pre-purchase inspection - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

paolo · 24th April 2002, 01:09

I'm looking at a 91 M5 (68000 miles, asking price $17000 US) and have arranged for a pre-purchase inspection with the local BMW dealer where the car was serviced. It seems the standard $85 fee which is probably an hour's tech time is not enough to get a thorough evaluation. Any comments or advice as to how many hours or how many dollars would be necessary for a proper inspection would be appreciated. The only thing I could tell from the test drive was what seemed like a noisy clutch bearing (when pedal depressed).

Redder than red · 25th April 2002, 22:15

Suggest you check out the dealer history on the car as this
should be continuous and the dealer would know the car
and it's owners views on servicing and repairs.

$85 is not enough - Inpsection2 would do the job but its
pricey.

mikek · 25th April 2002, 23:35

An inspection II before purchase???? What if you dont buy??Thats the best part of £500 down the gutter!!

Book the car in at the dealers and ask them to do the 120 point check that they would do on the car if they were taking it in part exchange. In the UK this costs aproximately £120. Also ask for a compression check too, this is an extra £60. I think these checks will unearth most faults on the vehicle, and will provide a report and "results" from the compression test.

Redder than red · 25th April 2002, 23:53

120 point - I had that done pre purchase - it missed a disintegrating twin mass flywheel and a worn cam.

Probably find a specialist to check it out after checking the dealer history ? I can get inspection 2 done for just over £200 - BM dealer is over 500 in london.

Truth is, it is worth finding out as much as possible before you
buy as M5s cost for any major probs.

IvanDias · 26th April 2002, 05:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Redder than red
...I can get inspection 2 done for just over £200 - BM dealer is over 500 in london.

"Reee--eee--eee--eee--eeeeaaaaalllllyyyyyy !!" - Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.

You get this ;

Quote:

VEHICLE RAISED ON HOIST

remove engine shield
drain engine oil and replace oil filter sump plug washer
check transmission for leaks
change manual transmission oil
replace rear axle oil
check clutch driven plate for wear every 2nd inp II
renew main fuel filter.Petrol engines every 2nd insp II
check PAS system for leaks
check radiator bottom hose for leaks
check drive shaft gaiters for leaks
check steering for freedom from play
check condition of track rod and front axle ball joints
check steering box for leaks.check UJ`s, couplings and flexible gaitors.
check all connections and lines on brake system for leaks, damage and correct position, including handbrake cables and bleed nipple covers.
check fuel pipes, tank and connections for leaks, damage and position.
check condition, position and mountings of exhaust system
inspect underside of body for corrosion/underseal damage
refit engine shield

LOWER VEHICLE TO HALF WAY POSITION

remove road wheels
remove brake pads and clean and inspect for wear
check wheel cylinders and dust seals for leaks
check handbrake lever travel, movement of handbrake cables and adjustment
check handbrake lining wear
grease wheel centering spigots for alloy wheels
check shock absorbers for leaks
complete tyre check

VEHICLE ON GROUND

inspect bodywork for corrosion, stone chips damage or contamination
check fluid level and concentration of screenwash reservoir
refill engine oil
remove spark plugs
check and adjust valve clearances. replace rocker cover gasket(M20,M30,S50 and S38 engines only)
renew spark plugs
lubricate door mechanisms
replace microfilter and active carbon filter
replace air circulation filter every 2nd insp II
check coolant hoses for leaks
replace air intake filter
check PAS hose clips for tightness and fluid level
lubricate throttle linkages
check clutch hose connections for tightness and positioning
check clutch fluid level
check brake fluid level.renew every 2 years
check vbattery acid level and top up if nessesary
carry out specific gravity check
check condition/tightness of coolant hoses
replace all vbelts E34/M5 only(S38 engine)
check tension of all vbelts
check and record coolant concentration. renew every 2 years upto 95. after 95 every 3 years. except M3 and M5 every 2 years
check self leveling suspension and level
check wheel stud torque and tyre pressures
check intensive cleaner level
replace fire ext cartrige anually
E36 M3 only replace throttle valve potentiometer
replace toothed cambelt M40 engine
replece toothed cambelt M20 engine

ENGINE TEST

cars with distributer..check the dwell angle and adjust ignition timing if necessary
call up info on defects stored in diagnostic system, print off and attach to inspection sheets
check EML safety path circuit
check idle speed except engines with idle speed control
check CO reading (except catalyst models)
check all exterior lights
check all instrument and control lighting and all other interior courtesy lighting
check operation of heater blower and ventilation system
check operation of door morrors
check operation of sunroof
check horn all segements
check condition, operation of seat belts
check wipers, blades, jet aim
check bonnet and boot locks and striker plates. operation and lubrication.

ROAD TEST

check engine operation
check clutch operation
check transmittion operation
check steering operation
check steering wheel alignment
check footbrake operation
check handbrake balance. Bed in new handbrake
check wheel balance
check propshaft balance
check speedometer operation
chech didtance trip meter
check engine revolution counter
check tempguage operation
check fuelguage operation
check heater/air cond operation
check on board computer operation
check wind noise, rattles etc

FINAL ITEMS

activate service indicator
ensure handbook service record is completed

For £200 ???

Good bloody luck to you, remind me not to buy a car worked on by your preferred garage.
You are from London? London England, or London North Korea where the labour rate is two cups of rice per technician, per hour?

FFS - the "check and adjust valve clearances. replace rocker cover gasket(M20,M30,S50 and S38 engines only) " takes the best part of two hours plus, assuming you have the tool and know what you are doing.

This thread nearly doesn`t warrant an answer.

Are you sure you shouldn`t be on the Roadfly Bimmer forum ??

Ivan.

PS. Now, where`s that suspension post, I`ll flame there too.

Redder than red · 27th April 2002, 02:00

Hoi Hoi,

Quote from local BM dealer I'll need the car for at least 5 hours
( inspection 2 )

BM club approved specialist did insp 2 for £ 200 plus VAT.

Compare labour charges BM £ 87.50 specialist 30.00.

What more can ah say !!

Reeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyy yy.

PS your Birds work was V good value.

High 5 · 27th April 2002, 20:06

Vancouver Auto, the Vancouver BMW dealer, will do a complete inspection of the car for about $300 Cdn. so I have heard through a friend that has had such an inspection done on a '91 M5 recently. Check with the Calgary dealer to see if they will do this for you.

Calgary3.6 · 27th April 2002, 20:16

I used Vancouver Auto for my pre purchase inspection in November 2000. They charged $352CDN for the survey including compression test, AC test, alignment and 150 point mechanical inspection.

I expect Calgary BMW would have a similar price.

If you need a second opinion on the car, drop me an e-mail: acdoyle@shaw.ca

Anthony

mikek · 28th April 2002, 23:46

Redder,

It appears that your garage carried out an inadequate 120 point check. I wonder how adequate their inspection II's are?? I would think not good!!

I was quoted £450 for an inspection II, but that price rose to almost £750 on collection of the vehicle

Ivan I forgot about that!! That took me ages to type out (1 finger!)