A BMW bought in July was still tying up a Florida car dealer’s cash in November. Craig from Flying Wheels had the SUV, but getting the title proved much harder than getting it shipped south.
Craig shares the story in a Flying Wheels video posted November 5. He paid $37,600 for a 2024 BMW X5 without seeing it in person. He had photos and the word of someone he knew.
The price matched the amount needed to buy out its lease. Getting the title would take more steps. The person who had leased the BMW had to get it first.
Meanwhile, Craig says the BMW arrived needing work he had not planned to pay for. His hoped-for flip became a family car while he waited, adding miles and another repair bill along the way.
A Longer Route
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Craig went to pick up the BMW at 11:15 p.m. on his daughter’s electric scooter. After a two-mile ride, he met the truck bringing it from New Hampshire. He drove the SUV home that night.
Getting the title took far longer. Craig explains that he gave the seller the money to pay off the lease. BMW Financial’s paperwork named the person who had leased it as the buyer, rather than Flying Wheels.
During a phone call in the video, Craig asks how to fix that. He is told that the person who leased it needs a new title in their own name. Only then can the car pass to his business.
By mid-October, he still lacked the title and said he could not sell the BMW. His wife had been driving it while the money stayed tied up.
A Closer Look
Once Craig inspected the car in daylight, he found worn tires and a deep scratch. Inside, salt had built up around the floor mats, and crushed pretzels were tucked beneath the cup holder insert.
Craig says the seller described the tires as good and didn’t disclose the paint damage. After two washes, the BMW still needed work on its finish. A service reminder also flagged overdue spark plugs.
He does find a recent oil-change entry while checking the service history. His shop goes ahead with fresh oil as part of the work, along with plugs, filters, and fluids.
Craig later reports that his wife had a blowout. He replaces all four tires, though his quoted tire costs change across the video.
The Final Tab
By November, Craig reports that a new title has been issued to the former owner. It is on its way to Flying Wheels by the end of the video. He gets the BMW ready for photos and weighs sending it to auction.
“The goal is to move metal, not keep cars,” he says. He puts his total cost at roughly $42,000 to $43,000. He doubts he will make a profit.
Flying Wheels’ current listing identifies the BMW as an X5 xDrive40i with the M Sport package. It advertises new tires and completed service, with an asking price of $46,500 and 51,000 miles.