[ILLuSioNz X]

Got one free from another member, Thanks.

[Emtri]

[ILLuSioNz X]

come on now, i've seen a long thread on bimmerfest, but the guy that was doing it, stopped...i figure, there has to be a tech on here willing to help out for some rep.

[lmtfi]

If you do a search on this subject - you will find that BMW dealers have been sued by prior car owners for release of service records that were between the dealer and the (former) owner. Many if not most BMW dealers are now declining to release these records to subsequent owners. I had this very discussion this weekend with a guy who used to be with the Alexandria, Va. BMW dealer.

If you have a good and ongoing relationship with a dealer - they may be willing to let you look at the record - but not print it. They may want you to prove ownership of the vehicle.

Is there some reason that you are posting in red font?

[BHenderson]

I spoke with a BMW rep over the phone about the service history of my car. He said if I took the car in personally to the nearest BMW dealer, they could get me the service history. You will probably have to do the same.

[TenaciousD]

I recently got someone to run the record for my car and the previous owners' names are not on it. I can't envision a scenario where someone could/would sue for the release of this information. It's not like it's their medical records. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I just can't imagine why it would.

Illusionsx (I'm sorry I can't type your username with all the wacky capitalizations) - do a search for "dealer maintenance history" and you may turn up a couple people who have done it in the past and might be willing to run it for you.

EDIT: On second thought, if you don't yet own the car I can sort of see why they wouldn't give you that info.

[lmtfi]

Originally Posted by TenaciousD

I can't envision a scenario where someone could/would sue for the release of this information. It's not like it's their medical records. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I just can't imagine why it would.

I can think of several reasons. Here is one.

Car seller states that the car was maintained in a certain way. Buyer pays for car. A year later the car experiences some sort of mechanical failure - minor or major. Buyer asks BMW ealer for maintenance records. BMW provides a printout which either is or may be interpreted as inconsistent with seller's statements. Buyer sues seller for damages to repair. Seller sues dealer for releasing records of maintenance that the SELLER paid for and to which the buyer was not a party to.

Maintenance records do not convey with a car. Just because you want something doesn't mean you are automatically entitled to it. If you paid for that maintenance - then yes, you probably have some limited rights to it.

There are more likely scenarios.

BMW dealers HAVE been sued for releasing maintenance records to people who were not party to the transaction.

[TenaciousD]

Yeah, I guess with all these lawyers running around I can see why a dealer would be nervous about it. Everyone is afraid to do anything these days.

I'm glad I was able to get the history on mine. It did put my mind to rest on a couple things.

[ILLuSioNz X]

first of all-font color changed.

second, thanks for all the great info...i'm doing the search now, the reason i asked was because the
local dealer doesn't do ppi's either, but the deal on the car is too good to pass up...

in addion, the dealer did point out a new valve cover gasket on the car evidincing that the car was recently serviced, but then again, it's pretty easy to throw on a new valve cover gasket.

what i'm most likely going to do is buy the car for cheap, then take it to the bmw dealer to see it's service history...good or bad will determine wether i keep the car or not.

[lmtfi]

Originally Posted by ILLuSioNz X

first of all-font color changed.


local dealer doesn't do ppi's either, but the deal on the car is too good to pass up...

Have someone come in and do the PPI. Never, ever buy an M3 without a PPI.