I need some expert help

[Tg325i]

I'm trying to buy this car today but there are a few things I'm not sure about. I think this guy might try to be selling me a 328i convertible and not a m3 convertible. Any signs whether or not it's an m3? I know he changed some parts around. Any help is much appreciated! http://reading.craigslist.org/cto/3822192694.html
http://images.craigslist.org/3Fa3Nc3Hc5I55Gc5Jad5m2be65503e305103d.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3E33J83Na5N65L65E7d5m59ce9b865b181100.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3E43K43I25L15N95Gcd5md41c77bd4b7f124a.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3K33F53J65Ib5G85Hfd5mbf4e868416bd1072.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3L13J33N25I45Gc5J6d5m1aec9e08c3d619c4.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3Gc3M53Hb5Ne5F95Mbd5mce9f760c9a701206.jpg

[flyfishvt]

Run the vin through a vin decoder. Use the vin on the drivers side dash.

[krazybone305]

i mean if if by a few parts you mean the seats steering wheel rear bumper.....idk why anyone would want to change that i mean im no expert but i think most if not all m interiors atleast have their strips. but yes run the vin thats you best chance.

[BKKBeemer]

Its not a 328 despite having the M52 inlet manifold, since judging from the position of the oil filler on M-power engine cover its not an M52/S52....

Needles on the instrument dials are not red, as genuine M3 dials are....

I've also never seen an auto-m3 with that auto-handle, but to be fair I've never paid much attention to auto M3's

From the pics, it looks like the rear bumper is AC Schnitzer.

As others have said, either many parts have been swapped out or it really is not an M3. My gut feeling would be non-M3 based on the layout of what I see in the engine bay...

As flyfishvt suggests, run the vin decoder - http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/ - it should tell you the original spec of the car, so you can see what (if anything) has been changed

[Brashland]

I'm trying to buy this car today...

That's the first problem, take your time. It looks like you're running full speed into someone else's money pit.

[galuple]

The more I look at that car the more I see horribly wrong with it. 6.5in speakers in the door, rims from an E36, a mess of a dash, you can do better.

[crozm3]

I looked at this car almost a year ago Not an M3 Has a salvage/reconstructed certificate NO title Parts car at best A nightmare and money pit

[RJPGEAR]

The more I look at that car the more I see horribly wrong with it. 6.5in speakers in the door, rims from an E36, a mess of a dash, you can do better.
Echo this... Definite caveat emptor!