Generally, I'd always say not to touch it with a barge pole.

However, you haven't said what it is, how old it is, how many miles it has done, how much it is...etc etc

If its an older car (say, 10 years or more) then the necessity of FSH tends to diminish somewhat, but you still can't underestimate the value of it.

spokey wrote: Run, don't walk, for the nearest exit.

I second that!

Talk to BM Fan on here.  He has a similar car that he's selling with a fraction of the mileage and good prevenance for very little more.

I agree with the general concensus above - i.e. leave it alone.

1996 isn't old as in 'OLD'.  Plus, the 328i is a higher end model that you'd expect to come with some history at least.  The fact that there is none at all would concern me greatly.

Out of curiosity, what price is it going for? What specification is it - alloys, manual/auto, leather, aircon, sunroof, obc, etc.?

The fact that it has no service history means that it could end up costing you several thousand on repairs (e.g. the aformentioned nikasil problem). You will never recover this though when it comes to reselling. When i was out looking for my car I stumbled across two cars where I strongly suspect that the engine was shot. One of the garages promptly ran me off the forecourt when I mentioned it! Presumably by now that particular car was sold (it wasn't even a good spec and there was some bodywork repairs/repainting needed!) and the proud new owner regrets the day they even went near it!

My last car was like this,  I contacted the dealer network with my chassis number and they tracked down a good few stamps for me, also if you really want to get the story on the car contact the last owner, they're usually helpfull.

I wouldn't run from it at all... but I would do alot of homework. There are too many bargains to be had in leggy motors with big engines!

Bought my 1995 328 off Skillie who's in the club. It didn't have history, and it was originally english. So I contacted BMW GB, checked it's history (it was in their service network up until 2000), learned it had an engine replacement due to Nikasil in May 1999 etc etc.

It was an 84k car so had component wear anyway. I'm fussy about how my cars drive so knew i'd be replacing bushes, shocks etc anyway, so once I knew I wasn't going to have Nikasil issues, I was happy.

Buying any 2nd hand car is a gamble. They reach a point where a service history or specific milage isn't a priority - the condition or work done to it is. However, for E8,500 and 96, as BM Fan says, do the homework.

The risk I'll run when I sell mine (in a yr or so hopefully, for an E36 M3 saloon or E34 M5 - Right, Ritchie!) is that I don't have the history. However, as I've replaced the suspension with an ACS kit, done the clutch, bushes, new wheels, brakes etc it shouldn't be a factor. So maybe hang on until then?

Best of luck with the searching and purchasing!

Richie wrote: Reeks of a UK car to me!

That car is an import.  Living down this way I have a fair idea of where the numbers ran out in '96.  Also, it looks to be a Sport spec, which was never officially sold here.

Hi Lads,

I don't think I've ever seen it in Limerick, i'd nearly remember if I had, the number is unusual, definitely an import.

Nice car all the same, the mileage wouldn't put me off if it had Nikasil replacement at some stage, if it didn't I'd walk away. The fact that this car falls into the bracket for Nikasil cars is one thing but if it starts drinking oil like Oliver Reed at a free bar, you have nowhere to go with it now that BMW GB have closed the door on Nikasil.

I know plenty of Sixes are running fine with Nikasil blocks but personaly, I wouldn't tempt fate twice. I would have to have some re-assurance that the block was changed..

Mac.

JohnH wrote: Does the Reg look a bit high for an original from limerick in 96? I'd guess that it is.

AHEALY wrote: Is it the spec Richie which gives it away, or it's very tidy condition. Well it looks tidy in the picture anyways.

Given that the reg is 4446 and the NCT is due on the anniversary of the car (which is March 2005), I cannot see four and a half thousand cars being sold in Limerick in the first three months of 1996! I would put money on it being an import.

It is a beauty with a fab spec, and I'm of the opinion that there is nothing to be afraid of with high mile cars at all, or some cars with patchy history, or even cars that have had a light smack, as long as you do a bit of homework. There are some great bargains to be had.

All of my cars have had something wrong that has put the majority off. But it's been easily fixed - no history? Thorough check of what has been done, partic engine replacement for Nikasil cars. Evidence of body repair work? Get a professional body guy to examine the work done and get his opinion on structure, quality, paint etc. Mechanical ailments - establish how much the bits will be and how much you can do, and make an offer accordingly.

