Does this mean the car will be prone to more problems in the future? Dried out gaskets maybe?

Thanks,

[dmaxdmax]

First, they're charging as much to machine those rotors as replace them...and if they've rusted, I suspect all they'd need to do is drive the car a bit.

In any case, I'd be gentle starting it up after 9 months...and depending on what I knew or didn't know, I'd change the oil.

Gaskets and the like shouldn't be affected by just sitting. It's honestly lighter duty for them all. Except for maybe the AC o-rings which, rumor has it, need to be kept lubricated to seal well. So, I'd test the AC.

Trust your instincts, though...and good luck!

[orbE46]

I think with a car from 2017 you should be alright. My 340i sat on the dealer's lot from February 2016 until November 2016, then a few months again when traded in before I purchased it. Guess Melbourne Red on beige is a tough sell!

You should still have some warranty left on it, right?

[markb68]

Ya the warranty is good until Jan 2021. I had the oil and brake fluid changed on it when I brought it in for safety as they were both due and covered under warranty. It was hard to pass up on this car since he was only charging $25,000 Canadian which is a steal considering that the same car with the same mileage is selling between $35,000-$40,000 Canadian.

The only downside is the curb rash on the wheels. There are also quite a few scratches on both sides but no dents. I figure with the cash I'll save I'll pay someone to buff them out and then apply ceramic coating to it.

[chiefneil]

I wouldn’t be too worried. Battery might be toast if it’s been flatlined for 9 months, but other than that if it starts up then all’s good. If it fails to start then I’d be a little concerned about the fuel system (water in the tank, gas deteriorated, etc). But those should all be covered under warranty if they turn out to be issues.

Check carefully for critters as mouse/rat damage to chewed up wires is not covered under warranty.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I wouldn’t be too worried. Battery might be toast if it’s been flatlined for 9 months, but other than that if it starts up then all’s good. If it fails to start then I’d be a little concerned about the fuel system (water in the tank, gas deteriorated, etc). But those should all be covered under warranty if they turn out to be issues.

Check carefully for critters as mouse/rat damage to chewed up wires is not covered under warranty.

I'm pretty sure bad gas etc would NOT be covered under warranty.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

I'm pretty sure bad gas etc would NOT be covered under warranty.

Not the gas, obviously. But if OP got the system flushed (by an indy, not a dealer) then later on the fuel tank developed rust or a fuel pump died, those would be covered.

[eluded]

You'll be fine except with the rusted rotors be careful with the brakes the first few times then It be ok.

[Derek Mc]

Sounds pretty sound if it still has warranty, all the better.

9 months is not a great issue there are tens of thousands of cars sit in fields unsold for much longer, so insist on some care and maintenance, drop the engine oil and new filter the brakes are getting redone, so a few gentle drives to bed everything back in dial it up slowly and,,,,enjoy!!!!!