The intent of the book is to help assist you in the process of purchasing a used BMW. I would assume that a book like this should be more geared towards individuals having limited or zero experience/prior knowledge of BMWs. Although the book is grossly inadequate, at least it's written for this target audience. That's the only positive comment I have for it.
I'm that target audience. Up until two weeks ago, I wouldn't have known if a ride was a BMW unless I was staring right at the BMW logo on the nose, or caught sight of a cryptic numeric model designation on the rear. I am now on the hunt. Therefore, the last two weeks I have spent every free moment scouring the internet for information on BMWs. I am amazed at what I have learned in such a short time. Thank God for the internet!
So, here's what I expected of a book like this, and what I got:
I looked at the index, and saw that the chapters were broken down by BMW series. No surprise here. I was tempted to jump right to the E46 section, as that was my target model. Instead I went to the beginning of the book, were general information applicable to most/all models was presented. The book is comprised of two parts - the general section at the beginning of the book, and the individual series chapters making up the rest of the book. The first section of general information is only 8 pages (7 if you don't including the fluff preface and introduction on the first page). 8 pages??? Are you kidding me??? If you spend any time looking for information on BMWs on the internet, you'll find that there is a whole lot more information that they author could have provided. 5 minutes worth of reading, and I was pissed. Save your money, Google "BMW" and you'll get what you should have gotten here.
The remainder of the book is entirely the sections dealing with each BMW series. If you're in the market for a BMW, chances are you're looking to buy in a particular series because of your particular price point, mileage considerations, desired options, etc. Perhaps you're interested in more than one, so you might have use for more than one chapter. Every series section uses the exact same layout and organization without variation. Don't think that you may get lucky for your particular target series and be presented with more information than I'm describing here. With this book, it appears you're not paying for information as much as you are a cookie-cutter layout. So, here's EXACTLY what you'll get for each individual series chapter:
1 introductory page (exactly 1 and only 1), providing general information about the series, changes from the previous series, recall information, etc. There are 20 chapters to cover all of the BMW series. It is AMAZING that the general information for EACH and EVERY single chapter is exactly 1 page. Heaven forbid if there was actually more useful information for a particular series that could take up more than one page of space! News flash..there is, and either the author was lazy or it did not make the editorial cut. Again, save your money, Google your target model, and don't let another tree be wasted on this book.
Next is a single page containing a "Ratings Chart" showing a rating level for 1) Model Comfort/Amenities, 2) Reliability, 3) Collectibility (what is that? maybe recouping your value? Who knows, it's not explained), 4) Parts/Service availability, 5) Est. Annual Repair costs. I searched the entire book and could not find any information explaining WHO it was that provided the ratings, or HOW the data was compiled. Is it the author's opinion? Ratings charts are useless to me, they are too subjective. So if you're going to present this useless information, at least tell me what the source is. This page is pure fluff, it will include one or two example pictures of a single model within the series to fill up the space left on the page. If you really want ratings, save your money and Google your target model and the word "ratings." At least you know who's doing the rating.
Next is a two-page section called "Garage Watch." This section tells you about common problems to look out for. This could and should probably be the most important information provided in the book. Each model in the series has this two-page section. In every case, the two pages is a single photo containing one view of the exterior of an example model. This photo spans both pages. Overlaid on the exterior shot of the car are small boxes with one or two sentences describing a potential problem. Each box points to a spot on the car's exterior. Granted, you have a bullet list of things to look for, but again, the potential for more extensive information is sacrificed for a page layout. Scour the BMW forums online and it will become evident very quickly that there is a ton of additional information regarding problems and issues that at least a portion could have been added to this section. The information that is provided is often useless or not very helpful. For example, a warning is given regarding the tendency of thermal reactors to crack, and in states requiring original emissions equipment, both reactors are required. The box containing this warning points to the hood exterior. Apparently this part is somewhere under this closed hood in the picture. How about telling me what a thermal reactor is, or showing me a picture where they are located on the engine so I know what to look for? This section is filled with such examples. "Watch out for a leak here, or a leak there" but don't show me a picture. Save your money and go to BimmerForums.com. You'll never have enough time to cover the wealth of information provided there.
Next is a section containing a list of Specifications for each model, occupying one or more pages, depending on the number of models in the series. The NADA website has this, in addition to probably a hundred others sites. Don't buy this book.
Next is a list of replacement costs for common parts. What was the author thinking? Prices are only going to hold for so long. This book was published in . Pricing information is now rendered useless. Use this page to wipe your butt or line your hamster cage.
