Advice please

Diamondgeezer · 11-05-2015, 02:37 PM

Hi all
I posted a few weeks back that I'm looking for a csl

I have just been to see a car and would like to hear your views
The car seems very straight and only has a few stone chips to the front and the front wheel arches have some suface rust

The interior is ok but the steering wheel could do with a retrim but other wise it's ok

The main issue is the service history
There are 7 previous owners but their is no corresponding paper work for the
First 5 owners or before 2009
The service book has been stamped and all the services seem to have been done at main dealers and lately at specialists

It's also now on its 4th different reg number
The mileage is at 73k and I can find nothing to show any major works have been done
The guy who is selling seems honest and I'm sure isn't trying to hide anything
Is it possible to get the service details from BMW ?
I'm planning on getting the car inspected at Bartlett including compression test prior to me handing over any money
Your thoughts please
Cheers

Scott · 11-05-2015, 03:04 PM

The car seems very straight and only has a few stone chips to the front and the front wheel arches have some suface rust

If you can see the rust then I would budget for 2 new wings unless it's an 2004 car which comes with a 12 year paint warranty. Either way, it's a common problem on all E46 M3's.

The interior is ok but the steering wheel could do with a retrim but other wise it's ok

It's done 73k miles so I wouldn't be surprised at this, try giving it a good clean before going for a retrim.

The main issue is the service history
There are 7 previous owners but their is no corresponding paper work for the
First 5 owners or before 2009
The service book has been stamped and all the services seem to have been done at main dealers and lately at specialists

I wouldn't worry about 7 owners, these cars tend to go through a lot of owners as people like to tick them off their 'bucket list' before moving on. If the car was sold by BMW in 2009 then you won't have any paperwork as they don't pass this on to the new owner due to confidentiality reasons.

It's also now on its 4th different reg number

So what?

The mileage is at 73k and I can find nothing to show any major works have been done

Not all cars will have the same problems so this could be a 'good one' or that it was all done prior to 2009.

The guy who is selling seems honest and I'm sure isn't trying to hide anything
Is it possible to get the service details from BMW ?

I managed to get all the work that was carried out on my partners X1 printed off but the car was only 2 years old when she bought it so it's likely that no work was carried out before she got it. If you don't ask you don't get....

I'm planning on getting the car inspected at Bartlett including compression test prior to me handing over any money

Definietely. They will identify any parts that need replacing so could save you in the long run.

**shimmy** · 11-05-2015, 03:19 PM

if you PM me all the private and non private reg numbers ill check to see if any history is on the register

Diamondgeezer · 11-05-2015, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimmy

if you PM me all the private and non private reg numbers ill check to see if any history is on the register

PM sent

Rick H · 11-05-2015, 04:31 PM

Must be this one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...--2003/4131738

Edit: ah, maybe not - not enough owners.

Diamondgeezer · 11-05-2015, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick H

Must be this one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...--2003/4131738

Edit: ah, maybe not - not enough owners.

It's not that one
The cars not advertised for sale anywhere at the moment

s.mac · 11-05-2015, 05:22 PM

You can call bmw for full history, it used to be free, I think it's £1 per min on the new number. I'm not 100% but there is deffo a dedicated line. You will need the chassis number.

s.mac · 11-05-2015, 05:23 PM

You could also ask a friendly service manager, although they shouldn't really give you the info.

Diamondgeezer · 11-05-2015, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.mac

You can call bmw for full history, it used to be free, I think it's £1 per min on the new number. I'm not 100% but there is deffo a dedicated line. You will need the chassis number.

Thanks I'll give it a try tomorrow

Diamondgeezer · 11-05-2015, 07:41 PM

Also forgot to mention that the front and rear carbon parts have blisters/scratches on them
Can these be repaired or I'm I looking at replacements ?

11-05-2015, 02:37 PM	#1
Diamondgeezer S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kent Posts: 76 Casino cash: $4359	Advice please Hi all I posted a few weeks back that I'm looking for a csl I have just been to see a car and would like to hear your views The car seems very straight and only has a few stone chips to the front and the front wheel arches have some suface rust The interior is ok but the steering wheel could do with a retrim but other wise it's ok The main issue is the service history There are 7 previous owners but their is no corresponding paper work for the First 5 owners or before 2009 The service book has been stamped and all the services seem to have been done at main dealers and lately at specialists It's also now on its 4th different reg number The mileage is at 73k and I can find nothing to show any major works have been done The guy who is selling seems honest and I'm sure isn't trying to hide anything Is it possible to get the service details from BMW ? I'm planning on getting the car inspected at Bartlett including compression test prior to me handing over any money Your thoughts please Cheers

11-05-2015, 03:19 PM	#3
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,645 Casino cash: $43908	if you PM me all the private and non private reg numbers ill check to see if any history is on the register __________________ .

11-05-2015, 03:04 PM	#2
Scott S3 - On the open road Join Date: May 2014 Location: Scotland Posts: 117 Casino cash: $7482	The car seems very straight and only has a few stone chips to the front and the front wheel arches have some suface rust If you can see the rust then I would budget for 2 new wings unless it's an 2004 car which comes with a 12 year paint warranty. Either way, it's a common problem on all E46 M3's. The interior is ok but the steering wheel could do with a retrim but other wise it's ok It's done 73k miles so I wouldn't be surprised at this, try giving it a good clean before going for a retrim. The main issue is the service history There are 7 previous owners but their is no corresponding paper work for the First 5 owners or before 2009 The service book has been stamped and all the services seem to have been done at main dealers and lately at specialists I wouldn't worry about 7 owners, these cars tend to go through a lot of owners as people like to tick them off their 'bucket list' before moving on. If the car was sold by BMW in 2009 then you won't have any paperwork as they don't pass this on to the new owner due to confidentiality reasons. It's also now on its 4th different reg number So what? The mileage is at 73k and I can find nothing to show any major works have been done Not all cars will have the same problems so this could be a 'good one' or that it was all done prior to 2009. The guy who is selling seems honest and I'm sure isn't trying to hide anything Is it possible to get the service details from BMW ? I managed to get all the work that was carried out on my partners X1 printed off but the car was only 2 years old when she bought it so it's likely that no work was carried out before she got it. If you don't ask you don't get.... I'm planning on getting the car inspected at Bartlett including compression test prior to me handing over any money Definietely. They will identify any parts that need replacing so could save you in the long run.

11-05-2015, 04:31 PM	#5
Rick H S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: The North West Posts: 801 Casino cash: $12295	Must be this one? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...--2003/4131738 Edit: ah, maybe not - not enough owners.

11-05-2015, 05:22 PM	#7
s.mac CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,247 Casino cash: $15600	You can call bmw for full history, it used to be free, I think it's £1 per min on the new number. I'm not 100% but there is deffo a dedicated line. You will need the chassis number.

11-05-2015, 05:23 PM	#8
s.mac CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,247 Casino cash: $15600	You could also ask a friendly service manager, although they shouldn't really give you the info.

11-05-2015, 07:41 PM	#10
Diamondgeezer S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kent Posts: 76 Casino cash: $4359	Also forgot to mention that the front and rear carbon parts have blisters/scratches on them Can these be repaired or I'm I looking at replacements ?