Specific checks for low mileage e86

M

Mky77

Member
I’m viewing an e86 3.0si sport with mid 30k miles on it.
Obviously not done many miles per year and dry stored for last year. Only 1k since last service and has new brakes and tyres.

Apart from the obvious leaks, head noise etc as normal inspection my question is due to the low miles and usage what specifically should I be looking out for if anything ?
 
Check for things that like to move and be warmed up regularly - its been sitting around a lot and cars generally don't like that.

Bushes, joints, any rubbers that will have gone hard. On my E86 which had 60k miles the gaskets needed doing so the valvetronic and valve cover gaskets. Check for any oil below these/sitting in the spark plug cavities. Make sure the oils were really replaced ie receipts not just service stamps. I always do a service on cars I buy regardless for peace of mind.
 
Don’t worry too much if its a silver topped engine cover and you hear what sounds like a sewing machine. They suffer from lifter tick (not an issue) and after a few minutes at 3000rpm it should settle down.

Otherwise, all the usual checks as mentioned above.
 
Check the dates on the tyres and look for cracks in the sidewall or between the treads. Some cracks may only show up if the tyre is correctly inflated. Also if you can check how the tyres have worn as this could be an indicator of potential problems if they are worn unevenly.

A good set of tyres will set you back about £500.
 
Thanks for replies.
I’ve just had a chat with previous owner who had car for 4 yrs prior to it being stored. He owns a well respected restoration and modification business and I know a lot more history now.
I should be able to borrow a scanner.
I’ll report back on how I get on! 🤞
 
Update on this!

That was the most bizarre and unbelievable viewing I’ve ever had.
Car was really nice and clean. Pretty pebble rashes on front bumper for the mileage ( a lot more than a car I viewed with 60k on it) and a few little scuffs but nothing bad.
I looked over engine, underneath and was checking panel gaps and window rubbers etc when the seller said “ this is not the car for you, you’re expecting concourse and I’m not selling you it! We’re 30 mins in and you haven’t started the engine. You should have known within 2 minutes if it was the car for you so I’m not selling it!”
I was dumbfounded. I had not made one negative comment about the car and was just going round it as I would any car. He slammed the boot shut and bonnet and ushered me away. I was shocked and still am as I would have bought it and it is top dollar price.
Still can’t believe it.
He obviously didn’t like me having a proper look at it and expected me to say within minutes I love it here’s the money.
There was no reasoning with him.
Really strange one 😳
 
Mky77 said:
Update on this!

That was the most bizarre and unbelievable viewing I’ve ever had.
Car was really nice and clean. Pretty pebble rashes on front bumper for the mileage ( a lot more than a car I viewed with 60k on it) and a few little scuffs but nothing bad.
I looked over engine, underneath and was checking panel gaps and window rubbers etc when the seller said “ this is not the car for you, you’re expecting concourse and I’m not selling you it! We’re 30 mins in and you haven’t started the engine. You should have known within 2 minutes if it was the car for you so I’m not selling it!”
I was dumbfounded. I had not made one negative comment about the car and was just going round it as I would any car. He slammed the boot shut and bonnet and ushered me away. I was shocked and still am as I would have bought it and it is top dollar price.
Still can’t believe it.
He obviously didn’t like me having a proper look at it and expected me to say within minutes I love it here’s the money.
There was no reasoning with him.
Really strange one 😳
Click to expand...

Take it as a sign and walk away man. Sounds like the guy was hiding something.

The road rash on the bumper could be due to an aggressive driver following too close to a car just after the road has had "chippings" put down to "re-seal" it. There is a reason why they slow the road down to 20mph while the tar and chippings set up. :)
 
Matty_Z4 said:
Mky77 said:
Update on this!

That was the most bizarre and unbelievable viewing I’ve ever had.
Car was really nice and clean. Pretty pebble rashes on front bumper for the mileage ( a lot more than a car I viewed with 60k on it) and a few little scuffs but nothing bad.
I looked over engine, underneath and was checking panel gaps and window rubbers etc when the seller said “ this is not the car for you, you’re expecting concourse and I’m not selling you it! We’re 30 mins in and you haven’t started the engine. You should have known within 2 minutes if it was the car for you so I’m not selling it!”
I was dumbfounded. I had not made one negative comment about the car and was just going round it as I would any car. He slammed the boot shut and bonnet and ushered me away. I was shocked and still am as I would have bought it and it is top dollar price.
Still can’t believe it.
He obviously didn’t like me having a proper look at it and expected me to say within minutes I love it here’s the money.
There was no reasoning with him.
Really strange one 😳
Click to expand...

Take it as a sign and walk away man. Sounds like the guy was hiding something.

The road rash on the bumper could be due to an aggressive driver following too close to a car just after the road has had "chippings" put down to "re-seal" it. There is a reason why they slow the road down to 20mph while the tar and chippings set up. :)
Click to expand...

Cheers Matty z4.
 
I guess there are always two sides to every scenario...yes they are some very bizarre comments and no who buys a performance car after 2 mins of looking at it, thats just stupid. I sold a VX220 a few years back and two lads rocked up, one was a serial Elise owner who helped run the forum they spent the best part of 90 minutes looking at it (and they bought it)

The flip is that he is standing there for half an hour as you pore over very minor things and he in the end just gives up on it. Who knows maybe the day before he had someone come over and spend an hour looking at it and then walked away and never responded to any follow up.

But agree, that's a very odd thing to say, that he isn't selling it to you.

I guess sometimes these things are a blessing that you didnt buy it.
 
Yes I agree.
I did apologise if I had offended him in some way and explained what I was looking at and that everything I had seen I expected for the age of car but there was no reasoning with him.
I did follow up with a message but got no response.
Somethings are just not meant to be👍
 
What a weird scenario! :o

Hopefully you'll find a more motivated seller soon. :thumbsup:
 
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