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Thread: How smart would buying an M3 with a rebuilt title be?

  1. 06-22-2007, 08:52 PM #1
    bmwaddicted49
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    How smart would buying an M3 with a rebuilt title be?

    I've been in the market for an M3 for quite some time now, and recently came upon this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...QQcmdZViewItem
    If it ends with no bids I am planning on driving to Houston to check it out and possibly buy it. It has a rebuilt license though... I qoute from the listing "THIS VEHICLE HAS A TEXAS REBUILT TITLE...THIS VEHICLE HAD A DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL AND THE REAR BUMPER!" This worry's me a little... The car looks great in the pictures but who knows whats wrong with it. If possible I would like to get a bmw mechanic to check it out but its from a dealer so I don't know how that would work, unless I paid someone to tag along to check it out. Hoping I will get some help to see if I should check it out or run away.
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  2. 06-22-2007, 09:03 PM #2
    LeeM3
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    I can't find the old post that was made for this car this week but like another member said, the trunk don't line up so you might check that out ! Rebuilt car can be good sometime for saving money if it was rebuilt corectly the first time ! But it can turn itoo a money pit if it's done wrong !
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  3. 06-22-2007, 09:05 PM #3
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    Mine is a theft recovery, so it has a rebuilt title. Although I know it got resprayed, it wasn't totalled...

    1999 Cosmos Black/Dove Grey BMW ///M3 convertible - 5 speed - SOLD

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  4. 06-22-2007, 09:08 PM #4
    bellavus
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    keep looking. There are plenty of other m3s that don't have a salvage title.

    The only instance where I would purchase a salvage title m3 is if i wanted a track car and it did not need to be completely reliable. Yes, there are some salvage title m3s that don't have extensive problems and are reliable, but it is not worth the risk.
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  5. 06-22-2007, 09:31 PM #5
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    thats not a very good deal for a salvaged 97 m3.
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  6. 06-22-2007, 09:44 PM #6
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    First of all, M3's are not tough to put back to stock condition(after a light hit) . Slight body damage will get a car a salvage title especially if its 10 years old. If your planning on keeping the car for a while, you should get it(afer looking at it). E36's with similar miles and mods are going for 19+. Car looks solid. Consider it!

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  7. 06-22-2007, 09:52 PM #7
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    BCKane
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    Go wtih a clean title car. I agree that you can find a good deal with a salvaged title that happens to run smooth, but the chances of you catching a lemon are quite a bit higher. Put it this way, i searched for 8 months to find my M3 with vaders, about that millage and all the options for 12.7k. If you can get a ppi or get a mech you trust to look at it and it is clean, knock yourself out.
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  8. 06-23-2007, 01:56 AM #8
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    Get the car checked out. Mine is a Salvage Title with front and rear hits, repaired well. The car drives straight, no rattles other than crappy plastic, everthing fits fine. The front of these cars are all bolt-on parts, save for where the radiator support is spot welded to the bumper mounts, the butts of these cars are pretty durable and factory quarter panel skins are available that can cover rear quarter damage without compromising the inner structure. It does not take a lot to make these cars a salvage title. Price is a little high. but it is a nice car. Need to find out more about it and find out if the seller has the repair documents.
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  9. 06-23-2007, 02:03 AM #9
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    12k is a mediocre deal, not terrible, but its dove gay. i do like those wheels though, even though theyre probably just 2-piece look instead of real 2-piece.
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  10. 06-23-2007, 02:15 AM #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by m3j0n View Post
    thats not a very good deal for a salvaged 97 m3.
    ^understatement..
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  11. 06-23-2007, 03:25 AM #11
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    That's a funny condom on that intake.

    Definitely high for a salvaged car being bought sight unseen.
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  12. 06-23-2007, 10:59 AM #12
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    I paid less for a non-salvaged car in BETTER CONDITION with about the same miles. Thats not a very good deal, keep looking
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  13. 06-23-2007, 11:35 AM #13
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    If you buy it then plan to keep it for a looooong time because it will probably be a b!tch to sell with the rebuilt/salvaged title. The price seems high but that is what negotiating is for. I am not a fan of dove gray but the car looks nice except the trunk lid needs to be realigned (hopefully that is all it is). Proceed with great caution or pass IMHO.
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  14. 06-23-2007, 02:11 PM #14
    bmwaddicted49
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    After reading these replys and thinking about it for a couple minutes I think I'm going to pass. As pretty as it is, I would rather wait and buy a clean titled car and not have to worry or deal with any issues like trunk alignment. plus I just found this one http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=1&cardist=195
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  15. 06-23-2007, 02:20 PM #15
    Aradaiel
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    That car didn't even have the factory spare.. It probably got rear ended so hard it messed the spare and the whole back end up. The cheap "hotair" intake also worry me.
    e46 m3, some 740 sport shorts, F30h, LR3 and a 540it
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  16. 06-23-2007, 04:07 PM #16
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    I paid 10k for mine with nearly the same milage... Keep looking.
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