Buying a 10+ year old car what could go wrong?

One of my favorite time-killers is checking out what older cars are on sale on places like ebay and every now and then I get really tempted to make a bad decision.

Like this one for example, http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-Series...m=191826148673

A 13 year old BMW V8 with 75k miles on the clock. I mean it's a smart buy right? I think the price is nuts, but I guess I'll let someone like Beer Drinker weigh in on that. What could possibly go wrong?

https://greatcarpics.smugmug.com/Bmw...O/IMG_3871.jpg


What's caught your eye lately that's got you thinking about throwing money down the drain?

Go big and get the m car! The only thing w/ BMW is that the electronics are super expensive. I think the running gear is pretty solid though. Other issues are whether it was owned by a boyracer that flogged the shit out of it...

2007 HYUNDAI SONATA

i wanna drop a 350 chevy engine in it

https://automobile-assets.s3.amazona...onata-nf-2.jpg :fm:

seriously a Benz 300ce had 2 of them i would like to find one with a AMG V-8

http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/wp-...CE-3.4-AMG.jpg

I'd say get the 4Runner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qlin2eSX60

jaguars V8 kits


2nd option

re: what could go wrong?

it ranges from not much to shitfuck if you don't know what you're doing

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Originally Posted by 1080Rider

Go big and get the m car! The only thing w/ BMW is that the electronics are super expensive. I think the running gear is pretty solid though. Other issues are whether it was owned by a boyracer that flogged the shit out of it...

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I don't know why but this one is very tempting - against all reason. We've been very lucky with our BMs regarding electrical issues until our 2014 X5 that we ceremoniously ditched for a Volvo. The car's damned computer kept killing the engine in traffic. Previous X5 was 'glitchy' too. Maybe the older ones are simpler and are a smarter buy? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Kenny Satch

2007 HYUNDAI SONATA



i want to drop a 350 chevy engine in it

https://automobile-assets.s3.amazona...onata-nf-2.jpg :fm:

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I'm waiting for DD's TR before I pull that trigger. I have suspicions the Sonata will eat itself to pieces and I want him to try it first.

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Originally Posted by AK47bp

I'd say get the 4Runner

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The red one? What about the Subaru?

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Originally Posted by east or bust

re: what could go wrong?

it ranges from not much to shitfuck if you don't know what you're doing

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Yeah, all of a sudden I find myself reading bimmerfest's e39 problem threads. I think it's easier if I just say 'looks good', close my eyes and wince.


Here's a pretty girl. Reminds me of my dad's old '04 540i black/tan (loved that car). How many miles is too many miles?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121921227295...MakeTrack=true

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/P2oAAO...Up/s-l1600.jpg

I think its god's way of telling you that ... you have too much money

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Originally Posted by 1080Rider

Go big and get the m car! The only thing w/ BMW is that the electronics are super expensive. I think the running gear is pretty solid though. Other issues are whether it was owned by a boyracer that flogged the shit out of it...

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Love the Ms and have owned one, but that 5 series is tasty. The M comes packed to the gills with performance but the 5s are beautiful blank canvases. If Bmills wanted to tinker with it over time, he can make a 5 series faster than he can make an M.

Subaru's have head gasket issues. Silver or white 4Runner I hear is the best choice, the red ones have had issues with the differential.... From what I've read.

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Originally Posted by AK47bp

Subaru's have head gasket issues. .

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not EJ253 2.5 4 cyl

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Originally Posted by AK47bp

Subaru's have head gasket issues. Silver or white 4Runner I hear is the best choice, the red ones have had issues with the differential.... From what I've read.

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Can you please explain the paint job affecting the longevity of a 4Runner? Were they made in different factories?

I'm into cars from the 1990s and early 2000s and am always on the lookout for lower mile examples with a documented history. Find a car that's been cared for and the maintenance shouldn't be any more of an issue than a new car. Could be less in some cases.

2008 with less miles. 0-60 in 4.8 with AWD and cooled seats is a full 2 seconds faster than 2003 540i

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...ting=133370260

http://cimg.carsforsale.com/334836/8...t=012920161505

Almost bought a wagon of that generation a few years back. IIRC the cooling system is a weak spot.

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Originally Posted by Kenny Satch

seriously a Benz 300ce had 2 of them i would like to find one with a AMG V-8

http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/wp-...CE-3.4-AMG.jpg

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doesnt come with a v8 dummy

thats a 3 liter

Learned it from Hugh (RIP) but I like to check www.bringatrailer.com pretty regularly, mostly just to consider really bad ideas

I want to say early 2000s M5s are pretty damn reasonable at this point as well...

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Originally Posted by digitaldeath

doesnt come with a v8 dummy

thats a 3 liter

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DD-bag they're V-8 conversions you moron. I had 2 of them I know that
what a fuckin tool you are

your reading skills suck..... you Copper Cowboy of ducking ropes

My boss bought a 2002 M5. So far (he's had it for 1 month) he's needed a new clutch, cam position sensors, and new driveline. I would say it's more than just the electronics that go out on these.

hahahah v8 conversions

good luck


nobody popping v8s into mercedes moron, real mercedes come with v8s so no need to swap

you can get a 5 liter v8 in an s500 for under 5 grand

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Originally Posted by Kenny Satch

DD-bag they're V-8 conversions you moron. I had 2 of them I know that
what a fuckin tool you are

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Just get a CL550 for $20k. Much better car.

^ any old performance car is going to be a nightmare... Who buys an M5 and doesn't wring the shit out of it?

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Originally Posted by 4matic

2008 with less miles. 0-60 in 4.8 with AWD and cooled seats is a full 2 seconds faster than 2003 540i

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...ting=133370260

http://cimg.carsforsale.com/334836/8...t=012920161505

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Got it in a wagon?

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Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Almost bought a wagon of that generation a few years back. IIRC the cooling system is a weak spot.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Almost bought a wagon of that generation a few years back. IIRC the cooling system is a weak spot.

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The e39? Yeah, that's what I'm finding on bimmerfest. Apparently if you don't replace the fan clutch it sends bits through the hood and quarter panels. Now that's driving excitement!