Need expert opinion - new member - Page 2

jlusby · 28th February 2011, 17:39

I had to take a look at this and their ad made me laugh! I wouldn't trust them simply based upon that ad, not to mention the price is too high. I love the "rare" interior, but it looks just like mine so I got a steal on mine! Love the stainless, er, aluminum trim which later they call wood.

Be patient and you will find the right car. All really good things take time!

Need4Spd · 28th February 2011, 17:59

It actually looks pretty good for the mileage. I don't have much to add over what others have already pointed out (pixels out is fairly common on e39 5 series, btw). The exhaust is more a concern. It should not be tweaked like that. Maybe innocent, maybe not.

You can't ever be sure w/o an inspection (and even then, it won't tell you what to expect of rod bearings) but generally you don't get to 114k miles with the car looking like that, even with a good detail, unless it was well cared-for most of its life (or re-sprayed, I guess, but who would do that on a sub-$20k used car just to try to sell it?). If it's the color you want, I'd say it's worth checking out.

Just be advised these cars are great, but expensive to fix and maintain. But you already knew that. As for price, it's a bit high but I think these cars in top condition are fairly rare, and the delta is only a few thousand at most, which they will probably bargain down some. Most have had some mods (take a look at my sig) and miles do take their toll. If you can get a carfax, see how many previous owners.

ard · 28th February 2011, 18:49

Post a request for a member in the Dallas area that might have the time to give it an in person visit. Snap some 'unretouched' photo, give you a verbal report...maybe a test drive. That is STEP ONE.

2-Then negotiate.

3- Pen a deal contingent on the PPI.

4- Fly down.

5-Take the car for a PPI... AT A SHOP OF YOUR CHOOSING. Have a written list of PPI items to be inspected.

6- Decision.

7a Fly home
7b Drive home

GL

A

Mfreakin5 · 28th February 2011, 19:02

That price is too high, even for a dealer. I wouldn't pay over $15k with that mileage. And it has non-factory colored wheels, which are ugly to boot, and the odd looking driver side exhaust means it could have had an aftermarket exhaust and the stock one was swapped back in but poorly adjusted or it could be something as simple as the exhaust hanger is sagging or broken. You just never know.

I definitely wouldn't purchase without driving it. Ard's advice is a good place to start. See if a forum member can take a good look at the car and let you know of the honest condition and how it drives first. Then, go from there. And taking it for a PPI at a dealer of YOUR choosing is also very good advice. Some dealers balk at this because they don't want the car leaving the lot for an inspection but if the dealer is honest they'll let you have it inspected.

But don't be afraid to look around and wait if need be. In purchasing an older M car, especially since there is no warranty here, there is not much advantage to purchasing from a dealer over an enthusiast.

Blown03HD · 28th February 2011, 19:13

I appreciate the advise and knowledge. I'm willing to wait since I have three cars at the moment and am in no hurry to find a 02-03. 18000 i my max I want to spend. (wife gave me a limit).

Mike S. - I cannot PM for another 40 posts sorry. But if you are willing to look at the car for me that would be great. If the test drive goes well I can fly down there and do a PPI on it. Diner is on me.

Mike S. · 28th February 2011, 20:37

I'll PM you my email address and we can see if we can work something out. I've got a couple of other M5 friends in the area and we might make a group outing out of it.

Beemer Guy · 28th February 2011, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlusby

Love the stainless, er, aluminum trim which later they call wood.

Ha! No, dude, it's "highly sought after fine stainless steal (not wood) VERY,VERY, RARE."

It ain't real unless it's been mis-spelled. And mis-identified.

As for the shiny paint, there is no way that a car with that kind of mileage has an undamaged front-end. It may well be accident free, but I'll bet you a dollar that it's had the front clip resprayed. And need4speed, that's not very expensive to do and many dealers will do that for a 20K car. If you've got 10K in a car, wouldn't you spend another $500 on it if it meant selling it quicker and for 1K more? Sure you would.

I agree that it is way too expensive for the miles. And the wheels are ugly.

I would also suggest to the OP that an M5 will likely not get much better gas mileage than his truck.

I would add to that comment some advice to the OP that if 18K is his upper limit, then he better buy a 15K car and keep that 3K for the repairs that he will need. Within the first year. These are very expensive cars to maintain and repair. And at 100K+ miles, there is going to be some stuff to fix. I promise.

Blown03HD · 1st March 2011, 01:06

BemmerGuy,

18k is my limit but I can pay cash without selling my truck no problem. The thing is my wife does not like the idea of me having 4 cars so one has to go. The truck gets 12-13 mixed, 15-16 highway. With gas prices goin up most likely over 4 dollars a gallon, the value of my truck will drop as gas prices go up (and it takes 91). So I feel it is best to ditch the truck instead of my Rubicon.

The carfax comes back clear no accidents but I know that does not mean anything but it is a start. The dealership informed me they had the wheels media blasted and powdercoated (I like the dark rims but to each there own), they did not painted the car. They wet sanded the paint. Also the photos are not photoshopped.

I contacted BMW who had warranty records up to 07 with no major problems or work done, just maintenance, O2 things of that nature. I have to find out which dealerships in New Jersey and the other states it was to figure out what else has been done to the vehicle. However I do not know how to do that....any suggestions?

If the car isn't worth it and the price is too high I won't buy it. I know the miles are a little high but if it was well cared for it should last many more miles.

I also made a new friend who has graciously said he will check it out and see if it is even worth me flying out there. Diner and beer are on me!

Here's a pic of my truck in front of my parents house in Cali

Need4Spd · 4th March 2011, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beemer Guy

And need4speed, that's not very expensive to do and many dealers will do that for a 20K car. If you've got 10K in a car, wouldn't you spend another $500 on it if it meant selling it quicker and for 1K more? Sure you would.

That is good to know, though with prices around here, the expense would be more in order to sell the car at all, as I'm not so sure you'd recoup the extra money. Maybe, but I do agree it would sell better with a pock-free nose. Back to the topic, maybe it's better for the OP to wait to find exactly the car he wants.

Blown03HD · 4th March 2011, 06:07

I know everyone said it wouldn't sell quick but it sold four days after I posted this for $17000. However I called the dealership and they told me there was not a deposit put down on the car so they still had it but that was 3 days ago. Haven't been able to call them back. I did find another one near me with dinan goodies, chip and exhaust but it is LeMans blue. I really want a black one.