BMW Loaner Cars Provide Steady CPO Supply

[Jason]

Here's an interesting bit from Autonews on where BMW gets a significant amount of its certified pre-owned cars from - its dealer's very own loaner cars programs.

BMW of North America's year-old service loaner program is more than a convenience to service customers. It also beefs up BMW and Mini dealers' inventory of late-model used vehicles.

The Aftersales Mobility Program is especially welcome when used vehicles are in short supply. The program "provides the dealer with a ready inventory of certified pre-owned vehicles. If a customer wants to buy an AMP vehicle, the dealer has that flexibility to sell it to them on the spot," says Frank Peluso, manager of the Aftersales Mobility Program.

It includes about 17,000 vehicles in the United States, bringing the total to 63,000 BMWs since the program started in 2009. About 75 percent later are sold as certified used.

All but four of the automaker's 438 North American BMW and Mini dealerships are enrolled in the service loaner program.

"We keep at least eight in stock," says Brian Norris, manager of used-vehicle sales for Global Imports in Atlanta. "We have right now close to 25 to 30 of the 3 series ready to retail -- eight to 10 of them loaner cars."

BMW retails the vehicles to dealers, so they're reported as new-unit sales. It also pays incentives that cover about half of the dealer's financing cost. Dealerships can sell the loaners as used after three months in service.

[htoudiee]

I think this is a very good move on their part. The only thing I would worry about is the reliability of those cars, but as Certified used, there is not much to worry about there either.

[BMWPower06]

Thank god they don't give out M car loaners. I'd never want to buy a car knowing, or not knowing, it had been a loaner car...Those things get beaten to hell

[Greenkirby21]

I have realized this too over the past couple of years. In december, like out of nowhere 8-10 cars(new year too, for example 2011 and 2010) with exactly 8k miles. I asked my dealer and he said they use to be loaner/demo cars. It sounds like a good program, and they are priced at a fairly good price

[guydude]

Actually Iv gotten a z4M coupe and cabrio manual from my dealer many times

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

Thank god they don't give out M car loaners. I'd never want to buy a car knowing, or not knowing, it had been a loaner car...Those things get beaten to hell

[bmwdinamo]

They've been doing this for a while now. Best program ever!
Almost All the cars are under 10k miles.
I remember one time they ran out and gave me a mercury cop car boat..

[utfenix335i]

Originally Posted by guydude

Actually Iv gotten a z4M coupe and cabrio manual from my dealer many times

I need to move to where you live. My Stealership doesn't give anything but Enterprise... it could be because I didn't buy from them or I'm too much of a risk to give a loan car to. But, agreed, i'm not sure if I would want to buy a car that was a loaner.

[skiernan36]

they pass the same certification as any other cpo BMW. also, whats worse? a car that has been maintained and serviced regularly by BMW mechanics, or one that has been driven around and neglected for a couple years and serviced maybe once or twice?

either way, CPO cars are a great deal and very well taken care of

[Imola.ZHP]

Come on now guys, do you beat on a loaner any more than you would your own? If your an aggressive (maybe I should say enthusiastic?) driver, then you are going to drive about the same if your in your own car or a loaner. BMW's are meant to be driven, and driven hard. I would be surprised to see some sort of study that said loaner cars are less reliable than non-loaner cars. All of that said, my dealership only has base 328i auto's for loaners, not something I would be interested in anyway...

[ak335]

Originally Posted by guydude

Actually Iv gotten a z4M coupe and cabrio manual from my dealer many times

ummm prob was just a regular series Z4 and not an ///M, but the dealer near me does give me a 135is

typical series boi mistake

[pnutty]

Originally Posted by guydude

Actually Iv gotten a z4M coupe and cabrio manual from my dealer many times

please tell me where you get your car serviced! haha

[han405]

every time i get a loaner car, i'll always red lining it with the 4th gear on the highway...

yep, i'm a bad person...

[igom3]

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

Thank god they don't give out M car loaners. I'd never want to buy a car knowing, or not knowing, it had been a loaner car...Those things get beaten to hell

+1

[FerRrari]

I'm curious, how many of you who get a BMW loaner use premium fuel?
I do, but I wouldn't be surprised if others used the cheapest available.

[nlpamg]

Originally Posted by guydude

Actually Iv gotten a z4M coupe and cabrio manual from my dealer many times

whaaaaa? what dealer was this?

the "best" cars I've gotten were a 135i and a 335i.

usually they only have POS 328i's and Mini's.

in fact, I brought in my M5 today and got a 328i coupe....

[nlpamg]

Originally Posted by FerRrari

I'm curious, how many of you who get a BMW loaner use premium fuel?
I do, but I wouldn't be surprised if others used the cheapest available.

I feel bad not giving it premium, so I do. the cheapest premium I can find, but still premium...

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by FerRrari

I'm curious, how many of you who get a BMW loaner use premium fuel?
I do, but I wouldn't be surprised if others used the cheapest available.

I put premium in them, but buy it from a station that's on the way to return the car and not a brand I buy for myself.

Got to say I'm jealous of you guys that get a 135, 335, Z4 or even a Mini. All I ever get is a 328 four door or a Honda rental from the Avis place that they use when they run out of loaners.

[r3dbimmer89]

I've only gotten 328is and once a 335i.....but I have seen some loaner X3s and 5 series at my dealership too.

[schwank]

My first bmw was a loaner/demo car. it had about 5k on it when I bought it. I drove it for 100k trouble free miles, and traded it in on a new one.

[mu979]

I don't think users of this forum are indicative of how a typical driver treats their loaner car (or their own car, for that matter). Most BMW drivers are taking their car to the dealer for service because it told them to, not knowing or caring what's being done as long as their car works the way it should when they get it back and aren't inconvenienced without a car. They drive the loaner to work and back, stopping at Starbucks on the way. I'd be more worried about a dirty interior of a loaner than any mechanical problems. I think it's a safe buy - besides they don't let them rack up many miles at all (5-10kish) before they turn them over to sell as CPO!

[Marcumac]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

Come on now guys, do you beat on a loaner any more than you would your own? If your an aggressive (maybe I should say enthusiastic?) driver, then you are going to drive about the same if your in your own car or a loaner. BMW's are meant to be driven, and driven hard. I would be surprised to see some sort of study that said loaner cars are less reliable than non-loaner cars. All of that said, my dealership only has base 328i auto's for loaners, not something I would be interested in anyway...

I drive mine a little harder than my own, but they usually don't have ZSP so not much fun can be had anyways. I wouldn't be concerned with the reliability of a CPO loaner though, the only thing that would bother me is knowing how many people my car was whored out to, and how bad the paint is under close inspection.

My preferred loaner is the X5's they have, I'd personally never own an SUV but they're fun for a few days.

[Neutrino45]

Do you think most people follow the break-in procedure on their new 335i loaner or warm up the car in the winter before they step on it? I know I don't...