HELP ME DECIDE!! Found another possible ///M

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

Hey guys I started the help me "help me buy my dream car" thread about a week ago or so. I found another one that looks promising let me know what you think!! I know this is long, you guys are alot of help thanks again!!





Its a trade in at a mitsubishi dealer in my area (but i know them quite well)



Owned by a older man originally from Miami, than New Jersey, then lastly fishers island NY (all the same guy i think, carfax says 2 owners however)



1999 (production 03/99)



Silver with dove grey



5 speed

power seats (no heat)

HK sound

OBC (full one)

M contour wheels

factory wing



Miles 44,500



(its the same as the one i looked at before but this has power seats and the obc)



The exterior is good (all body panels original) One 3 inch scratch across the hood.



Interior is clean but the drivers seat and armrest look kind of worn



The price they have it for is $22,900



NOW THE BAD:



tires pretty worn



no records beyond 20,000 miles (i looked it up at bmw and carfaxed it)



AIR BAG LIGHT ON



ASC LIGHT ON (does not go out when the button is pushed)



Hood scratch/ a few wheel scratches



ALSO the drivers window dosent retract when the door is opened. (but the window works fine otherwise)



It also seems to run cool and the needle never went above the 1/4 mark (thermostat?)



NOW im going to look at it again and drive it on saturday Im also going to set up a pre purchase inspection at BMW on monday if the car looks like a go on saturday.



Let me know what you guys think about the window problem, cooling, asc, and airbag problem. What are the typical causes of thoes problems??



IF all goes well im going to try and get the price down on account of the tires and the few problems, im shooting for 21 or 20.(Im hoping to just get the price down as low as possible and fix the problems myself.) I also am planning on an inspection II right off the bat, also all fluids front to back.

Thanks again!! this could be the one!!!

Brian

[m3f_resisTm3]

pictures??

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

sorry no pics, its just sitting at a local dealer on the grass in front. It looks identical to this beautiful one:



http://www.geocities.com/bmw_1999_m3/199905112p.html



they even have the same exact options (except power seats)



so thats what it looks like but picture a pretty deep (into the primer) 3inch scratch on the top of the hood and in need of a serious detail!



Let me know if you think it sounds good



Thanks

Brian

[m3f_andylv]

Seems like a lot of things wrong for just 44,000 miles. Why are the seats and arm rests showing wear? My 95 has 74,000 miles and the seats and arm rests are in very good shape. The pre-inspection is a good idea. good luck and take your time buying your dream car so it doesn't become a nightmare.

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

Get a pre-inspection on it. You should make them fix all broken parts before the sale, or take $ off of the sale so you can fix them. New tires would be nice too.



Airbag light is on because a seatbelt latch needs to be replaced

ACS light could be on for several reasons, best to have a dealer take a look at that (possibly because they removed the ACS boot for performance reasons)

Drivers window could either use a new fuse, or the regulator needs to be replaced

Maybe they can have the paint touched up too.



See if they will fix all of the problems that the pre-inspection finds.

[m3f_park828_94ead836d3]

also too much.. i got 97 coupe EVERYTHING WORKING same as yours with no power seat

violet 23535 miles ac type ii 18in wheels with new dunlop tires sp9000 Leather perfect paint perfect engine tranny perfect rtab perfect all susp perfect for 23000.

[m3f_resisTm3]

maybe it was a fat guy who doesn't lknow how to sit right on the seats ?

[m3f_04M3blur_1ceee0bbd5]

Definately get the pre-inspection, it's a must.

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

maybe it was a fat guy who doesn't lknow how to sit right on the seats ?





LOL, I think it was someone of average weight, I know what it looks like when an overweight person sits in sport seats. The bolsters fold out and its a real disaster! My friend bought a jeep cherokee that a fat guy must have owned because the seat was all folded flat and he had to have the seat re welded!!!!



I think you guys have the wrong idea, the seat isint destroyed its just not as nice a a few others I have seen with the same mileage. Im expecting some wear, I mean Ive seen newer e46 M's with worn bolsters already.



The seat isint my biggest concern (I'll try and restore it the best I can) the arm rest is worn too but I plan on taking that out anyways (hmmm I think I'll post a thread for that!)





Does anyone know about the air bag light, faulty drivers window (not dropping when the door is opened), the running cool, or the ASC light?

Thoes are the things Im most concerned about. I know the car has a few issues but if the body is perfect (no accidents) and if it runs great theres nothing I cant fix if I get the car for the right price!!



Thanks for all the help!!

Brian

[m3f_99DakarM3_146594ecf1]

Thats pretty cheap for a late production 99 w/ low miles, but it should be because of the problems. The last build date was 4/99 or something close to that. I'd definitley get someone to inspect it - it seems like theirs a lot of little things wrong, but they are all fixable for a cost. I have a 99 build date of 4/99 and havent had any problems other than a fan resistor for the A/C, bad window motor, and of course the brake circuit warning. I'll kepp knocking on wood with that said, good luck with your purchase.

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

Yep no suprises here, just another trash ///M! Went and looked at that car again today. This time it wasent rust or an accident, no no not that simple.

This time it was i think a blown head gasket!



The oil on the dipstick was clean, but the oil fill cap was a different story. There was milky sludge all over the inside and on the cap also alot of water droplets hanging from inside and on the cap as well. The car did seem to smoke a little (white smoke) but it wasent very sweet smelling. WHO KNOWS too fishy for me espicially on top of the rest of its problems!



I think after 8 months of looking (and being car less) im about ready to throw in the towel on e36 328is's and M's. I have looked at so many and everyone of them was a over priced dissapointment! Is it that hard to find a mint, silver ,completely stock one with less than 50k miles? I guess im just being to picky, but I wont have it any other way either. OH well I dident have my hopes up too high this time anyways!



Thanks for the help anyways guys

Brian

[m3f_xkhalil333x]

Have you given my car a look? There is nothing wrong with my car and its in mint condition. You would be happy if you saw it. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=188859

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

It looks great, but Im really looking for a late 98 or 99 with around 50,000 miles or less.





Thanks

Brian

[m3f_pharoh]

It looks great, but Im really looking for a late 98 or 99 with around 50,000 miles or less.





Thanks

Brian



...Like I said, I can return my car back to stock, if that's what you're looking for. And it doesn't have any of the mechanical issues/rust/etc you've been dealing w/ either. Best of luck, anyway! :beer:

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

LOL, your car is beautiful man. I just cant do black either, from a 3 year professional detailers standpoint its a lot of work to keep looking great. I like silver or grey, anything lighter than black really.