Need Somone to look at a 320d in CT for me?

[gmmcdonald]

Hi there fellow Fanatics. I am keen on a 320d in Cape Town, However seeing as I am in George I would really appreciate the assistance of one of our CT fanatics to take a look at it for me before I do the 1000km round trip.

Short History on the car, she has done 192,000kms 2004 model. My only real concern at this point in time is that the car is being sold on behalf of a gent that has had a stroke (by his son) and the service history is not stamped in the book from 115,000kms the son is adamant that his dad would have had the car serviced though. Seems very genuine.

I really would appreciate it if someone could take a peek for me. The car is in the Parklands area.

If you can help, please let me know. If you are an E46 320d owner already, MAJOR bonus.

Thanks in advance.

 

[gpgold]

Hey gmmcdonald,

I can have a look for you...let me have the sellers contacts and will schedule an appointment with him.

 

[gmmcdonald]

Hey gmmcdonald,

I can have a look for you...let me have the sellers contacts and will schedule an appointment with him.

Thanks a TON!!!! I will PM you his details a little later (Left them at home)

Would you be able to make it this morning? (Vehicle really good deal and scared that if I take too long someone else will buy it out from under me)

 

[gpgold]

Not a problem, I havent got to much on today and I live in Parklands. I have one meeting this morning but should be back from about 11am.

 

[gmmcdonald]

Not a problem, I havent got to much on today and I live in Parklands. I have one meeting this morning but should be back from about 11am.

Thanks, you are a star!!

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I have PM'd you the details

 

[Twinz]

This is what this forum is about...going the extra mile :thumbs::thumbs:raise:

 

[gmmcdonald]

This is what this forum is about...going the extra mile :thumbs::thumbs:raise:

Agreed!!

Amazing!

:bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo::bravo:
:ty::ty::ty::ty::ty::ty::ty::ty:

 

[FaSTandFurious]

This is what this forum is about...going the extra mile :thumbs::thumbs:raise:

Great stuff indeed

 

[Hellas]

Thx GPG. I'm also free, but I'm heading to SSWest from Durbanville side this morning.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Send me the details of the car too, I wont mind checking it out for you on enatis as well. :thumb:
My email: [email protected].
Working again friday morning. :thumbsup:

 

[sivz]

Hi Gmmcdonald,

My parents run a business and live in George, I would not mind viewing the car either for you. (if this has not been done already)

Cheers!

 

[Twinz]

Any updates?

 

[gpgold]

Hey guys!

Checked out the car for Gmmcdonald yesterday and mailed him a full report with pics, Other than a few minor cosmetic issues and a bit of unsteadiness coming from the rear suspension on the highway, the car seemed in decent condition.:=):

 

[gmmcdonald]

A HUGE Thank you to Matt (GPGOLD) for going way above & beyond the call of duty as it were.

I have to be honest I am blown away by the support shown on this forum. I am going to post Matts report with pictures below to show to what efforts he went to for someone he doesnt even know!!

Thanks gpgold!!!!!!!

Also Thanks to Coisman, Hellas & Sivz for offering to be of assistance.

GPGOLD's Report to follow!!

 

[gpgold]

A HUGE Thank you to Matt (GPGOLD) for going way above & beyond the call of duty as it were.

I have to be honest I am blown away by the support shown on this forum. I am going to post Matts report with pictures below to show to what efforts he went to for someone he doesnt even know!!

Thanks gpgold!!!!!!!

Also Thanks to Coisman, Hellas & Sivz for offering to be of assistance.

GPGOLD's Report to follow!!

Your welcome mate, glad I could help:thumbs:

 

[gmmcdonald]

Hello Gareth,

Right, so I have gone to see the vehicle and here is what I think.

