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afsar View Drop Down
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    Posted: 31-July-2009 at 19:34
Guys,

After planning for so long I am quite attracted to a BMW
535d which is on sale privately. This is a mid 2007 model
and offered on quite reasonable price (around 21k'ish).
Since this is a lot of money would and I always wanted to
get AA/RAC inspection done before spending this much. But
AA/RAC check takes almost 3-5 (working) days and I don't
think this car will be on market till then. This is still
under manufacturer warranty, do you guys think it is
worth waiting and risking no deal if someone else buys
it. If I go to see the car tomorrow and find it in good
condition as far as my general check will go then what
other risk is involved in not getting it checked
thoroughly by AA/RAC? this is still under warranty, what
else can go wrong in car of this age?

Please suggest something, I am all geared up to buy this
at the earliest. I will do HPI tonight.

Regards,
Afsar Imam
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kbannon View Drop Down
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Points: 15508 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kbannon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-August-2009 at 09:02
You are right that it should be in good condition given its age but is there a particular reason for the reasonable price?
I would still try and let a specialist get a look a it before buying
Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
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alym786 View Drop Down
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Any mechanic friends? Get them to tag along... But being under warranty should be a bonus!

Check obvious signs like body work FSH etc etc.. How many owners! Why they are selling?
E46 328ci now sold :(
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Andrew Rolland View Drop Down
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If it were me spending that kinda money, I would only be spending it in a BMW dealership for full blown water tightness of the Approved Used Car warranty etc etc.

 

 
Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!

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afsar View Drop Down
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Points: 172 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote afsar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2009 at 09:43
Originally posted by Andrew Rolland Andrew Rolland wrote:

If it were me spending that
kinda money, I would only be spending it in a BMW
dealership for full blown water tightness of the Approved
Used Car warranty etc etc.


 


 


BMW stealership will charge me 28k or so for the same spec
car! 8k for peace of mind!!!
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afsar View Drop Down
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Points: 172 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote afsar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03-August-2009 at 09:49
I went to see the car over the weekend (200 miles each
side journey) and found reasons why this is cheaper then
market price. It is lacking few bits and pieces. Major
things are:

1. Bluetooth module not installed or missing
2. Car was bumped into and then repaired, doesn't come
under CAT C or D. Upon close inspection we can find those
signs.
3. Navigation DVD missing, not that important but still a
point
4. Active cruise control sensor's front fender cover
missing.
5. PDC not working due to impact from back. Don't know
how big this problem is. As this can only be diagnosed by
dealership. It could be few sensors or the whole system.
6. Few noticeable chip on front fender
7. No adaptive headlight
8. One rear tyre near its end of life.
9. Car was not kept in very good condition, e. g. not
cleaned properly, tyres not replaced timely and mix of
tyre brands etc.

Now, how would you rate this car on this price.

Regards,
Afsar Imam

Edited by afsar
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stutay View Drop Down
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Afsar

 

the backend bump wuld be my biggest concern and the lack of PDC operation at the rear of the car...what other issues are hidden behind the bumper!

Stuart
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alym786 View Drop Down
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Walk away... I wouldn't touch it TBH!!!
E46 328ci now sold :(
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afsar View Drop Down
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Good input guys, as always. Thanks again.
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Andrew Rolland View Drop Down
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Points: 6579 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-August-2009 at 08:16

Yeah don't touch it.

If BMW would relieve you of £28k and they only want £21k then it screamed out to me that it was a pup before you ratled off the defect list.

There are plenty of them out there.
Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!

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Previous
'04 04 E60 545i SE Auto
'03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen)
'98 S E39 523i SE Auto
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Peter Fenwick View Drop Down
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Points: 6484 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peter Fenwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-August-2009 at 12:00

With respect to an AA/RAC inspection.

There are two ways this can play out. Either way you check the car yourself and if you like it you put down a deposit, nothing massive, just a £100 or thereabouts.

Then it depends on the seller and whether or not they are willing to refund your deposit if the inspection finds anything major. Now anyone who knows they have a genuine and honest car shouldn't have a problem with this although if the inspection came back with stuff like "needs new brake pads in the next 1000 miles" this would not constitute major.

Even if the seller refuses to agree to refund the deposit in any circumstance, it is a small price to pay for piece of mind when you are spending so much money in a private sale.
Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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afsar View Drop Down
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Originally posted by Peter Fenwick Peter Fenwick wrote:

With respect to an AA/RAC
inspection.


There are two ways this can play out. Either way you
check the car yourself and if you like it you put down a
deposit, nothing massive, just a £100 or thereabouts.


Then it depends on the seller and whether or not they
are willing to refund your deposit if the inspection
finds anything major. Now anyone who knows they have a
genuine and honest car shouldn't have a problem with this
although if the inspection came back with stuff like
"needs new brake pads in the next 1000 miles" this would
not constitute major.


Even if the seller refuses to agree to refund the
deposit in any circumstance, it is a small price to pay
for piece of mind when you are spending so much money in
a private sale.


hmm makes sense to me. It is quite likely that I won't go
ahead with this deal anyway but, was thinking even if the
back is bumped (biggest concern) how much would that may
cost in repair? Let say 2k at most, so even at 23k
this will be a good deal. What do you say?

I have seen few people advertise their car for
ridiculousely high price (e.g.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/213119.htm)

-Afsar

Edited by afsar
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Andrew Rolland View Drop Down
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Points: 6579 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-August-2009 at 13:11

IMO Asfar, £21k is a lot of £££s to be stumping up for a private purchase.  There is logic in saying that even after paying to straighten out the rear end you will be £££s up on the deal but then again you will always know that it has been involved in a shunt.

Mr Fenwick has a good suggestion there, if you are keen to go ahead but if you can hold off from buying a car, wait until you find a better one. 
Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!

Current
'13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto

Previous
'04 04 E60 545i SE Auto
'03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen)
'98 S E39 523i SE Auto
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