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Beavis View Drop Down
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Joined: 08-February-2005
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Points: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-February-2005 at 13:40
There were no service lights on the dashboard. It was serviced once by Pat Keogh's in Limerick, probably sold by them. As for manual vs. automatic - I couldn't agree more! Automatic was all that was on offer, though, and these cars seem to be thin on the ground in Ireland. I'll take a look in the UK. I'm not specifically looking for a 328i - any cool beast of a machine will do. I don't think this car was maintained properly, if at all -there were poorly repaired seals on the windows and some shabby bodywork. I'll call Keogh's to see if it was serviced, but I think this car could be a heartbreaker. I may take it at a ridiculous price if I can get it; or maybe not... Better to look at a few others first,anyway.
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Beavis View Drop Down
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Points: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-February-2005 at 14:14
Richie,

I never thought of buying a car on E-bay. Would you do it? Surely you've got to see it, drive it, etc... bidding blind and committing yourself seems risky. The car I was looking at looks great in the photos and at a glance on the forecourt - the lack of servicing, plus a closer inspection and test drive put me off. There's a car on carzone which looks great in the photos but is pretty scruffy in reality:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carI D=179884

Buyer beware with this stuff. Has anyone bought on E-bay successfully?
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Joined: 04-November-2002
Location: Dublin,Ireland
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Points: 2526 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-February-2005 at 14:22
I looked at that car last night in Terenure and I'm not even sure they are the original 328i sport alloys on it. Close but I'm not sure.

If you do your homework on the car you pick on ebay you should be ok. Get hi res pics of the areas of the car YOU want. Check the service history,chasis original spec etc with the garage. Find out where the car is located and maybe get someone from our UK section to test it for you!! Even join www.e36coupe.com and there are millions of lads on there only too happy to help out.

Thats first car on the links I put up was tasty!
Richie


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BM Fan View Drop Down
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Joined: 19-January-2004
Location: Ireland
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Points: 1054 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-February-2005 at 15:06
@ Dergside - Yep in the M3 you need to be out before you hit the loud pedal otherwise you end up turning the artic into a rigid - lol


@ Beavis - if its the inside rear window seals, they all pop up on the older coupes, the glue just gives way but if thay are loose its worthwhile removing the windows and replacing the seal that contacts the glass on the outside as they perish with age and then reglue the inside trim.  Its not a major job - just takes a few hours.  I really need to do it on the M3 and to be honest the 328 would benefit from it also.
Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!)
Previous Models
2001 E39 520i Auto
1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual
1996 E36 328i Coupe
1997 E36 318i Conv
1992 E36 316i Sln

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T.J. View Drop Down
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Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
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Points: 2332 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-February-2005 at 03:27
grrr - I was quite content with my M3-lite until I read that stuff! Now, more than ever before, an M-car is confirmed as a must have @ some point in the future!
Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon


Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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BM Fan View Drop Down
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Joined: 19-January-2004
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Points: 1054 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-February-2005 at 04:57
TJ - your welcome to a spin in mine whenever I get her sorted.

Be very interested to see how you think it compares to the 328 sport as compared with the standard 328 coupe.

I couldn't get over the difference.  Its not the performance that is the biggest difference but the handling is like chalk and cheese.


Edited by BM Fan
Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!)
Previous Models
2001 E39 520i Auto
1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual
1996 E36 328i Coupe
1997 E36 318i Conv
1992 E36 316i Sln

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T.J. View Drop Down
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Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
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Points: 2332 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2005 at 07:22
@ BM Fan - thanks for the offer! I'll be as interested to see how you feel my AC Schnitzered 328 compares drive-wise to your stock 328 and new M3 experiences... We might arrange a swap or go out at the same time at the track day for a run.
Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon


Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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trev View Drop Down
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Joined: 31-January-2005
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Points: 45 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2005 at 09:05

WOW - thats what I call feedback to a question 3 pages ago...

I am breaking my back trying to locate and then convince myself to get an old 6-series...should I say the '6'

I have scoured auto trader and ebay and many more..this clubs for sale isnt too bad...

problem with the BMW cars is the huge gra or respect they engender in the owner..and if the owner is in a BMW club..forget about getting a bargain..but you can be a lot more certain of a good car.

Its a trade off always...risk drives the whole thing.

