Prospective 6'er

[jbd5015]

i found a listing for an '86 635 with 72k original miles. its a very vague listing, says motor and tranny are strong, interior is good, but exterior needs some help. the title is a "reconstructed" title, which i am unclear on what means...any suggestions?
ill get the rest of the info that i can a.s.a.p. on the forum.
-jeff

[evlgt85]

Two things you'd want to look into before even making the call:

1. Check with your state about what a 'reconstructed' title means. Usually it is a car that has been totaled by an insurance company, put back together and then inspected by the state for road worthiness and given a title. Not ALL states are the same, and I've no idea about yours. It may mean the same as a 'salvage' title.

2. Call your insurance company and see if they'll even insure it, and if they do, what coverage is available. Many insurance companies either won't touch a car with a funny title, or they will only give bare minimums. Also, woe unto you if you pay a lot of money for or put a lot of money into this car and it gets wrecked or stolen. The value of the car may be considered close to nothing by involved insurance companies and you could wind up taking a bath.

Also, see whether or not this car came from another state, if you do decide to make the call. Could be that it's been from state to state due to some shady circumstances.

Be very, very cautious. Salvage or reconstructed doesn't always mean a nightmare, but it certainly is cause for concern.

[SudWind]

I got sideswiped by a truck a few months ago. It damaged the passenger door and destroyed the front fender. When I tried to make the insurance company replace the door they refused and stated if they had to buy a door they would total my car. They said that the door added to the fender would come to about 4500, which was a total. Obviously be careful with "reconstructed" but dont be so afraid of it that you let a good one go by. The idiots gave me a check for 2200 and then sent another 2500 as I uncovered additional damages. Amazing that they ended up paying more than I asked for. Even more amazing, by shopping for some parts on ebay and finding deals, my car now has all new shocks and struts, a Racing Dynamics body kit, and all damages repaired.
I do not know if it was a factor, but I have my car insured for a stated value of $10,000, thus making their threat of a total pretty empty. Had they refused to totally repair my car, my insurance company would have paid the difference. Everyone should check into a stated value type policy because if you have a minor fender bender, some clown will try to total your car and leave you without the real value you deserve. I have now added chrome BBS wheels and all new leather interior and plan to bump my stated value 2-3000. The formula they used to determine total value was a blue book number times 80%. Cover your ass!!!!!!!!!!!

[MAH]

Some excellent advise already given. I would add to look at the car real close and ask if the owner has pics of the "pre-reconstructed" car.

I bought my 635 at a salvage auction. I don't understand why it was totaled, ck out the pic. Look at the advertised car very close. Crawl under, around and through it to inspect it to make sure its a solid car. Look at all the oils - engine, trans and diff if possible. They all should be clean, if not that may be signs of neglect, which is a disaster on 6s.

You may also run a car fax. Here's a site that runs a diluted car fax for free.
http://www.bandbhobbies.com/jwebb/vin_test.asp
No all cars will pull up for some reason.

Good luck------>

[jbd5015]

The guy forgot to put in the vague details that the car is not stationary because it is being used as a parts car for his wifes 535. Its missing a lot of the cooling system and brake booster. And it was a salvage at one point, so i think im going to stay away from it, those insurance tips you guys gave me are really good, and how much does it cost to have a stated value of a car? are the monthly payments a lot higher?
-Jeff

[dasaroth]

A "reconstructed title" is what is assigned to a vehicle that has been previously titled as a salvage/repairable vehicle and has been repaired and inspected. On the title it must say wether it was issued the salvage title because of a flood,theft, collision, vandalism,abandoned ect. So basically it is a car that you must really inspect for any damage that may haunt you down the road. Well at least the seller saved the 6er from the scrap =).