Something strange about this ad for '92 325i

[mrdane]

It's listed here (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=193316321&dealer_id=57258997&car_year=1992&search_type=both&make=BMW&transmission=Manual&distance=0&model=325I&address=54703&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=5000&bkms=1138150643270&min_price=2000&end_year=1992&color=&start_year=1992&drive=&isp=y&engine=&doors=Four+Door&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=1594).

88,000 miles
$4,000
Looks very clean

Seems like too low a price for the mileage.

"European" engine? I thought state-side and euro cars both received the exact same engine for this model.

Not registered with the DMV? As in, never been registered? Wouldn't that be a hassle to initially register anywhere in the US, if it really was purchased in europe and brought over?

[Fastx525ixGuy]

I dunno, I just did a kelley blue book of it and it came to like $4200.

[OCWHEELWURX.COM]

strange indeed.

euro steering wheel w/o airbag, speedo in km, one pair of window switches, one midrange sized speaker in door panel, unique color (i've never seen 'charcoal' on an e36 325i stateside, cosmos?).

perhaps it is the euro model (w/same 2.5L displacement m50). a vin check would likely provide more answers.

'mileage' in km.

yes, it would certainly be a task registering unless the car's already been federalized and dot approved in the states.

sweet car though.

[mrdane]

strange indeed.

euro steering wheel w/o airbag, speedo in km, one pair of window switches, one midrange sized speaker in door panel, unique color (i've never seen 'charcoal' on an e36 325i stateside, cosmos?).

perhaps it is the euro model (w/same 2.5L displacement m50). a vin check would likely provide more answers.

'mileage' in km.

yes, it would certainly be a task registering unless the car's already been federalized and dot approved in the states.

sweet car though.

Yeah, that one pair of window switches threw me. I've not seen a 4-door with just two switches by the stickshift. Perhaps euro models only had rear switches in the rear.

[cerealkiller93]

is that cloth interior i see?

[MKIV]

Perfect GETAWAY car!!! (not registered with the DMV)

:winknudge

[mrdane]

I emailed the seller and got this as a reply:

"I've been driven the car in CA for the past 5 years. After DMV Sacramento did not solve the problem I decided to drop the ball and not register the car. Would not know if can be registered as is and don't know the $ of it. To be a '92 the car is in very good condition. The only thing that has to be change is the water pump. I will take care of this once the car is sold."

Water pump? Isn't this a big problem for early M50 engines?

[beatniks325]

up to 96 they can be a plastic bladed pump.

[RedV]

He had it serviced at the dealer I used to work for. It's diamondschwarz, has no sunroof, MANUAL rear windows, and yes cloth interior. Body has its share of dents, but it would make a sweet track car.

[BOX HEAD]

Here are 2 links for the EPA and DOT, I'm going to import a car withing the next six months to a year, that car is completely street legal in the U.S. as long as it is the same side drive, and has the same engine, you would have to change your ecu, speedo, and headlight switch, that is it, and I'm sure it has already been done. I took alot of time reading about it, and calling customs, it can be done, some hassels are involved, just depends on how much effort you want to put into it. To me, it's worth it, to others it's not.....Keith
http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf28/37844_web.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/quiktext.htm#nonusversion