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Shifty Needs Your Help in Buying a Car

191 messages,  Last post on Dec 21, 2010 at 10:06 AM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Coupe

Messages Page 16 of 20

#142 of 191 Re: Shifty: [lemmer] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 13, 2007 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: lemmer (Dec 13, 2007 11:28 am)
I've done exhaustive research on owner feedback, and it's good on the MINI, at least after 2003 or so. Prior to that, there were a few glitches with the base model transmission, some motor mount issues, and a rear shock issue. That's about it.
 
I made an offer on a 2003 Cooper S, nice low miles car, but the owner turned down $16,000, which I thought was more than fair. So I walked. I'm not paying a penny more.
 
Now I'm looking at a one-owner 1999 BMW 528i, super clean, with NAV, roof, and the other options, 110K miles but all dealer-serviced and all services ticked off in the book, right on time. I'm thinking of offering $7K on this one, because the AC doesn't work and I'm allowing for the "Hans/Dieter" syndrome, which translates into at least $2,000 in repairs for anything with a BMW logo on it.

#143 of 191 Re: 528i by hpmctorque

Dec 13, 2007 (9:46 pm)

$7,000 would be an attractive price point for the example you describe, even if you should have to invest an additional $2,000 in the first six months for unforeseen repairs, and/or to make it perfect.

#144 of 191 Re: 528i [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 14, 2007 (9:45 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 13, 2007 9:46 pm)
The boys on the "Real World Value" board, those knife-sharpening experts that they are, think I'm a bit high at $7K---but I failed to mention to them that the car had NAV. On the other hand, the owner did confess to a fender bender many years ago (car backed into the rear quarter) but it's not on CARFAX so I don't really care. However, the used car guys did factor that in, as they are trained to do. They were thinking $6K. I suspect the owner might not go for that, but one can try.
 
Like I said, I'm like a fat cat right now. I have a car to drive, I have cash, so I can just walk away from any deal I don't like. I can FEEL the power--LOL! (not that plunking down $16K for a used car is chicken-feed to me).

#145 of 191 Re: 528i [Mr_Shiftright] by oregonboy

Dec 14, 2007 (11:14 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 14, 2007 9:45 am)
FEEL THE POWER... oh yeah, baby.
 
I love BMWs, although I have not owned one for many, many years. I still read about them and occasionally entertain fantasies of buying one. So your expression of interest was enough to make me do a little looking and I came across this beautiful (and expensive) 5-spd example:
 
528i 5-spd Sport
 
Pertinent to your potential purchase is the following quote:
 
My knowledge of BMWs is extensive and I work with them professionally.... In looking for a pre-'01 style 5-series I wanted to avoid the clumsier steering systems on the 540s -and the fuel economy- and I could not get a '99 or '00 528i: Be informed that BMW North America is on the verge of receiving a class action lawsuit for not recalling continued failures of the improperly assembled dual Vanos units on the '99 and '00 2.8L motors.
 
You might try to determine if the sellers allegation is based in fact.
 
Good luck... is yours a manual or auto?
 
james

#146 of 191 Re: 528i [oregonboy] by oregonboy

Dec 14, 2007 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: oregonboy (Dec 14, 2007 11:14 am)
class action lawsuit for not recalling continued failures of the improperly assembled dual Vanos units on the '99 and '00 2.8L motors
 
Upon reflection, if there were a serious problem with an eight year old engine, it probably would have self-destructed long ago.
 
james, just talkin' to himself here.

#147 of 191 Re: 528i [oregonboy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 14, 2007 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: oregonboy (Dec 14, 2007 5:54 pm)
Yes one would think that at 100K something bad would have happened already.
 
The weakest part of these cars (and the 3 series) is the cooling system.

#148 of 191 Re: 528i (Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque

Dec 15, 2007 (7:58 am)

I hadn't heard about the cooling system weakness, but has it been corrected in newer BMWs?

#149 of 191 Re: 528i (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 15, 2007 (8:57 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 15, 2007 7:58 am)
Dunno. But yes, 90s BMWs are notorious for cooling system failures at around 80K or so. Best if you have one to just replace the radiator, water pump and thermostat housing at 60K and save yourself some trouble.

#150 of 191 Re: 528i (Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque

Dec 15, 2007 (2:01 pm)

I replaced the radiator on my '87 325 at 112,000, because it developed a leak, and was too old to repair. Fortunately, it never overheated. I imagine that if it was an ongoing problem on the 3 and 5-Series of the '90s that BMW would have been addressed it at some point.

#151 of 191 It has been a while by lemmer

Mar 02, 2009 (7:37 am)

Shifty has been driving a Subaru for what seems like forever now. Simultaneously with the economy the way it is, prices have fallen on some great luxury cars and lots of older fun cars. I suspect this has caused Shifty to be on the prowl a little bit. Am I wrong?

Messages Page 16 of 20

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