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Buying question

  • 28-08-2013 8:14am
    #1
    NothingMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,178 ✭✭✭✭


    Hello guys. I am looking to buy a 318ci E46 at the moment and I have a quick question about one I like but am being a bit wary of.

    It is 2001, NCT 01/14, very clean and engine seems to run and cound good. There are a couple of small issue, the brake pad light is on and the service history stops in 2010 so no doubt it needs a full service.

    The switch for the right windows is broken but new one is in the car and is easily fixed, as is an indicator bulb which is gone.

    The clock reset needle is gone. Must have broken off at some point so the clock is just --/-- and can't be set.

    These things were enough to make me a little wary but not necessarily put me off as it seems to be a good price at 1250 (lowest price from the seller). However the car was sold on 26/06/13 and put up for sale on 20/07/13 so I am a little wary as per the car buying guide sticky here.

    If anyone with more experience than I can give an opinion I'd be very grateful as it is one of the nicest cars in my price range I've seen and would be interested if it seems ok.


Comments

  • #2
    serious3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,026 ✭✭✭serious3


    a link to the ad might be useful, and if you're not sure about any aspect of the car (proved by you asking on here) then walk away, surely there are others out there


  • #3
    NothingMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,178 ✭✭✭✭NothingMan


    serious3 wrote: »
    a link to the ad might be useful, and if you're not sure about any aspect of the car (proved by you asking on here) then walk away, surely there are others out there


    Apologies. Link.

    As with any car this age you will have small issues to consider and I was just looking for an opinion from someone more experienced than myself as to whether they would consider the issues deal breakers. There are other cars but none with the interior or condition of this one for this price.

    Main issue is it looks to be a good deal but ad is 36 days old and the owner only bought it 3 weeks prior to that. Seems like a warning bell but don't want to walk away without being sure in case it is a good buy.


  • #4
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    If the windows switch was an easy fix then it would have been fixed. I suspect that the regulator has gone as its very very rarely a switch or electrical problem. Ask the seller to get it fixed if its an easy fix. If they refuse then its for a reason.

    Personally I'd walk away from it and wait for something that doesn't need any work.


  • #5
    NothingMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,178 ✭✭✭✭NothingMan


    CJC999 wrote: »
    If the windows switch was an easy fix then it would have been fixed. I suspect that the regulator has gone as its very very rarely a switch or electrical problem. Ask the seller to get it fixed if its an easy fix. If they refuse then its for a reason.

    Personally I'd walk away from it and wait for something that doesn't need any work.


    You can do the window with a finger so regulator is fine, made sure to check it as I know it can be an expensive job.

    I think you're right. If something doesn't feel right it's usually for a reason.


  • #6
    kilclon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭kilclon


    The reset needles on these are easily broken when the instrument cluster is taken out (I broke both of mine when I took out the cluster to do a mod without first taking the boots off the needles). It may be innocuous enough but if the instrument cluster was taken out I would be asking myself why.


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  • #7
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,856 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    €1250 is not a lot of money, so your expectations need to be equally low.


  • #8
    NothingMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,178 ✭✭✭✭NothingMan


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    €1250 is not a lot of money, so your expectations need to be equally low.

    I agree which is why I'm reluctant to walk away from what could be a good buy for me.


  • #9
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,360 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Brake Pad light could either the pads need to be changed or they were changed but the pad wear sensors were not. Every time the pads are changed the wear sensors need to be changed also as the sensor wears down with the pad.

    Ownership changing in a short period could indicate either the seller is flipping cars over to make a few quid or that they are getting rid of something they now is trouble.

    In this price range and age of car you are going to find things needing fixing, can be a mine field especially on premium brand cars were something can cost a fair chunk of the car's value to fix or replace.


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