Do you do alot of miles a year? Will you be trading something in? You could haggle a serious amount of wedge off that 328i which will offset the resale hit you might take. And if what history it has from BMW GB makes sense, & it has the nikasil issue resolved (in which case the current engine might have only 50-60k on it), it could be an alright buy at the right price.

Black on black leather isn't strange, and while sometimes an import might be here to conveniently lose it's patchy history, imports are not to be afraid of..

I'm going against the general opinion, and I'll qualify my comments by saying there will be things like fuel pumps, fan clutch, head gasket etc.. that are generic BMW faults you mightn't get on a lower milage car. It also helps if you're some way mechanically minded to spot problems before they become a problem (which is all experience and ya have to start somewhere ).

(jaysus I'm brutal at short consise posts, aren't I?)

There's no need to be afraid of imports so long as you can reason what you are getting - as others have said, find out when it was imported. It's good to know for reasons outlined above and also for rust. If it's just out of the UK then that means it's had 9 winters of potentially salty roads. Might look fine now but four years down the road it might be needing body work. Try to find out where it was based in the UK - if up north there's more chance of it being a bit dodgy underneath than if used down south.

For the age of the car and the asking price, you'd want to be holding on to it long term if you don't want to lose too much on it.

My E28 was originally a UK car - there's almost no rust on it. My brother's E28, same age as mine, was also a UK car and was a wreck underneath.

Beavis wrote: Generally, is there a problem with imports?

In my opinion, no.  In fact I'd usually say the opposite.  All but one of my BMW's have been ex-UK.  The problem with any car, UK or not, is when the service history takes a walk.  In many cases the history takes a walk becuase it doesn't tally with the mileage on the clock.  My approach usually is to make an offer based on their being no history, the mileage being wrong and value it purely on condition with a reduction for the extra risk.  In the case of this car, the extra risk is compounded by the potential for a nikasil issue.  You're looking at the thick end of €3k if you need to deal with that.  Other wear and tear costs on a 328i will obviously be pricier than for something more mundane.  It is very comforting to have evidence that the previous owners of a car didn't run it on a shoestring.

TJ is right, you may be able to fill in many of the gaps by doing homework either before or after buying.  But that can only be considered a bonus.  The history may not be there because the car may actually have had a haircut.  The fact that the car is an import really doesn't add to or reduce the risk. 

The case for UK cars is that, if you shop well, you will get a better spec of car that has a far better chance of having a genuine and verifiable history and in many cases save youself a little money.  The biggest advantage is the choice, especially in niche cars.  If you really wanted to buy a '96 328i Sport in Ireland right now your choice is non-existent, the car you are looking at is it.  Do a search on the UK Autotrader and there are likely to be several. 

There are a lot of myths about UK cars, many propagated by the motor trade, that the cars are inferior, usually have starship mileages, etc.  The UK has the same set of myths about European imports.  There are just as many low mileage cars over there but usually there is a premium to pay for them.  With the higher mileage cars, even that may not be an issue.  The wear and tear on a car that does 100k miles in 2 years trundling up and down motorways at optimum temperatures and other operating conditions is far less in most respects than a low mileage car that is started from cold a couple of times a day and run on short journeys for the same length of time.

I'd guess that this isn't a recent import going by the reg number, I'd say it was probably imported around 98/99.

After all this, don't be put off if you really want the car, but reduce your risk as much as possible and walk away if the dealer won't meet your needs.  Cars are like buses (ought to be), there'll be another along in a while.

Beavis

Was the service in Limerick with Keogh's?  If so, it might be worth a call to Noreen, the service receptionist.  Its where I have my cars serviced and it can be a pain in the ass to get them to stamp the book, so no stamps might not mean no service.  Even if you leave the book on the drivers seat, they'll sit on it, but they won't stamp it.  Their number is 061 313355.

Sounds very like it might be overdue an Insp II and it's quite possible the last owner did'nt fancy the cost, could well be 5,6,700 yoyo's of a service incl. consumables waiting for the next owner. If this is the case you'll need to get him to knock a good bit off the asking price. Ask him can you get someone to have a look at it, cost work etc. check how much of a warranty he'll give you (3 months prob) then make him a daft offer and see his reaction.

I think you've already planted the seeds of doubt in your mind with your last comment, "probably better to leave it".

well at least you've had your first drive / assessment of a 328i - all the better to compare with the next 328 you test drive!

BM Fan wrote: That is what the 328 is all about - magic power and torque whenever you want it

Wait till you get to try that in the M3!

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 

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.

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.