Next is a page titled "What they said about..." which has a list of a handful of auto review quotes. You know, the one or two liners that pop up on your car commercials. Worthless. We're shopping for a BMW for a reason, it's no big revelation that each BMW gets positive reviews. I paid for this??
Next page is a page titled "I bought a..." which is a list of a handful of quotes from ordinary people who purchased this model. Refer to my comments in the previous section. I paid for this too?? Don't use this page to wipe your butt, it's so weak that your fingers will probably poke through.
Section over. A whopping 10-12 pages (on average, stuffed with pictures mind you) for each model. Now ask yourself, is the price of this book worth what I just detailed for you? As for me, I wanted help buying a E46 3-series. I paid for less than 20 pages of useless information. There is no subjectivity here, I've told you exactly what's in the book.
Here's some other information that I wanted and reasonably expected:
Detailed list of options that are std and optional for each model. The "blue book" websites (i.e. Edmonds, NADA) provide this), but I was hoping for a single reference section in the book. Save your money, use the web sites.
Descriptions of options. For example, would it be expecting too much for an explanation of what Electrochromic Rearview mirrors are? A coupe with a 3rd seat? What is that? Surely there's not a seat stuffed into the trunk of that coupe, or is there? If you don't know now, you will not know after buying the book.
Detailed description of each "package" offered for each model, containing a detailed list of the options included in each package. For example, tell me what options make up the "Sport" package for each model year. That way, when the seller tells me that it has the package "x" I don't have to ask if the car has option "y." Likewise, if the seller tells me it has the "Sport" package, can I assume the seller is lying if the car has a four-spoked steering wheel?
My rant is over. If you doubt my review and are still thinking about buying it, I would love to sell you mine, along with the proverbial swamp land.
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Our formal and informal competitive bid process helps the University by providing best prices, fair and ethical relationships with suppliers and enables Rutgers to comply with state and federal regulations. Refer to our "Contracted Supplier" section for more information about the products and services offered by Rutgers' preferred suppliers.
About 85% of the 180,000 orders processed each year can be processed in RU Marketplace without the aid of University Procurement Services' staff. As for the remaining 15% of requisitions that require more attention, the procurement category teams are ready to assist. Refer to the information under &#;Sourcing at Rutgers&#;; it may also answer some of those day-to-day questions.
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Before making a purchase, you are encouraged to review Find Products and Services to locate a University-wide supplier contract.
There are times when the University does not have a contract for a certain commodity or supplier. In these cases, it may be more time-consuming and costly for such purchases and you may need to submit extra forms. This is not the preferred purchasing method.
Before making a purchase with this type of supplier, you should review Non-Contracted Suppliers to review forms or other documentation needed.
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Purchasing from a University- contracted supplier: This is the preferred purchasing method at Rutgers. You may purchase directly from a supplier through the use of a quick order (for goods) unless the item is on the restricted list. For service, you may purchase using the Services Request Form.
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Required documents:
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For goods and services with a purchase amount between $50,000 and $249,999:
Purchasing from a University-contracted supplier: This is the preferred method of purchasing at Rutgers. You may purchase directly from a supplier through the use of a Goods Request Form or Services Request Form.
Required documents:
Purchasing from a non-contracted supplier: You may purchase directly from a supplier through the use of a Goods Request Form or Services Request Form.
Required documents:
If you know that the request will fall between these monetary thresholds, you can assemble the quotations and submit the forms when making the initial requisition order. Please contact University Procurement Services Help Desk for assistance, if needed.
For goods and services with a purchase amount $250,000 and greater:
Purchasing from a University-contracted supplier: This is the preferred method of purchasing at Rutgers. You may purchase directly from a supplier through the use of a Goods Request Form or Services Request Form.
Required documents:
Purchasing from a non-contracted supplier: A formal bid is required. You are advised to contact University Procurement Services to begin this process. See more details on the RFP process. Before initiating a competitive bid, you should refer to Find Products and Services to determine if the purchase can be made through a University contract.
For more details, refer to the University Procurement Services Procedures Manual.
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Purchase orders are issued for most of requisitions. There are instances that require a check to be issued. University Procurement Services issues purchase orders for the majority of requisitions, but in a few select instances, requests are handled by issuing checks.
These instances typically include purchases that do not require procurement involvement, such as subscription fees or clinical trial payment. Units generate check requests through RU Marketplace. You must supply supporting documentation, including an explanation of all charges, which should be provided when you make the check request. The system routes the request to University Accounting to process and issue payment to the supplier. See more details on the check request process.
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