Okay, here's the situation. I just agreed to purchase a 1997 BMW M3 from North Carolina (I'm located in Los Angeles). The drive back would be unbearable so I'm not planning to fly there. Also, the nearest airport is 83 miles which is quite a ways.

Bottom line is that I don't want to pay the $15k for this car if it's crap.

Is there anyone near Kill Devil Hills, NC, that would be willing to look at the car, test drive it, inspect it (in detail) as well as take MANY pictures of it? I'd be willing to pay you too.

If all is well, I will finalize payment and arrange for shipping. I have already sent the $1000 deposit.

Please PM me or email me at clumpymold@sbcglobal.net if interested. He still has to pay the remaining balance and receive the title before he can release it to me so I've got another week or two.

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!


Here's the link:

1997 BMW M3 (http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=144469113&dealer_id=&car_year=1997&search_type=used&make=BMW&model=&transmission=MAN&distance=any&address=91754&advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=15000&min_price=&end_year=1998&start_year=1994&drive=&engine=6CLDR&body_style=COUPE&advcd_on=y&doors=2&fuel=&color=BLACK&cardist=2388)

Here's a pic of it:

Let's just say I hope he's not selling it because Hurricane Isabel tainted it's value. I would definately have someone check it out before you send the final payment. Saltwater is no good to the car in the long run.

Oh, and Kill Devil Hills is essentially the beach, so hope it was on a lift last month.

Originally posted by MACK1
Let's just say I hope he's not selling it because Hurricane Isabel tainted it's value. I would definately have someone check it out before you send the final payment. Saltwater is no good to the car in the long run.

Oh, and Kill Devil Hills is essentially the beach, so hope it was on a lift last month.


Wow, really? I had no idea. When did Hurricane Isabel occur? I was informed by his wife (whom I first spoke to regarding this vehicle) that he's actually been trying to sell this car since March but he was half-hearted in his attempt as this is his baby. He's selling because they purchased another black BMW M3 (1998 convertible) and they have no use for two.

I've decided, however, to contact a local auto repair shop and have them inspect it. I'll just give them my credit card number over the phone and hope that the seller will be okay with doing this. If he's not, then I won't purchase from him.

After I re-read my post it seemed a little harsh and possibly suggested that he was trying to get over on you. I'm not trying to suggest that, but with recent events, I would do everything possible to check on it. You may also want to see about having him sign something that says the car has not been damaged. Is he the first owner? If he is and the car was damaged, at least you know who is at fault. But definately have a PPI done.

Sorry for the 20 questions, but I hate to see people get taken advantage of. And it seems to be happening alot more nowadays.

Originally posted by MACK1
After I re-read my post it seemed a little harsh and possibly suggested that he was trying to get over on you. I'm not trying to suggest that, but with recent events, I would do everything possible to check on it. You may also want to see about having him sign something that says the car has not been damaged. Is he the first owner? If he is and the car was damaged, at least you know who is at fault. But definately have a PPI done.

Sorry for the 20 questions, but I hate to see people get taken advantage of. And it seems to be happening alot more nowadays.

Oh, no it's okay. Yeah, I'm definitely going to have someone check it out. Funny thing that I just noticed (and I'm not sure if it's even a big deal) when I did a search under his phone number, I found that the street address is correct, but that the city and zip code are a bit off. Zip he gave me was 27948 but the zip according to the phone number is 27949. City he gave me was Kill Devil Hills and the actual city is Kitty Hawk. Is that strange?

Not really, Kill Devil Hills may be a location or kind of suburb to Kitty Hawk. Thjey are right no top of each other, so it's possible. Sometimes the post office is located in one and the address is the other. I usually get a house down there during the summer, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area.

Regardless, I hope the car is in great shape and works out for you. Sorry I can't be of any more assistance.

Honestly, if I were you I would only buy a car that you can see in person and have checked out yourself. Buying a used car is hard enough. I wouldn't get overly exicted about a car that you haven't seen or driven.

I got burned on my first car purchase. I bought a 1993 Integra in 1995. I test drove it and checked it out myself. I did not have a shop look it over. I felt that since the car still had the new car smell it must be fine. Guess what....it turned out to be my worst nightmare. I found out that the car was a salvaged car bought from a Pa. auto salvage auction.

I am not trying to make you worried. I just want you to know that this is a big risk you are taking. There aren't any good m3's in your neck of the woods??

Good luck.

Originally posted by Andy
Honestly, if I were you I would only buy a car that you can see in person and have checked out yourself. Buying a used car is hard enough. I wouldn't get overly exicted about a car that you haven't seen or driven.

I got burned on my first car purchase. I bought a 1993 Integra in 1995. I test drove it and checked it out myself. I did not have a shop look it over. I felt that since the car still had the new car smell it must be fine. Guess what....it turned out to be my worst nightmare. I found out that the car was a salvaged car bought from a Pa. auto salvage auction.

