Thinking of this car at auction, advice please.

Good find - low miles and fair condition. The servicing is right for mileage but not for age - I'd want to do a service as soon as possible and check all brakes and discs (will be originals I would have thought). Tyres might last a season but one will need replacement before. Check hood operation a few times, check all panels though nothing major shown on presentation. Listen to it started up (for the heavy knock of head issues). At the right price this could be a fair start and worth a punt even not knowing history. . . .
 
^^^ Indeed.

Have you HPI'd it? The photos might suggest that it had repairs to the front and offside, but then there are not many 9 year old cars that haven't had a nudge of some description.
 
It'll be a trade in or sold to WBAC or similar company, hence the auction. Nice car mind.

I sold our 14plate RS Clio to WBAC with 10k miles on, absolute minter, not a mark anywhere on it. You'd think it'd be straight onto a forecourt to make a quick buck but no, WBAC send everything straight to auction regardless of condition.

I was so so tempted to attend the auction and buy it back as they gave me top dollar for it, more than it would make at auction anyway!!
 
Those ripples in the from wings are very common on lots of zeds. Must be to do with the length of the panel.
 
Doesn't look like it's been overly cared for mechanically but that may just have been because the indicator was followed.
MOT history suggests it should have at least one new spring at the rear:

Reason(s) for failure:
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Advisory notice item(s):
Offside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Could well be an alright motor bit would want to hear it started and budget for some tlc.
 
Mark555 said:
With just 34k miles, 3 services and over 9 years old, you have to ask yourself WHY it is going to auction??

I'ts perhaps a main dealer PX which they can't put through the approved used because of missing services or other history issues and it's a grade 3 vehicle meaning it requires,
Up to 4 medium bodyshop repairs or
Could require a new bumper but not both or
Up to 3 major bodyshop repairs.

Basically they don't see a huge retail profit in it or they gave peanuts and want to get cash in the bank at this time of year. Ideal for a private buyer with a contact in the paint repair scene.
 
It's been entered by "Ridgeway" a larger retailer, what would it be worth and any ideas what to bid at auction.
 
I'd set aside £500-£1k which is a decent budget, for a service and spruce up then you need to deduct that from what budget you have and set yourself a limit.

Auctions are a place where you need to have willpower and a set budget. Only you can say really what you'd want to spend on it.

I'd say between £5-6k max if it was my money but that's only because you can't test drive it, give it a thorough check etc......
 
The last couple of MOT's have flagged up advisories for a distorted wheel rim https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk

I've bought a few cars at auction and would advise not bidding unless you have seen the car and followed it from the starting pen in to the hall, with the Si models where HVC rattle on cold start up can be an issue so would be something to watch. On values, well just research as many on-line value guides as you can and similar cars that are for sale. The trade value is immaterial to you, as a private buyer you are looking to get it well below retail/private sale price with plenty built in to cover the service, sorting the odd tyres and the body defects but don't underestimate what that adds up to.

I've had some great cars that I've kept for a year or more and got my money back so it can work. Set a limit and stick to it! If you are only bidding against traders you will get it for a good price but get in to a bidding war with another private buyer and you may regret it.
 
nb67 said:
It'll be a trade in or sold to WBAC or similar company, hence the auction. Nice car mind.

I sold our 14plate RS Clio to WBAC with 10k miles on, absolute minter, not a mark anywhere on it. You'd think it'd be straight onto a forecourt to make a quick buck but no, WBAC send everything straight to auction regardless of condition.

I was so so tempted to attend the auction and buy it back as they gave me top dollar for it, more than it would make at auction anyway!!

WBAC are part of BCA these days hence why everything goes to auction
 
you're right about WBAC - I put my car details on it periodically just to see - offered £5k a week ago for my 2004 3.0SE with 29600 miles with FSH ( BMW ) nav ,bluetooth , M seats etc - rang me twice to see if I would sell it - said that all their cars go to auction and that they would expect an eventual forecourt price to be £6.5k to £7k - really wanted to know if I had made a mistake with the mileage and emphasised the no hassle of selling to them .
 
Could be an absolute dog with dodgy mileage etc etc. Why risk it when there are loads of examples out there at reasonable price.
 
If I get to the auction early and wait for them to start it, what am I listening for. My (sold) 2.5 didn't make a sound but this is the later SI engine. If it taps/rattles, do I walk away or should it do it a bit??
 
It's not a problem Gary, it's never affected reliability as far as I know, it's just a ticking sound on start up which is worse if the cars been left for a long time, regular use & oil changes more often than the bmw recommended interval should see any noise become a non-issue.
Regards
 
I just YouTubed the noise, I know what to look out for, BTW a young friend of my son has this engine in his 325, he drives it very hard, but it sounds sweet. So perhaps they need ranting?
 
They do rattle a little on start up.
I'd want to see it in daylight to check body panels match and align, as the inspection was carried out under artificial light.
 
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