Cat d 328 GTS or dealt with Motocars in Berks

[IMI A]

Any one been to see this 328 GTS http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

I have no issue with damage repaired cars as long as the work has been carried out properly although to be fair I've never had a repaired car. The car above has been for sale for a while (realise I may have just answered my own question!) and a bit of a trek so any info in advance of drive very appreciated.

[F355GTS]

I heard it had front end damage requiring a new froth clip inc both wings, bonnet etc. Not repaired by any of the established specialists. Think I'd want to get it on a jig to make sure it's straight.

I'd thought about it myself as a long term ownership option but haven't pursued it, it's less about 2 miles from me

[Robert W]

Without being neurotic about it, does the front of the car sit a bit high? Aren't the front wheels too far from the front wheelarches?

[Steve12NG]

I didn't think they were still making 328s in 1990?

[F355GTS]

Steve12NG said:

I didn't think they were still making 328s in 1990?

last Year I believe

[NeilH]

Robert W said:

Without being neurotic about it, does the front of the car sit a bit high? Aren't the front wheels too far from the front wheelarches?

The whole car looks to be sitting high. There is one on ebay for the same money that is not CAT D

Ah - but just noticed the high mileage on it - so maybe not at that price

[POORCARDEALER]

If that car is properly repaired its a good buy...

[marky1]

Out of interest how would one check it's been properly repaired?

[MitchT]

Over many years of admiring 328s I've noticed that - depending on the angle of the photograph - they do appear to sit a little high at the front. I don't think that's a major issue. The price is probably about right for a Cat D with such low mileage but I'd want to see extensive photographic records of the damage and the repair process.

[POORCARDEALER]

marky1 said:

Out of interest how would one check it's been properly repaired?

Have it inspected by someone with a jig if its been chassis damaged, if its just panel damage then any good dealer who knows what he is doing should be able to assess repair quality

Edited by POORCARDEALER on Wednesday 19th February 18:55

[F355GTS]

Probably best thing would be to ask Tim at Walkersport to inspect, you'll get a detailed report

For info I looked at the outed of it the other day and it looks OK from a distance, paint quality didn't look brilliant

Would agree that photo evidence of pre-repair and repair would be desirable

[marky1]

Funny, just spoke to Tim about it, he was very helpful as always. Conclusion was that it probably needs 5-6k of work done between checking it out and as you mention paint is not meant to be great. He did say though this is without him having seen it, just from what he has heard. Conclusion is you're probably better spending a bit more and getting a no story car.

[POORCARDEALER]

marky1 said:

Funny, just spoke to Tim about it, he was very helpful as always. Conclusion was that it probably needs 5-6k of work done between checking it out and as you mention paint is not meant to be great. He did say though this is without him having seen it, just from what he has heard. Conclusion is you're probably better spending a bit more and getting a no story car.

Or giving £25K!

[marky1]

Yeah apparently won't budge on price. I guess that's part of the reason been for sale for a year.

[F355GTS]

I had a quick look over the car today and the guy is sending me some pics of pre and accident condition. Car has been in Cyprus for a few years and was stored outside in direct sunlight, some of the paint along with the interior is badly faded.

Below is a list from a quick visual inspection

Significant amounts of filler under windscreen and either corrosion or poor filling on join line at front wings
Some unevenness in front clip, not sure if this was replaced
Bonnet fit/opening out of square with uneven gaps
Paint, given the amount that needs doing I'd say a full respray would be the best bet
Air con not working
Interior needs reconolising
Brake discs corroded
One Heater control not working
N/S Heater fan not working
N/S Door not latching
Roof badly faded
Air inlet pipe gaffer taped
Running very fast on idle (circa 2k revs), may just need adjustment
Currently stored outside
Mirror control (which are unobtainium) looked broken
Light pods noisy and o/s lazy
Engine bay very grubby/ untidy
Car has not yet been re-registered in the UK

Good bits

Tubi, sounds great
Toolkit, spare, jack etc all appear to be there
Around €8k spent in 2011 on mechanicals etc inc new tyres (date code checked)


To get it up to scratch i reckon you'd have to spend £6k to £7k but that's without a mechanical evaluation i.e. gearbox etc or any chassis work if read

[POORCARDEALER]

F355GTS said:

I had a quick look over the car today and the guy is sending me some pics of pre and accident condition. Car has been in Cyprus for a few years and was stored outside in direct sunlight, some of the paint along with the interior is badly faded.