Exterior:

First impressions, Overall, there don't appear to be major scratches or dents.The front end is missing its inner plastic fenders inside the bumper and spot lights, and as expected the temp sensor was ripped out. Several clips holding in the side skirts are also missing. There are one or two very small rust spots on the paint work but this appears to be surface rust and not serious at all. The sound dampening mat on the underside of the bonnet is loose and all engine covers are present. I could not see any oil leaks around the engine although the engine covers on these cars are good at hiding this. I did not notice any fluids leaking from the vehicle. The tyres are almost brand new. The boot: There are a few tools missing (see pic) and the carpet is dirty but nothing serious. There is a spare wheel, stock BMW jack present.
Windshield is free of cracks and chips. Boot release works, bonnet release works however, the release lever in the bonnet does not stick out correctly.
All clips near lights/engine covers seem intact.

Interior:

Leather seats appear to be in decent condition, the arm rest is fairly worn. Steering wheel gear shift and brake lever are still good.
The car has a 6 speed box and a front loader CD player (stock) and they all work.
All windows work and there doesn't seem to be any signs of worn mechanisms.
Cruise control, Air con, climate control all work.
There are no warning lights illuminating on the dash.
The temp gauge does not work because of the sensor not being present.
Stock BMW rubber mats in good condition.
Door panels and trim seem in good condition.
Working torch in cubby.

Drive:

The car idles steadily and sounds like a diesel should.
There is no shudder on the brakes and they seem adequately sharp.
I did get the feeling that the turbo did not seem to boost as quickly or as rapidly as in my 320d but perhaps because I have removed my swirl flaps it had something to do with it.
The turbo does not seem to whine too loudly as I have heard on 320d's that have been driven to hard.
There car feels stable and smooth at slow speed however, once we got onto the N7 the vehicle did sway about a fair bit, seemingly coming from the rear suspension. Chris says he thinks the rear shocks need to be changed.
There were no unusual noises.

In general:

Car is averaging 5l/100km. Has a service history from the agents during motorplan after which Chris says the car was serviced by a former bmw mech in Strand.

Cant think of anything else now. Hope this is of some help to you. If you want to know anything else, just ask...
Will send a second email with more pics.

Cheers mate,

Matt

 

[PhoenixGG]

This car sounds a lot like my old 320d, I would recommend checking the air intake manifold for that trouble you are describing on the acceleration with the turbo. Mine gave me big issues. It kept getting stuck and all BMW wanted to do was replace it every 4 months. Usually when the latch on the bonnet is not aligned properly it could indicate that the car was in a minor front end collision. My sister drove mine to far into the garage and tapped the wall and it got a nice little dent between the kidney grills. This had made the latch skew when you opened it.

Sounds like a great car. Let us know if you buy it.

 

[FaSTandFurious]

That is a really good feedback man.

 

[gmmcdonald]

Ok right, I've done a little more homework on her, pulled her motorplan history & Got some parts prices to fix what gpgold has found wrong.

Motorplan
She had a new turbo, intake & Exhaust Manifolds as part of a recall in 2006, so the good news is that she will have the "new" uprated turbo and it won;t have done much more than 100,000kms.

I wonder if the intake manifolds in 2006 had the new screwless swirl flaps? Also, does she have the vortex or loo roll type PVC filter.....


Parts
This is the bit that scares me:

Front Bumper: R 8216.37
Fogs x2 @ R 1927.70 each
Ext. Temp Sensor@ R 530.90
Inner Fender Liners @ R 777.46 each
Towing Eye Cover@ R274.91
Lower Left Grill @ R 386.92
Lower Right Grill @ R 386.62

Tools to complete kit: R 555.89

Grand Total: R 14,984.97 EXCLUDING LAbour & Paint.

Of course I will try look for used parts, but still a lot of money.....

I wonder why he hasn't claimed from insurance for this?

 

[gpgold]

Wow! those bumpers are pricey...think I recall Gizmo had an e46 Mtech bumper for sale for a grand on here...:idea:

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or there is this, sure he might let his go for a good price and it includes spots...

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree...ries-e46-bumper-with-spots-W0QQAdIdZ354536694