My very own car thread...

[BurnHard]

Can't find the original thread anywhere, musta gotten deleted by all the tech work lately...

In any case, opinions please?:
2002 BMW 325xi
130k miles
18" OEM BMW wheels
H&R lowering springs with Bilstein struts and shocks (1" drop)
Sport package, leather, Xenon, HK sound, all the good shit
New clutch & flywheel, new brake pads & rotors
OCD owner, all regular maintenance done with proof

$8500

Seems like a slick deal to me.
Exactly what I need (AWD, stick shift, way fun to drive, ok power, good mpg), just a little on the small side (would prefer the wagon, but whatever, no biggie).

How bad are Beamers wrt maintenance once you reach those high mileages, 130k+? I hear those engines last forever, truth? Concerns?

[mnskier]

Sick cars, but always know if your not doing your own maintenance you will always be paying extra just because it is a German car

I'd still go for it though sounds like a good deal

[Danno]

"Find all threads started by BurnHard"

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s......?highlight=

[BurnHard]

"Find all threads started by BurnHard"

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s......?highlight=

Hmmmm... That's *exactly* what I did, and it wasn't there. I SWEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR OMG OMG OMG. Ok ok. Jong me.

[BurnHard]

Aight. Took the 325xi for another spin today, awesome car, lots of fun.
I'm *almost* sold.

1) Should I take the car to a shop and have it looked at? Rather not have to spend that money, and I feel like I can trust this guy, he's seriously anal about maintenance records, has done everything by the book & more.

2) What kind of protection do I have in a private sale if the car totally breaks down like a week or month after purchase? Should I write up some kind of contract, is it automatically implied in a sale that the car should work for more than a week? Totally naive about private car sales...

Will decide by tonight if I buy the car.

[Johnny Deep]

For $8500, you have a lot left over for fixing things vs. buying something a lot newer. Buying anything with 130K on the clock has inherent risks.

[Danno]

You have pretty much zero protection if the car breaks down. And you ABSOLUTELY should take it to a mechanic. Even if the guy is 100% trustworthy, that doesn't mean that there isn't something lurking that he doesn't know about that would make you not want to buy the car. Pay the money to have someone reputable check it out.

[karpiel]

I could check it out, not the same as getting it on a lift, but I'm free and doing presale inspections is half my job.

[GBB]

Take it to an indie Bimmer mechanic. The outlay will be worth it.

[karpiel]

Take it to an indie Bimmer mechanic. The outlay will be worth it.

That's the other half of my job.

[Poop~Ghost]

100% agree with getting it checked out for 200-300 bucks.

Shit that you might not notice that could drastically lower the price:
- Ball Joints / Control Arm Bushings worn out
- Almost rusted through exhaust / header pipes
- MAF
VAGCOM will tell you if they've cleared any codes that will throw a CEL 150 miles down the road... it will say "not ready" until it has been run enough times to say "ready"

Yeah, it sucks to throw money at a mechanic for a car that you don't own, but if they do find some stuff... take it to the seller and say you've got $1200 worth of required repairs to do - or drop the price and I'll take care of it.

[Obstruction]

Get it looked at. Karpiel seems to know his shit based on what I've seen in auto related threads.

For that vintage of bimmer price is fair to good with that mileage. So I'd approach it as a square deal until told otherwise. Cooling system/expansion tank go bad a fair amount, control arms etc. can cost you some $$$, PS pumps have been known to go on some e46 cars.

That the brakes are done and that it's not an slush box are big positives. And you are right, the engines on these things will love you long time.

[PowTron]

How bout this?

[BurnHard]

^^^ FKNA!!! My little brother just bought the 2011 version of that, 0.9L engine, ~60mpg, best commuter ever...

[PowTron]

^^^ FKNA!!! My little brother just bought the 2011 version of that, 0.9L engine, ~60mpg, best commuter ever...

yeah, a guy I know used to have one in his garage rusting away to nothing. Always made me sad.

[karpiel]

Get it looked at. Karpiel seems to know his shit based on what I've seen in auto related threads.

For that vintage of bimmer price is fair to good with that mileage. So I'd approach it as a square deal until told otherwise. Cooling system/expansion tank go bad a fair amount, control arms etc. can cost you some $$$, PS pumps have been known to go on some e46 cars.

That the brakes are done and that it's not an slush box are big positives. And you are right, the engines on these things will love you long time.

Yea, cooling system is KEY to the longevity of any BMW. Hoses every couple years, radiator at 100k, pump every 60k. IMO.
I would also do the fuel pump and filter, I've never seen one go bad/get loud gradually, you just go out in the morning and it's dead.

I was gonna get it on ramps and check out everything, though from my experience it's VERY easy to feel anything wrong in a BMW with the tight suspension and heavy steering.

[karpiel]

Yeah, it sucks to throw money at a mechanic for a car that you don't own, but if they do find some stuff... take it to the seller and say you've got $1200 worth of required repairs to do - or drop the price and I'll take care of it.

I don't really agree with haggling over the typical "repairs" cars most often need, things that don't really affect its driveability, that's part of why it's 8500, not 30k. If it's something like a clogged radiator, leaky water pump, slipping clutch or bald tires, sure.

Perhaps the control arms were replaced when he did the H&R sport, they can be pricey if they wear out (320 per side + labor).

I've driven some over 200k with original bushings that were tighter than others with 50k.

[BurnHard]

Thanks for so much help guys, appreciated!

Since I started the thread I already got him down to $8300, with new floor mats, new stock front headlights for free (which he had replaced with the currently installed Xenon lights), and pre-sale detailing. I think at the last minute with cash in hand I can get him to $8200.

Yea, cooling system is KEY to the longevity of any BMW. Hoses every couple years, radiator at 100k, pump every 60k. IMO.
I would also do the fuel pump and filter, I've never seen one go bad/get loud gradually, you just go out in the morning and it's dead.

I was gonna get it on ramps and check out everything, though from my experience it's VERY easy to feel anything wrong in a BMW with the tight suspension and heavy steering.

Never driven a Bimmer before... suspension felt awesome, IMHO, very tight around corners, stiff, loved it. Steering was super heavy indeed, very surprised, but feels good at higher speeds.

Thanks for all the help karpiel! Let's check it out over the weekend, I'll PM ya.