Might buy a "Press Fleet Vehicle"- Need Opinions and Advice.

Hey guys, I've been drawn toward the M coupe for two years now, since before it was available, and after test driving one yesterday, I absolutely have to have one, and NOW! I waited a year to find one that I was allowed to test, and WOW, I was pretty happy to drive it.

Anyways, there's a couple of nice cars at the dealership here in Vegas. One is a brand new 2007 that I can pick up for $57,500. Sepang Bronze on light tan leather with all options for 2007. This is a 2007 model year car.

Then there is a white one from 2006 (which is the one that I test drove) with all of the options that I would want except for the $1800 extended leather package. This car is a PRESS CAR, Vin is #23. Prodiction date way May, 2006. It's White on Black with pretty much all options for that year. This car has 4,300 miles on it and they are willing to sell it to me as a new car with a "$10,000 Factory Incentive." to make up for the Press Fleet usage and the mileage. Total price to me would be $47,500...

I've been able to find two other press fleet vhicles for sale. One is being sold by a company in PA, near Pittsburgh, not a BMW dealer. This is #17. This car has 5,800 miles and is being sold for $45,900 and has the remainder of the new car warranty.
There's another PRESS FLEET Vehicle at Sterling BMW in California that is #18. This is being sold for $46,999 as a certified pre-owned car. It has 6,300 miles on it, IIRC.

Question to you guys: Is this worth it for a car that I only intend on keeping for a couple years until the new M3 is out and proven? If it was a car that I would keep for a long time, then I would order it, but I'm impatient, and track season is under-way.

Does anyone know what happens to these cars as "Press Cars". Did all of the magazines perform all of their performance tests on this car? Did anyone pay attention to the break-in procedures on this engine? Does that really matter if I'm only keeping it for a couple of years and mostly as a track car?

I'm just trying to find out exactly what these early cars are used for as Press Vehicles? What are the Pros and Cons of having an early VIN car, or a press-fleet car?

Thanks for your help in advance...

Reply » Might buy a "Press Fleet Vehicle"- Need Opinions and Advice.

I just checked carfax, and they are considering this as a 1 owner car... Orignally registered in New Jersey.

Also the production date is listed as May 2006, but the CarFax in-service date is April 7, 2006. Could they put this car "In service" before it's built?

This means that I would legally be considered the 2nd owner of this car, thus making it "pre-owned" status, no? Should I also be asking for a 100K certified warranty on this car?

Reply » Might buy a "Press Fleet Vehicle"- Need Opinions and Advice.

Here is Mike Miller's reply via email:

Daniel,

Short answer:

Buy it.

Long answer:

Most journos beat press cars like Jack Bauer beats swarthy bearded terrorists on the TV show, 24. Think "rental car" and you'll have a pretty good idea.

Personally, I treat them like I treat my own cars, which is to say I drive them hard but I don't abuse them, and I take very good care of them. Bottom line, this is not a car I'd recommend keeping over 100,000 miles, because that's when the hard miles and lack of oil changes show up. But for a couple of years, hey, go for it.

Best regards,
Mike Miller
Roundel Tech Editor

Reply » Might buy a "Press Fleet Vehicle"- Need Opinions and Advice.

Rental cars see an easier life than press cars. If you're not keeping past the warranty expiration though, who cares?