Approaching a stranger in an attempt to buy their car?

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  • einhander
    R3VLimited
    • Apr 2004
    • 2024

    #31
    Show up at his door with a wad of cash in your pocket. Be friendly and polite, tell him you will take it off his hands today, show him cash.

    Otherwise you're just some all-talk creeper who is up in his business.
    2011 1M Alpine white/black
    1996 Civic white/black
    1988 M3 lachs/black

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    • McGyver
      R3V Elite
      • Jun 2009
      • 4445

      #32
      How is ^^this spam just as helpful as any other post in this thread? (and possibly more polite?)
      sigpic
      1987 - 325i Convertible Delphin Auto [SOLD], 325i Convertible Delphin Manual [SOLD]
      1989 - 325i Convertible Bronzit m30b35 swapped [SCRAPPED], 325i Sedan Alpine Auto[DD]
      1991 - 325i Coupe Laguna Manual [Project], 535i Sedan Alpine [SCRAPPED]

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      • dubsport87
        Wrencher
        • May 2010
        • 282

        #33
        I have a white 318is in my neighborhood that looks a little neglected, my only problem is that I have 4 cars and my wife would kill me if I bought another.
        Porsche 911

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        • dannyyisntt
          No R3VLimiter
          • Sep 2008
          • 3141

          #34
          Steal their dog and leave a ransom note saying "give me the e30 or I'll sell your puppy to science"
          sigpic

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          • kensol20
            Member
            • Jul 2013
            • 99

            #35
            Just introduce yourself and inquire about the car


            Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

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            • Cletonius
              R3VLimited
              • Oct 2010
              • 2809

              #36
              Originally posted by einhander
              Show up at his door with a wad of cash in your pocket. Be friendly and polite, tell him you will take it off his hands today, show him cash.

              Otherwise you're just some all-talk creeper who is up in his business.
              I've had good success with this method. I'll put $250 in two pockets and $500 in another. Then you can pull out a wad of cash and not have to count anything. After talking to them you should be able to figure out which pocket/pockets to reach into.

              Make an offer, show them that exact amount of cash without tipping off that you've got additional cash. Most people see the cash and get greedy; cash in their face helps them make an uneducated snap decision in your favor.
              - Josh
              1990 325is

              Need a shift boot?
              Looking to buy shift boot frames, PM if you have one to sell

              Here's what happens when you let the internet pick your license plate

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              • ClayW
                Grease Monkey
                • Apr 2011
                • 377

                #37
                Introduce yourself and explain that you just moved into the neighborhood. Point to your house. Then mention that you noticed his older BMW under a tarp.

                #1 THIS IS IMPORTANT: Start by admiring his car. "I noticed that you have a great-looking car under that tarp. Are you into old BMWs? I love old BMWs. Such great cars....blah blah blah." just laud the praise on him for having such a cool car.

                #2 Play a little dumb on the details of the car. Don't go on about the rarity of a 318is or the LSD or anything. Believe it or not, there are still E30 owners out there that bought is cars and don't particularly care or know about rarity, performance or current market value. Some people hear enthusiasm and think that it's an invitation to jack a price up. As far as he needs to know, you just like older BMWs (not necessarily his, specifically).

                #3 DO NOT start with, "I want to buy your car." Just admire it and make the conversation more about meeting your new neighbor and possibly sharing BMW repair advice, parts, etc. You're just meeting another enthusiast. At some point toward the end of the conversation, say something like, "If you ever want to sell it, let me know." This will show that you are interested, the car will go to a good home, and that you're not in a hurry to buy. Some potential sellers are looking to cash in on what they think is gold ("$13.5K for my rare 200K mile E30, yo!") and others are just BMW owners that are looking to sell their old car. In the last year, a local guy sold his E28 535is for $500. He had no idea what it was worth; he just bought a new 5-series and wanted to get rid of his old car.

                #4 Don't forget that he will be your neighbor for a while. If you screw things up or get annoying, you still have to live by him. Be cool and, if he doesn't want to sell, be cool with walking away.
                Last edited by ClayW; 03-28-2014, 07:56 AM.
                1987 325e Commuter Project Blog

                1967 1600 Project Blog: www.TX02.blogspot.com

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                • mattio523
                  Member
                  • Mar 2014
                  • 49

                  #38
                  I've knocked on doors as well as left notes in mailboxes and under windshield wipers.
                  -Mattio523

                  1976 BMW 2002

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                  • blunttech
                    Forum Sponsor
                    • Jul 2004
                    • 12850

                    #39
                    you likely already have an e30 or you wouldnt be on this board asking questions. So why go through all the uncomfortableness of meeting new people, awkward silences etc etc. I would just go over at night, Take all the good parts and leave the barren carcass in his driveway
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                    • Lake
                      Advanced Member
                      • Apr 2013
                      • 177

                      #40
                      Step 1. write " can i have your car " on a piece of paper
                      step 2. get the biggest knife you have and stick it in his door
                      step 3. when he comes out to look at the note just smile and wave.
                      Originally posted by Ty13r
                      if you scream while doing it you'll gain extra power. worth a try.

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                      • Herr Faust Schinken
                        No R3VLimiter
                        • Feb 2012
                        • 3580

                        #41
                        uh wat
                        88 325is Five Speed
                        Lachssilber

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                        • goldfishe666
                          Advanced Member
                          • Feb 2014
                          • 107

                          #42
                          I left a note on a e30 I found sitting on the side of someones house undriven for a few weeks. She texted me back a few days later and I got it for a good deal

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                          • lenoelon
                            Banned
                            • Mar 2014
                            • 1

                            #43
                            Just stop by on the premise that youre new in the neighborhood, and you want their car. Direct ftw.

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                            • xolomom
                              Noobie
                              • Nov 2013
                              • 15

                              #44
                              I like the idea of midnight auto parts...

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                              • Bimmer_man
                                E30 Fanatic
                                • Jan 2013
                                • 1477

                                #45
                                Originally posted by blunttech
                                you likely already have an e30 or you wouldnt be on this board asking questions. So why go through all the uncomfortableness of meeting new people, awkward silences etc etc. I would just go over at night, Take all the good parts and leave the barren carcass in his driveway
                                Win
                                Float like a cadillac sting like a Bimmer!:)

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