Feedback on 03 30kmls blkblk? - Page 2 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

JohnAnthony · 23rd September 2007, 07:01

can someone give me a pretty good ball park worst case scenario w/ the car in boston...
don't hold back (but don't get carried away either...ex.

"the light diverted from a gas pocket near venus could have caused the vanos to malfunction"

)
...just a rundown of things that look fishy and can bite me in the *** if they do turn out to be problems

chowdah · 23rd September 2007, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnAnthony

can someone give me a pretty good ball park worst case scenario w/ the car

I think the answer -- while seeming facetious but actually isn't -- is: buying a car w/o a service history or PPI, and learning about problems that should have been discovered, after the fact.

If you read prior posts of prospective buyers, the general theme of advice is something like:
step 1 - get a service history from bmw
step 2 - get a ppi at a shop someone can vouch for
step 3 - search this board to see just how serious the issues raised in steps 1&2 are
step 4 - assign a fair value based on steps 1, 2, and 3

IIRC when I was looking for a PPI recommendation in Boston several months ago, Turner, Gallery Norwood, and Peabody were mentioned. Good luck.

RoundelM5 · 23rd September 2007, 15:52

I wouldn't be too worried about the interior condition comments until I saw the car. I didn't see anything on the interior shots that looked horrible. I have the same interior in my '03 and it's not difficult to maintain and keep looking new.

Definitely get a PPI, best $100+ you'll spend. Car may also have a SSK but tough to tell - ask the PPI to check it out.

Don't think that those are Dinan pedal covers - aftermarket for sure but not Dinan.

And lastly, just because someone had some aftermarket parts installed (exhaust, pedal covers etc.) does not mean car has been abused. If you're really interested, go see it and get a PPI. Best way to know as much as you can about the condition of the car.

wentouch · 23rd September 2007, 23:27

hence, the reason i said that i would be weary of abuse as opposed to saying that it appeared abused.

i based my observation of the seats on extension portion of the front seats in the first pic where the sides especially toward the back look worn and also seem to have creases. perhaps they may not be there or perhaps it is the fact that luxury seats have different worn marks.

as to the rim, there is a ring around the right edge which is not typical of any stock wheel. it may be the lighting but it is visibly apparent and covers on 3/5 of the wheel.

the points brought up are only to keep in mind & to take note of while inspecting the car. the car may be in perfect condition; i dunno. i do know that ppis cost money and that a thorough personal inspection to narrow the choice & save money is always wise before step 2 which is the ppi.

take your time, dont be too hasty in decision, find the right condition for you and do not settle on a certain unsatisfactory condition just cause youre are anxious.

good luck.

Hessec · 24th September 2007, 17:02

DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR AND DO NOT PURCHASE A CAR FROM HERB CHAMBERS BMW!!!!!!!!! I bought an '03 with 17k miles from them in back in May....... long story short- SES light on drive home, HUGE chunk missing from front bumper and mesh assembly (behind license plate cover no less) that they wouldn't fix even though car was advertised as "perfect" and is CPO. I paid $1200 to have the aluminum trim put in the car in place of the wood.........when I showed up to get the car in Boston they had replaced everything but the shift knob and the parking brake handle and I was assured that I would have it within a week..... well after about 50 unanswered phone calls and 20+ unanswered emails I called BMWNA to tell them that these JOKERS had my money and were not providing me with the parts...........I still never got a call back!!! Last week, 5 months later, I finally got my parts. Do not do business with them!!!!!!! I have never been treated so poorly in my life.......you'd think if you were spending $45+k with someone they would take care of you; they won't, you are dirt to them!!

As you can tell I am still very bitter and find it very hard to believe that BMW has their name on the building. scumbags!!!!

JohnAnthony · 24th September 2007, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hessec

DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR AND DO NOT PURCHASE A CAR FROM HERB CHAMBERS BMW!!!!!!!!! I bought an '03 with 17k miles from them in back in May....... long story short- SES light on drive home, HUGE chunk missing from front bumper and mesh assembly (behind license plate cover no less) that they wouldn't fix even though car was advertised as "perfect" and is CPO. I paid $1200 to have the aluminum trim put in the car in place of the wood.........when I showed up to get the car in Boston they had replaced everything but the shift knob and the parking brake handle and I was assured that I would have it within a week..... well after about 50 unanswered phone calls and 20+ unanswered emails I called BMWNA to tell them that these JOKERS had my money and were not providing me with the parts...........I still never got a call back!!! Last week, 5 months later, I finally got my parts. Do not do business with them!!!!!!! I have never been treated so poorly in my life.......you'd think if you were spending $45+k with someone they would take care of you; they won't, you are dirt to them!!

As you can tell I am still very bitter and find it very hard to believe that BMW has their name on the building. scumbags!!!!

Thank you for that althought I already decided to buy localy and avoid posting anymore threads regarding out of state cars. This info should definatly be added under a thread I believe already exists were other members posted their previous experiences w dealers...