A bargain or just plain trouble?

C

CoupeChief

Member
 Glasgow
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2497002.htm
I've had this from the current owner...
"The car received light frontal damage. The car still has the original bonnet and wings fitted. The front bumper would have been replaced with the headlights and the plastic panel behind the bumper which holds the rads etc. Only brand new BMW parts where fitted which was quite expensive. Yes the car is priced at £12950 due the previous damage at was priced due to guidelines set by car valuation companies."
 
I always say if you can smell a rat, it's usually a rat. Only an inspection will tell you what you need to know I fear CoupeChief.
 
inkey$ said:
DON'T MENTION CAT D!!! NOT TODAY :fuelfire:
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:rofl:


I think at £13k it's not quite cheap enough if it IS a Cat D compared to a similar spec/mileage non-Cat D Z4MC. If it is indeed Cat D, I'd be asking for photos showing the previous damage, copies of correspondence concerning the repair, etc. If the damage is as light as the seller says, I'd not discount it as a cheap way to get into an ///M, as long as you'd plan on keeping it a few years.
 
Best thing to do would be to contact the seller and ask if they're happy to have it inspected. You then arrange the inspection obviously at small cost to yourself and if it checks out snap it up. Bet the seller is glad he didn't post a for-sale thread up here after the assassination the other one got :oops:
 
I looked into this car a while back and spoke to the current owner. If memory serves me correct the guy said it's a cat C. He sent me a list of things that were supposedly changed...

Hi,
I dont have any of the receipts at present I could maybe try contacting BMW to see if they may have a copy. However the parts replaced are listed below. Please note there was no chassis or engine damage just the cosmetic parts listed below
- Front bumper cover (complete)
- Both headlights
- Oil cooler rad
- Front landing panel cover (plastic)
- 2 plastic grilles
Any other questions dont hesitate to call.
Many thanks,
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If that list is correct I wouldn't be put off for a good price, people get far too caught up with 'accidents' as if all are equal. The car is not worthless because it has had a new bumper and headlights....these parts bolt on and bolt off, if done properly and painted well there is nothing wrong with it.

However....I cant see why it would be Cat C with so little damage? Cat C means it was written off for costing more to repair than its worth, and that's not £12-£15k of damage. Maybe Cat D as that's 60%, but again I just cant see it costing that much for that list.

If it is Cat D with that sort of damage, had it not been registered a buyer may never have even noticed....its not like something that's had sheet metal cut out and new stuff welded in, put on a jig, etc which is a different story all together
 
Yep, so long as you get it properly inspected and do all the relevant checks. If it turns out right it's an undeniable bargain. Although alu dash in an M? No thank you. :fuelfire:
 
playalistic said:
Although alu dash in an M? No thank you. :fuelfire:
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Why not in an M? The carbon look leather that most Z4M have is a little boring... :P :poke: Okay; Alu and red don't go that good together...that's a fact.
 
If any of you are considering this car I test drove it a couple of days ago and couldn't find a thing wrong with it. I'm no expert but the car drove perfectly. Had it out on the motorway for a few miles too and it felt great...in fact felt better than my own 2.2 se roadster on the motorway but I preferred my own on the corners.

I've been looking for a car exactly like this for a couple of months now but in the end I decided not to buy for a few reasons:

1. It felt very front heavy with that huge engine (but the power and sound was real good)
2. I thought it wasn't different enough from my own car to justify the extra running costs (75 mile a day commute)
3. I really think I'd miss the soft top in the summer.
4. Not 100% keen on the colour. My car is toledo blue...which is the best :D

Probably if I'd driven it for a week and got to thrash it around a bit I'd have got used to it and loved it.

It's a category C but that was two years ago I think so it's been going since then. To be honest...I almost bought the car...it's an absolute bargain...but I'd have got a full inspection before buying. Even was considering holding on to the roadster as well but in the end had to be realistic...hungry kids to feed etc.

The seller seemed genuine too.

This is all my own opinion and like I say, I'm no car expert, but don't discount it because of previous damage or because it's over here in N Ireland....before I change my mind!!!
 
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