Future purchase help!

[AzN_M5]

It's a Laguna Seca Blue M3 with 31,000 miles and a gray interior. According the owner the car is a

"2001 M3 Coupe, Laguna Seca Blue, Gray Leather, 6 Speed, H&R Coilovers, Short Shifter, 19" SSR, GT3 Rims, Bridgestone S03, Sunroof, Xenon lights, M Pedals, Upgraded Stereo, Excellent Shape."

He is located in Aliso Viejo, California. I want to start inquiring about the car, however I am not sure of what questions I should be asking over the phone. If I were there in person, I'd probably have him take it to a BMW dealership for a full inspection. Although, with school starting I don't have time to go to California. Basically, I just need to find out whether or not a trip out there is worth my time and money. So any help, advice, questions, opinions, etc. short of a full BMW inspection would be great. Thanks!!! :

[AzN_M5]

Another Picture

[AzN_M5]

And another picture

[ArcticSilverM3]

Hmm. I can't think of any great questions to ask him. Maybe, did he follow the recommended matinence on the car. Or, simple stuff like how old he is and who's driven the car. And if there were any car accidents. Other than that you really need to see the car. Pictures and talking on the phone can only get you so much. If after talking with him on the phone, you feel good about it, I would say make a little day trip over there on a weekend. Looks like a sweet ass car. Call him and see how you feel.

Ohh, and ask him when the build date was. If I'm correct I think it's the November 2001 M3's that had bad engine lubricants. Other than that ask him for the VIN# and do a CarFax report on it. It should tell you pretty much everything about the car's history.

[trboblu74tii]

Chris, how soon do you want to get it cuz i'm going to torrance, Ca leaving early sat. morning too put in an alarm in my sister's M3!!! Or if you want to we can check it out!!!

Let Me know!!!!!

Doug

[Iniquity]

It's in CA.. have a road trip there.. dont' fly... take a buddy or two..

some important questions:
How was it driven? Conservative, Aggresive, track... asshole-ish?? <---SUPER IMPORTANT
Ask for reciepts on maintainence.
Where was it maintained?
-if not at the dealer, is the other place authorized?
-did he work on it himself?
Was the car ever in an accident? <-----important
WHY ARE YOU SELLING? <-------big one
Ask to see all forms of proof of purchase.. registration.. insurance.. etc..
Ask for a test drive obviously...
When's the last time it was serviced.. this is a key one also.. see what was serviced and what they recommended to be serviced..


uhm.. there's probably more.. just can't think of any...

But hey.. trboblu74tii said he's going up there anyway.. take him up on his offer and see if he can check out the car for ya if you can't go with him.... if he's installing an alarm system I'm sure he's capable of seeing how good a shape a car is..

[MattE21]

hey chris.. ill go with you when u go to check it out...
and ill drive the m5 home for you when u buy that sweet ass car

[AzN_M5]

I appreciate the help guys, unfortunately I think the car has already sold. It's no longer on autotrader and the owner didn't answer the phone or call me back yet. I'll probably try again tomorrow, but it's probably gone, sniff, sniff.

[AzN_M5]

Does anyone know someone who can repair damage like this for cheap?

[E36.328i]

Was there ever any paintwork done on the car (Accident related or not)
If you ask WAS IT WRECKED? People have different opions on what WRECKED is. If he replies that "yeah i had the rear quarter painted"...then you can ask specifically WHY. So you dont get an opinionated response..it forces more than a yes or no answer.

Iniquity is right... Why you are selling is a good question to ask?

And make him SHUT UP during your test drive...thats why i dont go to dealers...they wont let me listen to the car.

Have someone do a CARFAX vehicle history report to make sure it doesnt have a branded title or any odometer discrepencies.

By the way it looks very nice in the pics...i LOVE that color

[Bayerisch_323]

Chris....sorry about the Laguna one..it was sweet. But.....

When are you planning on making the purchase. I am already jealous cuz its an E46 = street terror.....but if you aren't planning on buying an M3 until like May or June.....then looking now is all good.....I finally think i decided on a 330 if I can b/c of warranty...new car....custom made...etc...etc...etc...

However, seriously talking to people now MAY get your hopes up if the car sells and you aren't ready.

But if your ready than call me and i will HELP You look because that car is so awesome and I think it would be sweet to see you in one of those. Hope it turns out ok for ya....lemme know if you need help.

[E36.328i]

oops i dont know why i didnt see the post saying that it sold..sorry that sux, you'll find another one im sure

[HamannE46]

Chris, good choice in colours, I tried calling that guy a few weeks back and never got a call back.

I would personally stay away from buying a tricked up/wrecked m3 because who knows how bad they drove the M. Look at how we drive our cars let alone 333hp! LoL...

Anyways, good luck with the M!

[AzN_M5]

Actually, I am going to look at a privately owned one tomorrow. He's here in Phoenix and has a 2002 grey w/ black interior and an SMG transmission. It has 4,000 miles on it. He said that it was rear ended, but BMW put in a whole new bumper. And the entire back end was put back into immaculate condition. It was built in February of 2002.

Tomorrow, I'm going to find out these things:

Tread life on tires
Vin#
Scratches and dents (locations)

Other than that, I'm also going to see if we can borrow the car to take it for a full inspection at North Scottsdale BMW.

Wish me luck! Oh and is there anything else I should find out?

[HamannE46]

Check this out:
http://members.roadfly.com/loki/e46m3_faq.html

and watch out for the build date. SMGs seem to like to blow engines up.

Also after the accident check the title, etc..

[Antonio]

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why so many expensive BMWs have cheap ass rims? This excludes Sean's 330ci.

[ArcticSilverM3]

Chris, how does the M3 look? Keep us updated!

[AzN_M5]

It was ok. I am really considering the Topaz Blue Metallic over at North Scottsdale. It's the one they showed at the Concept Car show at the Civic Plaza. Here's the other M3 I'm also looking at. It's in Nevada, heres a pic.

[HamannE46]

Chris,
Double check on the black M3. That guy lives in LA and is a regular on another board (e46fanatics). That back drop is in LA.

[Loud_TIGER]

m3boyee's car? tuningwerks?

[AzN_M5]

I just spoke to a guy on the phone. Supposedly the car is in New York. He had a european accent. If you can believe this, he's asking $26,000 for the car. Heres the web address to the site of the car:

http://mybmw.8k.com/

According to the guy selling it, I asked him why he's selling it for the crazy price of $26,000, he said he needs money. All in all it seems pretty sketchy to me at this point. I'm going to do some more checking and see if the owner of this particular car is on e46fanatics.com if he is then I can get some more information, if he is and his car is missing...well I have some information for him . In any case though, take a look at the site. It even has a vin# report, but that seems shady as well.

[Looz3r]

hey chris, why you unsaticfied with your m5. If you dont want it, i'll take it off your hands.

I was looking on cardomain.com at this black 2002 m3, with carbon fiber interior. It was sexy as hell, plus it had the smg trany. Yum.

Good luck with your search

Mike