Below is a list from a quick visual inspection

Significant amounts of filler under windscreen and either corrosion or poor filling on join line at front wings
Some unevenness in front clip, not sure if this was replaced
Bonnet fit/opening out of square with uneven gaps
Paint, given the amount that needs doing I'd say a full respray would be the best bet
Air con not working
Interior needs reconolising
Brake discs corroded
One Heater control not working
N/S Heater fan not working
N/S Door not latching
Roof badly faded
Air inlet pipe gaffer taped
Running very fast on idle (circa 2k revs), may just need adjustment
Currently stored outside
Mirror control (which are unobtainium) looked broken
Light pods noisy and o/s lazy
Engine bay very grubby/ untidy
Car has not yet been re-registered in the UK

Good bits

Tubi, sounds great
Toolkit, spare, jack etc all appear to be there
Around €8k spent in 2011 on mechanicals etc inc new tyres (date code checked)


To get it up to scratch i reckon you'd have to spend £6k to £7k but that's without a mechanical evaluation i.e. gearbox etc or any chassis work if read

Probably too expensive by the sound of it.....getting parts can be quite tricky in my experience

[rubystone]

Mark, did the mileage tally with condition? At £35kish, surely the 66k mile (non Cat D) car is better value?

[F355GTS]

rubystone said:

Mark, did the mileage tally with condition? At £35kish, surely the 66k mile (non Cat D) car is better value?

Interior didn't look like it had been connolised and there's virtually no wear on the bolster also carpets look good. Wheels are unmarked and did look original which suggests mirage is genuine, the engine bay though is filthy and doesn't look like a low mileage car, tough call

[gmarsh]

Family lived in Cyprus 1991 - 2004. Main roads and motorway were fine but side roads not very good, which could affect suspension and underneath of car etc., if not subsequently attended to, but appreciate car has low miles. From memory, tourist hire cars had very short 'shelf life' and sand storms and extreme summer heat took their toll.

[IMI A]

F355GTS said:

I had a quick look over the car today and the guy is sending me some pics of pre and accident condition. Car has been in Cyprus for a few years and was stored outside in direct sunlight, some of the paint along with the interior is badly faded.

Below is a list from a quick visual inspection

Significant amounts of filler under windscreen and either corrosion or poor filling on join line at front wings
Some unevenness in front clip, not sure if this was replaced
Bonnet fit/opening out of square with uneven gaps
Paint, given the amount that needs doing I'd say a full respray would be the best bet
Air con not working
Interior needs reconolising
Brake discs corroded
One Heater control not working
N/S Heater fan not working
N/S Door not latching
Roof badly faded
Air inlet pipe gaffer taped
Running very fast on idle (circa 2k revs), may just need adjustment
Currently stored outside
Mirror control (which are unobtainium) looked broken
Light pods noisy and o/s lazy
Engine bay very grubby/ untidy
Car has not yet been re-registered in the UK

Good bits

Tubi, sounds great
Toolkit, spare, jack etc all appear to be there
Around €8k spent in 2011 on mechanicals etc inc new tyres (date code checked)


To get it up to scratch i reckon you'd have to spend £6k to £7k but that's without a mechanical evaluation i.e. gearbox etc or any chassis work if read

Thanks for this F355. I have the accident pics and its difficult to see how the bulkhead below the windscreen would not have been buckled which was my fear. All easily repairable but if there's filler in there the car is not for me as it would all need to be stripped down again taken back to bare metal (may as well do the whole car at this stage if rear of car needs a paint due to fading) and I think the £6-7k is massively optimistic to do it properly. Better to buy a no story car unless the vendor lets it go for a lot less and even then I wouldn't want the hassle. At £30k for cat D car has to much better than this when at £40k-£50k you can buy a really good car. Shame looked cheap at first glance