Buying a E9x - Check list query

[ngoako7]

Hi All,

Looking at buying a 3 series(E9x)and need to know if its necessary for me to get the car checked for any electrical faults before purchasing or of I should only look out for mechanical faults only? If I need to check for electrical faults, who can help me out except for BMW ?

I'm in JHB North and buying used car.
Thanks.

 

[Twinz]

What year? Car still under MP?
Why would electrical faults worry you? Are you expecting problems with this particular car?

 

[ngoako7]

2006, out of MP. Car looks excellent but because its a voetstoets sale need to protect myself.

 

[Twinz]

Okay.

 

[ngoako7]

Anyone?

 

[NavZ]

"voetstoets sale"

Do those still exist? Thought the CPA act overrides that? (I'm asking not contradicting)

As for your q, take someone with who can tell if it has been resprayed, normally an indicator of possible accident damage.

 

[prado]

What price is this one going for? Compare it to buying one from a reputable dealer where you may get some peace of mind, rather than buying 'voetstoots.'

I wouldn't take a chance on buying an E90 'voetstoots.' There are plenty for sale in the Autotrader and Automart. I have come across many decent examples around the R100 000 mark already and have also seen some suspect ones for R110-R120k at smaller garages.

How about taking the car for an AA test? Or take someone along who knows something about checking the car out - body panels, paintwork, engine, gearbox, condition of the interior, etc.

Also, check the documentation. What is available - service records etc. Verify that it belongs to the particular car's engine and chassis numbers.

Get a good one! E90s are amazing cars! :thumbs:

 

[ngoako7]

Thanks for heads up. Car drives well, took it for spin and was happy with overall drive, except on bumps where it feels a bit loose which might be due to worn RFT tyres.(17").

My mind is pretty much made up, so will hopefully be taking delivery on Tuesday and post some pics.

Ta

---

Forgot to add that did a RWC and requested for the guys to pay special attention to suspension. Car failed because of worn tyres, which I was already informed about by owner. Suspension was deemed good by testing station.

 

[NavZ]

Get a quote on the RFT tyres, they are quite pricey. Maybe get the seller to split the cost?

 

[ngoako7]

He already dropped his price by R10k due to worn tyres.
I'll have to get tyres myself, at R2200-R2400 front, R2400-R3100 rear.

Wonder if non-RFT with repair kit might be better on price and comfort va RFT?

 

[m0lt3n]

A space saver spare wheel kit is 3k at the stealers. I git that with non rft's.
Non rft tyre rides softer than rft plus is a lot cheaper. I went that route.
But it seems rft tyres are getting better and cheaper... i wont swop back though...e90 rides hard enough already

 

[ngoako7]

Thanks guys, let's see how it goes. I'll post some pics once I take ownership.

 

[akash]

If the person is selling “As Is” there may be some issues with the car. For peace of mind when purchasing a car this way its best to take the car for an AA check.

I was going to buy myself a Toyota RXI as my first car in 2006 (young just started my first job you know the deal). It was clean as you can imagine and drove well. It was my first year in Joburg by myself no family. I told my uncle in Durbs about the car. He told me to take it in for an AA check before I do any deal. I listened to him and they picked up that the car was in a bad smash and there were welding joins underneath the car.

The old Tanie told me that the seller wanted to pay her for a false report. But she told him to F@#K off, because her son was the same age as me. I never heard from the guy again.

Be carefully, take the car for an AA check, rather spend the R500 for the check than R5000 on repairs later on

 

[ngoako7]

Thanks for the heads-up akash. I got a friend of mine to check for a vehicle history report from Transunion, and he confirmed that car was clean. When I took car to the RWC, i asked the guy to check if there were signs of any welds on the car, but to all was good.

The car does have some issues, which the seller did inform me about and it's issues I'm willing to deal with, seeing that I'm buying car at a reduced price.

 

[akash]

Thanks for the heads-up akash. I got a friend of mine to check for a vehicle history report from Transunion, and he confirmed that car was clean. When I took car to the RWC, i asked the guy to check if there were signs of any welds on the car, but to all was good.

The car does have some issues, which the seller did inform me about and it's issues I'm willing to deal with, seeing that I'm buying car at a reduced price.

As long as you are happy with the deal then go for it. :joy:

 

[ngoako7]

So I was in bed till early hours of the morning, thinking about car I was buying today, and in the end it was a bit too much for me to take, so I let go of the car.

Owner wasn't happy, but I'm glad I let it pass as issues were going to probably cost more to fix up vs getting a slightly more expensive car that "works".

Thanks for all the help guys, I have to say my eyes have been opened, and will still be on the lookout for clean E9x.

 

[akash]

I think you made the right choice here, if in doubt walk away. Its easy to get caught up in excitment of buying a new car.