Mileage Problem?

[m3f_maxxedout9_a585527231]

Hey guys I finally found a M that I think I want....my only concern is that it is a 97 with 120,000 miles on it....whats is the life expectancy on the M engine and tranny? If this is a car that I plan on modding then is one with this high mileage a good idea? Thanks for any help.

[m3f_resisTm3]

how much is the asking price... 120k is really high for a 97... but then again, it could be a really taken care of engine and car just having a lot of highway miles... check carfax... make sure the car is fairly flawless. i personally think that modding a 120k engine is .. well not risky... but it might just be a waste of money... you could put all that money into the engine... just to have it cause more problems in the near future

[m3f_maxxedout9_a585527231]

Well its on ebay....hes asking 16,000 for buy it now right now....but no one is biting....I'd probably take it for 14,500 or so if you guys think that I wouldnt have problems out of it...I just don't know where stuff starts wearing out on these cars....I mean I have 133k on my maxima and drive hard everyday...It has an engine that has lasted people over 300k...so no biggie...anyway this car is up in VA....are there any guys around here that could check it out?



I just noticed you have the e46 bumper....you are my hero...

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Maxxed:



Where in VA? Northern?



I bought long distance, and had an acquaintance look at it first for me.



Edgy

[m3f_maxxedout9_a585527231]

Manassas, VA

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Hmmm. Depends on how they drive the car really. If they have beat the crap outa the engine, expect issues. If they took care of it... thats another story. The body on my car has 110k on it right now. No issues with it.

[m3f_resisTm3]

haha, why am i your hero?

[m3f_mbobkat_3cf0f2f02a]

I picked up my 97 a couple of years ago with 83 on it and now I'm up to 120. I haven't had any problems...just bulbs goin out. The chick I bought it from was first owner and she babied the hell out of it (all service records at the stealer). Mine was an ebayer too. She had all the records and allowed me to take it in to check compression, etc. Ran me $240 to do that but I felt it was well worth cuz it put my mind at ease. I don't think she hotrod'd it too much - I didn't even ask her. I did have to buy tires right away tho.



Since nobody is biting I would think thats a good thing since it may buy you some time to do some background checks on it and think about it some more. If it works out that you bid $14,500 and you don't meet the reserve you can email the seller afterwards and negotiate some kind of deal if your heart is really set on it and if it hasn't sold by then. Just my 2 cents...



Just remember, don't rush it - there will always be deals

[m3f_maxxedout9_a585527231]

Well I can't buy for another month because that is when my g/f is going to have the money to buy my car....only thing is I have to do it about then because she really needs a car...and on that note my roomate has a 98 328 with 120,000 on it and hasnt had any issues yet....he may be able to check it out nect weekend on his way up to MD...but are there any forum guys that live near there?



Oh yeah and the e46 bumper is so hot on silver e36's...thats why

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Well, I still got a 22 yearold e21 that runs, for the most part, pretty good. Just some minor oil seapage here and there, due to old gaskets, but the pistion rings are starting to go now. But its got 244,000 on it :P

[m3f_maxxedout9_a585527231]

So is that a go ahead on trying to get it for 14,500 or should i be paying less maybe 14,000-14,200? And still is there anyone in VA that would check it out for me?

[m3f_maxxedout9_a585527231]

bttt? anyone?

[m3f_mazur_fc5757570e]

Sounds like a fair price to me if everything looks like its in tip-top shape

:thumbsup:

[m3f_nussie]

i just picked up a 97 4 door with an auto for 12,500. It has 110,000 miles. I bought it on ebay out of philly. I 've had it two months and so far it is fine. According to the carfax, 60,000 miles were put on in 2 years. So it must have a lot of highway miles on it. I didn't have it looked at, but i went and picked it up. I could have just walked away.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

i just picked up a 97 4 door with an auto for 12,500. It has 110,000 miles. I bought it on ebay out of philly. I 've had it two months and so far it is fine. According to the carfax, 60,000 miles were put on in 2 years. So it must have a lot of highway miles on it. I didn't have it looked at, but i went and picked it up. I could have just walked away.



w00t! Thats what I paid for mine, and I got the extra bonus of a brand new engine block. < 1000 miles on it at the time I bought it.



Since then I have replace pullies, suspension and I am working towards my occupency sensor mat! :banghead: