If this is legit, and in clean condition, this is a good deal

The screen is a bitch to fix, but I fixed it myself before. It's not hard, but it's daunting and extremely time consuming.

I'm surprised the car I have in mind hasn't been posted here yet - hopefully it stays that way HAHA. Just a question for you guys..

Car has 270K KM, it's German, it has 3 main issues: subframe, vanos, and rodbearings. This pretty much tells you what car I'm looking at.

I asked the seller about the 3 main issues:

1. What reinforcement plates did he use for the subframe?
2. Was Vanos ever rebuilt?
3. Was rod bearings done under recall?
4. When was the last valve adjustment?

I also asked about doing a PPI.

The seller responded saying that he didn't have time for that. So I assume it was for the PPI, but still no answer on my questions. So I asked the seller if it's ok if I take it for a PPI, I'll insure it, and take it to someone in the area. He responded with saying that the car is half the price of the other 6MT german cars around and that he's a mechanic and I shouldn't need a PPI.

Yeah it's half the price, and double the mileage. Guess my question is, is this a red flag or is this guy just a boomer? He does have multiple vettes.

Should I even bother with checking it out or doing a CarFax? My fear is I'll like the idea of the car so much I'll buy it HAHHA (this is exactly what happened with my 330)

not sure if srs
run don’t walk

I wouldn’t consider a car if someone wouldn’t let me take it for a PPI, especially if you facilitate it, unless you are comfortable with spending the money to fix just about everything. That’s worst case of course. Will he show you service records or does he “have none because he’s a mechanic.”
If I couldn’t at least see a SHITLOAD of documentation of problem areas addressed and maintenance, I wouldn’t consider it without a PPI unless it left me like 10k in the table to fix shit.
A wise man once told me, you don’t buy the car, you buy the previous owner. I’ve purchased cars without a PPI (my e36) and it was the right call, but the owner a) worked with me for all the questions and concerns about the car and b) had a massive folder of documentation for the car. After that I was comfortable. Also he had no issues with letting me go for a PPI.

a well maintained honda/Toyota to daily for under 6-8k...probably safe

high mileage bmw that will see track and the owner is reluctant to answer questions or allow ppi? next

Just throwing it out there. Sometimes, doing a PPI can backfire on both the buyer and the seller. Let's say buyer wants to buy a euro but never had a euro before. So they bring it to an "expert" shop in town that specialize in that brand for a ppi because the buyer doesn't know better. The car checks out decent. But the euro specialty shop also has a used car sales branch that wants the car for resale. The shop will sabotage the deal by shitting on the car with the buyer even though car car isn't that bad. Since, PPI results are usually paid for by the potential buyer, the shop won't usually disclose what they "found" to the seller. After reading the ppi report, buyer walks. Two weeks later, the used car sales manager from the shop call up the seller with a low ball offer saying that they know about the car and it needs this and that. Essentially, the buyer pays for the PPI for the shop to buy a good car from the seller at discount. I won't name any names but think of all the euro specialty repair shops in town that are also used car dealers. The conflict of interest is real.

On this episode of Revscene Detective, we have a hidden German vehicle, let's see how long it takes them to crack the case.

https://i.imgur.com/5noHKsb.jpg

PPI is an absolute must if it a BMW.

I did one for a BMW that I was interested in six months ago. Turns out it reached at the point where everything needed to be serviced. At least around 3 grand including labour and parts. Owner wouldn't really budge on price. So I was able to walk away with a piece of mind.

Now it's sitting at Acura of Langley lol, not sure if those issues that came up on the PPI were addressed or not.

Since I search M3 on clist on average 22 times a day I figured it was new. This is the typical, "I know what I have, don't humor me with your knowledge or concerns". Also love the fact that he says "I won't sell it for less than 10 grand", but lists for 11500. Very Smrt

hahahha its funny because I literally watched this video before opening revscene and this is the first post I read....


So yea... like other people said... unless its cheap enough to accommodate all those issues... at this point you should just assume...

1) The subframe is cracked to a point that you dont even need it to be on a lift to see...

2) Engine had no maintenance whatsoever....

3) Rod bearings are shot ....

4) Valve adjustment... huhuhu refer to point # 2

So factor in the money you would spend on the 4 above items... and offer him a price with these factored in...

Could be a win ... with patience + money + a bit of luck =P

The guy saying he's a mechanic but doesn't answer questions about common issues = none of them have been addressed and he wants to dump it on someone who doesn't know to ask.

He mentioned in the ad that they were in good condition. Which doesn't really tell me anything. Subframe is apparently reinforced, but it seems like no M3 owner around knows what they used to reinforce it.

This made my day because it could not be any further from the truth. :D

Blitzkrieg tried to pull this on me with a 964 I wanted to buy. Shared the PPI report with the seller before I was sent a copy (even though I paid for the inspection) and then told the seller to stand firm on his price as they'll pay his ask if I don't take it.

How long has the guy owned this M3? this one line in his craigslist ad " I'm a licenced mechanic as well as being an engine builder and I have done all the maintenance for the last 7 years" makes it sound like he was just working on it and not the actual owner. May be why he doesn't have any answers.

The guy doesn't want to waste time with ppi because he knows it's priced right and someone will just show up and buy it for 10k without wasting his time

E46m3 owner here chiming in. I would def pass on that 270k m3.
There’s a blue one for sale that’s not bad considering it’s a rebuild.

He wants 15k without the hre wheels. I think I recall seeing his mod list somewhere and most major items were done.

There have been a lot of e46 m3s for sale in the last year or so, so take your time. I don’t think it’s that hard to find a good one.

Good luck!

Would not do the blue one. I know too much about it to consider it a good buy. Might even make that 270K look good

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Pretty sure this one is sold now unfortunately, seller had someone coming today to grab it

In other news: I am thankful no one posted the car I had my eye on and picked it up today....will post pics soon :fuckyea:

Dealer here. Just to speak to the above post. It's too time-consuming to plot out an elaborate failed inspection, wait 2 weeks to buy same-car scheme. Not saying it hasn't happened, but it definitely sounds like an anecdotal situation.

And shame on whatever shop did that. If you need to resort to such schemes you clearly don't care about your reputation or the longevity of relationships with your clients.

Kev

Is he at least allowing you to test drive? Since he is an “expert”, why would he sell a decent shaped (as he described) high mileage car in the summer time at $6-10k below market?


Last year, I was in the market for a m3. One listed for $12k and the guy seems like be would settle for $9k. He just wanted to get rid of it. 130k km, but when I test drove the car the SMG light came on. I’m like uhhh no thanks.

I bought a higher priced one in better shape.

Yeah test drives allowed, but gotta pay for a day permit.

Did anyone here pick up that 14K S2000? It's off CL now.

I was in talks with the seller but didn't get a chance to view as the first guy that came put down a deposit. Sold yesterday for full ask.

a lot of car for the money

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rds...133768580.html

2000 Mercedes Benz CL500 - $6500


https://images.craigslist.org/00B0B_...t2_600x450.jpg