Interested in a car at Mark Motors. NE advice on the dealership or close enough to have a look?

Thanks in advance!
-tom

I might be able to swing by there Thursday or Friday if you'd like. Not the best neighborhood in the universe, but it's only a 20 minute ride or so.

I wouldn't want anyone to make a special trip. The car is on my short list but if it comes down to it I'll make the drive. Have you ever heard of the dealership or is it just some rinky ittle chop shop?

thanks,
tom

The place has been around for years, but I've never heard anything one way or the other. Only that its located in the ghetto area of New Haven and that some of the cars they sell reflect its location.

Lol one of my jobs is Swap Driver. I drive for a Toyota dealership, usually end up with between 500-1000 miles a week. A 40mi round trip is no biggie, if it makes you feel better you can buy me gas if you end up buying the car :D

Done!:D It's a Blue 525/5 Sport.

Yes. Yes it is. And I'm uploading pics as we speak.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1056.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1057.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1058.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1059.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1060.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1061.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1062.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1063.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1064.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1065.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1068.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1069.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1070.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1071.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1072.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1073.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1074.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1075.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1076.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1078.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1079.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1080.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1081.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1082.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1083.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1084.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1085.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1086.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l287/Bin_jammin/DSCN1087.jpg

So as you may or may not be able to tell, the car is effing clean. The only interior wear that's even remotely noticeable to me is on the driver's seat trim plastic, and some shoe scuffing on the driver's door. Mileage is low. I don't know if it's supposed to have the ///M badge on the decklid or not, but it's there. The muffler has a slight wrinkle in it, I'd be willing to bet someone backed into a curb at some point, but it's not cosmetic or functional.

I suggest you pass on it, but I'll be charging $19,000 for the service of checking it out :D

Started and ran fine, no skips or funky noises.

Seriously, the car's clean. Dig your frozen arse out of Maine and come to the CT ghetto to drive it.

Wow, thank you. From a quick scan it looks like the only issues are an interior that needs a small plasctic part (seat bottom) replaced, a thorough cleaning and a set of tires? The color looks really good too to my surprise. I guess I need to make the drive...

-tom

Yeah, the tires don't even look that bad, I threw those pics in trying to show that actually, though they may not be the type of tire you're looking for. I also personally don't care for those wheels, but you know, I'm not a wheel guy. I don't even know that I'd replace the seat plastic, I'd probably just remove it and paint it, but I'm cheap, so take that with a grain or two. It really has minimal wear, I'd come down and check it out. Let me know when you're coming, we'll grab some chow at Pepe's.

07/15/2003 11,306 Collision Repair Facility
Massachusetts Vehicle inspected after an
accident or other incident
Damage to left front
A vehicle inspection completed
by your dealer or professional
inspector is recommended

07/15/2003 11,306 Collision Repair Facility
Massachusetts Vehicle inspected after an
accident or other incident
Damage to left front
A vehicle inspection completed
by your dealer or professional
inspector is recommended

Interesting, they told me it was original paint. Of course. Well, I couldn't spot the color change in the paint, so either it was very minimal or the body work was excellent.

Then it moved to RI for a year and a half with oddly no additional information posted on mileage, inspections or titles. Listed as still titled in RI as of 01/08

Yea, the Carfax is within the realm of 'normal' but not spotless. It's pretty tough to find an original owner car. I found a GORGEOUS '03 and CarFax'd it and it's a three owner car. Never know. I will almost certainly go look at this car next week, I'll cetainly spring for lunch!!!

My concern is the emblem on the lid. It tends to reason that anyone that would do that would drive the car like it was an //M. I want to see some service records.

To add more confusion, I am thinking this car might go out at $18k but I can buy a CPO perfect '03 for $20-21k. Ony $3k for wanrranty, etc. Tough call again.

Perfect clean carfax

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=233692400&dealer_id=100009086&car_year=2003&model=525I&num_records=25&systime=&make3=BMW&make2=BMW&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=300&marketZipError=false&model3=528IT&model2=525IT&search_lang=&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02338&advanced=y&end_year=2003&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=300

another one with a clean carfax


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=234660370&dealer_id=50119119&car_year=2003&model=525I&num_records=25&systime=&make3=BMW&make2=BMW&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=300&marketZipError=false&model3=528IT&model2=525IT&search_lang=&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02338&advanced=y&end_year=2003&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=234

I've got them both saved in my Autotrader account:buttrock. Still holding out for a Touring but the sedans would make it a lot easier. Thanks for the help.

-tom

Members helping members :buttrock

That's a sweet color too. Why not spring for a 530i though?

Members helping members :buttrock

That's a sweet color too. Why not spring for a 530i though?

It IS a sweet color, and I get the feeling the major attraction to this car is that it's a 525/5 Sport. We had a 530 sport at the dealership I work at over the summer that was twice the mileage and an automatic, but it had style fives on it, just as clean as the one in these pics, and book on that was STILL $16,500 six months ago.

I don't thnk the 530 is a lot different overall and I'm going for max mpg. I've had e34 and e39 M5's and the like so it's not about perfromance anymore. I just need a good mileage car that gets over 30mpg highway and the 525/530 Sport is VERY similar to my beloved m5 and I already know the car fits me well. Unfortunately I need to be able to trust it on long trips so service history is important.

THIS (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=237766126&dealer_id=61910035&car_year=2003&model=528IT&num_records=25&systime=&make3=BMW&make2=BMW&mod_bookmark_id=14496608&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model3=528I&model2=530I&search_lang=&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=04046&advanced=y&end_year=2003&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=75) is nice. Expensive but nice. Now, find this in a Touring and I'm on a plane.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/554479384.html (no miles listed?)

That is a beautiful car, CPO but MAN people are asking a lot for their cars, eh?!?

there is a 5 speed white tan CPO non-sport 530i @ Gallery BMW with 40k they are asking $18k obo. I know they have had the car for a LONG time and are pretty eager to move it. Not really close to what you are looking for but you might be able to push for a really strong deal on that one. Dennis Ottino is the guy I leased my e90 from @ Gallery.

I saw that car and it's my favorite color but to settle for a non-sport model would bug me forever.