[Chuck76]

If I'm not mistaken, the car is marked as a lemon now. So if someone purchases it they should be informed about its scarlet letter.

[Teemo Panda]

Mine is in strike 3, I really hope my car would be a lemon because I want to downgrade to the 28i or the 328i because of the Eco mode and stop start , plus a 4 cyl turbo banger!

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by Chuck76

If I'm not mistaken, the car is marked as a lemon now. So if someone purchases it they should be informed about its scarlet letter.

It's only a lemon if someone goes through the legal proceedings. A lot of car companies buy back cars prior to them becoming lemons for this very reason. They can then sell/auction the car much more easily.

Trade Assist/Buyback should theoretically show up on the title or CarFax, but it doesn't always.

I had this problem when I was looking for my X3. I found a sweet deal on a used one with 3000 miles. I asked the dealer point blank if it was a buyback and he said no. I took the VIN to my local dealer and he found it had been serviced for the same problem 4 times in 3 months. Needless to say, I walked away. The experience made sure I will never give that dealer a dime of my money and convinced me that buying low mileage used cars might be too much of a gamble for me.

[Chuck76]

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

It's only a lemon if someone goes through the legal proceedings. A lot of car companies buy back cars prior to them becoming lemons for this very reason. They can then sell/auction the car much more easily.

Trade Assist/Buyback should theoretically show up on the title or CarFax, but it doesn't always.

I had this problem when I was looking for my X3. I found a sweet deal on a used one with 3000 miles. I asked the dealer point blank if it was a buyback and he said no. I took the VIN to my local dealer and he found it had been serviced for the same problem 4 times in 3 months. Needless to say, I walked away. The experience made sure I will never give that dealer a dime of my money and convinced me that buying low mileage used cars might be too much of a gamble for me.

The lemon law was enforced by legal proceedings between my attorney and bmw NA.

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by Chuck76

The lemon law was enforced by legal proceedings between my attorney and bmw NA.

I stand corrected. What I said above still applies in general, however. I was confused because some of the other posters said "BMW stepped up to the plate". Buying a car back because you are legally required to is hardly stepping up for a customer.
I had just assumed that you filed paperwork and then BMW backed down.

[RhoXS]

Just curious. Do the Lemon laws apply to a CPO sold via a dealership like BMW or Lexus?

A number of years ago we purchased a very low mileage three year old CPO Lexus from a Lexus dealer. It was the first and only used car I ever purchased and the experience and car were essentially indistingushable from buying a new car. We had no problems but I wonder if the Lemon Laws would have applied had we had an unresolvable issue.

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by RhoXS

Just curious. Do the Lemon laws apply to a CPO sold via a dealership like BMW or Lexus?

A number of years ago we purchased a very low mileage three year old CPO Lexus from a Lexus dealer. It was the first and only used car I ever purchased and the experience and car were essentially indistingushable from buying a new car. We had no problems but I wonder if the Lemon Laws would have applied had we had an unresolvable issue.

CPO=used. I think for lemon laws to work it must be not previously titled. Fwiw, no company would ever CPO a car that had been a buy back. That was what tipped me off that my sweet deal was amiss. If a dealer won't CPO a car, there is a reason why.

[Harplayr]

Originally Posted by Chuck76

The lemon law was enforced by legal proceedings between my attorney and bmw NA.

Seeing that it was resolved in a matter of days without going to court I would consider this as BMW stepping up to the plate to accommodate you. They could have made this a long drawn out process if they were inclined to do so.

Two years ago I had to file a lemon law complaint against Subaru. They stretched the process out for almost 6 months and finally as the court date grew near and they ran out of delay tactics they began issuing ridiculous lowball offers until things finally got resolved.

If I were in your shoes, I would be very happy that BMW was so accommodating.
Less than 10 days from notification to resolution is amazing!

[Chuck76]

The car was returned to the dealer on 2/29. Interesting but the third party inspector told me that they will either donate, diagnose, or ship to Canada. It turns out that in Canada the car will clear its slate as a lemon vs if it stayed here in the states. Interesting...

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by Chuck76

The car was returned to the dealer on 2/29. Interesting but the third party inspector told me that they will either donate, diagnose, or ship to Canada. It turns out that in Canada the car will clear its slate as a lemon vs if it stayed here in the states. Interesting...

Wow so Canada is a dumping ground for bad cars eiissh!

[dznutz]

Was your car a 35i?

[Harplayr]

Do they have carfax in Canada?
A buyback will show up on a carfax report.

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by Harplayr

Do they have carfax in Canada?
A buyback will show up on a carfax report.

A buy back does NOT always show up on Carfax. I have personal experience.

[Chuck76]

Originally Posted by dznutz

Was your car a 35i?

Yes, 35i

[xDrive35i]

I've already lemoned an X3 and I'm prepared to lemon the second one for the same exact problem(s). Three times in and no fix and the dealership offered to order a new one free of charge. I didn't even have to call a lawyer the first time and I expect no different this time.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by juddholland

I've already lemoned an X3 and I'm prepared to lemon the second one for the same exact problem(s). Three times in and no fix and the dealership offered to order a new one free of charge. I didn't even have to call a lawyer the first time and I expect no different this time.

I think you better leave off the DHP then this time if you going to get another X3. It seems the problem you keep having both times is consistent with X3's that have the DHP.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

I think you better leave off the DHP then this time if you going to get another X3. It seems the problem you keep having both times is consistent with X3's that have the DHP.

I don't even think I'll be getting another X3, unless I can arrange a special return policy in which I will drive the car and if the problem occurs, I can return it at no cost. Fingers crossed, popcorn out everbody!

[DanMiami]

Originally Posted by RhoXS

Just curious. Do the Lemon laws apply to a CPO sold via a dealership like BMW or Lexus?

Actually... Yes, in Florida at least it may be covered... Here is the answer to the question on the Florida Attorney General's web page
as follows:

"Florida's Lemon Law only applies to NEW or demonstrator vehicles sold in the state of Florida. New or demonstrator vehicles that are leased in Florida are also covered, if they are lease-purchased, or if the lease is for one year or more and the lessee is responsible for taking the vehicle in for repair. If the vehicle is transferred from one consumer to another during the first 24 months after delivery to the original consumer, and both consumers use the vehicle for personal, family or household purposes, the consumer to whom the vehicle is transferred may be covered under the Lemon Law."