Help with buying a car please!

Zulu

Hey folks,
looking for opinions here. I took a 03 BMW 320 out for a test drive and loved it. I agreed a price with the seller (private) on provision it check out after my mechanic give it an inspection.
So I got the bank draft and waited for the report.
My mechanic told me:

• it's been in a tip (but the chassy is fine; no major damage)
• front lights were replaced with non bmw parts (bosch)
• possible replaced bumper & bonnet
• rear tyres need changed
• last 4 entries of service history were done on the same day by the same person

He did a diagnostic and it was fine.
And he finished up by saying "i wouldn't let that put you off if you were getting the right price (discount)".

Am I mad for even considering it?

jimmycrackcorm

Zulu wrote: »

Am I mad for even considering it?

Put it this way - if you had a car and you tipped it with the same results - would you think some one else would be mad to buy your car from you?

Zulu

Nope, it's the service history that has me worried.
Last service was NOV 06. (and this was one of the four that were same day, same person, same pen)

-Chris-

I'd walk away based on the false service history. If people are lying about that, what else will they lie about.

Don't forget you'll have to sell this car at some point and if someone asks you about the service history, what will you say?

If you're going ahead with it, get the price reduced by the cost of a set of tyres and then ask for a discount for the bogey service history.

itarumaa

If you buy so new and expensive car a full service history and NTC is a must,

no point otherwise,

if you would be buying a old banger then service history does not matter too much.

Ferris

Zulu wrote: »

Hey folks,
looking for opinions here. I took a 03 BMW 320 out for a test drive and loved it. I agreed a price with the seller (private) on provision it check out after my mechanic give it an inspection.
So I got the bank draft and waited for the report.

My mechanic told me:

• it's been in a tip (but the chassy is fine; no major damage)
• front lights were replaced with non bmw parts (bosch)
• possible replaced bumper & bonnet
• rear tyres need changed
• last 4 entries of service history were done on the same day by the same person

He did a diagnostic and it was fine.
And he finished up by saying "i wouldn't let that put you off if you were getting the right price (discount)".

Am I mad for even considering it?

If it is a dealer service history you can ring BMW and they'll tell you if its factual. BMW's can be clocked so a dodgy service history sets alarm bells ringing.

Zulu

what do you reckon would be a compensation for the service history? 1K
I get the impression the seller is legit, I just think they got scammed over the water when they bought.

Zube

Zulu wrote: »

it's been in a tip (but the chassy is fine; no major damage)

If you go to sell it later, will you tell the next buyer this? Will they pay you less?

last 4 entries of service history were done on the same day by the same person

It's possible that the work was done on schedule, but nobody stamped up the book at the time, and the seller went around to get the history updated when he came to sell. Does he have original receipts? Does the garage that did the work have dated records?

colsers22

Zulu wrote: »

what do you reckon would be a compensation for the service history? 1K
I get the impression the seller is legit, I just think they got scammed over the water when they bought.

If he was scammed unknowingly, that's his problem. No reason for you to take it off his hands. I would definitely walk away from this. There's enough in your OP to make anyone walk away..

bazz26

There are plenty of these cars around for sale and it's a buyer's market at the moment so why settle for one that has a questionable service history.

Just step back for a moment and put aside the euforia of a nice new car and think it through with your head rather than your heart.

If the car has a questionable service history then what is to say that the mileage among other things is genuine? Maybe you can get the chassis number/old UK reg and get a HPI check done on it?

colm_mcm

run away. there are plenty of other choices.


out of interest, how cheap are we talking, and is it a 320i or 320d?

VH

+1

not like there is a shortage

Zulu

320ci sport for 18500

colm_mcm

for a 2003 with that description. are you mental?

you'll get 04 and 05 models for that price.

L-M

colm_mcm wrote: »

run away. there are plenty of other choices.


out of interest, how cheap are we talking, and is it a 320i or 320d?

Lol +1

Pleny out there, just have a look on www.carzone.ie and check 03, 04 and 05. There are plenty there, all at reasonable prices. I'm sure you will find one with a genuine history and that hasn't been crashed for that money. Don't buy it now and be kicking yourself in a few weeks time.

And that's a 1000

audismelly

bazz26 wrote: »

There are plenty of these cars around for sale and it's a buyer's market at the moment so why settle for one that has a questionable service history.

Just step back for a moment and put aside the euforia of a nice new car and think it through with your head rather than your heart.

If the car has a questionable service history then what is to say that the mileage among other things is genuine? Maybe you can get the chassis number/old UK reg and get a HPI check done on it?

heed this advice.

Zulu

thanks a million for the advice folks. A nights sleep has provided me with a clearer mind. Thanks a million again folks.