How does this M3 look?

[m3f_ramnazeri]

So I have been in the market for an e36 m3 for a couple months and I managed to find a black '99 coupe with stupid low miles. However, this is the first BMW I have looked at to buy ever, so I was wondering if any of the vets could take a look at the ad so I can ask the seller the right questions. This isn't about general "what to know before you buy an m3", but more of a "take a look at this ad for me to make sure I'm not missing anything". Also, any input on the pricing would be a big help.



Through a couple emails, he has told me that there is no x-brace, and that the rear seat is a fold-down bench (I wasn't sure if thats how they all are).



Original post: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4350130225.html



Any help is appreciated



Thanks,

Ramin

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

I'm guessing everything is not as it seems. Often when it looks too good to be true.. it is.


+Painting is not a good sign. Especially for only 90K miles for rock chips? i doubt it.


+Valves were redone along with head gasket? No way in hell the engine should have needed that at that mileage unless a money shift and have valves contact pistons. Making me think the car has been beat on.


+no pictures of the outside of the car leads me to believe theres something wrong with the body or paintwork. Either the real reason for paint was an accident which wasn't reported, or the paint job just sucks.


Someone else posted this car up awhile ago and this new add has less detailed pictures than the last one (one of which isn't even of his car) AND IT STILL HASNT SOLD. Honestly with the respray and the headwork at 90K miles most of us would stay away.

[m3f_WestCoastin]

Get this one instead...


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4345798919.html


4 grand to fix rock chips? The 4 grand should have been used to refresh the whole car. Not make it look pretty. Like Englishtom said, this car is phishy.

[m3f_M3_Tiag]

All sorts of red flags as pointed out by above..I'd keep looking

[m3f_Richardsperry]

I wouldn't let the respray put me off. I'm actually thinking of getting my car with 74K miles resprayed because of rock chips.



I would need to actually see the invoices of the engine work, then I'd talk to the guys that did it... If it was a money shift, they better have gone through everything. Money shifts don't only bend valves, it nackers pistons, and can bend rods, and kill bearings.



But, if that checks out and the car looks good in person, I'd say that price isn't too unreasonable.

[m3f_crqflier]

It's "possible" the owner doesn't really know what he's talking about with that first set of maint. $3500 "through BMW" for all that work (assuming it's really a HG not just VCG) would be an amazing deal. So I'd look at the receipt.


Car looks lowered which isn't mentioned, so that's sketchy for the level of detail in the rest of the ad.


Re spray for 4k might be a decent job. Though any time people toss around the term "respray" it's generally a hack job.


As already said, this seems sketchy and probably is. go check it out and report back with details.

[m3f_hencini]

TIL 90K is "stupid low miles".


Weird ad is weird. I'd be extremely skeptical or walk away entirely.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

Get this one instead...


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4345798919.html

This cars nice minus those disgusting seats and the stupid gauge. Otherwise tasteful mods. It says he does have the vaders, which is good, but Dove is also a huge let down for me. For others this may not be the case.


also trunk badge is misaligned and faded...

[m3f_ramnazeri]

I sent an email to the owner asking why he has so much maintenance done and this was his response:



"I had an inspection 2 done, which was $2000 because it was around the time BMW calls for one. The paint work was done because there was a bunch of minor imperfections ( rocks chips all over, some minor fadding etc) throughout the car and I got a good deal on paint through a local shop for $4000, it's not totally perfect still but looks amazing! The rest of the mechanical work was done to have the car running smooth because it's been sitting for a while."



Also, as much as I would love the other '99 M3 recommended by WestCoastin, I don't I can scrape up more than 11k for this buy. Also, to crqflier, he has put this ad up and taken it down like 4 times, and I do remember that he said the pictures of the car with the e34 throwing stars are just for reference, they are not his actual car.





I'll try to check it out within a week or so. Meanwhile, I'll keep searching.



Thanks for the help

[m3f_MMMGP]

Yeah, good call. Keep searching.

[m3f_Echo46]

Keep searching, you will find something really nice.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

I sent an email to the owner asking why he has so much maintenance done and this was his response:



The rest of the mechanical work was done to have the car running smooth because it's been sitting for a while."





Thanks for the help

Yeh bullshit. These engines run smooth until 200K if taken care of. There absolutely no reason it should have needed head work just because its been sitting awhile. That story stinks of fish.

[m3f_WestCoastin]

This cars nice minus those disgusting seats and the stupid gauge. Otherwise tasteful mods. It says he does have the vaders, which is good, but Dove is also a huge let down for me. For others this may not be the case.



also trunk badge is misaligned and faded...

Less negatives than the other though right? While they want more money seems like key m3 issues have been addressed. Have to see with the other one. And I like my dove interior . Shows wear less than the other colors....

[m3f_WestCoastin]

Yeh bullshit. These engines run smooth until 200K if taken care of. There absolutely no reason it should have needed head work just because its been sitting awhile. That story stinks of fish.

Seems odd to spend 7+ grand on repairs to then only list the car for 8+ if the car just needed maintenance.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

Less negatives than the other though right? While they want more money seems like key m3 issues have been addressed. Have to see with the other one. And I like my dove interior . Shows wear less than the other colors....

oh i agree its a nice example and has been enthusiast maintained. I have dove in my sedan and i just don't like grey plastic. The seats i could deal with being dove but grey plastic just looks.. horrible.