buying a M3 evo
Discussion
I'm in a similar situation!
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=99988&f=72&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101061&f=72&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=99988&f=72&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101061&f=72&h=0
BMW charged me approx £132 + VAT for a thorough inspection. Money well spent as it revealed:
* Non BMW wheels fitted (must have been cheaper replicas)
* Annual service light on
* Rear brake pads down to sensor
* Rear dics worn below recommended thickness
* Handbrake shoes cracked
* Driveshaft diff seal leaking
* Front manifold exhaust pipe cracked
* Drive belt cracked
* Engine leaking oil above covers
* O/S/R Underbody deflector missing
* Non BMW battery fitted
* Washer Jet blocked! (thorough!)
* Screenwash low!
* Cigar lighter not working
* O/S door mirror not working
* O/S/R locking wheel nut cover missing
* Both rear shocker mounts worn
* Non BMW front pads and discs fitted
To be honest I've looked around a fair few cars and this one looked mint. Turned out that it wasn't... Some of the things I picked up on but others I couldn't without the use of ramps and taking tools to it, etc.
The owner wouldn't budge on his price despite the work needed. Even though I still offered FULL agreed price the next morning he phoned me and said the car was in an accident. I don't believe that. If BMW do a report ASK them not to provide a copy to owner until you have been notified and dicussed with them. In my case the owner of the car got a copy first and read it out to me. He FAILED to tell me all the stuff in the report and the dealerhips service manager was useless when I spoken to him. I think the owner sh1t himself and ran. It would have been nice for me to know first and then notified him.
The double VANOS is a big problem but I've yet to see an M3 Evo suffering from it (unless I'm missing it!). I think BMW fitted upgraded bolts to help the problem at service intervals but some cars dropped out early. Do a google search for more info on that - plenty of reading material about. FBMWSH is essential IMO.
From receipts of these cars the roof is a common one. Usually alignment or replacement mechanism.
I'm looking at '96 "P" and these cars are fetching more than book price. I've been offering £13.5k. I was contacted by someone today with a 1999 model. Over my budget but he seen my wanted ad on Pistonheads - might be worth doing? I've had two people contact me know in a week. The good ones on A/Trader move FAST and leave the crap ones out there. Of course no one will say the car is crap until you've been out to look and wasted time.
Some of these cars have trackers and CAT1 total closure which is nice. The one I looked at today didn't. My insurers require both - budget £900 for them both.
Problems with the one I looked at today were door alignment and air con needed a recharge - according to the owner. So I told him to go get it done and ask BMW dealership what the sotry with the door is. Might be accident related but I'm not sure? Car looks genuine but you never can quite tell.
Download and read:
www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/Buying/BuyingJan02.pdf
www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/Buying/BuyingJul01.pdf
* Non BMW wheels fitted (must have been cheaper replicas)
* Annual service light on
* Rear brake pads down to sensor
* Rear dics worn below recommended thickness
* Handbrake shoes cracked
* Driveshaft diff seal leaking
* Front manifold exhaust pipe cracked
* Drive belt cracked
* Engine leaking oil above covers
* O/S/R Underbody deflector missing
* Non BMW battery fitted
* Washer Jet blocked! (thorough!)
* Screenwash low!
* Cigar lighter not working
* O/S door mirror not working
* O/S/R locking wheel nut cover missing
* Both rear shocker mounts worn
* Non BMW front pads and discs fitted
To be honest I've looked around a fair few cars and this one looked mint. Turned out that it wasn't... Some of the things I picked up on but others I couldn't without the use of ramps and taking tools to it, etc.
The owner wouldn't budge on his price despite the work needed. Even though I still offered FULL agreed price the next morning he phoned me and said the car was in an accident. I don't believe that. If BMW do a report ASK them not to provide a copy to owner until you have been notified and dicussed with them. In my case the owner of the car got a copy first and read it out to me. He FAILED to tell me all the stuff in the report and the dealerhips service manager was useless when I spoken to him. I think the owner sh1t himself and ran. It would have been nice for me to know first and then notified him.
The double VANOS is a big problem but I've yet to see an M3 Evo suffering from it (unless I'm missing it!). I think BMW fitted upgraded bolts to help the problem at service intervals but some cars dropped out early. Do a google search for more info on that - plenty of reading material about. FBMWSH is essential IMO.
From receipts of these cars the roof is a common one. Usually alignment or replacement mechanism.
I'm looking at '96 "P" and these cars are fetching more than book price. I've been offering £13.5k. I was contacted by someone today with a 1999 model. Over my budget but he seen my wanted ad on Pistonheads - might be worth doing? I've had two people contact me know in a week. The good ones on A/Trader move FAST and leave the crap ones out there. Of course no one will say the car is crap until you've been out to look and wasted time.
Some of these cars have trackers and CAT1 total closure which is nice. The one I looked at today didn't. My insurers require both - budget £900 for them both.
Problems with the one I looked at today were door alignment and air con needed a recharge - according to the owner. So I told him to go get it done and ask BMW dealership what the sotry with the door is. Might be accident related but I'm not sure? Car looks genuine but you never can quite tell.
Download and read:
www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/Buying/BuyingJan02.pdf
www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/Buying/BuyingJul01.pdf
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