M3 for sale warning and some opinions needed - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

04ImolaZHP · 18th May 2007, 08:17

hey guys, i am in the market for a m3 vert, maybe a z4 m vert, or a boxster s, but leaning towards an m3 and came accross the following today. i am including some original posts from another forum so for those of you who may have seen them elsewhere, i am sorry. for the rest of you just fyi. for any of you that would like to comment please do so.

also, not sure where i should have posted this so it is going here.

"I came across this m3 and am debating on weather it is worth buying at any price.

Here are the details:

2006 (in service date of June 2005, so it is a two year old car) M3 convertible. All options except 19's, pass through trunk and HK. Price asking is $47,000. They just lowered it over the phone to $46,500. I know the car was purchased from the auction for $45,500. Tires and wheels in brand new condition. So far so good, BUT...

I checked with my SA and the BMW notes state that the car was in a major front end collision in late 2006. To be specific a $21k hit. However, the car was fixed perfectly. it drives perfectly, it drives straight and is in great condition inside and out. carfax (as usual) does not show any problems.

here is the question - do I buy the car at ANY price, or do I just walk away?

If the answer is yes, buy the car, how much should I offer? I know i am not buying it for $46,500 for sure but what would be a reasonable price so I dont lose my shirt on it later?

thanks in advance for your suggestions."

04ImolaZHP · 18th May 2007, 08:17

here is the update:

"so here is the scoop. i called the dealership today and explained to them again about all the damage etc. etc. i offered them $35k and as expected they laughed at me. i as ok with that but what bothered me was the conversation that followed. some of the things the guy mentioned was "well every car has a buyer and we will not sell a car at a loss and we will find a buyer." they also said "not every buyer is as thorough as you and definitely does not have your resources you have." i mentioned to them that either they know about the damage and did not disclose it to me or they bought it from someone who should have disclosed it to them in which case they may have a recourse, but they did not seem to care one way or the other.

as a result here is the VIN: WBSBR93426PK09752. carfax on it is WAAAAY wrong. if you know anyone that may be looking at it, now at least they can make an educated decision by knowing the entire history of the car.

for those of you that replied, thank you very much. as you know i am a firm believer in full disclosures and it was useful to hear what otheres were thinking."

unfoundhorsepower · 18th May 2007, 13:45

Lots of flooded cars coming from LA. from Catrina...they are all made to look good after the flood, but still junk !!! watch out !!!!!

cosioboy · 18th May 2007, 17:04

Hey D.

Yeah, I would not touch flooded/hailed/collisioned cars with a 10ft pole.

It wasn't long ago (about 5 months) that many of the local NJ dealers here still had brand new M3 'verts sitting in thier inventory (2006s) and offered them at $8K under sticker (with winter [and new model] coming, not surprising)! Seriously, there was one in fact that looked so tempting, Carbon Black with Caramel, but the SMG was the buzz kill... Anyhow, check around, luck may be on your side.

04ImolaZHP · 18th May 2007, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosioboy

Hey D.

Yeah, I would not touch flooded/hailed/collisioned cars with a 10ft pole.

It wasn't long ago (about 5 months) that many of the local NJ dealers here still had brand new M3 'verts sitting in thier inventory (2006s) and offered them at $8K under sticker (with winter [and new model] coming, not surprising)! Seriously, there was one in fact that looked so tempting, Carbon Black with Caramel, but the SMG was the buzz kill... Anyhow, check around, luck may be on your side.

thanks man, i appreciate it. it seems the prices have gone up with the summer here. most of the asking prices for these are plain ridiculous. i will keep poking around and see what turns up. but in case anyone is looking for an m3 b sure to let them know of this vin.

ard · 18th May 2007, 19:56

Thanks for posting this- and the VIN.

When I am looking at a car (and I am shopping again) I simply Google the VIN. Duh. It is AMAZING what you might find! (Also google the mileage on the advert too!)

I My guess is the car will get 'disappeared' to another dealer so the next dealer can claim "no known accidents". In fact, that might happen anyway.

Folks that think buying from a dealer will 'protect' them are under the wrong assumption.

A

http://www.google.com/search?q=WBSBR93426PK09752

Maybe 20 or 30 emails from folks to the various links will get the message across?

H Bomb · 18th May 2007, 23:56

LMAO what pieces of shite, i just called there and pretended to not know about the car and asked a few questions and then i said so what is the history etc etc any accidents?? nothin nothin very clean clean carfax. so i say what can you do on the price and he says nothing, so i say being it was in a major front end collision your not gonna discount it anymore?? ****$n dead silence for about 7 seconds. i go hey buddy you still there?? coughs and says yeah, he goes well it was discounted from 52k to 47k bc of that so i say what about when you just said it was clean no accidents?? yeah that what i thought shady arse dealer have a great time sellin that car now that it has been plastered on every online car board lol and hung up

i hate car dealers there all pieces of shite and this just confirms it

ard · 19th May 2007, 02:20

How many calls until they decide to bail?

Lying POS.

04ImolaZHP · 19th May 2007, 03:05

damn, nice. like i said, i would buy the car for like $35k. then i can disclose it to the next guy and life goes on.

and also like i said, if they would have shown any sort of remorse, i might not of even plastered this on every borad, only on 6speed, but since they seem not to care and are intentionally not disclosing it - have a great day trying to sell it.

i also wonder how many other cars like this that people are getting taken on. it is one thing if you resprayed the hood or bumpers or even the side, but another if you re-did the front end... oh, well...

04ImolaZHP · 19th May 2007, 03:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Bomb

LMAO what pieces of shite, i just called there and pretended to not know about the car and asked a few questions and then i said so what is the history etc etc any accidents?? nothin nothin very clean clean carfax. so i say what can you do on the price and he says nothing, so i say being it was in a major front end collision your not gonna discount it anymore?? ****$n dead silence for about 7 seconds. i go hey buddy you still there?? coughs and says yeah, he goes well it was discounted from 52k to 47k bc of that so i say what about when you just said it was clean no accidents?? yeah that what i thought shady arse dealer have a great time sellin that car now that it has been plastered on every online car board lol and hung up

i hate car dealers there all pieces of shite and this just confirms it

just curious, who did u talk to? pm me if u dont wann put it all over the net.

they are gonna hate me now! damn, and they got a copy of my DL.

they forgot that for the most part, we are a pretty large community that helps each other out.