Lots of issues with a CPO

[pmolfese]

Greetings all,

My 2002 325xi is again in the shop (making this the 8th time in 9 months). This time it was a variety of issues. Radiator hose leak, thermostat malfunction, shorted out turn signal (although the computer keeps being undecided on if it's actually out or not), brake fluid leak. In any case, the entire process has become quite frustrating because I'm taking the car in an excessive number of times for various things to be fixed.

Here's the thing - I purchased the car CPO, and it was about 18 months old when I bought it. In that 18 months the previous owner had put 28,000 miles on it and traded it in. Could it be that the previous owner found that the car had too many issues and that's why they traded it in? It seems to me like selling a car that early seems more suspicious now than it did before. Anyone have any similar experiences like this?

I'm considering going to the dealer and negotiating a trade-in and going with a new 2004 325i. If anyone has any tips on trading a car into the same dealer you bought it from - it would be much appreciated. Granted this isn't the way I pictured my first BMW experience to be -- but I'm being patient and going to try again.

[cakman2]

Wow. That's brand loyalty. I think I would definitely be in a Honda after that many trips to the shop. You sure you would want another Bimmer after that?

[pmolfese]

I debated going Honda about 20 minutes ago actually... Especially since the new Accord is a good looking car and has a nice GPS unit in it. But I'm addicted to the BMW drive. Besides, no one in the rest of my family has had any issues with their cars as of yet.