If the seller has covered the risks...FSH, good care, all receptis etc. then he wins in the price war; if the seller cant offer that, then the buyer MAY win in the price war.

But the buyer of the car without the FSH records will have to make all the running if there are hidden gremlins.

The 6 series is a Far far better buy from UK for a few reasons: most importantly the condition of the roads with such a heavy fast moving car...no irish car can expect to survive the condidtions here and still be ok 20 years later; secondly, storage is far more accessible in the UK...the amount of classic cars out in the open in this country beggars belief...great examples in Classic Car magazine this month..the Greek lads has his Lambo in a garage covered in a layer of dust etc but we have a few hillmans etc under a few bushes near killarney..big diff. bewtween lambos and hillman I know..but...Uk ldas tend to take care; and thridly and linked to 'better care', the prices and availability of parts encourages repairs that we might try to walk away from or half-do to make it economical.

One message spoke about the Motor industry protectionist tendency in this and all countries...based on myth mostly...if VRT ever falls or gets abolished...there will be a scramble for the next RYan Air flight over to London for cars...might even still be worth it on a Aer Lingus...

I am of the view that buying irish secnond hand is costly, lacks choice, lower tendency to find well serviced cars, lower interest due to the initial and maintanance costs, subject to shocking roads from 1995 back at least, tend to be down on spec due to insurance companies loking for 'any ole excuse'. etc etc

Glad I got that out...of course the UK probably has its duds and con men...but if the FSH is there (as it wasnt this time) get your boat ticket, I say!!

Limerick 
trev
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Beavis View Drop Down
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Joined: 08-February-2005
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Points: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2005 at 17:45
As Trev said - incredible feedback. Thanks everyone! I'll keep looking; test driving such a car has whetted my appetite.

Beavis.
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Richie View Drop Down
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Joined: 04-November-2002
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Points: 2526 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-February-2005 at 18:53
Beavis,IYou should mail those one's from ebay now the auction is over. They didn't reach the target price so you could find out how much they want cash!!!
Richie


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Beavis View Drop Down
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Joined: 08-February-2005
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Points: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-February-2005 at 10:13
What's the situation regarding insurance when you buy in the UK - for driving it home, I mean? Will your insurance company temporarily transfer your policy to the car you've just bought? Will there be a problem in driving without an insurance disc? Any other issues?
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Richie View Drop Down
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Points: 2526 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-February-2005 at 10:28
I don't think there is a problem driving it cos I'm sure your policy covers you for short periods in the uk. You could always ring them when you pick it up and get cover right there and then! You considering it?
Richie


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Mac View Drop Down
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Joined: 15-October-2003
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Points: 200 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-February-2005 at 10:57

The basic story is you ring up your insurance company and tell them you're switching your policy from  X to Y, giving the car's make value and the UK Reg. I imported a car from the North a few years back and the Insurance people insisted that it be cleared ASAP..I'm not sure if that's still the case, alternatively, I think Customs can catch up on you if you spend too long driving in the Republic on a UK Reg.



Edited by Mac
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kbannon View Drop Down
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E39 525i Sport Individual

Joined: 09-October-2002
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Points: 15508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-February-2005 at 11:05
Firther to what Mac said, as your main car would be uninsured whilst the UK car is covered, make sure it is safely locked!
Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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Dergside View Drop Down
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Joined: 16-May-2004
Location: Mid West, Ireland
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Points: 4000 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-February-2005 at 18:15

Originally posted by Beavis Beavis wrote:

What's the situation regarding insurance when you buy in the UK - for driving it home, I mean? Will your insurance company temporarily transfer your policy to the car you've just bought? Will there be a problem in driving without an insurance disc? Any other issues?

I've done it several times over the years.  I just ring my broker and give them the UK reg and details for a temporary transfer of cover.  When the car has been declared for VRT and I have an IR reg I just give it to them and make the transfer permanent. 

As Mac said, you are supposed to declare the car within either 48 hours of arriving withthe car in the country.  They used to be fairly strict about it and want to see things like ferry tickets, etc. but they pay a bit little less attention now.  However, if they do pull you up they have the power to impound the car, so it would be best just to do a mea culpa with them and get the VRT sorted pronto.
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Beavis View Drop Down
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Points: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21-February-2005 at 15:18
Thanks. If I see the right car, I'll do it.
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