I am not trying to make you worried. I just want you to know that this is a big risk you are taking. There aren't any good m3's in your neck of the woods??

Good luck.

Wow, that DOES suck. I wanted this one because it was BY FAR the cheapest M3 that I could find WITH the mods too. I was looking for something slightly modded so I wouldn't be tempted to mod (I'm trying to hold back...I spent over $22k modding my last car which I just sold).

Anyway, yeah, I'm definitely going to have it inspected. I already have a list of auto repair shops that I'm going to call first thing tomorrow to get a quote. I'll ask him to bring it there as well as give me the VIN number (or have the auto shop give it to me). If everything checks out, I'll arrange for a pickup. If not, then oh well, I gotta start over.

Oh, and I noticed that KBB value over there is roughly $2k LESS than in CA. Which is why CA M3s are so much more expensive. The CHEAPEST I could find, comparably was around $16,500 with NO mods and about 15k more miles!

Ohhh, I see.

Well, have it checked out and don't be pressured into anything.

Good luck.

Check your PMs

Originally posted by Purv944
Check your PMs


Cool! Thanks! I just sent you an email.

Curtis

should have bought mine :)

Originally posted by gsober
should have bought mine :)

Hehe, thanks. But I'd STILL have to check yours out despite what you say. Plus, yours is $4500 MORE than the one I purchased, no wheels, suspension, and it's FOUR doors. If everything works out for this one, then I lucked out. If not, we'll talk. ;)

Oh, thanks for the email. I'll forward it to anyone I know looking for an M3. :D

very true. mine does have a suspension but stock wheels. thanks for passing out the pics!! oh the 4 drs are very close to the same demensions as the 2 dr!! :D

Originally posted by clumpymold
Hehe, thanks. But I'd STILL have to check yours out despite what you say. Plus, yours is $4500 MORE than the one I purchased, no wheels, suspension, and it's FOUR doors. If everything works out for this one, then I lucked out. If not, we'll talk. ;)

The 4 door weighes exactly the same and is actually stiffer then the 2 door. And gsober's car is a fine example of an M3, and it is in great shape. He takes care of his car, and would be a better buy, but good luck with your steal. I hope it isn't too good to be true.

Oh, and in the description of the autotrader add, it says:
1997 M3 Enthusiast owned. Perfectly maintained. Excellent condition. AC Schnitzer aftermarket wheels and suspension. Re-Chipped to european specs. $16,500 OBO
Enthusiast owned and Re-Chipped to european specs? If it was an enthusiast, the owner would know that you cannot just "re-chip" the car to european specs... that would require an illegal engine swap.

Again, good luck, and hope everything works out. If not gsober's car is available with a GC Track/School kit, and eibach sways.... a great foundation for a properly modded car.

Originally posted by vjlax18
Oh, and in the description of the autotrader add, it says:

Enthusiast owned and Re-Chipped to european specs? If it was an enthusiast, the owner would know that you cannot just "re-chip" the car to european specs... that would require an illegal engine swap.

Again, good luck, and hope everything works out. If not gsober's car is available with a GC Track/School kit, and eibach sways.... a great foundation for a properly modded car.

Thanks, but I don't really care about the "being rechipped". In a way, I sorta like the fact that the owner doesn't know too much about the vehicle. That just means he won't charge me the actual cost of it.

At any rate, the car is now being shipped to me. Inspection went perfectly (the mechanic said the car looks PERFECT and there are only small repairs that MAY be needed but will be under $100). The seller also just put on four brand new Toyo 18" tires (since one blew out before shipping).

Thanks for your help and I'll be sure to post pictures up here once I receive it.

:D :D :D

Sounds like you got a deal, keep us posted.....

hope the guy didnt slip the mechanic a ben franklin to go easy on it. Good luck !

Originally posted by jterp
hope the guy didnt slip the mechanic a ben franklin to go easy on it. Good luck !

Damn, you trying to scare me or something? Haha. Well, I DID run a carfax on it and everything checked out. Plus, the guy's a doctor so I figure he's somewhat honest (it's not like he's a lawyer :stickoutt ). He's an anesthesiologist for that matter. The highest paid doctors out there. I don't think he has time to mess around nor would do so.

Only time will tell now. Still waiting for the damn shipping company to pick it up. They claim the 12th-14th (next week) but are trying to do their best. I'm SO mad at them. I called them for the pickup on the 30th of October. They told me only 3-5 days notice for the pickup. This will be 2 weeks! I SO want to compalin but I'm trying to be nice about it. Besides, if I went with some other company now, they'd pick it up about the same time now anyway. Plus, this company only cost me $800 to ship it.

I'll keep you guys posted....